08.17.2019 05:58 AM

My friend Jim

My friend of 40 years, Jim. He’s gay.

In all of those 40 years, we never once discussed it. I didn’t know and I didn’t care. Now I know, and I still don’t care.

He’s one of my best and oldest friends. I love him like you love a brother.

I want him to be happy, and I want him to be loved.

He is.

And his story is here.

10 Comments

  1. Fred J Pertanson says:

    Gay or straight, doesn’t matter. Shouldn’t matter.

    Awarding the LRT Project Phase 2 to SNC-Lavalin matters a lot. Especially since they failed the technical review.

    Warren, speak to your friend. Tell him to give his head a shake.

    Cheers.

    • Campbell says:

      Check your facts – SNC’s bid was found to be technically compliant, even though it didn’t quite meet the 70% “threshold” under which the City could exercise sole discretion to cease to consider a bid. As it was technically compliant, near to the threshold score, and likely to be significantly below the other bids, it made total sense to allow the lower quality bid to move forward to financial evaluation. As much as I wish that we didn’t live in a “low bid” environment for government contracts, we do.

  2. Gord Tulk says:

    DILLIGAF

  3. Robert White says:

    Mayor Watson is perhaps the most experienced politician in Canada given his decades of managing governance at the provincial & municipal levels. I ran against him a couple of times just to learn from his expertise & knowledge base when it comes to politics & electioneering.

    He is a great educator when it comes to municipal politics & the Liberal ethos in Canada.

    I always wish him well given his professionalism & honest interest in politics in Canada. He is a good person to be sure.

    I, for one, am sure that all in Ottawa support him fully no matter what sexual orientation is manifest. Culturally, we still have a long way to go on inclusivity within Canada and people like Mayor Watson are guiding the way forward ethically & progressively.

    RW

  4. Derek Pearce says:

    This is one of those situations where it truly is better late than never. Glad to see him make peace with himself over this.

  5. Ronald O'Dowd says:

    I’m happy for him. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be and love yourself. Easier said than done. Then to love others. To those unhappy and struggling I say, don’t willingly punish yourself by leading a double life. I’ve seen that story too often. Be authentic. First will come contentment, then inner peace and hopefully love. Good luck.

  6. Campbell says:

    Although many in Ottawa say “so what? This was an open secrete and we all knew!”, I can’t help but feel so happy for him that he has arrived at a place of pride within himself that has allowed him to make the announcement. And there’s a really deep message in there about how he regrets that he didn’t find it in him to be public about this before and the opportunities lost as a result, while still being very happy that he got to this place on his own terms. I’m elated and proud of Mayor Watson today.

    • Alex says:

      +1

      As a longtime resident of Ottawa this has been an open secret for more years than I can remember. (I recall this being a topic of conversation in the 1990s). However, people in Ottawa never really cared about this, except for a tiny, hateful fringe. That said, I completely agree with you Campbell that this is a welcome step, even if it confirms what a large part of the Nation’s Capital already knew.

  7. Max says:

    Word is Trudeau will be apologizing tomorrow on behalf of … er, um. ah…. not sure yet, but he put out a statement thru the media supporting Mr. Watson, so there must be SOMETHING… ANYTHING in this that he can apologize for to change the channel with a new round of virtue-signaling. “Trudeau stands with Jim!” BFF Gerry has him rehearsing his tears as we speak.

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