At the Shotgun, commentor “ET” reflects my own reaction to Paul Martin’s appointment of a little known CBC journalist to the post of Governor General, and then fleshes out the political strategy behind it.
The position of G-G is, as head of state, supposed to be held by an individual who has worked towards and achieved, by some measureable criteria, the well-being of the majority of Canadians.
It is a national position, it is an honorary position, it is an awarded position, and should be based, therefore, on accountable merit. By accountable merit, I mean non-political; a government’s patronage appointments must be made with integrity, i.e., by the use of non-partisan standards and for no partisan political agenda.
These non-partisan standards, in the case of the G-G, must be for work done by that individual for ‘national committment’, for ‘national achievements’, whether in politics, law, economics, education, science, medicine etc. There are plenty of Canadian individuals whose lifetime work has been non-partisan, has been national and has indeed showed extraordinary commitment to the well-being of citizens.
Ms Jean fits none of these criteria. It is trivial and irrelevant to divert criticism of this choice to her being ‘ethnic’, ‘non-white’, ‘a woman’, even to her being ‘Quebecois’..blah blah. That’s all trivia and obfuscates and hides what should be the basic criticism of this choice of her as G-G. The criticism? She doesn’t fit what should be a standard for a patronage appointment of this stature; namely, a lifetime work towards the betterment of the well-being of the majority of Canadians. As I said – there are many in Canada who have worked over their lives, in their fields, -whether in medicine, politics, literature, science, law, education etc..whose work has made profound contributions to the well-being of people.
So- what are Ms Jean’s qualifications???? None of the above. She’s a local broadcaster. So what? There are lots of local broadcasters and journalists and sports writers and national news reporters. So what? There’s absolutely NO DIFFERENCE in qualifications between any of them..well, a lot of them are far more knowledgeable than Ms Jean. Far more knowledgeable. And a lot of them speak many languages as well. Hey- there’s Chantal Hebert, there’s Andrew Coyne, there’s Irshad Manji, there’s Don Cherry, there’s Peter Worthington, there…and so on. But – do any of them have that criterion of a lifetime of work resulting in demonstrable improvements in the well-being of many Canadians…such as would be found in a lifetime of work in law, in economics, in science, in medicine, in politics etc. No. So- they can be awarded OTHER acknowledgements of their status. National Newspaper Awards, Order of Canada, etc, etc.
So- what was this position appointment really about? Remember – forget the trivia. Don’t even mention the ‘non-white’, female irrelevancies. The appointment was made, as are ALL LIBERAL actions – for one purpose only. Votes for Power.
The agenda is for the Montreal city votes in the next election. That’s what it’s all about. The Liberals figure they could lose the rural votes, the outside Montreal votes, which will go to the Bloc. But, Montreal has usually been Liberal and the Gomery has badly damaged that Montreal base. This appointment is for both the ethnic votes – which are ALL in Montreal (how’s that for a diverse province…all the ethnics are only found in Montreal; they aren’t welcome elsewhere in the province)…AND – it’s for the Montreal city votes.
It’s all about Liberal Power. Nothing else.
(Not to mention the lingering warm fuzzies that will keep the CBC firmly on side.)
I did my stint in the military to fight SOCIALISM not to pat it on the back. As for the new GG It just doesn’t matter any more what the scum in the east does. Lets them freeze this winter in the dark.
Two Things that socialists hate about capitalism.
1-You have to go to work.
2-You only get paid what you are worth.
The Globe reports on the new Governor General and raises significant questions about her judgment on the terrorist mass murders of September 11, 2001:
…After the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, she expressed sympathy for the victims but also raised questions about the world’s response.”Why such outpouring and compassion for New York and so little for the hundreds and thousands of victims in Rwanda a few years ago?” she asked. She also drew a link between the attacks and U.S. foreign policy. “The attacks on New York and Washington were, in a way, foreseeable.”
They are going to have to lure His Excellency John Raulston Lapdog out of the residence with a doggy treat.
Are we looking at a future handle that goes something like Governor General “douche bag”.
