PM announces next Governor General from Quotulatiousness
Paul Martin kept his promise that the next appointed Governor General of Canada wouldn't be any of the names that were under media discussion last week. He has announced that the new GG will be Michaelle Jean. I had to... [Read More]

Tracked on August 4, 2005 5:12 PM

The "why" of it is very logical if you think like a Librano. They want a GG who knows zip about parliamentary convention , who is controllable and who will not intercede when parliamentary inpropriety occurs.

The insult to me as a so-called "Canadian" is that the head of state of my nation and their agent (the GG) is not a native born Canadian. Again, more soviet style engineered liberal symbolism here in propagating state social policy. The loyalty is first to maintaining power, second to the Trudeaupian myth and lastly to their patronage elite....Canada and Canadians get little consideration in a Liberal government decision.

Fercrissake Martin, at least pick a native-born Canadian.....you disloyal poltroon.

I am not sure where those criteria were derived. To be clear, it is the PM's perojative to appoint whomever he likes to the position of GG. And even as someone who has little time for this PM, I think he's made a great choice.

To suggest that Jean is simply a local broadcaster is to reveal a Westerner's ignorance. As someone who lives in Quebec part of each year, it is clear to me that Jean is well-known in her home province. Moreover, it's clear that she's a person of achievement, and perhaps against longer odds than most. Indeed, she's risen to the top of her field in a province where the immigrant's life is more difficult than most. That she speaks five languages, is eloquent and intelligent, and will make a lot of Canadians feel proud is not to be sneezed at either. Most other criticisms, I suspect, are the products of feelings their authors know are better left unsaid.

Wow, just as I was posting my thoughts WL MacKenzie Redneck came on to prove my point, perhaps more unequivocally than I expected anyone would. My God, man, the woman is a citizen of Canada.

I suppose you think John A. wasn't a good Prime Minister because he was foreign born as well?

''To suggest that Jean is simply a local broadcaster is to reveal a Westerner's ignorance. As someone who lives in Quebec part of each year, it is clear to me that Jean is well-known in her home province.''

So, it's ignorant to suggest she's just a local broadcaster. And the proof?

She's well-known in her ''home province.''

Hmm, I think you just disproved your own point.

Thanks Chip - I thought Peter was being sarcastic for a moment.

We are lucky, it could have been Maurice Strong...

No, I wasn't being sarcastic. She's not a local broadcaster. Ralph Klein was a local broadcaster when he read the Calgary news. When Jean hosts two regular shows that are broadcast nationally, and shoots docs that are broadcast internationally, then she is something more than local. Gimme a break. If any of you had even read the Globe article on her this morning with some degree of retention you'd know this.

GG-designate Jean's selection certainly strikes me as profiling, which I thought was a Bad Thing.

Mark
Ottawa

And I'd still prefer the ghost of Normie Kwong.

Mark
Ottawa

Peter, Peter, Peter. Please! Less truth and logic. It just incites the mad gophers that run around in their heads.

Peter Loewen has heard of her, so obviously she is well known all across Canada. AND, the Globe had an article on her. 'Nuff said.

So, jhuck, to be clear, you think that the evidence I've presented doesn't suggest that she's more than a local broadcaster?

I think it's good that an average person was appointed. I don't think the GG needs to be a constitutional scholar or have a high profile. We want someone who will represent us with grace and intelligence. She certainlt fits the bill.

Good choice I say.

Hana Gartner must be wondering just who the hell she's got to sleep with...

Who realy cares about the GG any way. It is an out dated post from when we were a colony. A post with no real power, no real purpose, no real meaning any more.
Let's just move on to more important things... Like those mad gophers!!

Maybe Martin is trying to piss off everybody soo much that the position is eliminated.
Then he can be the king of Canada!

Some elitist sot opines: "V"

When the syrupy Liberal hubris clears from your cerebrial cavity, perhaps you will understand that there are people who do not share your self fellating opinion nor your twisted "national visions".

Tank you for again proving that there is nothing less liberal or tolerant than a so called "progressive" ( liberal). Is it just possible that you have no monopoly on morality, opinion or intellect?

The head of any nation state with an ounce of self respect for their own sovereinty should ELECT a natural born native of that nation as head of state. Hollow liberal symbolism is for the weak of mind or those who profit from social meddling stupidity.

BTW My Canada is not a hyphenated natyion and the head of state should reflect that ideal of national sovereignty. As for Sir John A...no, he was not acceptable as a leader to me...he was representitive of the very ruling class of landed gentry that profiteered on the productivity of others. Baldwin would have nade a better first PM...then again he was only a Canadian and had no foreign title or connections to them.

La Belle France In Haiti: Slavery by France in Haiti>>>>>>

"I have come a long way,'' Jean said in her first news conference. "My ancestors were slaves, they fought for freedom.

"I was born in Haiti, the poorest country in our hemisphere.

