Michaelle Jean political death watch?

[shoop]

So whadda ya think? When does Jean get the old heave how from Mr. Dithers?

[mirror]

She's here to stay.

I just don't understand what all this hullabaloo is all about in the first place except that the Cons & the separatists trying to make the Liberals look bad.

Give it a break, there is nothing here.

[mirror]

August 17, 2005

By Michaëlle Jean

Governor General Designate

I am deeply touched and wish to thank all those who have so warmly greeted the news of my recent nomination to the office of Governor General of Canada. Others have questioned my attachment to Canada and that of my husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond.

I want to tell you unequivocally that both he and I are proud to be Canadians and that we have the greatest respect for the institutions of our country. We are fully committed to Canada. I would not have accepted this position otherwise.

We are equally proud of the attachment to Quebec that we have always shown beyond any partisan considerations. Let me be clear: we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement.

[August1991]

Let me be clear: we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement.

"So, a sovereign Quebec? An independent Quebec? Yes, and I applaud with both hands and I promise to be at all St. Jean [baptiste] parades."

Did a lawyer in the PMO write that statement? Why not be simply honest with us?

[mirror]

"In recent days, Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General Designate, and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond, have found themselves the subject of controversy.  Mme Jean has seen her and her husband’s loyalty to Canada questioned, particularly by hard-line separatists.

"Canadians have a right to know that the occupants of Rideau Hall are unquestionably dedicated to Canada.  At the time of her appointment, the Governor General Designate spoke forcefully of her love for our country. Today, Mme Jean has again declared clearly and unequivocally that both she and her husband are fully committed to Canada. 

"As Prime Minister, I have spoken at length with Mme Jean about her deep attachment to our country.  There is no doubt in my mind that her devotion to Canada is longstanding and resolute.  That is why I recommended her for appointment. And that is why she enjoys my unqualified support as she prepares to assume the post of Governor General.  I have every confidence that she and her husband will serve with dignity, distinction and energy.”

[Canuck E Stan]

"Let me be clear: we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement."

Yes,Jean,like most people, you never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement,but are you sympathetic to the separatist cause?

[Leader Circle]

At least her hubby doesn't make pornos! He makes wonderful little documentaries on separation, with the help of convicted murderers!!!

These people are good for the federal morale!

LOL

[Canuck E Stan]

What a perfect fit with those in power!

[mirror]

It's over guys.

You can lose the paranoia and give it a rest. Even the Monarchy League supports her.

You lose again!

[THELIBERAL]

The separatists themselves are the one's who are doing most of the complaining and digging up all the dirt on her.

And the Conservatives seem put out because they think she's a separatist.

WOW doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me! Here is a question the Conservatives need to spend some time thinking about!

If she's a separatist why are the separatist against her?

HELLO!!! God Conservative logic makes me laugh! A LOT!

Move over Rick Mercer you've got some competition!

[shoop]

The separatists themselves are the one's who are doing most of the complaining and digging up all the dirt on her.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Uhhh no actually that would be Jean herself providing the dirt from Lafond's documentary. What country's independence was she toasting exactly?

Best quote of the day has to go to Jim Brown from the Canadian Press.

"But while she insisted “we have never belonged to a political party or the separatist movement,” she did not address accusations that she and Lafond once expressed support for the separatist cause."

Where is the answer to that vital question Madame Jean?

[August1991]

There is a difference in the English version which refers to a "separatist movement" rather than "idéologie souverainiste" in the French version.

The text in French said: « Soyons clairs, nous n'avons jamais adhéré à un parti politique ou à l'idéologie souverainiste. »

But this is what her husband wrote and published:

« Alors, un Québec souverain? Un Québec indépendant? Oui, et j’applaudis des deux mains et je promets d’être de tous les défilés de toutes les Saint-Jean. »

I agree with Le Quebecois, the small publication that has done most of the research of Jean and Lafond.

Pour notre part, il nous semble qu’il aurait été plus honnête que le couple admette leur passé souverainiste et qu’il dise qu’il a depuis changé d’idée.  Tout individu a droit à ses opinions politiques.  Et tout individu a droit de changer d’idée.  Cela, le Journal Le Québécois l’a toujours reconnu. «En préférant nier l’évidence, cela n’est certes pas à leur honneur.  Mais est-ce que le Canada anglais aurait accepté la moindre ouverture envers le mouvement indépendantiste dans la déclaration publique de Mme Jean ?  Nous ne le croyons pas et à l’évidence, le couple vice-royal pas davantage.  Et cela démontre que le couple est maintenant tout à fait sous le contrôle de Paul Martin qui lui met des mots dans la bouche qui ne convaincront personne.  Enfin, c’est leur choix», de déplorer Bégin et Bourgeois.

(Bégin and Bourgeois are the directors of Le Québécois.)