I mean if it smells like a politicaly correct appointment, walks like a PC appointment, and has the qualifications of the afore mentioned hygiene devices well… WELL???
You sort of lose all respect (and perspective) for pathetic transparent political games …like these.
Kate: PM Martin’s appointment of Micha�lle Jean underscores that there is no meaningful public involvement in the nomination or review of Canada’s Federal appointees.
Furthermore, Canadian political appointees do not face the intense public scrutiny of confirmation hearings and a confirmation vote – a process involving intense debate and lobbying by various affected stakeholders. Instead, Canadians are simply told by the PM to “trust me” for “peace, order and good government.”
Is “trust me” really good enough??????
FYI Alex Trebak was probably offered the GG appointment by Paul Martin but turned it down. It’s more fun running the Jeopardy TV game show than the real Jeopardy Game on Parliament Hill.
Vanier was the first native born GG in 1952.
A Ziggen ever-so-graciously said:
“If a man idendifies himself as a WWII vetern he must lap up the post 60’s vision of Canada…despite the fact that this was not what he was fighting for.
What pathetic garbage.”
Hey, Ziggy, here’s a message for you:
http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/12342.html
There you go, you left-wing asshole!
Stumpy, I was at work all day yesterday. Too much time surfing? Once again, you don’t know what you’re talking about, moonie.
Yes, I’ve another message for you:
http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/12370.html
Got that?
Damn moonbats!
Stumpy and Ziggy, you old bum buddies, just one more link so that there’s no doubt as to what most people think of the vile slurs you have uttered:
http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/11176.html
Ummm … Take it easy there Stephen McA… A Ziggen was being sarcastic.
SpaceNeedleBoy: You’re right on the money. The G-G is just among the higher-profile appointments that the PM makes. If Martin really wanted to address the democratic deficit, he’d start with changing that process to allow a vetting procedure.
WTF is this liberal left socialist crap about reaching out? Stay back; do not come near. You are a left liberal mouthpiece; stay in Rideau Hall, Ottawa and enjoy our taxes.
Our Reach Exceeds Your Grasp
The Cluetrain Manifesto says “we are not seats or eyeballs or end users or consumers. we are human beings – and our reach exceeds your grasp. deal with it.”
Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
New governor general reaches out
MONTREAL (CP) – Michaelle Jean has encountered – and overcome – several daunting challenges in Canada since arriving as a child from her native Haiti
The Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ reached out to this murderer. How did he repay them? Murder.
The end result of socialism/multiculturalism/political correctness is murder.
Canadian citizens are being murdered by the heinous social policies of the Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$. This Kembo was a Librano$’government sponsored refugee. Blood on the Librano$ hands: brought to you by AdScam Martin & his socialist regime.>>>
Accused killer was sponsored refugee
VANCOUVER – Accused triple murderer Charles Kembo was a government-sponsored refugee with a lengthy criminal record who was ordered deported from Canada eight years before his alleged killing spree. (The Province)
primetimecrime.com
“Jean has also worked with renowned filmmaker Jean-Daniel Lafond to produce three independent documentaries: L’heure de Cuba (1999), about the 40th anniversary of the Cuban revolution, Tropique Nord (1994) about being black in Quebec and the Hot Docs award-winning Haiti dans tous nos r�ves (1995).”
http://www.cbc.ca/programguide/personality/index.jsp?personality=Jean%2C+Michaelle&program=Passionate+Eye
I’m looking forward to viewing the future documentary ‘The Life & Times of a GG’ directed by Ms. Jean’s husband Jean-Daniel Lafond and made possible by our Government of Canada.
http://www.informactionfilms.com/en/productions/salam_iran/credits.html
Here is the real world news; despite all the cynical political efforts of the Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:
This morning, the U.S. Labor Department non-farm payrolls report shows the country created 207,000 new jobs in July, surprising most forecasters. Before the announcement, many were predicting gains between 180,000 and 183,000. The unemployment rate remained at 5%, the lowest in 47 months. The strong report and reported wage gains will likely mean the Federal Reserve will continue on its path to raise interest rates to 4.25% by the end of the year. A Federal Reserve consumer credit report is due out later this afternoon. North American market futures fell after the announcement.
