Legislature sees the Light of Day Stockwell Day is Alberta's "holy roller" of politics. The Alberta Treasurer does politic's God's way. By Jessie Schut     Alberta’s provincial treasurer Stockwell Day agrees to pose for media pictures after a speech. Even though he’s running late, he takes the time to haul his roller blades out of the back of his sports utility vehicle. He puts them on and obligingly strikes a dashing pose for the photographer, quipping, “There, now you can write about the “holy roller” of politics.”     The politician is no stranger to being called names: Stock to his friends, red-neck to his enemies, bigot to his detractors, a man of integrity to his admirers. Now you can add holy roller to the roster.     Day took up roller-blading as a form of exercise when his knee began to give him trouble during jogging. Typically, he’s not going to let a bit of pain deter him from doing what he has to do.     It’s a policy he’s followed throughout his political career. He’d rather speak his mind and take the consequences than fade quietly into the background, even if the consequences are sometimes painful     Day doesn’t think much of the political correctness agenda. “People should be themselves,” he says. “I have always said I would do what I believe is right and will pay the price.”     So, when as minister of family and social services, he instituted a policy denying gays and lesbians the right to foster or adopt children, he was called a bigot and a red-neck. And as a committed pro-life advocate, he also backed a failed bid to eliminate Medicare funding for most abortions.     In an era when political careers can be destroyed by a thirty-second politically-incorrect sound bite, Day has beat the odds and is thriving in spite of engaging in what others might consider political suicide. He isn’t just shooting off his mouth to get into the news, however; he’s speaking from the basis of his strongly-held Christian convictions, which earn him the right to be called the holy roller of politics.     “As a Christian, I acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the whole universe,” he says. He also believes that the Bible, as God’s word, has a lot to teach citizens about their responsibilities and about the role of family and the government.     “Any time we don’t correctly understand our roles and responsibilities in these institutions, we’ll get our lives out of balance,” he says, noting that he sees a gradual weakening of society’s understanding of their importance.     When he sees social trends that weaken institutions like the family, he believes he has a responsibility to develop and uphold laws and policies that protect them.     “I can’t impose my views on other people,” he says, “but I can explain what I believe and what I think God wants. I’m affected by my view of the world, and I’ll bring my views to the table.”     His determination to speak his mind and act on his convictions doesn’t just extend to law-making, however. It also applies to law-breaking.     Last year, as Day was entering a drug store in his home town of Red Deer, a man wearing a balaclava pushed past him on his way out. Day decided there was a crime in progress, and he wasn’t about to stand by and watch. He gave chase.     “I told him to halt,” said Day. “He told me to do something else.”     The man managed to elude Day and eventually got into an apartment building, leaving Day on the sidewalk. Even that didn’t stop the treasurer; he pushed intercom buttons until he gained access, then tracked the thief to an apartment, where the police apprehended the culprit.     Certainly, Day could have gotten hurt in the incident. But fear hasn’t stopped him before from doing what he believes he has to do, and it likely won’t in the future.     “Holy roller”--it’s not a bad description. It may just stick, after all. Mr. Wellday With all the publicity Stockwell Day has received from the media, one would think everybody knows who he is. Right? Apparently not. Once, Day was returning phone calls to his Red Deer constituency. The conversation went like this: Day: Hello, may I speak to Joe? Secretary: Sorry, he’s not in. Would you like to leave a message? Day: Yes, could you tell him Stockwell Day returned his call? Secretary: Is that the name of your company? Day: No, it’s my name. Secretary: Could you spell it for me, please? Day: S-T-O-C-K-W-E-L-L-D-A-Y. Secretary: Okay, I’ll tell him you called, Mr. Wellday. Good-bye. [LLN-Online] [Adopt-a-Block] [Newsbriefs][Event Calendar] [Lifestyles] [Juke Box] [Cover to Cover] [Movieguide][Casting the Net] [Viewpoints] [General Info] [Rates & Sizes][Marketplace/Classifieds] [Volunteer Ops] [Writing Guidelines] [Contact Us] [Subscribe][Archives][Good News] [About Us][Links]