What Happened to Gordon Campbell's Appointment as "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?

A few weeks ago the central Canadian media was all abuzz over the pending appointment of former BC Premier - Gordon Campbell - to the post of High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Since that flurry of press - there has been silence from everybody, the feds - the Minister of Foreign Affairs - and Campbell himself.

Tough on Crime Harper - seemed poised to appoint this convicted drunk driver to a prestigious post. One that should require good-judgement, diplomacy, and a clean record.

In Canada everyday some family loses somebody they love as a result of a drunk driver. Organizations such as MADD describe impaired driving as a violent offence, irresponsible, dangerous, and intolerable.

Take that information and apply it to Gordon Campbell - convicted of impaired driving in the USA and blew .149 on his breathalyzer - nearly twice the legal limit.

The other charges included failure to drive on the right side of the road, disregarding traffic lane markings and speeding. Maui police allege his vehicle swerved across the centre line and then jerked into the roadside bicycle lane before he was stopped.

The only saving grace to this sordid tale is that Campbell did not kill anybody.

Okay so justice - such as it was in Hawaii - was served. He paid a fine of just over $900.

The question is what happens to the life of Gordon Campbell versus the life of an impaired teenager making a bad choice?

Check it out yourself - see how many convicted drunks go on to be "high" Commissioner to the United Kingdom?

What makes the situation with Campbell more atrocious - the man has an MBA, was the Premier of a Province, a legislator, a children's book author and generally had a very comfortable life. This was not poor judgement - as might be seen by a youth raised in an alcoholic and violent family - this was arrogance. This was a "do you know who I am" moment - where he was above us and above the law.

This was a man who had everything and was elevated to the top post in his Province - and he simply chose to get drunk and drive.

So go ahead Harper  - get tough on crime - and give Mr. Campbell his just reward ("high" commissioner). Do we all think this sets a good example for our youth?