If a man is honourable does he keep his promises, his commitments, his word?
If a country is honourable does that mean that its government keeps its commitments to other countries?
We think most people would see those basic principles as admirable, certainly something to strive for.
In fact, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the Canadian people why this country would join its allies in striking ISIS, he said: "we Canadians do not stand on the sidelines. We do our part."
"We do our part." But do we?
Harper seems to have one rule for the war on terrorists, another for the battle to save the planet.
This week a federal watchdog blasted Harper for failing to keep Canada's international commitments to reduce emissions as part of a global pact to fight climate change.
Julie Gelfand, Canada's commissioner of the environment and sustainable development, said, "My biggest concern is it does not look like Canada will meet its international commitment. I think that when you make a commitment, you need to keep it, and it's very difficult for us, for Canada, to expect other countries to meet their commitments when Canada can't meet its own."
Harper doesn't even pretend to try and meet those international commitments. The government does not even have detailed plans to meet the environmental targets.
We suppose this shouldn't be a surprise given changes to environmental protections under his rule, and the ongoing gagging of scientists - but to puff out his chest and talk about keeping international commitments for war when he can't even keep his own government's promises on climate change seems hypocritical.
Harper wanted to appear statesmanlike this week in his call to war. Unfortunately it only reminded us that anybody - even a prime minister - is only as good as his word. And all the chest pounding about war can't drown out Gelfand's damning report.
