Doug's Blog
It is so good to be back . . . .
First I would like to say thank you to all of those who have said over the weeks and months to, 'hang in there.' I gave a speech at my fundraising dinner that talked a lot about the ever Honourable Shirley McClellan, and a bit about the challenges of being an MLA. It was all intended to be a lead into the type of person it takes to do this job, but particularly about the type of person it takes to do this job well. Shirley McClellan is an amazing stateswoman, and amazing politician, and an amazing person. Thank you to her as well for attending, and for all that she has done for this province, especially rural Alberta.
Some people have criticized some of the decisions that she has made over the years. At times I even disagreed with the decisions she made, but then again, I have disagreed with just about everybody at some time over a decision. If it weren't so then everyone would think like me and that would mean no knew ideas would be born. That which I admired her most about her, however, was her ability to listen to all sides and then make a decision. You see, what distinguishes leaders from those that aren't is there ability to make decisions and get things done.
Whether the decision is right or wrong, once it is made you have something to work with, but inaction and indecisiveness just leaves us in the same predicament we started in, with no clearer vision of what comes next. I even had people from other parties tell me that what they appreciated about Ralph and Shirley most was that they made a decision everytime one needed to be made. Right or wrong, agree or disagree, they always made a decision, and after, if it was wrong, they fixed it. But they always made a decision.
Regardless of what you think, I have not been frustrated these past few months because of anything but the fact that I haven't been able to do my, 'Thirteen Ways to Kill a Community,' speech. Rural Development is my passion and the reason why I am here and it has been hard to get used to not working on it. It has been hard to find my place lately. I fully support our Premier, Ed Stelmach. He was chosen by you to lead and I am not so arrogant as to think I know better. That has not been my challenge. My challenge has been not working on something that I had dedicated fully 1/6th of my life to, namely Rural Development.
So what happened? I have had nothing but support from rural Albertans in this constituency and abroad to hang in, hang on, hang tough, and even hang out. All of the feedback I have received is that I need to be patient and wait until I find my niche in this new government. THAT IS NOT A SLAG TO ANYONE IN THIS GOVERNMENT. All it means is that I can and have done good work and that I need to be patient to find where I belong, much as I did the first two years when I first got elected.
Well, I have found it. I am going to pursue my interest in bioresources. That means bio-technology, nanotechnology, neutrapharmaceuticals, organic produce, bio-fuels, bio-mass, clean energy, and alternative energy. As well I am going to spend a lot of time focusing on the importance of arts and culture to the future success of this province. I will also be working on engaging youth (that is 15 to 35 years old) and reaching out to them since they are the future (yes, I am still in that category). Those issues determine the future of this province. I will have more blogs and soon videoblogs on that later.
I want to thank a man from the HILLS for that talk, a woman from the EDGE for her faith, the leaDer of youth leAders for his guidance, Keith for his words on what cream does, my family for their love, and all of you at the Small Communities Conference for your inspiration. I was told I inspired you, but you can't give inspiration without getting some. You helped me see that I have to be true to myself and what I believe in, or I surrender myself and Doug Griffiths is no more. Yes, I will be doing that speech again, and many others. And yes, the thank yous are in code. You know who you are.
I am truly sorry for losing my way for the last few months. My spirit weakened, but I am glad to say, my faith never faltered. My passion is back and so am I. Believe folks, that's all I can say . . . for we alone are the Change Agents of life. It is so good to be back . . . .
