Deano - Brian - and "Braveheart" kilts

Political Patronage Persona(fied) continued...

If you were to listen to "Danny" supporters - the near "bankruptcy" of Newfoundland and Labrador was a direct result of Liberal rule for over a decade.

The only time Danny complained was when he decided to become Premier - and Deano was serving under Brian Tobin - no problem - and only began complaining when Danny wanted to become Premier.

Acoording to Dean - Brian was the man - not only for Newfoundland and Labrador - but for all of Canada. He talks of balanced budgets and great commitment to economic development in our Province.

If Brian T stayed on - unlikely Danny would have run - life in the "only a few degrees of separation" Newfoundland and Labrador business community would have trudged on.

So in February of 2002 Dean writes a touching tribute to "Braveheart" Tobin and also demonstrates how he accesses political power. Dean - Danny - Brian same gang - all business - political stripes can be changed like suits - to fit the occasion.

Below is an excerpt taken from a column written by Dean MacDonald in the Mediacaster Magazine.

"A day and a half before the closing banquet at which the M.O.U. was to be signed, word was relayed to me that the Scots were upset because our Premier was not attending the signing. It was their understanding he would be there as they had confirmed the attendance of their government officials. Uh-oh...the wheels were coming off.

I tracked Brian down in Vancouver and explained the diplomatic slight. He was eight hours behind my time zone and just finishing up meetings. To make the next evening's event he would have to grab a plane in the next few hours, lose a nights sleep and basically travel non-stop for 24 hours.

To make a long story short, he made it. And as I greeted him at his hotel in Aberdeen he looked completely bagged. He looked at me and said "Deano, what are you doing wearing a kilt?" I said, "I'll explain later... here, quick, put this one on I've got for you!". "You don't think I'm going to put that on do you?" he exclaimed. I told him that I had chosen the tartan myself, it was the same one as Braveheart."