We're Not Questioning Dion's Loyalty, But Somebody Else Might

...is the message of today's T.O. Sun Editorial, and it illustrates the twisted logic behind Conservative arguments re. Dion's dual citizenship. First, the editors insist that they have no doubts as to Dion's loyalty:

We are not questioning Dion's loyalty to Canada because he holds dual Canadian/French citizenship, due to the fact his mother was born in France.

However, other "people", not including the editors, might question Dion's loyalty:

The perception of divided loyalties will always be there. What if Canada and France disagree on a major foreign policy issue? People will ask where Dion's loyalties lie.

And although The Sun editors aren't questioning Dion's loyalty, and refuse to identify the "people" who might be, they seem to have an excellent idea of what these people are upset about. Specifically, these people worry that Dion might be too soft on the French, and as the following passage indicates, too soft on the Lebanese:

Last summer, there was a huge controversy about dual Canadian-Lebanese citizens who live permanently in Lebanon while expecting Canada to evacuate them for free in the event of a regional war.

Yesterday, the C.D. Howe Institute suggested charging all non- resident citizens a special fee when renewing passports to cover potential costs.

How will Dion ever escape the perception of bias in debating and deciding such issues?

Actually, these mystery people tend to sound a lot like the Sun editorial staff, but no, apparently its not them

My challenge would be this. Can anyone who objects to Dion's dual citizen status on the grounds that somebody else might question his loyalty to Canada, please point these people out. That way, we can have a debate with them. I mean, here are a few people that fit the profile given in today's Sun editorial. But they are, for the most part, anti-French bigots and/or Western Seperatists, and surely nobody would expect Dion to act or not act to appease the likes of them.

PS. You can see the same argument, albeit given a somewhat more subtle treatment, in Andrew Coyne's column today:

1) Nobody can question Dion's commitment to the nation.
2) His dual citizenship sends a troubling message to "other Canadians".
3) These other Canadians might question Dion's commitment to the nation.

Therefore Dion should abandon his dual citizenship.

Name some names, Andy. I mean, at least Ezra Levant was honest about where he stood. He was questioning Dion's loyalty his own very self. Such honesty from other Conservatives would be refreshing.