Hats off to Corruption Fighters

Monday’s release of the first Gomery Report, culminating from the enquiry into Canada’s Sponsorship Scandal, was the third major corruption report within as many working days.First there was special prosecutor Fitzgerald’s report on the White House CIA leak affair, followed by Volcker’s report on the UNs Oil for Food Scandal.
While the real message and impact of these three substantial reports will continue to surface, the three messengers have left an indelible legacy.
Under pressure cooker conditions the three ‘investigators’ have maintained tight, focused probes into their respective investigations.
The language by each, throughout their deliberations and in their reports has been measured, targeted and thoughtful.
More to the point, given that each had to work with a purpose built organisations, and with many other assisting organisations, proceedings were invariably water tight.
There must be a lesson in this for the administrations for which they were conducting their respective examinations.
The vital importance of how these enquiries were conducted and the findings delivered cannot be downplayed.
Each held the ‘powers’ to destabilize the governing bodies for which they were probing corrupt activities. Each had the potential to ‘play politics’, to push their own agenda. There are very many ways in which each, emulating the body politic, could have produced chaotic results rather that the measured tone we have seen.
It is a sad testimony that the worlds leaders need this kind of oversight, that they cannot conduct themselves with a measure of probity and dignity.  Still, it is a fact.
The people meeting this need of audit and oversight, like these three, are proving to be real models of what our political leaders should be.
Hat’s off these corruption fighters. It seems, out of the mire, we are being given some clear examples of proper leadership. Their efforts will not stop corruption, but the insights delivered make exposing it a great deal easier.