The Kevin Files: is your hair on fire?

The Globe and Mail yesterday published an excellent summary of the controversy over comments made by Kevin Krueger about pending cuts to arts funding; although we have to wonder about their choice of picture - is that Altar Boys? - as representative of BC arts and culture (no offence to that fine show).

The article, written by Fiona Morrow, quotes from the original interview with Krueger in which he states: “I don't think anyone is lighting their hair on fire at what is coming down the pipe.”

The article further quotes the minister as saying that his office would be responding to all of the letters that have been generated since the radio spot. He further remarked that he found it “comical” that mail was arriving from as far away as Texas. 

A sample of those letters can be found here on PLANK in the comment sections to our original postings on this issue. Having not read the letter from Texas we can't, of course, comment on what was so comical about it. We would love to hear from any of our readers who have received a letter from the Minister's office. We would also love to know whether these responses are "pro-forma" (the Minster's description of the letters sent to him).

Krueger, in quoting the Bible, effectively told the arts community to worry about today - there are enough problems to occupy us - and let tomorrow take care of itself. Of course, with a government that has a reputation for destruction at the beginning of a mandate and largesse at the end, individuals in the arts community could be forgiven for being suspicious of such a call to put blind trust in our leaders.

Krueger also asked us to tighten our belts. I trust that he will also be shedding up to 50% of his office expenses and, oh, salary as a sign of solidarity.