When you write something on a blog, you better make damn sure you want the world to read it, because they will. It’s quite easy to whip off some words, post them and not even think about the repercussions. But once the post is out there, you will very likely be judged by the words you write. Especially if you’re a politician. Yes, my friends, even politicians have blogs. And politicians should especially be careful of trying not to sling too much mud.

But apparently Toronto Liberal MP Garth Turner had some stuff he really needed to get off his chest. And now he is coming under fire for those words. In the middle of gushing and fawning over Liberal leader Stephane Dion’s refusal to back down on his environmental stance, Turner insulted half of the population of Quebec.

On his blog Thursday he wrote, “You might not agree with everything the man [Stephane Dion] says, but you have to admire this about him. He stood up once to the self-aggrandizing, hostile, me-first, greedy, macho, selfish and balkanizing separatist losers in Quebec. ..I guess he can do it again in Alberta.”

Oh, but how do you really feel Garth? Those are some pretty harsh words. Reminds me of a grade three fight where you try to come up with as many insults as possible, all in one breath. If you are going to call a distinct group of Canadians losers, you may want to save it for your slam book or diary. And when trying to praise your leader for his negotiating prowess? It doesn’t help to say he won negotiating against loser. Kinda take the wind out of your sails. Surely you could have worded it a bit better? That’s what editing is all about.

When asked about the post by the Canadian Press, Turner admits that he may have been a little harsh. “I was trying to draw a comparison between the courage that it took Mr. Dion during the national unity debate to stand up to those with a strong separatist agenda, and the courage that it’s taking him now, obviously, to stand up to those who would talk about separatism in the West.”

Now, was that so hard to say?