Angry in the Great White North

Elizabeth May has done it again. Back in May, she said that Stephen Harper and other global warming skeptics are worse than Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister who appeased Adolf Hiter and the Nazies.

And guess what, she's done it again. Anyone who disagrees with Elizabeth May is a Neville Chamberlain, who abetted the rise of Nazism:

There are hardly words for the scandal this represents. For the dreadful irresponsibility of the Harper government. George Monbiot said that the triumvirate of Harper and Bush and Howard blocking action on climate represented a moral failure more culpable than that of Neville Chamberlain. I was variously skewered and attacked last spring for mentioning how Canada’s international reputation had suffered, citing George Monibiot’s statement to make the point.. (No need to revisit the various ways that quoting George Monbiot was viewed as some sort of political equivalent of a kamikaze mission.)

I repeat those words now, not because I thirst for abuse, but because in the light of day, following Canada’s actions in Uganda, they seem an understatement.

Not just worse, but far worse.

This makes Stephane Dion the luckiest politician in Canada. To understand why, consider some of the things Stephane Dion said the first time Elizabeth May lumped her opponents together with Nazis:

"I think she should withdraw. . In the spectrum of horror, the Nazi regime is beyond any comparison."

Dion told reporters later that he was "uncomfortable" with May's remarks and urging her to withdraw them.

He said he was uncomfortable with the analogy and added he understood the Jewish Congress's reaction since analogies to the Nazis were becoming all too common in debate. "Climate change is worrisome enough and we don't need to go over the top," said Mr. Dion.

This tepid response did not lead to a retraction by Elizabeth May. Instead, Stephane Dion and the Liberal Party remained tied to an unrepentant Elizabeth May and the Green Party.

Not often does a politician get to fix a mistake. Stephane Dion has been given a singularly unique opportunity. Seven months ago, Dion was uncomfortable with May's comments, and said that he thought the comment should have been withdrawn.

Now Stephane Dion can state that he is shocked by Elizabeth May's comments, and demand that the comment be withdrawn.

If Stephane Dion makes the right move now, he can erase the mistake from the first time around. I would be the first to say that any criticism of Dion based on what happened back in May would no longer be fair in light of a more forceful response tomorrow.

Yes, Stephane Dion is a very lucky politician. Such a rare opportunity. The question is whether he will take advantage of this opportunity.

Because if he doesn't, then he's guilty of failing the same key leadership test not once, but twice.