"I am a daughter of exiles driven from their home by a dictatorial regime.''>>>

If this woman plans to keep her job,one should tell her not to mention Haiti, slavery, and France's enslavement of her ancestor's. The Librano$$$$$$$$$$$ will now take her to the woodshed and shut her up/muzzle her in Rideau Hall, Ottawa.>>

Toussaint L'Ouverture, François Dominique
Pronunciation: [fräNswä´ dômEnEk´ tOOsaN´ lOOvertür´]

c.1744-1803, Haitian patriot and martyr.
A self-educated slave freed shortly before the uprising in 1791, he joined the black rebellion to liberate the slaves and became its organizational genius. Rapidly rising in power, Toussaint joined forces for a brief period in 1793 with the Spanish of Santo Domingo and in a series of fast-moving campaigns became known as L'Ouverture [the opening], a name he adopted. Although he professed allegiance to France, first to the republic and then to Napoleon, he was singleheartedly devoted to the cause of his own people and advocated it in his talks with French commissioners. Late in 1793 the British occupied all of Haiti's coastal cities and allied themselves with the Spanish in the eastern part of the island. Toussaint was the acknowledged leader against them and, with the generals Dessalines and Christophe, recaptured (1798) several towns from the British and secured their complete withdrawal. In 1799 the mulatto general André Rigaud enlisted the aid of Alexandre Pétion and Jean Pierre Boyer, asserted mulatto supremacy, and launched a revolt against Toussaint; the uprising was quelled when Pétion lost the southern port of Jacmel. In 1801, Toussaint conquered Santo Domingo, which had been ceded by Spain to France in 1795, and thus he governed the whole island. By then professing only nominal allegiance to France, he reorganized the government and instituted public improvements. Napoleon sent (1802) a large force under General Leclerc to subdue Toussaint, who had become a major obstacle to French colonial ambitions in the Western Hemisphere; the Haitians, however, offered stubborn resistance, and a peace treaty was drawn. Toussaint himself was treacherously seized and sent to France, where he died in a dungeon at Fort-de-Joux, in the French Jura. His valiant life and tragic death made him a symbol of the fight for liberty, and he is celebrated in one of Wordsworth's finest sonnets and in a dramatic poem by Lamartine.

"will make a lot of Canadians feel proud"

Why? What possible reason is there for me to take any pride as a Canadian in the appointment of a journalist to a ceremonial post with, theoretically, very real power but realistically none at all, by the Prime Minister and only the Prime Minister, which has a very real underpinning of trying to appeal to Quebec voters to keep his government in power? Where's the national selection process? Where's the ability for the other parties in Parliament to have their say? For us mere citizens to have our say? What were the selection criteria, and how does she fit them? How are the selection criteria themselves even chosen? Do we get a say in those either?

Clarkson's time as GG hasn't made me feel pride -- just the opposite, in fact, with the way she seems to think the crown sits on her head instead of Elizabeth's. If we're going to keep this anachronism of an appointed but powerless head-of-state, as some sort of "national symbol" or somesuch, we should at least do something with it other than let it be yet another post the PM gets to fill with anyone he chooses for any reason he wants with no oversight whatsoever.

A young black woman, in a person on the street interview just shown on CBC Newsworld, approved of Ms. Jean's selection because she is "African American".

Canada's sovereignty is under threat again.

Mark
Ottawa

Peter:

Thanks for identifying yourself. I always wondered who the lone Canadian was who was watching CBC during the hockey strike.

I think Kate is right, part of the reason for the choice was to help the Liberal party's prospects in Quebec but her profile still reeks of political correctness/affirmative action. I tend to view Ms. Jean as the bingo winner. On the diversity bingo card we had direct scores on:

women
non-white
Quebecer
Immigrant
activist

too bad she wasn't gay (she would have won the keno award as well)

I can't blame the lady herself, she will likely do a fine job but do not try to tell me a white male multi-generational Canadian from the West ever had a chance here. Many years ago you had to be from the inner crowd in Toronto (upper Canada college etc.) to get an appointment. The process is still the same only the profile of Canadians of greater value than the rest of us has changed.

Steve

So, Mackenzie, do you think immigrants should be allowed to vote? Or, by being born in another country, are they unable to protect their new nation's interest?

To be clear, you are allowed to hold whatever opinion you want. And I am allowed to call you a fucking idiot for holding it. That's tolerance. Assuming that someone cannot protect their country's interest because they were not born on this soil is intolerance. Do you understand the difference? Just to make it clear: you're a fucking idiot, Jean's able to speak for Canada.

Cannot wait for Russion GG.
BTW, she drinks beer, does she?
Some woodoo too?

Unfortunately ET contradicts him/her-self with the following two comments:

"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".

-and-

"The appointment is for both the ethnic votes - which are all in Montreal...AND - it's for the Montreal city votes.

