Just a Side Order of Democracy Please

Jim Travers has an interesting take on Missile Defence in the Toronto Star.

"Back when Martin was toppling Jean Chrétien, the malevolently misnamed Son of Star Wars project was so low profile that Ottawa could have negotiated a role without much risk."

but now...

"Along with measuring growing opposition to the missile shield, EKOS Research finds that a majority of Canadians now think the issue could be important enough to justify a federal election."

and as a result...

"Liberals are now expected to bow to changed political realities at their March convention by confirming their antipathy to Star Wars."

with the lesson we take from this being that,

"Tough decisions demand that leaders lead. Seizing opportunity requires courage.

"This Prime Minister is falling short on both, first by failing to proselytize his policies and then by doing nothing. Now, he can only read today's poll and mourn what could so easily have been."

So if I'm reading this right, Travers is saying that Martin should have approved missile defence before Canadians learned enough about it to seriously oppose it. Interesting view on democracy, a little paternalistic if you ask me.

Update: Jonathan, over at No More Shall I Roam goes into more detail on why all those 'misguided' Canadians might have good reasons not to support Missile Defense.