John Gormley - The Gormley Papers: Im Right & You Know It

Also by John Gormley
Left Out: Saskatchewans NDP &
the Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity

2013 John Gormley

gormleypapers.ca

Book design: Natalie Olsen ( kisscutdesign.com )

Editor: Lynn Doll

Assistant Editor: Megan Evans

Author photo: Matt Ramage, Matt Ramage Photography ( mattramage.com )

Paper textures Fotana / Shutterstock.com and Vlue / Shutterstock.com

Published by Indie Ink Publishing

#220, 220 20th Street West

Saskatoon, SK S7L 0G7

Canada

T 888.438.1343

All rights reserved. The text of this publication, or any part thereof, may not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher.

Material reprinted with the express permission of: The StarPhoenix, a division of Postmedia Network Inc.

Printed in Canada by Friesens Book Division

First edition: November, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-927714-04-1

Also in:

Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-927714-02-7

Softcover ISBN: 978-1-927714-03-4

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication

Gormley, John, 1957, author

The Gormley papers : Im right and you know it / John Gormley.

Issued in print and electronic formats.

ISBN 978-1-927714-02-7 (bound). ISBN 978-1-927714-03-4 (pbk.).

ISBN 978-1-927714-04-1 (pdf)

1. World politics 21st century.

2. Canada Politics and government 21st century.

3. Gormley, John, 1957 Anecdotes. I. Title.

D863.G67 2013

909.831

C2013-906658-6

C2013-906659-4

To the radio listeners who have made this ride so incredible.
And for Marie, Dee, Jill and Mum...
and the new little men who make life worth living.

Acknowledgements

A book of newspaper columns written over the span of years is not easy to produce. When Suzanne Paschall of Indie Ink (publisher of my first book, Left Out), came up with the idea of a book of columns it intrigued me. Most of the credit for this book rests with Lynn Doll, retired school teacher and friend from the Battlefords days, who took on the job of reading 550 newspaper columns, sorting them into broad themes, suggesting which should go into the book and then editing the project in its entirety. This project would not have happened without Lynns guiding hand and sharp eye. She also thought of the title, claiming that she heard me one day on the radio reminding a listener that Im always right. Who, me?

It was a delight, too, working with Megan Evans and her passion, organizational bent, editing and publicity skills. To photographer Matt Ramage, book designer Natalie Olsen of Kisscut Design, the evidence of their creativity is this book, proving that prairie artists, designers and creators are second to none.

While I am exceedingly grateful to Suzanne and the many people who brought this book to life, as usual, all errors, omissions and really messed up opinions are mine alone. I wish to thank, most of all, the people who read my columns. While I assumed that most readers are also listeners of my radio talk show, some people discussing the column refer to me by that lofty title, Columnist. Sure, I write a column once a week but its given me a newfound respect for those who actually write columns for a living. Pushing back writers block, congealing disjoined thoughts into a coherent whole, rushing to deadline and doing it every day. Being a columnist is a lot tougher than it looks. And I admire those whose calling it is.

The columns in this book never would have happened if former Star Phoenix Editor Steve Gibb hadnt invited me to join his newspaper back in 2001, writing a column every Friday. Over the years, working with Steve and his associate Cam Hutchinson taught me not only how great journalists carry out their craft, but watching these two guy work as consummate class acts has been inspiring.

Recently, as the Regina Leader Post picked up the columns, Ive come to better know Will Chabun, a writer Ive admired and known socially for years, but I have only recently experienced his warmth, keen eye for precise language and professionalism. Ditto for Andy Cooper, whose encouragement and kind words have been much appreciated.

My day job is talking on the radio. And, as it has been for years with Rawlco Radio, the remarkable experience of working with Pam Leyland, Gordon and Doug Rawlinson continues to be one of the truly great privileges and learning experiences of my life. Thanks for your commitment to Saskatchewan and excellence in all things.

And, mostly, this is for Marie who encourages, supports and enriches my life beyond words. You are my love and inspiration.

Introduction

This book has been an interesting journey through my other life as a newspaper columnist.

Back in 2001, I started writing a weekly newspaper column for the Saskatoon Star Phoenix. Some years later, Reginas Leader Post also picked up the column. The editor who hired me said it wouldnt be much work (that was a good sales job); all I had to do was write down thoughts from my daily radio show, and give them the peppery ones."

Im fairly opinionated (who knew?) and it wasnt difficult to translate my thoughts from radio banter into print. But crafting them coherently or at least as coherently as Im able is tougher than it looks. Words matter. And while my opinions are the same, the array of newspaper columns over the years features a huge diversity of those opinions and perspectives. There arent many things I havent written about.

In 2010, I became an author with the publication of Left Out: Saskatchewans NDP and the Relentless Pursuit of Mediocrity. To my surprise, it became a Canadian bestseller; at Saskatoons McNally Robinson Booksellers it was the top selling title in 2010 (and the book wasnt even published until October of that year!).

The beauty of Left Outs none-too-subtle title was that it got an immediate reaction; people either thought Ive got to read this! or they recoiled in horror...Except for one long serving NDP ex-MLA and cabinet minister who came into a book store several times, until she finished a copy of Left Out borrowed from the nearby shelves. It didnt cost her anything to find out what people were talking about, and she could sleep at night knowing that a certain someone hadnt gotten a nickel from her!

As an outspoken radio host whose calling card is opinion and perspective, Ive become associated with certain positions over the years, none of which I apologize for.

The most obvious are political. I am a conservative, although American friends point out that I would be a moderate or left-leaning Republican in their world, even a Blue Dog Democrat in some places! But in Saskatchewan, where prairie socialism has run wide and deep for generations and the media has historically parroted whatever NDP government is running the place some, in the early going, perceived my political take as the stuff of heresy. Fortunately, more people think like I do, but until only recently they just wouldnt say so out loud.

On other issues, I win some and lose some:

Liberalizing Saskatchewans 1940s-era liquor laws has been a thing for me. Were not there yet but progress is being made. Ditto for health care reform, which actually is an important chapter in this book.

Having crusaded for years correctly, I still point out for Saskatchewan to join the rest of the world and change our clocks twice a year, Ive not been so successful. Sure, Ive heard it all the double daylight savings time stuff, the time zone meridians, and sun over top at noon but it doesnt change my mind. Eventually, even I grew tired of fighting this good fight. Especially, when Premier Brad Wall the only politician that I thought had the courage to hold a time change referendum bailed on it for the same reason every premier did since 1967. He didnt want to divide families and towns. Didnt want an epic battle among friends. So, I just quit haranguing about time change...for now.