So lets see if I get this straight - her status as an ethnic minority and a Quebecer is irrelevant but it matters?! Is this from the same school of logic at CBS that gave us "fake but accurate"?

Peter,

Don't get your knickers in a twist. You called someone ignorant and then got nailed for sloppy reasoning.

Furthermore, the CBC has a 6% market share in this country, and the Globe sells most of its some 200,000 papers in the GTA. Hardly the national reach you suggest.

And before you also label me an ''ignorant Westerner:'' I used to work on Bay Street and lived within a stone's throw (or is that now a gunshot) of King. The city has nothing to teach the rest of Canada.

Chip. Pardon me, but where was I caught in faulty reasoning?

Glad to hear you've got some national perspective.

Peter says that she "hosts two regular shows that are broadcast nationally." Oh, PLEASE! I hardly think that a viewership of what - 500 in total! - can reasonably leapfrog those programs into national shows! Typical arrogant liberal (and Liberal) mindset.

Hey Craig. I'm actually not a Liberal. To be clear, if something is broadcast nationally, does that make the broadcaster a national or a local broadcaster?

Let's just say there's a little difference in scale between something like "Rough Cuts" and "The National".

And since the fact that her shows were "national" in scope seems to be so important to some, why not nominate Kate for GG? After all, internet reach is global, which to that way of reasoning would make her infinitely more qualified.

In reply to Peter - there HAS to be criteria for selection to a non-elected position. Otherwise the choice is random. Where do the criteria derive from?? From the position itself. The position itself is national and supreme in authority. That is, the position represents the national authority of the country and is the supreme authority. Those are the two criteria..Again; they come from the function of the position. It isn't simply a ceremonial position.

Ms Jean has neither qualification. She has no national status (and no, being broadcast to the nation is NOT national status; that's simply being broadcast to the nation). National status means that your work, over the years, has contributed to the well-being of the nation and the majority of its population.
Supreme is another criterion and means that your work is superior in its field.

Ms Jean does not fit either qualification. Indeed, her qualifications - a journalist, a woman, an ethnic minority, a..etc, etc.. fit many many other people in this country. Why weren't they selected??????Therefore, my point is that the criteria of the position - its role as a national and supreme authority - were ignored. The Liberals made the decision without integrity- i.e., for partisan politics.
They want the ethnic vote in Canada and the vote in Montreal.

In reply John Brown - no, I'm not contradicting myself. I'm saying that people who come to the defence of Ms Jean, saying that anyone who criticizes the choice is a racist, is anti-ethnic, is anti-feminist etc..is missing the point and diverting the issue. That's why I'm saying that criticizing the choice on those grounds is trivial. The real criticism should be that the post, as appointed, requires standards (it can't be random, it can't be partisan). The standards are within the position (national and supreme head of state). So, the person chosen has to have qualifications of those standards. She doesn't.

Therefore - I am criticizing the LIBERALS for being 'ethnic' and 'feminist' and 'sophist'. The Liberals made a choice to appeal to those activist groups and to ensure the vote.

Patronage appointments can't be 'at the will of the PM'. That's a dictatorship. They are made BY the PM, but, MUST be within accountable standards. These standards must be public, must defer to the position (i.e., you don't appoint a supreme court judge whose expertise is in computers and not law); and must defer to the people. Even if the position is not elected, the people must be supreme. Martin's many patronage appointments are for political agendas and are therefore without integrity and standards.
Again - theh PM does NOT, NOT have the right to make positions at will; that's an abuse of power.

Now- I can't answer any more criticisms of my comments. I'm a pointy-head academic ..something that some of you seem to deride..and I'm off to Belgium for a conference on 'computational anticipation'...pointy-head stuff.

We will never, I think, get rid of the Liberals and their control over this country - unless more and more people start to critique their abuse of power.

Watch them smother the Gomery and win the next election. Look how they can deflect this appointment. If you criticize..you are racist, anti-feminist etc. It's the Liberals who are using race; they are going after the ethnic vote and the Montreal vote.

Three cheers for corruption.

Craig. Point taken, her shows are not wildly popular. But I'm sure you'll concede that doesn't make them poor or make her unqualified.

I am sure if Kate was appointed there would be another blog somewhere where people would criticize the appointment on the grounds that she's a woman.

"To be clear, you are allowed to hold whatever opinion you want. And I am allowed to call you a fucking idiot for holding it. That's tolerance"

Very tolerant.

Only when Chip revealed that he worked in Toronto did his status raise from "ignorant Westerner" to having "national perspective".

Tolerance.

Am I the only person in the world that thinks it is highly inappropriate for a journalist to accept the GG position? I feel like a freak! C'mon Canada. This is a patronage appointment given to an industry (twice in a row no less!) that is supposed to UN-FREAKING-BIASED! So tell me how anyone at CBC can claim to be impartial when two of their former colleagues were awarded such positions. I don't care if she's African American (or should that be Canadian? Man I hate being politically correct...) an immigrant, or a beauty queen for crying out loud! I'd like to know where journalists get off thinking they should in anyway be in such a position of authority and not think that it undermines their credibility. Like pu-lease!