Crude oil futures continue to move up to record highs, beating $62 a barrel this morning, on concerns that U.S. refineries will have trouble meeting demand going forward. A disappointing retails sales report and profit taking from gains earlier in the week, pushed shares in New York lower on Thursday.
In Canada, the energy sector pushed the S&P/TSX Composite 27.92 points higher to close at 10,626.71. The sector as a whole gained 2.4% during the day, making up for mining sector losses of 2.3%. This morning, Statistics Canada says unemployment numbers moved slightly higher to 6.8% in July, up from 6.7% in June. The move is mainly attributed to a slightly weaker summer job market and a fall in youth employment.
cnews >>
Up with George Bush, POTUS.
Up with Western Canada.
Build the firewalls; keep the Librano$$$$$ back; Goodale’s free taxes/AdScam Martin’s Cartel & their greedy buddies.
I guess the fact that the S&p/TSX traded through the DOW for the first time in 5 years was completely lost on old Maz2.
Ms. Jean is a professional communicator and so has the basic training for Gov. General.
Some say the GG position lacks any executive power. In many ways that is correct, except that with an appeal to the public, the GG can execute the Government in power.
If GG Clarkson had conviction of principle, she would have called for a dissolution of parliament.
Her news release would read, *The Liberal government lost a vote of confidence and I can not allow the buying of votes to stand in the way of honest lack of confidence voting results. Therefore, I now call for the dissolution of parliament and for Elections Canada to prepare for an election.*
Ms. Jean’s qualifications will become clear when, unlike Aidrienne Clarkson, she decides to call a fraud by it’s real name.
First there was JJ Simpson, then Michael Jackson and now Paulie Martin is the latest member in the escapees club of public crimes. 73s TG
PS. Martin will not be untouched by the Gomery Report. The real question is, will justice be applied?
hey tony, why don’t you specify clearly the public crimes Paul Martin has committed. I know he won’t sue you for libel, but I’d still like to see you make them clear and public.
By the way, in response to those complaining about “professional Hatians”:
http://tinyurl.com/cr2pg
” she refused to see herself as a token. When asked to fill out forms, she would decline to identify herself as a “visible minority.”
“I don’t like that term,” she said. “I don’t see myself that way.”
Proof, I think, of the knee-jerk nature of many of the responses to the appointment here. While acknowledging that they know nothing about the woman (even making their ignorance of her part of the argument against her) Kate’s Krew leap to the conclusion that a black immigrant woman can’t possibly be qualified for the job and must be playing the race card for her own advantage. An insulting and unfounded assumption, it turns out. Par for the course around here…
The ethos of the Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$:
A pre-conception to an after-death tyranny: if, you are not aborted first.
The Librano$$$$$$$$ are after you and our children: a threat to “reach out to all citizens– especially children–“. What’s her name has taken the “vow”.>>
Poster child for modern Canada’
National Post – 7 hours ago
OTTAWA – Canada’s new governor-general, Michaelle Jean, vowed yesterday to reach out to all citizens — especially children –and make her office as the Queen’s representative more accessible to all Canadians. …
Hey, Peter L., are you actually a closet Paul Martin defender? Forgive me, but pretty much everything you write sounds like a Librano wrote it. Hell, Joe Clark sounded more conservative, even! Are you SURE you’re a Conservative?
Just inquiring. Not trying to annoy.
@Brian M
“PMPM does nothing – absolutely NOTHING – that isn’t designed to enhance his and the party’s political standing.”
Harper, on the other hand, does nothing that isn’t designed to ruin his and his party’s political standing.
“JHuck: Sorry, i obviously meant to say you’re allowed to not think that.” Peter L the NDPer, self admitted nonliberal say’s.
After all it is Peter’s “obvious” place to tell all of us racists ( yes racists because we don’t agree ) what we can and can’t think.
Kate’s Krew leap to the conclusion that a black immigrant woman can’t possibly be qualified for the job and must be playing the race card for her own advantage.
No, we call out people like PM PM and yourself who point to her being a black immigrant woman to deflect any criticism of her appropriateness for the position, and the political imperatives underlying her appointment.
