Is That You, Scrooge?
When Charles Dickens wrote his "Christmas Carol", he described the money-loving Ebenezer Scrooge as a " squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, covetous" creature. I'm going to borrow that line from him to describe Montreal publisher Robert Davies, because I think it's an absolute perfect fit. Davies is obviously a man driven by avarice.
He tells of a scene between himself and his supposed friend, Pierre Trudeau, that took place over lunch one day in 1992. Having done some favour for Trudeau, Davies then pressed him in return to sign a reproduction copy of the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Trudeau demurred at first, protesting that it was his wont to sign nothing. In his own telling of the story, Davies says he persisted in his request, referring to the favour he had just done for Trudeau. Although he refuses to give detail on this supposed good turn, he does say Trudeau "appreciated" it.
I would say that his use of the favour to pressure Trudeau into doing something against his better instincts proves that it was not something done simply as a good turn for a friend. It was done solely to turn the acquaintance into cold cash, as Davies has proven by his listing the item on e-Bay with a starting bid of $5,000.00 U.S. He lists it as a piece of history, and expects the suitably impressed to flock to the auction, and drive the bid up to match his avaricious desires.
In case his dream doesn't materialize on e-Bay, the greedy one has also approached several lawyers who describe themselves as Trudeau admirers, looking for a private sale.
If all else fails, Mr. Gimme-Money says he will pursue a private sale to a museum.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, the item had 10 bids, the highest being US $6,700.00.
You're a right nasty old Scrooge, you are, Davies, putting a price on any piece of your country's history just to line your own pockets. I have a suggestion for you. Give the document to the national archives. Just give. Don't ask a penny for it. Do it for the love of your country and in honour of Trudeau, to prove that you actually meant the appellation when you called him friend.
Just give it.
He tells of a scene between himself and his supposed friend, Pierre Trudeau, that took place over lunch one day in 1992. Having done some favour for Trudeau, Davies then pressed him in return to sign a reproduction copy of the 1982 Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Trudeau demurred at first, protesting that it was his wont to sign nothing. In his own telling of the story, Davies says he persisted in his request, referring to the favour he had just done for Trudeau. Although he refuses to give detail on this supposed good turn, he does say Trudeau "appreciated" it.
I would say that his use of the favour to pressure Trudeau into doing something against his better instincts proves that it was not something done simply as a good turn for a friend. It was done solely to turn the acquaintance into cold cash, as Davies has proven by his listing the item on e-Bay with a starting bid of $5,000.00 U.S. He lists it as a piece of history, and expects the suitably impressed to flock to the auction, and drive the bid up to match his avaricious desires.
In case his dream doesn't materialize on e-Bay, the greedy one has also approached several lawyers who describe themselves as Trudeau admirers, looking for a private sale.
If all else fails, Mr. Gimme-Money says he will pursue a private sale to a museum.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, the item had 10 bids, the highest being US $6,700.00.
You're a right nasty old Scrooge, you are, Davies, putting a price on any piece of your country's history just to line your own pockets. I have a suggestion for you. Give the document to the national archives. Just give. Don't ask a penny for it. Do it for the love of your country and in honour of Trudeau, to prove that you actually meant the appellation when you called him friend.
Just give it.
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