Ignatieff The American

Alta4ever · February 23, 2009

Sounds like it since it is free.

Wouldn't that amount to an illegal corporate donation? My understanding is that a gifts are given a monitary value, and the source is of the gift is also taken into account, so unless the title of the billboard is held by a private citizen and not a business, this adverstising the liberal party is doing may very well be illegal.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

Michael Ignatieff around President Obama reminded me of teenage girls around the Beatles. Now he's going to have his picture with the President shown in Times Square. This is a great use of Liberal money. I'm sure the Americans will be impressed when they see their President in a picture with some guy who thinks he's more important than he actually is.

When Chretien announced that we would not be going to Iraq, Harper made a point of making himself visible in the U.S., announcing that he supported them, not Canada, despite the fact that he was an elected official and head of the opposition. He posted in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post and even went on Fox News.

I'm quite surprised at how important Ignatieff actually is around the world. In 1997, when Harper was making his speech to the American neo-Cons calling Canada a European Welfare State in the worst sense of the term, and suggesting that our Women's Rights would 'absolutely horrify' them; , MacLeans Magazine named Ignatieff one of the ten most important Canadians.

Harper tried to have Ignatieff's visit cut short and it backfired. Obama extended his visit to give him the full 30 minutes. They will be friends, with Bush gone and Harper's days numbered. A new relationship between the two countries, based on mutual respect, not the hero worship and blind faith of Harper toward GW.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

Such fawning over an American president may break the rules, even for Beatles groupies.

Canadians felt the same way toward JFK. I watched the Right Feeling Wronged, the documentary by Nancy Pelosi's daughter, and I know what the insane fringe looks like. Our admiration of Obama comes from respect for his views, not some insane visions or beliefs. Those people are nuts.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

I know you'll say he was just a teacher. You're wrong there, he was also a broadcaster, journalist, human rights activist, and author. He's been in places where Harper has only heard about on television. You'll also say that he made his success outside of Canada. You're right there but when you are an intellectual, you need to travel the world and take advantage of opportunities. Ex. there is nothing like the School of Government at Harvard in the world.

It's a shame that because of partisan politics, there are some Canadians who are not allowed to take pride in one of their own. Michael Ignatieff's name and reputation are well known around the world. I'm on his second book, and he always calls himself a Canadian and refers to this country as 'My Canada'.

He is not an opportunistic Canadian, but was lured back, many times. In 2000 to Alberta, where the Banff Arts and Cultural Centre sponsored a radio program where he discussed his Gemini Award winning documentary. He has also won the Gelder for Canadian authors.

He has spent a great deal of time in war torn countries and knows firsthand the human cost; and yet is still able to see conflict from both sides. His foreign policies will be based on experience, not ideology.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

What did Ignatieff ever accomplish or do for Canada?

Showed the world that not all Canadians live in Igloos and eat beaver as a tasty treat.

Michael Ignatieff is a recognized historian, a fiction writer and public intellectual who has written several books on international relations and nation building. His sixteen fiction and non-fiction books have been translated into twelve languages. He has contributed articles to newspapers such as The Globe and Mail and The New York Times Magazine. Maclean's named him among the "Top 10 Canadian Who's Who" in 1997 and one of the "50 Most Influential Canadians Shaping Society" in 2002. In 2003, Maclean's named him Canada's "Sexiest Cerebral Man."[8]

Ignatieff's history of his family's experiences in nineteenth-century Russia (and subsequent exile), The Russian Album, won the Canadian 1987 Governor General's Award for Non-Fiction and the British Royal Society of Literature's Heinemann Prize. His 1998 biography of Isaiah Berlin was shortlisted for both the Jewish Quarterly Literary Prize for Non-Fiction and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize.

His text on Western interventionist policies and nation building, Virtual War: Kosovo and Beyond, analyzes the NATO bombing of Kosovo and its subsequent aftermath. It won the Orwell Prize for political non-fiction in 2000. Ignatieff worked with the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty in preparing the report, The Responsibility to Protect, which examined the role of international involvement in Kosovo and Rwanda, and advocated a framework for 'humanitarian' intervention in future humanitarian crises. Ignatieff's general line is to highlight the moral imperative to intervene for humanitarian and other high motives, rejecting isolationism, but then drawing attention to practical and systematic limitations to successful interventions. His 2003 book, Empire Lite, argued that the post-intervention efforts in Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan were under-equipped to deal with the near-intractable problems they were facing.

