Main Entry: moral compass
Part of Speech: n
Definition: anything which serves to guide a person’s decisions based on morals or virtues
Example: Hopefully, the lawyer has a moral compass.

The latest chapter in the Brian Mulroney saga has Stephen Harper attacking Michael Ignatieff for lacking a “moral compass”. I’m not completely sure I follow Harper’s logic but here’s what he said:

“Mr. Ignatieff and the Liberal Party, when this matter first broke, were practically demanding that I throw Mr. Mulroney in prison without a trial. Now they’re out there pretending that somehow they’re his best friends and they don’t agree with any of this. I think what Canadians will see is when it comes to a very difficult issue of government conduct and government ethics, this government has behaved responsibly and the other party, the other leader, has absolutely no moral compass.”

Now, I can think of a few possible meanings to what Harper is saying here:

1. Anyone who defends Brian Mulroney or calls him on his birthday has no moral compass. On that point, who among us can argue?

2. Trying to create internal divisions in another party would only be done by a sick individual lacking a moral compass.

3. Calling an inquiry that might potentially embarrass a former Prime Minister of one’s own party is a sign of a strong moral compass.

4. Conservative research has found that Michael Ignatieff enjoys torturing puppies. And Brian Mulroney loves to watch.

Then again, maybe I’m missing something in Harper’s argument.

In fairness, there’s probably some truth that the Liberals have spun around a bit on the Mulroney issue, but it’s not like Harper has been Mr. Consistency on this either.