Rich and Stephen:
I am no NDPer. And I am not a Liberal. I think I am probably more conservative than average (and all of my professional and political activities have supported conservatives).
I just don’t feel the need to attack the new GG, or assume she is unqualified. I don’t think everyone who opposes her is a racist. Some people wonder why we need a GG at all, and some wonder why we need another broadcaster in the position. These are relevant enough questions. But, I think it is pretty obvious that a lot of people on this site oppose her because she is a women, or because she is black, or simply because she was appointed by paul martin with some political considerations. Whether these people would have criticised Mulroney for appointing Hnyatyshyn, and called him a professional Ukranian I am not sure. But I think their racism is pretty obvious. And it’s a little stomach turning to some of us.
Well, there you go, Peter, again coming across as a LibrNDPer, I’m afraid. It’s people’s perception of you you’re influencing with suspiciously regular liberal language. Perception makes a huge difference, you see.
Did you notice an earlier post I made simply asking for input as to precisely what hard qualifications Madam Jean has to offer wrt the actual core responsibilities of the position? Ie. what are the directly relevant qualifications indicated on her resume? And why is she the BEST choice for the job? Perfectly reasonable questions. No one could answer them. Doubt if you can either.
If these questions (and please scroll up and find my earlier post) are not satisfactorily answered, then the musings of so many people wrt Paul appointing someone so perfect in terms of PC optics and not so perfect in terms of qualifications for the job will be vindicated.
And, remember, Peter, just because someone may be of whatever combination of “minority” status doesn’t mean you cannot question anything wrt them. After all, if it’s ok to rip into Mr. Grewal, it’s gotta be ok to rip into Paul Martin with questions of “why this particular individual (regardless of minority characteristics)?”
I submit that Paul Martin is trying to cultivate the perception of himself as being more “tolerant” or PC or “progressive” than Stephen Harper. The MSM is only too happy to help the head Librano manipulate the electoral consciousness.
Besides, what of the stuff I’m starting to hear of Mme Jean being anti-American and of her funny-looking hubby having helped make a separatism-sympathetic movie? If these were questions raised wrt Mme Jean after being appointed by a Tory PM, the MSM would be headlining with them all damn day, and you ought reasonably know it, Peter.
Peter, you also said:
“But, I think it is pretty obvious that a lot of people on this site oppose her because she is a women, or because she is black,”
You used the words “a lot” above. Are you seriously insinuating that “a lot” of people here in this thread are racist? Gotta be careful, pal. It’s about credibility. Indeed, you pointed out at least one whom you personally believe to be a racist. But claiming “a lot” of people are like that is pretty serious an accusation. Approximately how many do you accuse?
I did not get that impression, that lots of people on the thread oppose Mme Jean’s nomination on the grounds of gender or race. If they did, I would be able to see it right away. You, on the other hand, like a liberal, seemed to have automatically assumed racism just because people pointed out the obvious PC motivation behind the appointment, at least wrt the optics. That doesn’t make the people racist. I thought you were supposed to be smart. But I’m seeing someone who perhaps has been conditioned to think the way Paul Martin wants you to.
moonbat: Actually it was Vincent Massey. He was followed by Vanier in 1959.
Mark
Ottawa
The angry hermit said….
Kate’s Krew leap to the conclusion that a black immigrant woman can’t possibly be qualified for the job and must be playing the race card for her own advantage. An insulting and unfounded assumption, it turns out. Par for the course around here…
Posted by A Hermit at August 5, 2005 11:40 AM
=========================================
When we see someone make a flawed sweeping statement like this, we are inclined to wonder, Mr. Hermit, if you are suffering from an illnes.
I don’t know how you can come to this concrete decision.
Your name is not familiar around here. Is this just a hunch you have? If you researched this *racist* bunch you label me and the gang here, did you do that using a different name / handle?
Race or gender does not apply here and never applied to Clarkson either.
Bending to the wishes of the Libscammers against the best interests of Canadians, does matter.
What you say on the bogosphere can and will be fished up and used against you.
