Thank You Gerard

Gerard Kennedy has dropped off the ballot. He delivered a bold speech telling Liberals an important message last night. We lost the last election for a reason. It wasn't just a time out, it wasn't just a quick break, it was a very important message to Liberals that arrogance and waste and scandal is just not acceptable. Kennedy spoke up and said we need to convince those people we've changed. We need to reach out to the West of Canada and show them that the Liberals are not just an Ontario East party. It's a strong and important message.

Kennedy was 100 delegates from being in a real position to win. The ex-officio delegates - MPs, Ministers, Cabinet ministers - lined up behind Dion instead of Gerard. Ken Dryden and Scott Brison went to Rae. Kennedy needed one of those men at least to make the leap.

He didn't get it.

I think Gerard did a hell of a job to make it as far as he did having had no national profile before this campaign. Now people know who his name. They know his face. Hopefully he now has a very important role in the party as they move forward.

Stephane Dion is a man of integrity and brilliance. He is a man who worked in important roles for both Chretien and Martin. I hope he will be a uniter, and I hope with Kennedy's support Dion wins this thing.

But thank you to Gerard Kennedy and his passionate campaign for winning me back to the Liberal Party. I have been very cynical because of the Chretien/Martin wars (as a big Chretien man) and had moved away from the Liberals. I'm excited again to be a supporter of this party.

Gerard in 2016!

Gerard Stands Up

Today Gerard Kennedy made the following statement:

"I cannot support the Harper-Duceppe motion currently before the House.

The Prime Minister's responsibility is to protect the constitution and the unity of the country. This motion does neither.

It is wrong for Canada.

The motion creates an unmistakable expectation by giving official legitimacy to the "idea" of nation, without defining it. This is an irresponsible step, as there has never been greater need for honest dialogue between Quebecers and the rest of Canadians.

Rather than improving national unity, the motion will exacerbate divisions and generate misunderstanding in Quebec and across Canada.

It is for this reason that throughout this campaign I have consistently opposed the "officialization" of the notion of Quebec as a nation.

Canada is a united country that must be constantly defined by our common values and a shared purpose. The introduction of this resolution contradicts this need and instead sows division over uncertain symbols.

I respect the sense of identity shared by many Quebecers, reflecting a common culture, language, history and accomplishment and I will continue to promote that identity, rather than playing divisive political games with it.

Further, this motion does nothing to recognize, and potentially takes away from, aboriginals, Acadians and other official minority groups with a distinct culture and heritage within Canada.

I deplore that anyone would use this as a wedge issue for political gain. As Liberals, we have to understand that there is no easy way to rebuild the party in Quebec but we must stay resolute in our vision for the entire country.

I want Quebecers to know that as Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada I will forge a common understanding of the best way for Quebecers and all Canadians to work together on our real challenges: globalization benefiting all families not just a few; an aging population and the growing divide between rural and urban regions.

Out of respect for the interim leader Bill Graham, I am not requesting that any caucus member supporting my candidacy change their vote to reflect my position.

Canadians will know that I do not feel bound by this vote or this process."

Also today, Ken Dryden stood up on the House of Commons with a very passionate statement opposing the motion. Terrific writting from a bright man.

Kennedy Opposing "Nation" Motion

First of all, sign the petition. Who knows how valuable one of these online pettions really is. However, Warren Kinsella is behind it and a media name as big as Andrew Coyne has signed it. It's something to do to show where you stand.

Speaking of standing up for something... Remember a couple of days ago when I said I didn't expect Kennedy would take a stand on this issue? Clearly I underestimated the guy I'm backing. We don't know the details yet, but Kennedy is opposing the "the Quebecois are a nation within a united Canada" motion. As it stands, he's the only leadership figure on the national scene I'm aware of who has stood up and said as much. A couple of Conservative and Liberal MPs have said they won't be voting for it, but no other leadership figures. Hell, even the Bloq are behind this thing now! Funny enough, because they say it plays right into their hands.



The whole thing is quite a mess now, but I'm glad someone is willing to stand up and say this is the wrong thing to do. We'll surely hear more details today at some point when Kennedy holds his press conference. I would hope he at least shares some of my views on how this isn't any business of the government anyway. How it opens up a large pandora's box. How it's an insult to other cultural groups in the country. How it has all ready hurt the cause of a united Canada by riling up all this debate and opening old wounds.

No matter what inspired Kennedy to do this, it's also a pretty massive way to get himself in the public eye a week before the convention. A cynic could certainly suggest that the stance is being taken because Kennedy's been near invisible in the media despite having elected the third most delegates. Is this a desperate move to get spotlight and keep his slim hopes alive?

I don't think so, but I'm biased. I also havn't heard him explain his reasoning yet so lets all keep an open mind on that subject.

Whatever his reasons for taking this stand I'm really glad he has. I'm also really glad to have supported him pretty much from the start. Kennedy was basically pushed into the race by his supporters. He took a controversial stand on Afghanistan without playing to the cut and run crowd or the hardened military crowd. He has focused on renewal and is running a positive campaign when the other three top contenders go negative on each other. Now he's being the first leadership candidate to step forward and stand against this dangerous motion. Agree or disagree with his policies, his politics and leadership are admirable.

Probably not all that much of an accident that he received an endorsement from Justin Trudeau a few days before making this announcement. Kennedy is the only candidate now standing up for Trudeau federalism. It sets him appart and it's going to give some delegates another big reason to take a look at Gerard. Even if he loses and even if this nation thing gets through without much difficulty - at least someone is putting up a fight.

I have a feeling this is going to be quite a fun week for a political junkie.

From Where I Sit - November 27th

As heard on 560 CFOS and seen at www.radioowensound.com

What is it they keep saying we're fighting the war in Afghanistan for?

What is that word George Bush keeps using in selling the war on terror?

Freedom.

We want to protect freedom, spread freedom, everybody must have freedom!

As long as you don't scare us, right?

There's a movement afoot to ban Muslim women from wearing a full face veil and burqua to cover themselves. Not all do - but some believe their god wants them to remain covered in public.

So far the Dutch, French, Italians, Belgians and Germans have asked - very nicely I'm sure - for Muslim women to uncover.

The Owen Sound Sun Times even had an opinion column from Shirly Holmes that hinted of support for banning the full face veil.

Holmes argues it harms the equality of women - but it's not up to the government to force our cultural values on another.

Are we forgetting what freedom means? It doesn't mean - the right to look and dress and talk and act exactly like the rest of us. It means the right to look, and dress and talk however you want.

There are arguments that covering a face like that can make a woman look sinister and incite further stereotypes or hatred. I'd say that's not the Muslim women's fault, it's the biggot's fault.

Or perhaps the women can even use the veil to hide their identity and rob a jewelry story like in a recent case in Toronto.

Well then, who will champion the cause for banning ski masks, goggles, scarves, turtle necks, sunglasses and frankly any kind of mask? It's just too dangerous.

We would never even consider banning those things, that would be ridiculous. And so is the idea that we can tell or even ask Muslim women to change their clothes. Frankly, it reeks of not only fear mongering but also racism.

From where I sit it's time to remember what freedom really means, I'm Shawn Mullin.