Harper on Canada: 1 July 2007

[jdobbin]

On the contrary, one of the sad facts of Canada's foreign service prior to the arrival of Trudeau was its surpring inability to speak French (or any language other than English for that matter).

Here is a clip of Pearson reading a prepared text in French (about the explusion of de Gaulle). You be the judge.

His accent is terrible but as I said, he did business in French with foreign leaders and in Quebec. He was able to speak without notes despite this particular clip showing him reading a prepared text.

If you've read Chretien's or Trudeau's memoirs, they make mention of how Pearson was able to communicate in caucus from English to French. Previously, caucus had been conducted mostly in English despite French Canadian prime ministers.

You made out that Harper was the first Protestant Anglo prime minister to be able to do this. He wasn't. Pearson set the standard for other leaders. Now, the standard is higher. You have to be able to speak without an accent in English or French, without notes and be able to do it for the five second clip for TV. Harper in 2004 could not do it very well. In 2007, he can. Dion cannot do it very well now. He is better than he was. He'll need to improve more.

[jbg]

Here is a clip of Pearson reading a prepared text in French (about the explusion of de Gaulle). You be the judge.

Accent is a different story. Gordon Lightfoot sings a song with beautiful lyrics, from what I hear identical, in English and French. I hear his accent is terrible, though apparently Quebeckers appreciated it. .Lyrics below. Link to lyrics.

Nous Vivons Ensemble, ©1971 by Gordon Lightfoot

We've got to stay together

We've got to find each other now

That is how we can learn all about the other man's song

On the plains of Abraham

When they sent the lamb to die

You and I were asleep in the Rock of Ages

Remember the unborn children still to come

If you need me and I need you

There's nothing else needs saying

Understand it

I'm not too deaf to hear the song you're playing

Nous vivons ensemble

Nous nous connaissons maintenant

Voici comment nous pouvons découvrir une autre humanité

Sur les plaines D'Abraham

Lors du dernier sacrifice

Toi et moi nous dormions très loin dans le temps

Souviens-toi des enfants qui attendent encore

Si tu me veux je serai la c'est tout ce que j'ai à dire

Car comprend moi

Je ne suis pas sourd à la musique que tu joues

Dion cannot do it very well now. He is better than he was. He'll need to improve more.

The English Leadership Debate promises to be a real hoot. I can't wait, though I suspect it will be during September and October 2009 that I'm listening to them.

[jdobbin]

The English Leadership Debate promises to be a real hoot. I can't wait, though I suspect it will be during September and October 2009 that I'm listening to them.

Given that Chretien didn't speak a word of English when he was first elected, he learned it quickly enough to become cabinet minister and later prime minister. Those that thought his language skills weren't good enough found themselves on the losing side of elections.

Dion's skills are such that he was able to work in the U.S. with his English. He has to translate an academic bent for the language with a more common touch.

Harper would have had a better time of it if he had called the election this spring. The Liberals had no money, a new, inexperienced leader and the 13 years of previous Liberal party record in government fresh in people's memory. It might have been chancy with poll numbers showing that Harper short of a majority but even some Tories have acknowledged, the Liberals were about as weak as they've ever been.

If Harper could improve his communication skills from 2004 to 2005, Dion can surely improve his from 2007 to 2008.

[Moxie]

Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a PM that treats ALL the provinces and territories the SAME!!! I wonder how a PM from the Martimes would treat all of Canada? Perhaps. Williams could bring back the PC's at the Fed. level and run against Harper.

How refreshing to read a post that isn't blindly loyal to a political party. Danny cares about his people and his province. Harper cares about power, all consuming power.