His book on the dangers of ethnic nationalism in the post-Cold War period, Blood and Belonging: Journeys into the New Nationalism, won the Gordon Montador Award for Best Canadian Book on Social Issues and the University of Toronto's Lionel Gelber Prize.[10] Blood and Belonging was based on Ignatieff's Gemini Award winning 1993 television series of the same name.

In 2004, he published The Lesser Evil: Political Ethics in an Age of Terror, a philosophical work analyzing human rights in the post-9/11 world. The book was a finalist for the Lionel Gelber Prize, and attracted considerable attention for its attempts to reconcile the democratic ideals of western liberal societies with the often-coercive nature of the War on Terrorism.

Ignatieff also writes fiction; one of his novels, Scar Tissue, was short-listed for the Booker Prize. In addition to writing, he has been a guest lecturer in a variety of settings. He delivered the Massey Lectures in 2000. Entitled The Rights Revolution, the series was released in print later that year. He has been a participant and panel leader at the World Economic Forum in Geneva.

Ignatieff was ranked 37th on the list of top public intellectuals prepared by Prospect and Foreign Policy magazines

Anytime a Canadian does well on the world stage, it benefits all Canadians.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

As unelected leader of the Liberal party Ignatieff should really give second thoughts about who exactly is on probation.
So as an American citizen and one who has been out of the country for twenty-five years how as he served Canadian interest or what as he accomplished as a Canadian citizen to earn the position of leader of the Liberal party?

He was never an American citizen, spending only five years there heading up the Human Rights Department at Harvard, and four years or so earlier in his life getting his PhD from the same university.

For the 30 years out of the country, much of it was spent travelling the globe as a journalist, winning awards and earning respect.

He was lured back to Canada by the Liberals, and thank heavens for that.

Being a world leader is a natural progression for him. His father was a Canadian Diplomat and his grandfather negotiated and signed many International treaties fort the Tsar of Russia. It's in his blood. He was always destined for greatness, and achieved it before becoming Prime Minister of Canada.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

The photo in question...in context....in New York City:

Beautiful, and Times Square no less. Obama will learn a lot from Ignatieff when it comes to shaping foreign policy. They will make a great team, using intelligence and diplomacy instead of ignorance and ideology.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

How can we take Dion seriously? Now how can we take a clearly star struck Ignatieff seriously. He groveled like a little boy at the feet of Santa...are there no real men left in Ottawa who can stand up like real men and show real atonomy?

I'm starting to feel sorry for people who are trapped in rhetoric, thrashing around looking for ways to discredit a man who has already proven himself around the world; trying to take back his Gemini and many literary awards.

They are sounding desperate and ridiculous.

Falling back on his time in U.S., when Canadians want stronger ties with Americans, now that Obama is in charge.

I thought the problem with Conservatives was math or reading, now I realize it's reading comprehension. Too bad Baird cancelled the funding, because his Party and supporters could sure use it now.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

returned from everywhere to save our country

By George, I think you've got it. He was lured back to Canada while most Canadians just want Harper to leave. I'm glad you agree that we need him to save our country. I couldn't agree more.

As to an election, he's ready, willing and able. The Conservatives have more to lose, so are finally trying to play nice. The last thing Harper wants now is an election. He miscalculated and shot himself in the foot.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

Wrong on both counts....most Americans don't really know or give a damn who the PM of Canada is. May as well have been a photo of Dudley Do-right and Nell Fenwick on a horse.

Not always true. As a teen I visited my aunt in Michigan; when Trudeau was in power. She arranged a social gathering so that I could meet the neighbours. All the ladies wanted to talk about was Pierre Trudeau. I was stunned. They knew more about him than I did.

Ignatieff has the ability to become the next Trudeau with the women and comes to office with a sound International reputation.

madmax · February 23, 2009

Hmmm....I think we have been directed by our moderator to never refer to Mr. Ignatieff with the informal "Iggy". This is in keeping with this site's desired decorum and respect for people in public office / service.

Iggy is used pretty much everywhere including among many in his own party. Simply because IGNATIEFF is hard to spell or too long. IGGY is used in many contexts, and I am not aware of being directed not to use Iggy. I do go interchangeably between Iggy and Ignatieff depend on time constraints.

