What can Stephane Dion learn from this very famous quote? For those who are not familiar with the Battle of Gettysburg, General Robert E. Lee in reference to the Union Army’s position on Cemetery Ridge, uttered these word to his General in the field, Richard S. Ewell. The Union Army was out numbered by the Confederates on the first contact between the two at the now legendery battlefield. Historians have argued that had Ewell attacked instead of waiting, Lee may have marched onto Washington. Isn’t hindsight wonderful. Back to Dion. Communication is paramount in battle, as Lee learned at Gettysburg. The current political atmosphere in Ottawa is beginning to feel alot like a battle is brewing, and communication will be key. Former Liberal Cabinet Minister Jean Lapierre recently told Mike Duffy that Liberal Riding Associations across Canada are asking that Dion hold off on causing an election. At the grass roots the Liberals are disorganized and shallow in the pocket book. Yet Dion told them he will vote against the budget sending the country to a General Election. Senior Liberals like David Smith, Ralph Goodale and Bob Rae are imploring Stephane to wait til spring. They don’t want to fight an election on Harper’s terms. All suggest that Dion wait and go at a time that is in the best interests of the Liberal party. What we have in this instance is a case where all of the Generals are telling the Supreme Commander not to rush up that ridge for fear of slaughter. At Gettysburg, General Longstreet didn’t want to run his men up Little Round Top knowing that the Union Army held the high ground and would be waiting for the Confederates like lambs at the slaughter. Lee ordered the attack on Little Round Top much to the dismay of Longstreet. Perhaps Rae, Smith and Goodale are worried that after Dion orders the troops to take the hill by storm, waiting for them at the summit is a slaughter at the hands of a big blue machine. They say history tends to be cyclical.
