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There’s been a curious turn in some of the press commentary on what we may call the Alberta situation — references to “whining” and “complaining,” reminders that other regions have had “downturns,” too, claims that Albertans themselves have been careless in the management of their main industry. Some have actually expressed satisfaction that the province may be forced by its current dilemma to seek alternate sources for its economy, along the vaporous trail of the New Green Economy — whatever that strange beast is supposed to be.

Some of this is baiting, some of it is ignorance, and all of it, in the light of tensions that now exist out West, is perilous. This is not a time to wind up people who are already fully wound up.

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This is not a time to wind up people who are already fully wound up

Well yes, there have been downturns before. Mines have closed, American bases have shut down, and businesses have gone bust. But the Alberta case is not like that. The burdens under which Alberta now labours are singular, if not unique.