Regardless, there is more decorum on MLW then their is in the House of Commons.

I recall being called to the carpet over my misspelling of (HAH, I still can't spell it write) Chrétien (Thanks google)

And being in a near ban condition, because one person here took it as a personal offense.

There is no doubt that every third or 4th post, someone might spell Ignatieffs name incorrectly. Iggy is a good short form. Certainly TALIBAN JACK remains in many posts on MLW. I see no Decorum in that?

On another note There are many ways to misspell Micheal. But I don't believe anyone is making intentional slurrs, much like the TALIBAN JACK comments. There is no mistaking the lack of decorum in them.

I believe that no one has sent to the moderator, oh the horror the horror, someone is using a lack of Decorum against the Leader of the NDP.

Common Bush Cheney2004. IT would be like removing DUBYA from political speak.

Oleg Bach · February 23, 2009

Not always true. As a teen I visited my aunt in Michigan; when Trudeau was in power. She arranged a social gathering so that I could meet the neighbours. All the ladies wanted to talk about was Pierre Trudeau. I was stunned. They knew more about him than I did.
Ignatieff has the ability to become the next Trudeau with the women and comes to office with a sound International reputation.

What you say that Ignatieff can become the great seducer of the flakey female populace - just like the charming and shark like Trudeau...I met Trudeau - his hand was like ice and I am sure it still is. I have no respect for the memory of Trudeau - birds of a feather as they say. Personally I knew a man - an arms dealer, pimp and cocaine importer...He like to brag that he dinned with Trudeau on occassion - I am sure Pierre knew who and what he was..but some how he did not mind sitting at the same table and breaking bread with evil....I doubt if this former Prime Minister was some sort of benevolent angel..we were nothing but an ant farm to be experimented with by this man. Those with to high an esteem for themselves are dangerous. They tend to dehumanize people. Ignatieff strikes me as the kind of person that actually believes he is a superiour - because he has absorbed every last half baked theory ever written by man - and man is not that smart...I wonder if Iggy is one of those elitist atheists types who believes himself to be a demi-god? :lol:

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

Iggy is used pretty much everywhere including among many in his own party.

I use Iggy all the time, and see it everywhere. It's more of an affectionate term and he doesn't seem to mind. In fact in the New York Times piece the author says 'All Hail Iggy'.

He has a new book coming our in April, and I'm going to buy it this time. The waiting list is too long at the library.

“True Patriot Love: Four Generations in Search of Canada,” He described it as an exploration of Canadian identity — his, as well as those of his grandfather, father and children (he has two).

“I think I’ve always felt passionately and proudly Canadian, and the way I prove that is that I’ve never sought another passport,”

His father worked for four different Canadian Prime Ministers as a 'Russian-Canadian diplomat and was the recipient of the 1984 Pearson Medal of Peace for his work in international service.'

"...various posts including as Ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1956 to 1958, permanent representative to NATO (1963-1966), Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations (1966-1969) and president of the United Nations Security Council (1968-1969). In 1984 he was appointed disarmament ambassador by Prime Minister John Turner. He also served as Provost of the University of Trinity College from 1972 to 1979 and later as chancellor of the University of Toronto from 1980 to 1986. The University of Trinity College's theatre is named after Ignatieff, and is fondly known as the GIT (pronounced 'jit'). He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1973."

Ignatieff cut his teeth on Canadian politics and Interantional affairs. We will be the benafactor of that.

bush_cheney2004 · February 23, 2009

....There is no doubt that every third or 4th post, someone might spell Ignatieffs name incorrectly. Iggy is a good short form. Certainly TALIBAN JACK remains in many posts on MLW. I see no Decorum in that?
On another note There are many ways to misspell Micheal. But I don't believe anyone is making intentional slurrs, much like the TALIBAN JACK comments. There is no mistaking the lack of decorum in them.

I believe that no one has sent to the moderator, oh the horror the horror, someone is using a lack of Decorum against the Leader of the NDP.

Hey, I don't make the rules around here (see link below)..."Iggy" is out but "poodle" is OK (for now).