And as for being a national broadcaster or not... I've never heard of the woman before so I believe she would only be known to those who watch the mind-warping CBC drivel.

Chip,

The Globe has the second largest circulation, about 300,000 daily (Toronto Star is 1st). Whether you read it or not, more Canadians read it then any other national newspaper. If that doesn't qualify as national i'm not sure what does.

I would never call you an "ignorant westerner" especially since you have nothing to learn from that depraved ciy Sodom err I mean Toronto - perhaps "arrogant westerner" is closer to the truth?

JHuck. I think it's tolerance. You're not allowed to think that. That's tolerance as well.

And, just so you know, I've really nothing against Westerners, per se. Indeed, I am an Albertan by birth. But I just think that not having heard of Jean says as much about the poster as it does her.

JHuck: Sorry, i obviously meant to say you're allowed to not think that.

And, to be totally clear, i do think someone who thinks only Canadian-born individuals can be good GGs is an idiot.

Kate for GG!
I like that. Although Madam Jean is probably a very nice person, I have to agree with the majority here in saying that being a journalist or TV "personality" is not a qualification in the national interest gendre. I'd say anyone who has represented Canada to the world would get my vote. Say, any of the astronauts in the Canadian Space Agency for example.
Oh yes, they should also be aware of their responsibilities and duties. The present GG seems to think she is queen as in taking her loyal, royal artsie fartsie friends for a trip on the taxpayer's tab. I also heard that when the queen was in Alberta to celebrate their centenial, the GG would not let Ralph ask HRH Queen Elizabeth to sign the official proclimation/bill in the legislature. (forgive me but I don't have time to research that last tidbit).
Bottom line: Libral Power Patronage appointment.

Set aside for a moment how you percieve her. Think instead as to the why her.
Everything Martin does is for one reason.
To out do his predecessor.
Yep, Cretch appointed an immigrant CBC journalist from Hong Kong....not exactly a place you would call an oppressive regime.
Martin appoints a franco-phone woman ex-refugee CBC journalist.
You can almost see ol dither's dancing with joy at the thought that he may have one upped ol cretch.

Frankly I was hoping she would have publically humilated Martin by going on air to denounce this blatant attempt to use her ethnicity to promote the liberal agenda of buying Quebec votes through patronage.

From Peter's post:

"But I just think that not having heard of Jean says as much about the poster as it does her."

So - we've established that Jean's fame as a broadcaster is relatively limited in scope, that while she is well-known within Quebec, nationally she's relatively obscure except to those who salivate over “cultured” and totally unbiased (yeah, right! ) products such as Rough Cuts and The Passionate Eye.

My, my, Peter: my Canada certainly includes more than those who consider themselves (wrongly) to be the country’s culturally elite.

@ET

I think it's rather naive to think that political appointments would not be political.

And as for vote buying... I believe that the majority of Quebecers are rather opposed to the notion that the Queen, and by extrapolation, the Governor General, is the Head of State. So what votes would he be buying? The die hard Liberals in Quebec? Kinda like preaching to the converted, wouldn't you say? As for the rest of Canada, I don't think this appointment is going to make everyone jump on the Liberal bandwagon.

Now, if he'd appointed a crusty, old, Albertan tory...

gimbol: When the Japanese invaded and occupied the British Crown Colony of Hong Kong in 1941, their regime was very oppressive indeed. GG Clarkson's father was an employee of the Canadian government there and that protected him from the Japanese. He and his family were allowed to come to Canada in 1942 in an exchange of Japanese government employees held in North America for American and Canadian government employees held by the Japanese in Asia.

Mark
Ottawa

Mark: touche.

peter

We had Hnatyshyn (a Westerner) then LeBlanc (from Atlantic Canada) the Clarkson (from Ontario) so a Quebecer was inevitable this time.

As for the rest of the criticisms; Jean is a well known national broadcaster and film maker who has made her mark solely on her own merits. She's certainly as well qualified as anyone else who may have been considered for the job.

Sorry Kate, she's smarter, beetter educated, has accomplished far more and contributed far more to this country than you or your little crowd of sycophantic commenters could ever hope to.

Quit whining! Such small minded pettiness doesn't help your conservative cause.

A HERMIT IS A LIBERANO!!!!

Right off the top of my head I can think of several better choices for G-G:

Preston Manning
Guy Lafleur
Wayne Gretzky
Roberta Bondar
Marc Garneau
William Shatner
Ron McLean
Ellen Gabriel
that guy who plays Bubbles on Trailer Park Boys

Ed, I wasn't with you until you recommended Bubbles. He's hilarious, a maritimer, and he used to play in a relatively well-known if short-lived band.

