Michael Ignatieff has been out of Canada longer that the Canadian Minister of Heritage has been alive.
Perhaps James Moore can fill the leader of the Liberal Party in on a lifetime of missed experiences.
Michael Ignatieff has been out of Canada longer that the Canadian Minister of Heritage has been alive.
Perhaps James Moore can fill the leader of the Liberal Party in on a lifetime of missed experiences.
Watch this video produced by a Liberal Party supporter (we presume) that I found discussed in detail on David Akin’s blog.
“The Visitor” ad, above, seems to be a creation of a Liberal supporter and is being distributed on YouTube. It spoofs the “Just Visiting” spot, below, which is a creation of The Conservative Party of Canada and is being shown as a paid ad on Canadian network television.
It seems clear that Liberals (I assume they are Liberals) are having a certain amount of fun riffing off of the Conservative “Just Visiting” attack ads. Here’s one from the Libs that accuses Mahatma Gandhi of being a mere arriviste for Indian independence. I’ve put up the YouTube links to both ads here on the assumption that you need to see the original (on the bottom) in order to get the joke (on the top.)
Now, here’s a great article by a columnist for Forbes magazine in the United States. In her piece titled “Cosmopolitan Patriot – Michael Ignatieff’s love letter to Canada”, Elisabeth Eaves makes the point beautifully that I would make to the attempted equivalence made above.
If your country is plagued by chaos and autocracy, no one thinks there’s anything wrong with your spending many years abroad before returning to take charge. Witness the post-Soviet leaders who returned to Eastern Europe, or one-time exiles like Jose Ramos Horta or Benazir Bhutto. There is an acceptance that whatever ideas about governance one may have picked up abroad, they can’t be any worse than the modus operandi back home, and that in any case, if the returning politician had stayed home, he or she would be dead.
When you come from a thriving democracy with a high standard of living, though, and try to pull off the prodigal son routine, you have a little more explaining to do. Such is the conundrum in which Michael Ignatieff finds himself. British radio and television host; American public intellectual; author of 15 books of history, biography, memoir, politics and fiction, “Iggy” returned to Canada in 2005 after 27 years elsewhere, ran for office, and in 2006 became a member of parliament for the opposition Liberal Party
I received news this evening that the PC Party had moved to prohibit recording devices from a leaders debate to occur today in London. I’ve verified with a reporter covering the race that this indeed was the case. The Elliott and Hudak campaigns were quick to protest the decision. Here are their emails (forwarded to me by the respective campaigns).
The Elliott campaign,
Dear, Christine, Janet, Michael and Tom:
It has recently been brought to my attention that the Party intends to restrict journalists from recording video or audio of the upcoming debates.
On behalf of the Christine Elliott Campaign, I would like to express my sincere disappointment with this decision. It is not in the best interests of the public or the P.C. Party of Ontario to impede journalists from carrying out their responsibilities. We ought to be showcasing the great ideas and individuals in this contest.
There are several problems with this decision. For one, why would we want to deny party members who can’t attend the debates from getting information through their local media outlet? Additionally, by restricting video and audio coverage of these debates we are missing the opportunity to promote the P.C. Party, our values and our principles.
I would ask you to seriously reconsider your position on this as I believe that it will be detrimental, not only to the leadership campaign, but to the P.C. Party overall. I don’t believe this is the message we want to be sending to our friends in the media or to the public at large.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Dan Miles
Communications Co-Chair
Christine Elliott Campaign
and the Hudak campaign,
From: Lesley Harmer
Sent: Wed 5/20/2009 5:14 PM
To: RBenzie@thestar.ca; John.McGrath@cbc.ca; antonella.artuso@sunmedia.ca; KHowlett@globeandmail.com; SMallen@GlobalTV.Com; rrath@chchnews.ca; rrath@chtv.ca
Cc: Jeremy Adams; Mike Low
Subject: Ontario PC Party London DebatePlease note, it came to our attention this morning that the party would not allow recording devices during the debate tomorrow. We do not support this decision. Our official agent is conveying that to the PC party of Ontario. We believe the media should have open access to the debates.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
LesleyLesley Harmer
Tim Hudak Campaign
Finally, I’ve heard that the party will go ahead and allow reporters to use recording devices during the debate.
UPDATE: This is confirmed. Here is the media advisory from the party.
From: Wilson, Michael J.
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 10:34 AM
To: Wilson, Michael J. [PCPO]
Subject: Media Advisory: Ontario PC Party London Debate * Update**Important notice to the media, revised debate protocol
Camera and recording equipment allowedONTARIO PC LEADERSHIP CANDIDATES KICK-OFF DEBATES IN LONDON
Toronto, ON- Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Leadership Candidates will be available to speak to the media following the first in a series of provincial debates.
Date:
Thursday, May 21, 2009Time:
6:00 p.m.: Media registration
7:30 p.m.: Debate begins10 minutes following the end of the Debate: Candidate media availability
Location:
University of Western Ontario
Arthur & Sonia Labatt Health Sciences Building
Room 40
Huron Drive
N6A 5B9Candidate Media Availability to follow in HSB 9 (Room Location)
Note: Only accredited media and those holding debate tickets will be permitted to attend the event.
Debate speaking order will be as follows:
Opening Remarks:
1. Randy Hillier
2. Christine Elliott
3. Frank Klees
4. Tim HudakClosing Remarks:
1. Frank Klees
2. Tim Hudak
3. Randy Hillier
4. Christine ElliottMedia Availability order will be as follows: (5 minutes each)
1. Randy Hillier
2. Christine Elliott
3. Tim Hudak
4. Frank Klees-30-