And by their business cards, we shall know them!

While Major League Baseball is reaching the end of it's seasonal cycle, it's a new session of Parliament and with it the first brush back pitches of the new season of the Parliamentary hardball league.

Up to the Parliamentary plate steps John Baird, the Foreign Affairs Minister who seemingly has a fairly secure impression of his place in the pecking order at External, at least judging by the rather ostentatious nature of his official business cards.

Previous to today's debate, the pre session dynamics of Ottawa had focused on Billy Bishop McKay's frequent flyer points (Coast Guard helicopters on standby) but with word of Mr. Baird's fondness for gold embossed business cards, the focus has shifted a tad it seems.

Debate in the House of Commons on Friday offered up some contentious discourse as Liberal MP Scott Brisson waded into the Question Period debate with a few er, ahem, colourful observations on Mr. Brisson's fondness for gold.

So much for the prospect of a more civil approach to the issues of the day, it would seem that when in the sandbox that seems to be the House of Commons, the best approach is to dig in and toss some sand.