So in the week the Economist bills him as dithering, Canada’s Prime Minister is unable to confirm whether Canada will participate in North American Missile Defence, ignoring his own Ambassador to Washington who says Canada is “in” and his own party who are saying Canada’s “out”.

The fact of the matter is that technically speaking they’re in but just as with healthcare where the word “private sector” is unspeakable, when it comes to defense, the words “America” and “missile” are believed to equate political suicide. I say believe because no one has dared to try it out yet. That is also why Canada’s Conservatives have failed the test of political competency as their leader has also remained solidly on the fence, even after George Bush explained to him personally that political success can only be achieved through applying courage and common sense. Both of these virtues are absent in Canada’s political scene which is why there’s no debate, no creativity and no real progress. Canadians may satisfy themselves with this sad state of affairs, but outsiders and potential partners may become so exasperated that they will eventually ask themselves: why bother? And that will hurt Canada.

UPDATE I: Old Peaktalk regular US Ambassador Paul Cellucci is equally baffled:

"We don't get it," Paul Cellucci said in Toronto. "If there's a missile incoming, and it's heading toward Canada, you are going to leave it up to the United States to determine what to do about that missile. We don't think that is in Canada's sovereign interest."

UPDATE II: It's now an official no. Perplexed? Check out Bob and Debbye who have some good comments.