Presto (sic) Manning for Governoooooooor General.

Now there's a sure fire way to rekindle the debate on abolishing the position.

Pure, calculated vote buying by the Liberals. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Michaelle Jean? I really dont get it either but I thought they'd go with Maher Arar so its not too bad ;-)

"... a maritimer ..."

There you go again, Peter, playing identity politics. What will it take to get this through the thick skulls in this country? People do not have merit simply because of where they are from, their race, the language they speak, their religion or lack thereof, etc...

I wonder if Gurmant was in the running?

If GG was in the running for GG I am sure he'll have some (edited) tapes to prove it.

Peter

Even though I don't think nomininating Jean is a vote getter let's say it is. Given this then PMPM's choice is inspired precisely because he chose someone worthy of the position and because it will garner votes. Isn't this what the prime minister should be doing?

I just think that not having heard of Jean says as much about the poster as it does her.

All it says is that he dosen't watch "Rough Cuts" or "The Passionate Eye" on a regular basis - a quality shared with 99.735% of the population I'm sure.

Face it, the woman is an unknown quantity to all but a few of the Toronttawa elite and perhaps professional Haitians. Her achievements may be commendable enough, but in the big picture they're pretty indistinguished and in no way qualify her for such a historically important position.

Personally, I'd go with Don Cherry - now there's a fine national representative. An indisputable national icon with a long-term track record of positively affecting the mental well-being of many Canucks! Probably would help boost the Liberal vote more across the country, too.

Dudley: what is a professional Haitian?

Doublejay,

Wtf? Were you born yesterday? Have you heard of political strategizing? Of course people don't have merit from being from the west or the maritimes but it certainly is an easy way to court votes. What are you, Dr. Phil?

Next governor general to reach out to youth.
cnews.

Youths like these youths, man. From Jamaica, man..
Brought to you by Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$, man.
Police chief will not reveal their identities...multiculturalism and political correctness kills: men, women, & children in TO, man
$$$$ man

Gangs fuelling street war in Toronto

TORONTO (CP) - The police chief of Canada's largest city says an ongoing gang war is threatening the lives of innocent people in Toronto.

Bill Blair refused to identify the gangs involved in what he described as a turf war, but said there was an ongoing dispute between two groups.
cnews

We trashed this broad on FD last night and it was so much fun!!

As far as I can see, the GG's position serves only a ceremonial purpose and is fundamentally impotent polictically. The GG is nothing more than a figure head representing a figure head and therefore totally redundant. As such, I could care less who is apoointed to the position, so long as that person doesn't spend any more of my tax dollars than absolutely required. How much money does it take to lay a couple wreaths on Remberance Day and greet Royals when they make one of their infrequent visits to Canada? Any activity beyond that is uneeded and a waste of tax dollars. Oh right, wasting tax dollars is what the Liberals specialize in. I forgot ... silly me.

Personally, my pick would be Ret.Gen.Lewis MacKenzie

Hey Brian Walsh. You are a racist piece of shit.

It's depressing to see that some people actually think the PM has done something honourable here.

The Liberals are using the office of the Gov. Gen. to further their own agenda and to ensure they stay in power. There's nothing complicated to understand. This is just one more abuse of power.

And because the standards of the Canadian voter have dropped so slow, many oooh and ahhh over Jeans credentials as if they are something earth shattering (as does the MSM). Many people speak multiple languages, many people have risen up from difficult circumstances, and many people have made far greater contributions to Canada than she has.

But the mediocrity that political correctness imposes upon us dicates that saying anything critical about the appointment of the new Gov. Gen. is bad, and unkind, and unfair, etc. etc. The strategy of political correctness is a brilliant one, albeit an evil one.

The Liberals' lust for power, and their willingness to do anything to keep it, are truths, and truth is something which liberals in general live in fear of, because it is the very thing that can shine light on the shortcommings of their philosophy.

Unless Canadians have the intellectual fortitude to demand higher standards from their government, we will party on in a state of Liberal-induced euphoria until the hangover finally hits us.

Is that" The Passionate Eye For The Queer Guy"?
Yeah, I think I've heard of it.

She isn't known nationally, hasn't done anything and isn't anything except a talking head. It doesn't matter if Ralph Klein read the news, he was ELECTED not APPOINTED. The GG is a possible point of resistance to PMPM in the Librano Family that can not be allowed but must be eliminated. So appoint some nobody who doesn't understand politic's and that is that. Another part of check's and balances on the Liberal government power eliminated.

Peter your beginning comments are to say the least offensive and continue downhill. I would expect a CLI(centrally located idiot)with your background to come up with something more interesting than "You are a racist piece of shit". At least the person known as "Mackenzie Redux" puts in on the table and doesn't hide like a few others.

