Wisdom from Canada's best and brightest? You be the judge

After posting yesterday about John Crosbie and his unique brand of wisdom I got to thinking it might be interesting to further explore Canada's political braintrust over the years.  So after doing some research on the internet (isn't it grand?) I found literally hundred's of pearls of wisdom that have come from the lips of Canadian politicians. I sifted through them for ones that truly reflected the intelligence of the speaker so here goes nothing......

• "As longs as I'm saying what I really think, I'm prepared to stand by it"
  Vancouver Sun 1983, Kim Campbell (Short term PM,  AKA Mulroney Sacrificial Lamb)
• "I'm not going to play politics on the floor of the House of Commons"
  House of Commons 1987, John Turner (Short Term PM, AKA Trudeau Lap Dog)
• "Popularity is bad for you..I try to avoid it like the plaque, and I've been reasonably successful"
  Election Campaign 1992, Brian Mulroney (PM for 3 terms, for the most part 2 and a bit too many)
• "My strategy has always been to stay on course unless a change, of course is announced. And if it is, of course, we will announce it"
  Speaking about his governments economic policy 1984, John Turner PM ( see above for character description)

 Had enough "wisdom" yet..... If not there is more to follow

John Crosbie...A defender of the right to "ignore" political correctness

Crosbie greeting
Prince Charles and Camilla who
were on a royal visit to Canada in
2009. Note the seal skin coat...lol

Ahhh, A voice from the past, John Crosbie.

John Crosbie who is now getting on in years has had a colourful career to say the least. As a Cabinet minister in the Mulroney Conservative government, Crosbie was known to be outspoken and controversial. To this day he is not shy about saying what he means and to hell with what is considered politically correct. Yes, a man after my own heart. However, that is not to say that John is not a little "unpolished" at times.

Well folks, John bless his heart, is once more the center of attention for those on the left and the politically correct. Crosbie who now serves as 12th Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador stepped into it last week while swearing in cabinet ministers. So what did he say that has caused an uproar?

You've got to be kidding? One more reason for an elected Senate

It appears that one of the members of Canada's Senate is at a loss what to do with her time.

Senator Nicole Eaton is leading the campaign (can one person, even a Senator be considered a campaign?) to replace the beloved Canadian Beaver with the Polar Bear, as our National Animal Emblem. Shame on you Senator Eaton......

Political Correctness, It just never ends

With Halloween just past and everyone packing away costumes until next year, here is something to bear in mind. It appears that the your choice of costume may have the potential to offend some and even worst, brand you as a "racist".

A campaign by Ohio University's Students Teaching About Racism in Society (STARS) focuses on Halloween and features posters incorporating statements such as  "We're a culture, not a costume.", "This is not who I am, and this is not okay". Students of various ethnic backgrounds are shown holding up photos of people wearing blackface, dressed up as natives, Geisha girls, or depicting "terrorists.

I am as much against racism and intolerance as the next guy, however there is a huge difference between bigotry and a child, student, or adult dressing up as a Geisha Girl or native (oops, sorry I should have said "First Nations" member). I will agree that "blackface" is crossing the line and not something I would encourage or defend.

Unfortunately in today's culture of political correctness we have to ensure that we make everyone, and all minority or special interest groups feel good about themselves and their culture, even if it means eroding our culture in doing so. As a born and raised Canadian I often feel that my culture is pushed to the back and trampled on in the process to ensure that no individual from any group feels slighted.

"Come On, Frustrated Joe we have to make this individuals feel welcome in Canada"
Yes we do, but not at the expense of reinventing our society and culture as a whole. Our culture has been described as a mixing pot, and that is a good thing, however we all need to mix, and unless something is outright racist, prejudice, or bias against a particular group, everyone needs to chill out a bit.