IOW, Jean's statement was written by the PMO.

On a related point, check out the Liberal Party web site. The Governor General is now apparently a member of the federal Liberal party.

Do Canadians now adhere to the ideology of a one party state?

[shoop]

Looks like this statement won't be enough.

60% of people on CTV answered no to the following question.

"Michaelle Jean says she is proud to be Canadian and is 'fully committed to Canada.' Do you believe her?"

Michaelle still has some 'xplainin to do.

[Bakunin]

I think she made it clear today, she want the job and doesn't want to talk about her past. By not saying she was federalist, she admit what evryone think...

I don't know how to react, i just can't answer, is being opportunistic a bad thing or a good thing ? It can be both.

Even if i don't like her husband, i guess she just have to choose for herself. Anyway id rather have someone modern like her as a GG, someone not Liberal and monarchist than an old ?%$&@! like Clarkson.

[mirror]

This is turning out to be a brilliant move by PM Martin more and more with each passing day. The separatists have discredited themselves by coming on too strong, after all it's a free country, and the right wingers who are willing to attack anything progressive in this country.

[Riverwind]

I think she made it clear today, she want the job and doesn't want to talk about her past. By not saying she was federalist, she admit what evryone think...

I wish someone would ask her a question like:

"If there is another referendum in Quebec during your term will you campaign on behalf of the federalist side"?

If she cannot give an immediate "yes" or refuses to answer the question then she should not get the job.

[mirror]

I don't think it is the GG's role to campaign.

She is an appointed figurehead who represents the monarchy.

[Riverwind]

I don't think it is the GG's role to campaign.

She is an appointed figurehead who represents the monarchy.

She is the head of state - preserving the integrity of the state is part of the GG's job.

[mirror]

Do you remember any of the previous GGs campaigning either in elections or referendums?

[cybercoma]

I don't know about the rest of you, but it doesn't impress me one bit that our Governor General fraternizes with terrorists who murdered an MP.

[shoop]

This is turning out to be a brilliant move by PM Martin more and more with each passing day. The separatists have discredited themselves by coming on too strong, after all it's a free country, and the right wingers who are willing to attack anything progressive in this country.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow that is deluded.

A "brilliant move"? Maybe a quarter of Liberal activists would agree with that assessment at this point. Outside that select circle nobody would agree with that at this point.

Unless, Mr. Dithers wanted to look like he rushed the appointment, didn't conduct due diligence in order to lay a trap for the sovereigntists and conservatives that leaves 60% of the people questioning his choice. Wow you are right. It is a brilliant move. A trap so smoothly executed that the upside is apparent to nobody but Liberal true believers.

Mr. Dithers I applaud you. I am in awe of your intellect and steadfastness once you have made a decision.

[BHS]

If she's a separatist why are the separatist [sic] against her?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If the Democrats are pro-gay rights, why do they use homosexuality as a smear campaing weapon against the Republicans on a regular basis?

Why didn't the feminist lobby dump on Clinton after his abuse of female staffers came to light?

Politics makes for strange bedfellows and stranger tactics, especially for those pushing a minority agenda. What the separatists most fear is a Liberal rennaissance in Quebec after the Gomery inquiry has been swept under the carpet (in the tradition of sweeping all inquiries under the carpet - because that's what inquiries are for). At this point the separatists are at a zenith in popularity and they want to keep it that way by attacking Martin on any issue that makes the news. Outing the PM's pick for GG as a separatist may look self-destructive, but it serves the bigger picture of weakening the Liberal party and making it's leader look foolish.

[shoop]

Politics makes for strange bedfellows and stranger tactics,

Outing the PM's pick for GG as a separatist may look self-destructive, but it serves the bigger picture of weakening the Liberal party and making it's leader look foolish.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's why the separatists and conservatives are uniting on this issue.

It's not really self-destructive for the separatists at all to out Jean.

True separatists sneer at the office of the GG. They don't care about it at all.

So of course they are going to take the chance to expose Mr. Dithers for his vapid and desperate nomination in this situation. He is so desperate to improve his image in Quebec he approved the appintment with proper due diligence.

Bad move for Canada Mr. Dithers. Please try and do better in the future.

[Riverwind]

So of course they are going to take the chance to expose Mr. Dithers for his vapid and desperate nomination in this situation. He is so desperate to improve his image in Quebec he approved the appointment with proper due diligence

The separatists opposed the GG is because they hoped to draft her as a supporter of the 'yes' side in the next referendum. Separatists know they need prominent people from ethnic communities to win the referendum and they had reason to believe she was 'one of theirs'. They lashed out because they were upset that she had 'turned to the darkside' from their point of view. I think the separatists were attacking Jean personally more than they were attacking the Liberals.

[BHS]

Could be. I don't make a special effort to follow the whims of the seperatist movement. I probably should though.