Harper is a dictator, and a LIAR. If the hard core NeoCons want to live with blue glasses on that's their perogative. I stand with issues, I will never blindly support a political party. I hold all politicians accountable for their actions. I do not feel the need to make geographical slurs to get my point across when discussing Canadian issues. Harper allowed himself to be black mailed by the senate to get his budget through. HE allowed a group of non-elected thugs to dicatate what transpires in this country. It reeks of dictatorship, we the people elect politicians to represent us and in return non-elected people decided our path using blackmail. Is that a democracy? NO, when the majority is forced to bend to the will of a minority that's a communist country. Welcome to Conservative rule, where we are lied to and promises mean nothing. Of course Harper launched a smear campaign against NFL and NS using his neocon writers in Alberta. Well it backfired on Harper, don't be surprised if a great number of workers leave after repeatedly reading smears and slurs hurled at them in Alberta News' papers. So what is the difference between the Liberals and the Cons? In my opinion; both consumate liars.

I've lived all over Canada, from Victoria to NFL and for those who feel need to make geographical slurs about Atlantic Canadians the stench of entitlement reeks from you. How many of you who feel the need to insult NS and NFL for holding Harper accountable for signing a legal document have ever left your Province? We are used to being mocked and lied to by politicians, we may not have many seats but you can be assured Harper and his lying ways will be rewarded by a sea of red in Atlantic Canada. Quebec will become it's usual red coat and the Maritimes/Atlantic Canada will send a clear message "Liars" don't win a majority government. Continue your insulting posts, it's easyier than admitting that the Cons are liars and honour is not a concept that is applicable when one pens their signature.

Continue with the excuses for Harper's actions, a liar is a liar is a liar. Harper can't be trusted, I hope the native community garnered that when Harper went on TV and sneared at Atlantic Canada and said "Sue Me". Wow what a leader, a liar and a bully.

I've said it before, find me a REAL con in Ottawa-I dare you to find just one!

[Argus]

Wouldn't it be refreshing to have a PM that treats ALL the provinces and territories the SAME!!! I wonder how a PM from the Martimes would treat all of Canada? Perhaps. Williams could bring back the PC's at the Fed. level and run against Harper.

How refreshing to read a post that isn't blindly loyal to a political party. Danny cares about his people and his province. Harper cares about power, all consuming power.

How tiredly naive. To think that Danny Williams cares any less about power than Harper is silly. Williams bleating and showboating is for his domestic audience, not because he thinks it will get anything done. Williams is a blowhard playing to the gullible.

Harper is a dictator, and a LIAR.

Since Harper was elected your first statement is - actually, a lie. As to the second, all politicians say they're going to do things and then don't do them. The previous Liberal government pretty much set the record for that, but no doubt you've already forgotten.

I do not feel the need to make geographical slurs to get my point across when discussing Canadian issues. Harper allowed himself to be black mailed by the senate to get his budget through. HE allowed a group of non-elected thugs to dicatate what transpires in this country. It reeks of dictatorship, we the people elect politicians to represent us and in return non-elected people decided our path using blackmail. Is that a democracy? NO, when the majority is forced to bend to the will of a minority that's a communist country.

People might take you a little more seriously if you stop with the absurd hyperbole. Communism, dictatorships, yeesh. This is not the kind of language anyone is going to take seriously - nor will they take the rest of your posts seriously.

Welcome to Conservative rule, where we are lied to and promises mean nothing.

Harper promised to abide by the Atlantic Accord and he's doing so. End of story.

Of course Harper launched a smear campaign against NFL and NS using his neocon writers in Alberta.

Lots of people sneered at the wild hyperbole and inane bleating of the Atlantic provinces. Trying to suggest it was all Alberta is idiotic. Every paper in Ontario I read supported Harper on this, including the Toronto Star. So did the Ontario Liberal leader.

[Michael Bluth]

How refreshing to read a post that isn't blindly loyal to a political party. Danny cares about his people and his province. Harper cares about power, all consuming power.

How tiredly naive. To think that Danny Williams cares any less about power than Harper is silly. Williams bleating and shoboating is for his domestic audience, not because he thinks it will get anything done. Williams is a blowhard playing to the gullible.

Well said Argus.

The post was quite naive at the same time condescending.

It is nice to read a post that isn't blindly loyal to a political party was the comment made in a post full of blind hatred to a politician. Quite interesting how that works.