After 400 of her supporters were left off Liberal membership roles -- in a nomination fight decided by 311 votes -- Sheila Copps now has three days to appeal the results:

Even more important than possible voting irregularities is how the Copps ouster has become symbolic of Liberal infighting.

Today, it's Sheila Copps who's gone. But more contested nominations are in the works -- and are likely to produce more ousted Chrétien Liberals.

Now that 'heads have started to roll' in the sponsorship scandal, they too are -- unsurprisingly -- Chrétien Liberals. Sponsorship scandal casualties (and Chrétien patronage appointees) Jean Pelletier and Marc LeFrancois were fired this past week.

Just a few weeks ago, Martin was trying to avert a Liberal civil war. Now, it seems, that Martin himself is throwing down the gauntlet -- not just on the sponsorship scandal, but against all left-leaning Liberals.

This brings us full circle, back to the beginning. What if Martin had invited Sheila Copps into Cabinet, hired a few ex-Chrétien aides and supported his own sitting MPs, instead of letting his loyalists use the 'Martin brand' to oust them?

That may not have solved all of Paul Martin's problems; the sponsorship scandal would still exist. But at least he might enjoy a little loyalty from those who've been running the party for last ten years. That would've been helpful.

Moreover, had Martin "given" the Chrétien loyalists some power, they'd have something to lose. If those (now former) Liberal heavyweights had their jobs on the line, do you really think their party allies would be threatening libel suits, legal action and leaking like sieves?

Remember, courage is just another word for nothing left to lose.

In other words, Paul Martin's overwhelming arrogance may come back to bite him in the ass.