I can't wait until the end of the election whenever the Librano's deign to allow the unwashed the opportunity to vote on their incredible record of success.

Robert:

To be clear, I've had other discussions with Brian Walsh in which he has said that those who marry people from other races are traitors to their race. He's also expressed the genetic differences of the races and the superiority of the white race. He is, in short, a racist piece of shit.

Feel free to call me a CLI. I've actually lived in every region of the country, so I don't feel too parochial.

Tokenism: black, woman, Quebecer. That ought to shore up the Librano$ in Montreal, keep the left leaning Libs happy, and ensure absolute chaos if matters ever reach another impasse that requires action by the GG. Oops. I forgot. There's always the SCC to step in as they did on the SSM enactment.

She might be a Haitian-Canadian - but African American please!!! Enough already!

As for the National Scope of her show - I'm sure she's only well known in Quebec because there is so little outside of local broadcasting that is French that unilingal francophones have no choice but to watch the CBC. Whatever profile she has outside of Quebec is hasn't reached the west - but then we've been boycotting the CBC for years. We watch HNIC and that's all!!!

GG is an anachronistic post that should be eradicated at the earliest possible time. I'm hoping that she will finish the job AC started. (Spend so much that Canadian are universal in their contempt for the position and it will be gone.)

To the guy who asked "Who does Hannah Gartner have to sleep with ... LOL - made my day.

This "appointment" is no less than her needing a new wardrobe for her kid and her boyfiend, and it is going to cost us hudnreds of thousands. No Canadian woman qualifies it seems to go on a spending spree compliments of the tax payer, the "immigrant" women deserve it more. She has no power, can't do a thing without the Fuehor's permission, only hire her staff and raise her budget is she desires as Clarkson did.(slam) The GG is nothing more than the one that wears the phonie medals while the Fuehor signs all the papers, this has been the case since 1942 when the power of the GG was passed over to the PM. I consider this a slight on "Canadians" not Provinces, when in 1952, after 85 years of England appointing the GG the Canadians were allowed to choose their own GG at much fan fare, finally Canadians could have a born Canadian as GG. However it was all a sham in the first place as the GG has no power at all save the above. Herr Martin is already "King" of Kanada, there is no other way it can be described, he has the seat of Politics, with the power to make ALL the appointments, and the PM has had the Crown Chair since 1942, and the players involved in this RUSE AND SCAM AND CRUEL JOKE, went along with it.That is every Prime Minister and GG dating back to 1942, Canadians have been living in a country of "Jokes", this latest "appointment" is just another one. Shows me what kind of slime bags we have had in office all these years, is it any wonder whey they don't have our respect. I wonder if there were any Anglo Canadians offered the job, but refused to go along with the Ruse, and the Scam, which is the GG's office. What decent Canadian could sit in a chair just so they can spend money on themselves, and shut up until Herr Martin tells them they can say something? It shows this twit that has accepted to be the latest Herr Martin Puppet has no principals and is out for a new wardrobe, plain and simple. However the fact that Herr Martin is the real King, the least he could do is wear the medals that he so deserves, the fact that he is the official Administrator of the Office, why should the GG wear the medals, although all that shopping could get tedious, but not worth a medal

Stephen Parksville BC ww 2 vet.

Late to the thread. Scanned quickly. Looks like some people are getting hotheaded over this issue.

Personally, I think the position of GG has been rendered entirely irrelevant by the Libranos. It's irrelevant who's in the position, as it has no practical, real-world value. No way will a Librano GG appointee be any more honorable and respectful of the constitution than Paul Martin.

Plus, could someone please state what specific experience and/or education/training is brought to the position by Madam Jean that is actually directly relevant to the core functions of the position? What does she know? What has she proven already? What makes her the BEST choice among so many who could be nominated, if there were to be nominations?

Being a CBC TV person really doesn't do anything for anyone- after all, it's the CBC, the semiofficial mouthpiece of the LPC and of the left in general. Where she lives has no bearing. Being of either sex matters not at all. Race has nothing to do with anything.

Just what has Madam Jean got that thousands, indeed, millions, of people don't have?

what is a professional Haitian?

Basically, I refer to those who make a living or exercise political power by trading on their ethnicity, generally through their work at associations and councils whose professed purpose is to represent an ethnic/religious group.

Who this would be for the Haitian community I have no idea, but I'm sure such groups exist. These folks would likely be very aware of "representatives" of "their community" such as Ms Jean.

Hans Island, Parrish, SSM, and now this. Another non-event diversion.

The stress of not dissolving parliament when power was clearly held by means of fraud put GG Clarkson in the hospital with heart problems.

The next evasion will be a leave-of-absence by means of pregnacy, and our new GG is forty-two, I see.

Maybe she will remember the evils of Doc Duvallier and de-throne the Martinites when they least expect it. 73s TG

The GG's 42? Huh. Seems quite young for such a lofty figurehead position, doesn't it? And I'm a spring-chickenlike 33, so nobody can call me ageist, I guess.