Next time be sure to provide an iron-clad example for each person here to prove your claim that everyone here is a racist.
OK pal? 73s TG
A new GG? Our cup hath runnethed over.
So, we bid a (not particularly) fond farewell to Bwana Saul and the
Memsa’ab (who spent their entire mandate channeling characters straight
from the Flame Trees of Thika) and welcome – Michaelle Jean?
Who IS this chick? Maurice Chevalier’s grandaughter?
Jaysus. That’s the worst faux French accent since Rosanna
Arquette in The Whole Nine Yards.
Coulda been worse though. Plenty of CBC Powerpuff Gals
in the bullpen, active or alum variety; like, say, Buttercup
Perrin or, (horrors) the CBC ex and current TorStar
resident gravitational lens, Antonia “Harmony” Zerbisias.
Come to think of it, we may have traded up a notch.
So, like it or not, she’s Our Gal and if she promises not
to dress like a bag lady and doesn’t blow the budget to
Mars, I’m down with her.
And, that accent is SO adorable, non?
I thought everyone would have figured it all out by now!!!
The only reason we get the Pravda Lady, is the knee-jerk reaction from PMPM to show that moron Bush he cannot make Rice the most powerful woman in the world and expect us not to make an attempt to one up him? There is no farking way we are going to sit back and let him make us look bad in the view of all the third world.
As for choice? I think he could have covered a few more bases if Mm Jean was gay, crippled, part-time fisher person, pulling down UI. (Did I miss any group out?)
As long as it’s clear that one need not have any relevant qualifications to be the GG, I would have loved it if Shania Twain was appt’d GG. Why? She’s just so lovable. Maybe someday Harper will appoint her and his popularity will soar…
Stephen, I’m still hoping for Bubbles.
Ed, a little more about me: my sister-in-law went to the same high school at the same time as two of the Trailer Park Boys. The ones w/o the big glasses. Can’t stand the show, though. It’s a sad commentary on what’s becoming of Canada under Librano rule. Look at what liberalism is doing to the citizens.
Hell, Paulie could’ve appt’d Bubbles and gotten away w/ it. Damn MSM!
BTW, I think Belladonna would be a better GG than Mme. Jean. Hell, why not? She’s got great business sense! Google Belladonna if you’re not familiar (chances are you are if you’re like me and Tony G.). I’d provide her URL but someone might complain. Too bad Bella’s an American.
Wait… Belladonna could become a Cdn citizen quicker than you can say “pornstar”. So, it is possible she could be GG! Wow!
“The Globe reports on the new Governor General and raises significant questions about her judgment on the terrorist mass murders of September 11, 2001:
…After the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001, she expressed sympathy for the victims but also raised questions about the world’s response. ‘Why such outpouring and compassion for New York and so little for the hundreds and thousands of victims in Rwanda a few years ago?’ she asked.”
Kate: “The overweening coverage being given to Hiroshima is never contrasted with the damage done to London, Dresden, any number of European cities by conventional bombing. At ground level, it all looks pretty much the same, and the civilians no less dead.”
Aeolus, the left itself didn’t say much about the Rwandan genocide. The media put no pressure on governments. The UN was irrelevant. The left is so enamored of tyrants and butchers like those responsible for the Rwanda massacres and like Robert Mugabe and Saddam Hussein and perhaps even Hitler (after all, their logic would have precluded the Allies from stopping him from taking over the world via mass murder one).
The left opposed NATO’s intervention in the genocide in the former Yugoslavia. The left used to care about East Timor, but abandoned it when Osama Bin Laden told them to mind their own business. The left is saying nothing about China’s obvious plans to occupy Taiwan by force, but it’s obvious that if China invades that island nation, the forces of good, led by George Bush, will certainly have something to say and do about it. And the left will oppose any intervention to protect Taiwan. Ironic, as the left is always demanding that Israel be thrown out of the territories it won legally in the 1967 war in which she was defending herself.
So I have nothing more to learn from the left. The left can go fornicate itself.