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....mp;#entry390627

Oleg Bach · February 23, 2009

Hey, I don't make the rules around here (see link below)..."Iggy" is out but "poodle" is OK (for now).
http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index....mp;#entry390627

To infere to this gentleman and I am sure that he is, as a "poodle" - is not an slur nor does it lack decorum. This is not congress nor is it parliment...if you wish to be a critic of certain figurehead in government that it should be permitted to call someone - henchman (sorry - henchperson) - Liar....and politicals do that....or as in this case LAP DOG. If that is what a person clearly is then why encourage that person and supporters to continue to be improper? Should we lie and say that Ignatieff is a man of the people - a down to earth pragmatist who will do what is right and stand up for truth justice and the American way ( sorry - Canadian way) - I suppose that would be best - to lie.........and that dumping of good values should make us what we dream to be? Politicians!

Keepitsimple · February 23, 2009

I use Iggy all the time, and see it everywhere. It's more of an affectionate term and he doesn't seem to mind. In fact in the New York Times piece the author says 'All Hail Iggy'.
He has a new book coming our in April, and I'm going to buy it this time. The waiting list is too long at the library.

“True Patriot Love: Four Generations in Search of Canada,” He described it as an exploration of Canadian identity — his, as well as those of his grandfather, father and children (he has two).

“I think I’ve always felt passionately and proudly Canadian, and the way I prove that is that I’ve never sought another passport,”

His father worked for four different Canadian Prime Ministers as a 'Russian-Canadian diplomat and was the recipient of the 1984 Pearson Medal of Peace for his work in international service.'

"...various posts including as Ambassador to Yugoslavia from 1956 to 1958, permanent representative to NATO (1963-1966), Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations (1966-1969) and president of the United Nations Security Council (1968-1969). In 1984 he was appointed disarmament ambassador by Prime Minister John Turner. He also served as Provost of the University of Trinity College from 1972 to 1979 and later as chancellor of the University of Toronto from 1980 to 1986. The University of Trinity College's theatre is named after Ignatieff, and is fondly known as the GIT (pronounced 'jit'). He was made a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1973."

Ignatieff cut his teeth on Canadian politics and Interantional affairs. We will be the benafactor of that.

All the more troubling - why his father could serve Canadian politics so loyally and with such diversity, yet "Iggy" decides to leave Canada behind for much of his life to teach and write books? Seems like quite a waste of his father's investment in Canada. Three short years ago, who in Canada had even heard of Ignatieff before the Liberal back room boys decided to bring him "home" to contest the Liberal leadership?

Edited February 23, 2009 by Keepitsimple

Moonbox · February 23, 2009

“I think I’ve always felt passionately and proudly Canadian, and the way I prove that is that I’ve never sought another passport,”

I kind of thought that was funny. Why would you want to get rid of your Canadian passport? I have over a dozen close relatives who have lived in the US for 15+ years and still don't have American passports. What benefit does it provide you other than better eligibility for the draft?

Oleg Bach · February 23, 2009

All the more troubling - why his father could serve Canadian politics so loyally and with such diversity, yet "Iggy" decides to leave Canada behind for much of his life to teach and write books? Seems like quite a waste of his father's investment in Canada. Three short years ago, who in Canada had even heard of Ignatieff before the Liberal back room boys decided to bring him "home" to contest the Liberal leadership?

Wow I did not know that we had a Camelot in Canada...mabye Ignateiff is a reletive to the almighty and highly entitled Kennedy clan. With this thinking the Trudeau boy prince should be installed as king in time. Ignatieff left Canada for the same reason and in the same manner that our friend Conrad the Lord Black did...One was successful in his return being the greater opportunist while Conrad was not...... seeing he had to do his corporate duty like a good and loyal man and absorb the sins of thousands. Conrad did his duty...Ignatieff might not be that brave or sacraficing nor will he keep his mouth shut in the long run - he may poodle talk a wee to much.

capricorn · February 23, 2009

It's a shame that because of partisan politics, there are some Canadians who are not allowed to take pride in one of their own.

It's comforting to know that Canadians can still decide for themselves who they should be proud of.

Michael Ignatieff's name and reputation are well known around the world.

I wonder how many New Yorkers knew who Obama was standing next to on the Time Square Jumbothron.

He is not an opportunistic Canadian, but was lured back, many times.