I always thought a GG should be, like, OLD. But that's just my view.

Hey Kate, I think Lew MacKenzie would have been ideal. At the very least, he should be in the senate. I think he's been too critical of the Libs and their castration of the (Dis)Armed Forces to merit any Librano largesse. More's the pity. Blessedly, we've been spared Judy Rebbick.

Well, I am just glad that Martin's choice gave you racists something to talk about.

I got tired of reading the universal praise for this appointment, justified though it may be, so I decided to check in here for what I was sure would be a festival of aggrieved self-pity and deranged paranoid carping. Thanks folks, you haven't disappointed me.

I think Spooky has it right: the lame stream media - "Senator" Jim Munson, Susan "Don't Call Me Anne" Murray, Pam Wallin, Clarkson, Jean, etc - further solidify my low opinion of them everytime they accept an appointment like this.

CBC: Trusted (nope). Connected (yeah, to the Libranos). Canadian (in the Chretien "Da Canadian values" way).

"That is every Prime Minister and GG dating back to 1942, Canadians have been living in a country of "Jokes", this latest "appointment" is just another one. Shows me what kind of slime bags we have had in office all these years, is it any wonder whey they don't have our respect."

Stephen Parksville BC ww 2 vet.
Posted by StephenMichaud at August 4, 2005 05:17 PM

So that's what you were fighting for? That's the legacy our vets left us? According to you it is. Maybe we should have fought the Americans, they could have given us a proper system of government. Take a nap, you're going to give yourself a stroke.

Tony & Stephen, apparently she's 48, but that's according to the CBC so who knows really?

The fact that the Liberals will use use Madame Jean's appointment to help further their interests in Quebec is a normal perk of power in Canada. Learn to live with reality! Besides I think Jean may be a useful federalist voice in Quebec in the future.

I do not support the Liberal Party, but I do think that this appointment is one of Paul MArtin's better moves and does not deserve all the crap some people are piling on.

Come on guys/gals. Get a life. This is just the GG position. It's ceremonial. Not some key policy position. Let's focus on more important things than who is GG. Next week you'll all forget anything about her.

Have some respect, Stumpy. Let the man give his opinion, to which he's equally entitled. He fought for that equality, after all.

Brian Smith is also entitled to his POV. Even if I can't see why anyone would see how this particular appointment is such a "better move" for Martin. Maybe Brian didn't see my first post on this thread.

I have never heard of this person, or "Rough Cuts". Whether or not its any good, it certainly doesn't have much of an impact on Canadians. This appointment is a total sham, and PC tokenism at its worst.

As one os the so-called 'ists(facists, sexists,racists etc), could the supporters of the 'isms(multiculturalism, bilingualism etc.) just answer the straightforward question

What are her qualifications to be GG, other than the political opportunism and tokenism (more 'isms, Sorry)?

And Peter, please don't answer she is a "national" broadcaster. I watch too much Newsworld for my wifes liking and unless they snuck her in between that near-endless loop of the Fifth Estate slam job on O'Reilly I can honestly say I have no idea who she is.

Again, this is not a rhetorical question, she has a fine biography, one to be proud of, just nothing that would qualify her to the HEAD of State.

"Take a nap, you're going to give yourself a stroke."

I'll tell you right now Maple Stump, if we were in the same room and you verbally made a crack like that at a WW2 veteran, I would (assuming you're a guy) personally bitchslap you until you bled from the ears.

You had damn well better apologize to Stephen Michaud.

Yeah! Lefties who insult war veterans are assholes! Lefties think they can do anything!

Guess what, Stumpy? See the following link:

http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/12380.html

There!

Ed, anyone who publicly signs his name with the qualifier ww 2 vet and denigrates the highest offices of our country, no matter who is in power should have his medals taken off his lapel. I don't give a fleck what he thinks, just don't link it up to our vets, most of which have served valiantly and have the utmost respect for out institutions. We will one day win an election and on that day we can do something about it but in the meantime, our government is not to be debased and be made an object of derision. The vets I know are still fond of what they fought for and it's particularly unbecoming of any Canadian to vomit such drivel.

BTW, do you know him personally? How do you know he truly is a vet from WW2? Maybe he's just a plant to make conservative folk sound like ranting lunatics?

Well, then, Stumpy:

http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/10232.html

Now, do you still feel the same way? Did that smart?

Mark:

History about Hong Kong aside. My point had less to do with the qualifications about either women, and more about liberal tokenism in the guise of "being progressive".

Thanks for keeping me grounded BTW.

Maple Stump: At least Stephen Michaud signs his name. So do I.

And you were decidedly disrespectful to him.

And no, I don't know him personally. I don't necessarily agree with him either. However, it is because of him and men like him that you are able to speak your mind at all.