I’ve read some of your messages and it comes to my surprise to see how much people insist on the fact she’s not a canadian born. But she’s fortunate to have her own identity(Haitian refugee, Black woman) whatever you want to call her.But most of you guys, especially from the west,still haven’t found your own identity. Because many of you cherish the idea of being a half-assed americans or a faked texans to be more precise.This is why somebody like Ralph Klein loves to label himself as North-American while the yankee don’t give a damn about who he is.And that is sad. Please guys (or ladiesif you want to be conservative or redneck the way you like it(the american way), do it the right. At least they know how to pick up somebody to do a job no matter where you’re from. Let see for instance:
Henry kissinger (Top conservative advisor) jewish immigrant from Germany
Collin Powell (Secretary of States and the youngest top military chief of the american history)second generation american. His parents were from jamaica and there was no affirmative action BS for that choice.
The actual governor of Michigan is also a canadian immigrant.
A message from a REAL CANADIAN CONSERVATIVE
Beyond any qualifications, the Governor-General is the symbol of “a certain vision of Canada”: diverse, dynamic, open to the world, looking ahead to the challenges of the 21. Century. Ms. Jean personfies all the Canada stands for. In an era of retrenched and totalising indentities, anti-immigrant and anti-refugee hysteria, and increasing rejection of the Other, Ms. Jean’s appointnment is a resounding message to the world that Canada’s vision of itself and of its future is radically different. Leaving behind outdated notions of nationalism and sovereignty which are at best irrelevant and at worst genocidal in a rapidly globalising global community, Ms. Jean’s appointment proclaims with pride that Canada opens itself up to the future and is ready, willing and able to embrace tomorrow’s challenges. Today, millions of Canadians from sea to sea to sea, irrespective of their background, occupation and political affiliation, have one more reason to be proud to be citizens of Canada.
She is black and intelligent and there’s nothing anyone can do about that. Anyone against her appointment can go hang
“Ms. Jean personfies all the Canada stands for.”
Does that include being anti-American, Alex?
And, Pinto, since when is being a narrow-minded leftist being intelligent? And what does race ever matter in anything? Why even mention race? It’s irrelevant. And don’t tell people to go hang just because they express legitimate opinions wrt actual relevant hard qualifications for the GG position. Do you just go along with everything a Liberal PM does, without question or independent thought?
So she is Black and did not have breast surgery….did she? So she has sold less CDs than Shania…and Bryan (that’s Adams not Mulroney). Can’t we simply celebrate that Canada has placed a Chineese as GG (instead of behind the War Rails), and then was BRAVE enough to place another Woman…a Black Woman as GG (instead of Welfare of a Shelter or a Pen).
As Canadians we have indeed come a long way from those days (like when we placed Unburnt Jews in the RESERVE of Israel and accepted it…..).
In Canada we have Donovan Bailey who represented us well as a Canadian…not as a Black. In Canada we have Celine who has represented us fantastically as a Canadian rather than as a Montrealer and a Female. In Canada we have our Minorities who are and are not black or female respenting us well and proudly….and these we should celebrate, rather than simply indulging in this pleabian-bickering…..Ms Jean can do well, especially if we stand behind her, as have our Senators and MPs….those who are Black and those who Female….some things here sound like scorn and prejudice (and don’t worry, I am a happy and proud Canadian, and as such, I feel somewhat sad for those who carry that weight…I would like to help….).
Talk about rated and required criteria are respected and regarded fully in such appointments, and as such “qualification” is indeed “intact”……do we argue if it was Winnie Mandela or actually Nelson who “did” the grunge-work……do we argue whether it was Martin Luther or Malcom X who carried broke down the door…..do we argue why if Osama (trained by the USA) did 9/11 why the World invaded Iraq and removed someone (strongly supported by the USA) who DID NOT have Weapons of mass destruction, while the USA flew Osama’s family out of the USA….do we argue why Stepehn Ames plays Golf as a Canadian, and whereas he grew up in Trinidad (close to Haiti)he is only “kinda” Black…..do we argue if/why Haiti has been punished for a Black (Toussaint L’O) having the first successful revolt against “white supremacy”…..are we going to argue why Ben Johnson was a Canadian that made us very proud until he was caught with Steroids, which is when he reverted to being Jamaican-born….
