Despite broken campaign pledges surrounding gigantic budget deficits, and very inept, contradictory and confusing communications surrounding the Saudi arms deal, The Chosen One’s popularity continues to grow.
It’s been six months since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was swept into power on that tumultuous Red Tide, and it all reminds me of Beatlemania, way back before this young politician with matinee-idol good looks was even born.
For obvious reasons like unkept promises and lack of truthfulness, I’ve never taken any politician too seriously, so here’s my imaginary peek into the forthcoming trip to India for our globe-trotting selfie-magnet.
He received the invitation from the Indian PM on April Fool’s Day, and this sojourn could turn out to be a sub-continental sight for sore eyes. The possibilities are endless, just picture our PM wrapped in a Mahatma Gandhi-style blanket to show off his boxer’s physique; naturally, it would either be a Bay blanket or even a maple leaf.
Much more likely for his travel wardrobe to contain those embroidered Nehru jackets like the aforementioned Beatles wore when they visited Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram a half-century ago.
Sunny Sophie will wear a bejeweled sari, as will the Canadian television news anchors, Lisa LaFlamme and Dawna Friesen, both of whom will be reporting from New Delhi. Their saris will probably be selected from many slightly-used ones that are hanging somewhere in a B.C. government locker.
B.C. Premier Christy Clark has been playing Miss Dress-Up for many years when attending Vancouver’s many East Indian festivals; to curry favour with ethnic voters, while sampling their delicious curry-flavoured treats.
Peter Mansbridge will also be broadcasting from the Indian capital, regaled in an iridescent military-type uniform like those featured on the album cover of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Heart Club Band.
A string of love-beads and floral garlands would complete his Far Eastern sartorial splendour and each newscast would have an accompanying topical Beatles soundtrack. For starters would be Magical Mystery Tour, then Taxman, We Can Work It Out, Should Have Known Better and Help!
I can hardly wait for the Canadian government jet to take off from Ottawa bound for New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Bernie SmithParksville
