Since nobody else will probably do it I am going to pay tribute to Mr. Ignatieff and provide him with some parting advice.
Mr. Ignatieff had the attributes that could have made him a fine PM. There is no doubting his abilities and brilliance as one does not become the head of one of the most prestigious departments of one of the most prestigious universities in the world by being a dolt. I believe his natural abilities combined with his life experience would have put him in good stead for dealing with the myriad issues that are facing Canada and that are being largely ignored by our out of touch political elite.
What I found most impressive about him was his choice of how he wanted to serve Canada and Canadians when he decided to return to Canada.
Considering his background and where he was coming from Canadian universities like McGill, Queens, U of T, etc. would have been falling over themselves to offer him the presidencies of those institutions if he would have let it be known that he was available. He could have shaped the young minds of Canadians for years or he could have gone into business or some other vocation that would have allowed him to influence Canadian society without having to expose himself to the bullshit of the rotted political culture in this country.
Instead of taking that route he decided to go into politics. I cannot think of a more thankless job than being a politician. The hours are long and you have to give up anything resembling a private life. Every so often you have to overcome the ignorance and apathy of the electorate just to hang on to your job. This is true even if you are just a back bencher. If you actually manage to take the helm of a political party you then have to deal with the fact that a significant number of people will think you are an asshole, and that is just amongst members of your own party. Your opponents from other political parties would use much stronger language to describe your perceived shortcomings.
Despite this Mr. Ignatieff decided to to serve Canadians by being an elected member of our Parliament and then the leader of a major political party. And he was we resoundingly reputiated and rejected by those he wished to serve.
So Mr. Ignatieff, here is my advice. You have resigned as leader of the Liberal Party and you do not seem to be someone who wants to go off into a quiet retirement so find yourself a new challenge where ever you can find it. If that means that you have to leave the country again then sobeit. Certainly, many will crow that they were right about you but who cares. Canadians rejected you so you owe them nothing. Go and live the rest of your life where ever is best for you.
While you are there think about us here back in Canada and lament the fact that your experience will act as a cautionary tale for any other capable men and women, from all points political spectrum, and will cause them to think twice before deciding to serve their people and country as elected official. Thus leaving us to be governed by navel gazing professional politicians and hacks, with no vision, no scruples and no skills outside of being able to play politics.
6 comments:
Amen, and if I were you, I would be in the South of France speaking that beautiful "Parisian" French of yours as often as possible! I feel what was done to you through attack ads and innuendo and to Mr. Dion before you - because of his French accent when speaking English, in part - is the most rotten thing I have witnessed in Canada, and I feel thoroughly ashamed. If you end up teaching young Canadians in Toronto, I (although not so young any more) will try to sneak into your classes as a student. In the meantime, I will read some of your books. Thank you and your lovely wife (typically called "eurotrash" by some CPC blogger in the G&M) for what you have done for this country, advise her to keep all her citizenships, and please accept my apologies for the boorish and brutal behaviour of some of our fellow-countrymen. May we live long enough to see them fall from power in ignomy.
I'm thinking the man was handled badly by the party. The coronation as leader of the party did nothing to endear him to the public, it made him look weak and as if he was being rammed down our throats.
And yes it is true what you say about anyone of quality should reconsider, just look how the MSM and politicos hate, play gotcha nonsense and denigrate just because they disagree with policy. Look at how "scary" Mr. Harper was portrayed on the other side.
It's a bad thing all the way around. Someone has to stop so real topics can be discussed like adults instead of school yard antics.
Thanks ottlib. You have wrote what I though and if I may add, Dion and Ignatieff are men of great intelligence and so easily confuse the populous. Harper's iq is probably a bit about room temperature and speaks in simple words which makes him easily understood by the majority. I have so enjoyed the speeches of Dion and especially Ignatieff and will miss that level of communicating which is unusual for politicians. Some have criticized Ignatieff for not stupidly repeating the same phrase over and over again and it is sad that the mentality of politics is so low. Lucky Elizabeth May is now in Parliament. Let's hope she is allowed to speak. I will miss you Mr. Michael Ignatieff. God's speed to you both. Stay proud for you did exceptional. Thank you...
I am thinking the same things and feel ashemed for the way it all happened I think we just lost a great chance to have a super intellect with grace and decency to be our leader and PM one day.
thank you and wish him and his lovely wife the very best...
His wife is lovely and she keeps him going..there is a spark there, that Harper and wife do not hold.
People in this country do not like intellects and I don't know why unless it was because Harper ran both he and Dion down and people believed it..I hope they stay around here..can help the party , or do something for our Country.. People do not know what they lost.
Dion held on to his seat in Montreal with a sizeable majority - something positive.
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