Let us celebrate being Canadian and build a better society/community/nation..whatever….the fact that everyone is offering opinion shows that they are indeed interested in contributing…..and wouldn’t you know it, there are so many vehicles that require and could benefit from our input….including Ms. Jean.
For those who don’t care for the decision made by Pablo-The-Prime-Minister (don’t get angry at Spaniards now….relax), then start today to build an alternative…but until then, we voted and Canadians told Paul-Martino (not Al the Singer, so don’t upset at Italians either)he had the authority and our support….democracy kinda does that I find…..even if I agree or disagree with any of it AS AN INDIVIDUAL…..
To Ms. Jean, I am proud and happy of the choice, and I wish you the very, very best….go out there and show them what a Canadian can do !!!!
Can somebody tells me why do you people care so much about who is anti-american and whos is not ? Like Jeff said earlier the yankees don’t give a damn about who we are.When they asked people in the States which country they think is their best ally the named Great Britain. And it’s always been like that even before Pearson. They even have more respect for France.
Take a look around you people.
Pat Buchanan said once “I’m not worried about african-americans situation because their purchase power is far greater than a country like Canada”. In Houston I have a gentleman who once asked me whether we have electricity and paved roads in Calgary.
Let say tommorow Michaelle Jean gets nothing but praise from the white house and the american media. I would have seen you all so-called western nationalists on your knees to praise her more than anyone else.
Please let’s be CANADIAN
It was so refreshing to read some of the more recent messages reflecting, as they do, our capacity, when we chose to use it, for civil conversation. Many of the questions raised in the earlier messages are valid, though the tone has been often unfortunate. One such question is what qualification does Mde. Jean bring to her new post. Being Black or woman or Haitian is obviously not a qualification, though I would not quibble with the idea of regional rotation. Without attempting to dissect Mde. Jean’s entire qualfication for the job, I would say that an important one is the capacity to inspire us to reach inside of ourselves and find the will and strength to be the best we can not only for our own benefit but for the good of the society as a whole. How does Mde. Jean stack up? Just read what has appeared in the earlier messages, and you begin to get a sense, though by no means the whole picture, of what she has had to overcome in order to be a citizen of distinction, starting out as an exile and growing up in a land where her colour often becomes an element of disqualification and a signal for villification. She is qualified to inspire us, even those of us who start out in the lowest rung of the totem pole and regardless of whether our particular disadvantage is race, gender, physical or other disability or even cultural insularity, to reach higher. We can, of course, use her appointment as a further opportunity to display the natural tendency towards prejudice. Or we can pause a moment, think, be inspired and become better people. Despite what I have read in some of these postings, I believe there is a better person inside each of us. And, today at least, I dare to hope.
I am not sure if anyone has touched on these issues already (as I did not have time to read every posted comment), but some important points regarding our new GG that I feel deserve some attention (and bloggers are becoming famous for their ability to dig out info the government may otherwise try to hide):
What is Jean’s actual history? It seems a bit murky to me. The Liberal Party and the left-wing media have built her story up to be one of “inspiration” and “over-coming the odds”, but is this really the case? They paint the picture of a poor, poverty-stricken family which was forced to flee their homeland in search of a new home. However, many of the Haitians who fled Haiti at that time were very wealthy. Has anyone even considered the fact that this women was able to afford attending foriegn universities in Milan, Perouse and Florence? I don’t imagine it is cheap to go overseas and attend a foriegn university, let alone three!!!
On top of that, there is also the fact that she is STILL a French citizen (not Quebec french, but in fact a citizen of the country of France) and this was something she actively applied for (ie: it was not given to her on account of the fact she was married to her husband). Some have even speculated that she may have actively sought out French citizenship to have better access to European funding for documentary films. The media has also claimed she is a symbol of “federalism in Quebec” and yet there have been reports that her husband has produced documentaries which in some cases were sympathetic to the FLQ terrorists of 1972 and separatists in general!!
