Zack Paikin, the son of TVO Agenda host Steve Paikin, has announced that he will seek the Liberal nomination for the Ontario riding of Hamilton West—Ancaster—Dundas. While I am heartened whenever I see young people who are politically engaged, the 22-year-old Paikin is an extraordinarily conservative, overly confident and some would say arrogant Liberal; he is not someone who would garner my support.
The following is representative of what I deem to be his callow, blinkered and rather distasteful views. In an Ipolitics article in October 2012, he
argued that the Canadian criminal justice system was in need of reform because former Livent CEO Garth Drabinsky has been denied full parole after serving a year and change of a five-year fraud sentence — but was granted day parole while serving the rest of his time.
He also noted that Drabinsky is a long-time family friend. Arguments for freeing him from the shackles of a halfway house today include the fact that Ragtime, one of the mega-musicals Garth produced prior to his criminal ordeals, made Zach cry. (An unfortunate typo — “literally balling my eyes out” — was later corrected.)
While young Zach may indeed have a political career awaiting him in the future, in my view he needs considerable seasoning before making that leap.
It seems to me that 22 is too young to run for any political office, Lorne. He should do some living first -- and earn a living.
ReplyDeleteI agree completely, Owen. Otherwise he will be just like so many of our current crop, who have no experience outside of politics, and look where that has gotten us.
DeleteI suspect that many share your assessment, Ben, and that impression will be a difficult one for young Zach to overcome.
ReplyDeleteTypo in the headline: it's Paikin, not Pakin.
ReplyDeleteSomeone named Zack Pakin is a pre-teen IT whiz in the US.
Thanks for the correction, Ghost Rider.
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