Apologize to Stephen Michaud. And sign your name if you have any cojones.

Ed, of course I was disrespectful to him! When a military man wears his uniform, he represents our forces and what they stand up for, do you agree? Consequently, if a man qualifies his name with WW2 vet, I take it as such; he's showing his colors and this means that he must uphold the values of the military, one of which is the respect of our government. If he wants to wear his civvies and denigrate the government, up to him but he should not wrap himself in the flag while doing it.

Stephen, you spend waayyy too much time surfing the internet. Maybe you're just too drunk to get up.

Maple Stump: Meet me by the bicycle racks after school.

Hey Maple stump;
I served over 20 years for queen and country and I think this appointment stinks of political crap. Yes, the GG might be a nice person and she has accomplished a lot but she isn't exactly national Canadian figure. As I said before, there are a lot more deserving and qualified people out there like Marc Garneau, Lewis MacKenzie, etc. It may be only a toothless appointment as far as power goes, but it will not do any good to make it a totaly blatent political post.
But your obviously cheap shot at a wwII vet is pretty low. Grow up, eh.

Ralph, I stand corrected on the circulation -- it is more than 200,000. Blogs can bring out the worst in us -- as some of these posts illustrate -- but your speedy correction of my statement shows how effective they can be.

Referring back to the new GG, I think the biggest disappointment for me is that her crowning accomplishment is to work at The Passionate Eye, a show that spends most of its time criticizing the US. It's the kind of cheap demogoguery that I would rather not see in a GG.

And on that note, I wonder why the CBC -- our national broadcaster -- gets away with producing reams of documentaries on the US. It would be nice if our tax dollars occasionally went to a media that documented our own dirty laundry.

This Canuck manages to thread in his favourite, batty/looney aunt: Aunty-American. Also sets us straight on the fact that tolerance and acceptance are "not the same concept." Good old T&A.
Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

"The new Governor-General represents all that is good in this country: multiculturalism, diversity, a celebration of intellect and reason, tolerance and acceptance (not the same concept). The United States likes to refer to itself as "the land of opportunity", yet I somehow doubt that we will see a Black head of state in that nation for years to come. Kudos to Mr. Martin. Sir, you have chosen well.
James Sanyshyn, Vancouver"
http://www.rapp.org/url/?FRXO6V3G
Gob & Pail: Have Your Say... your tax dollars $$$

I would think it's fair to say that the new GG was a national broadcaster with local reach. There! That should end this particular bit of hooey!! Group hug.

David Suzuki. The man is way to left for me and lord
knows teacher cum politician is always a disaster.
Too long at the public trough don't you know. Having
said all that, his work in genetics and being Japanese-Canadian. If your going ethnic for the optics then pick someone who has earned it. As much as I hate his politics I couldn't carp too much about him as a choice.

PMPM does nothing - absolutely NOTHING - that isn't designed to enhance his and the party's political standing. Whether the choice is good, bad or indifferent is moot. She was chosen to maximize the number of votes for the Liberal party come election time.

Oh, and for the record:

a) I've never heard of her

and

2) I think Lew Mackenzie would have been a solid choice as well

Right on Maple Stump.

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.

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 Michaëlle 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 rêves (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.

We should be proud to live in a country that puts this ninny into a position for which she is plainly unfit, simply because of the colour of her skin? Go back where you came from.

I wasn't going to pay attention to a lowlife rogue like EBT. But I just can't help noticing that SOME IGNORANT REDNECKS LIKE EBT CAN WRITE ENGLISH. HEY JERK, I ASSUME YOUR ANCESTORS ARE FIRST NATIONS OR NATIVE AMERICANS.

WHY DON'T YOU GO BACK TO YOUR FARM AND MILK YOUR COW. THIS IS WHERE YOU'RE BELONG.

How to become Govener General of Canada in 3 easy steps:

1. Work for the CBC to ensure you represent the majority of Canadians.

2. Have a sob story about overcoming great obstacles in your life that mirror numerous other Canadians, but since you are on tv, your story is more important and representative.

3. Play the wine and dine game when nominations are coming up to the PMO, but keep it on the down-low, (wouldn't want to ruin the artistic reputation built up working years for the CBC). Let the PM know you have no anti-liberal political agenda.

Once in office... Spend! Spend! Spend! Remember, you are the Queen's representative and are above trivial things like budgets... especially when the Canadian taxpayer is paying for your "honourary" position.

Why, how, did the P.M. ever arrive at
appointing a TV host/reporter as G.G.?
A TV host/reporter is a job that appears unacceptable to white people, as evidenced by the mulitude of Asians, Indians or Blacks employeed by our networks.
Surely we have citizens in Canada more worthy of a G.G. appointment than a TV reporter. We have already experienced the travails of a TV host/reporter leaving much to be desired.
It is so obvious that our P.M. is trying hard to placate P.Q.