Lured back is an interesting choice of words. What Ignatieff couldn't resist was the prospect of becoming an instant celebrity in Canada and the promise of a position of political power. Not to mention a spike in his book sales.

In 2000 to Alberta, where the Banff Arts and Cultural Centre sponsored a radio program where he discussed his Gemini Award winning documentary.

In true Ignatieff form, he discusses "himself".

His foreign policies will be based on experience, not ideology.

Ignatieff's foreign policies are not hard to read.

The other major game-changer is the presence of a decidedly pro-American leader at the head of the Liberal party.
Of all of Michael Ignatieff's attributes, it is his openness to the United States that most distinguishes him from his predecessors. His initial support for the Iraq war, his early support for Canada's deployment in Kandahar speak to reflexes that are not germane to the traditional Liberal culture.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/591521

By all accounts, his foreign policies mirror Harper's.

On the domestic front Ignatieff has yet to enunciate any policies. On most files, he has tacitly approved of everything Harper is doing.

Canadians may well think there's no use changing governments as Conservatives and Liberals are presently virtually identical. Maybe the Liberal brass erred in not recruiting a true Liberal with traditional Liberal values.

Progressive Tory · February 23, 2009

Canadians may well think there's no use changing governments as Conservatives and Liberals are presently virtually identical. Maybe the Liberal brass erred in not recruiting a true Liberal with traditional Liberal values.

He worked on Trudeau's campaign and knows traditional Liberal values. His father worked for Pearson and won the Order of Canada in his own right.

However, Ignatieff is a centrist and a friend of corporate Canada. He also has already earned an International reputation and was not only an invited guest at the World Economic Forum, but was made a panel leader at the event.

"The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Geneva-based non-profit foundation best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland which brings together top business leaders, international political leaders, selected intellectuals and journalists to discuss the most pressing issues facing the world including health and the environment."

He has earned a reputation with top business leaders and international political leaders, who have already worked with him, before he becomes Prime Minister of Canada. If you think this won't impress the Canadian business community, then maybe in the Conservative world 4 + 5 really does equal 30.

So what can Harper argue next campaign? Ignatieff supports many of the foreign policies, but is not driven by ideology, but facts based on experience. He's been an invited guest of the World Economic Forum. His books have been read by world leaders and translated into twelve languages (a new translation of one syllable words will soon be available for conservatives and dedicated to Stockwell Day, for whom English is obviously a second language.)

Spin it 'til you're dizzy. Harper has nothing left. He can't even argue abortion or equal marriage because he's even let down the Socons. He might be able to cross his legs, but will soon have to spread 'em to make room for his tail.

Alta4ever · February 23, 2009

He worked on Trudeau's campaign and knows traditional Liberal values. His father worked for Pearson and won the Order of Canada in his own right.

That is in and of itself enough reason never to let this guy be PM.

Edited February 23, 2009 by Alta4ever

noahbody · February 23, 2009

In 2000 to Alberta, where the Banff Arts and Cultural Centre sponsored a radio program where he discussed his Gemini Award winning documentary.

They also lured this guy. He too was a bit of a jerk-off.

CALGARY - The Banff Centre, one of the country's most prestigious cultural institutions, has provided about $1,300 in financial assistance for a Mexican performance artist to ejaculate into glass vials as part of an international artist exchange agreement.
Israel Mora, 33, masturbates privately into seven glass vials that he says represent seven members of his family. The vials are then placed in a cooler, which Mr. Mora currently has strung up between two trees at the Banff Centre.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/584127/posts

Realist · February 23, 2009

That is in and of itself enough reason never to let this guy be PM.

It must gall you that Harper has altered his politics to cater to Ontario and Quebec.

Oleg Bach · February 23, 2009

Hear hear The Order Of Canada in deed! Saint Henry Morgantaler recieved that honour...and what use was he to Canada - His damning statement was "Unwanted children grow up to be concentration camp guards" - Great work Henry you paranoid lunitic - You facilitated a mini-genocide of mostly white blue eyed people --- and now we have to import the brown eyed dark ones to keep the place going - that moment that the foolish and mindless granted this great Canadian pre-emptive striker against the spector of the Nazis unborn really did not give it a lot of thought - maybe it was the chief justices' registrar who has no use for men and may covet female beauty being a homely and confused old girl insisted on honouring Henry. :rolleyes: