James Travers on the American "canary in the coal mine":
"Personal attacks have long been a staple of politics and no party, leader or ideology bears sole responsibility for this 21st century rancour. But it’s also true that what was once exceptional is now commonplace.
"Here as in the U.S., politicians routinely accuse each other of the basest motivation. Allegations of hidden agendas, crooked schemes and Taliban sympathies roll off Canadian lips as easily and often as promises made to be broken.
"Not much would be easier than cataloguing those smears. Nothing would be less productive than attempting to pillory the most frequent or worst offenders. ...
"In contrast to our southern cousins, Canadians are known for taking moderation to an extreme. The U.S. national narrative pursues the individual rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; ours threads together the collective benefits of peace, order and good government.
"Watching the U.S. story unfold makes it easier to spot when continental trends are rewriting our story. The shocking chapter penned in American blood last weekend serves that Canadian purpose in the same way as a coal mine canary."
Full article: Travers: Arizona shooting echoes through our politics
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