All I can say is this is not an issue of race, gender, ethnicity or anything else Liberals like to accuse us Conservatives of promoting. This is about the Canadian public not being told the full story in order to make an educated judement about the Prime Minister’s ability to chose a quality Governor General. Regarding her qualifications, aside from being a former employee of Pravda…opps…sorry I meant the CBC, I don’t see how this women is any more qualified then any of the other good choices I heard leading up to the announcement of Jean’s appointment.
When first I heard this, I was proud and elated about this choice since it’s so forward-thinking and I thought to myself, wow, this is why CANADA is different from USA, we break these barriers very often. It’s just something we do. How great. And then I came here and heard all the nonsensical and irrelevant comments people have made about Jean. And then it all came flooding back.
One person asked how can someone afford to travel to study at all these places – well, I for one did! And i did not spend one cent of my parent’s dime. All on my bill, student loans of which i’m paying dearly for now, but my it was worth the experience. I also remember working my butt OFF for the months preceding my travel, so that alone is not evidence of a family of wealth. Two, i’m dual citizen and consciously and vigorously applied to be a citizen of my second country. Why? It certainly not because i’m anti-Canadian. In fact i love being able to tell different people about Canada. I’ve been told i’m “more” Canadian OUTSIDE of Canada than when i’m in the country. In fact none of the crap people have written here is even worthy of really considering (even though I have obliged).
GG is not an elected position. It’s a ceremonial one. There’s absolutely NO good reason to believe Michaelle would not perform her duties to the fullest of her abilities.
You have to love how the Canadian identity is defined as nothing more then being “different from the US”. I guess we have our “fair and balanced” media to thank for that.
I still find it hard to believe that it is possible to finance an education in Europe (going to 3-5 different universities no less!) without some form of financial well-being from mom and dad. I wasn’t alive in the 60s and 70s, so its hard for me to know how common grants and scholarships were back then and how easy they were to apply for and receive. Jean may very well have worked her butt off to earn enough money to study overseas. All I was pointing out is the fact that it is still a LARGE sum of money to earn and it seemed that the story the media was painting was one of a poverty-stricken immigrant who came to this country with nothing and found success and overcame great odds. Maybe she did, but the information we have been given certaintly doesn’t allow the few critically-thinking Canadians left in this country to make that judgement. It just seemed odd that if she was able to raise that kind of money, why the media wouldn’t tell us more about that “inspirational” story. I just really hope more about her history comes out before she is officially given the position.
Regarding her qualifications, I have still yet to hear one good reason why she is such an amazing choice for the position of GG. It just really seems that Liberals are applauding this choice simply because she is a women from a visible minority group and she is from Quebec. In which case, aren’t Liberals the one making gender and race the issue? What has this women done that has made her a national figure and a person who has made a significant contribution to Canada? She is virtually unknown outside of the very very small portion of the population who actually watch the Liberal propaganda channel that is the CBC.
Its a stretch to say “Jean will perform her duties to the fullest of her abilities”. If that entails jet-setting across the country and throwing extravagent diner parties on the taxpayer dollar, then I fully agree with you. However if those duties entail ensuring Canadians have an honest government with integrity and good intentions for the country overall, then I am affraid we will simply have yet another GG who will do what the Liberal Party wants and look the other way.
I�m female, black, of african descent and live in toronto. I speak english and I am married to a french speaking man. We have three young daughters. I will be a media mogul. Canada is the greatest country on earth. When I am invited to be the next governor general of canada I will accept with grace and great pride. Don Cherry can preceed me too! no problem with that!
I�m female, black, of african descent and live in toronto. I speak english and I am married to a french speaking man. We have three young daughters. I will be a media mogul. Canada is the greatest country on earth. When I am invited to be the next governor general of canada I will accept with grace and great pride. Don Cherry can preceed me too! no problem with that!
This is a fine Lady though she might not be white. We should be proud of this Canada; that a woman of Color can be given the same opportunity as her white brothers and sisters. That the color one skin is not the defining factor. This Lady is a cultured award-winning reporter who is fluent is 5 languages. She defines herself further by winning the Amnesty International journalism award. With God by her side, she will do a fine job.
May God shines His blessing on her and be gracious to her.