People who ACTUALLY deserve to go in the Senate

I don't pretend to think that there are people who I like who are going to become Senators.

In fact, I think it less likely that I will like any of them.

But, here is my short list of "tolerable" tories who should go in:

1) Pat Binns. Ireland is nice, but the Senate is better.

2) Mario Dumont - maybe not a real tory - but definitely interested in Institutional Renewal.

3) Bernard Lord - of course, we know he doesn't want to go in because he has another job in mind.

4) John Reynolds - won't be in long- but his political history is long indeed.

5) Greg Thompson - open up a new cabinet seat for god's sake.

6) Mike Harris - he can officially tell Baird, Clement and Flaherty what to do. Love 'im or hate 'im - he is an excellent politician.

7) Ian Brodie/Neil Nevitte/Tom Flanagan - one of the Calgary Kabal deserve a slot.

8) Norm Sterling/Bob Runcimen - open a seat for John Tory - PLEASE - he could only be more inept if he was actually in the Legislature.

9) Michael Wilson. He has done just fine in Washington. Now it is time for someone who can keep up with the new administration.

10) Barbara MacDougall (sp?) - smart, mostly liberal-minded, and a fine voice in caucus.

You will note that there are not a lot of high profile tories who don't have a penis...If I knew more women tories, I would certainly include them.

11) Bob Mills

12) Ralph Klein - for shits and giggles alone.

13) Gary Filmon - another former Premier.

Of course, I don't know why they are limiting themselves to 18 - Mulroney and Chretien both appointed beyond the set number of Senators for their own interests. He is allowed- so do it- get it closer to that elusive split.

And, out of respect - He should invite a few liberal MPs who are in the House - a) open the seats for by-elections he could/should win in the current post coalition climate and b) reward hard workers for hard work. My list would include Dion, but its really about grooming Ken Dryden to be the Governor General. Of course, this defeats the "purpose" of stacking the Senate to bolster reform initiatives - or does it?

Tory MPs who could go up include: John Cummins, Bill Casey (not really a Tory, but a good idea regardless), Inky Mark (Ras al Ghul - check out the fu-man-chu), Merv Tweed, Vic Toews (solves another problem...), and Peter Goldring (love the new province.)