Comments on: Michael Ignatieff on the Monarchy

By: Canadiansense

Canadiansense — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:35:33 +0000

I am not sure if he is a Republican or a Democrat. He may have made speeches in support for the War in Iraq, the Bush Doctrine, but I think he is an opportunist who believes in Empire Lite. The American Worldview bringing democracy to the world, protecting the vulnerable etc with a robust peace making to stop the Rwanda's.

By: Canadiansense

Canadiansense — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:35:33 +0000

By: Steve

Steve — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:23:00 +0000

You realize Stephen Harper was a parachute candidate too, right?

By: Morden

Morden — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:41:34 +0000

Well he's got a majority of Canadians behind him on this one, whether the crusty, spoon-collecting would-be colonials in the 'League' like it or not.

By: AEK

AEK — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:21:41 +0000

Prince Charles has swallowed the man-made-CO2-induced climate-change kool-aid, and is now regurgitating that intoxicant apparently without further thought to science. His misguided activism is good reason to ponder why he, or any other 'royal' should be Canada's Head of State.

(Memo to Prince Charles: Best update your talking points since your messiah Al Gore has conveniently shifted 60% of the 'blame' for ‘man-made climate change’ from plant food (CO2) to vegetation decomposition and gas-passing (methane) and soot since his previous Nobel Prize winning 'the science is settled' argument became unsettled. http://tinyurl.com/ykxckgf )

Regardless of how misguided the socialist activist Prince Charles is, the way to evolve the constitution of Britain and by extension, countries like Canada that recognize the Queen or King of England as our Head of State is not to ridicule the monarchy as an obsolete "royal fairy tale".

I can hardly wait for the news reports when Prince Charles meets Her Majesty’s Leader of the Opposition later this month to see how the Iggster's new handler tries to finesse Iggy's way around his previous words.

By: Soccermom

Soccermom — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:43:28 +0000

Normally the monarchy doesn't bother me too much. But when that dork Charles opens his yap and talks climate change, I say to him “Shut the hell up!” He's an idiot, and an embarrassment to his mother.

By: AEK

AEK — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:16:00 +0000

Ignatieff calls the monarchy a “royal fairy tale” and concludes that “My fervent wish is that it (the British public) will regretfully but firmly decide enough is enough.”

(Ouch! I hope this doesn’t come up in conversation when Prince Charles meets Ignatieff later this month.)

When Peter Donolo crafts the least damaging response for Ignatieff to repeat should he be asked about his previous opinions, Donolo might also consider what Ignatieff told Rachel Cooke of The Observer in the Sept 27, 2009 edition ( http://tinyurl.com/ybkgom2 ):

“Your question implies that I’ve suddenly had to tie myself in knots. No, I don’t have to tie myself in knots, and I don’t have to cease being who I am. But I have to watch what I say because the public has no other way to judge me than by what they read. I can’t walk around saying: ‘I keep saying these dreadful things, but I’m actually a nice fellow!’ Why should they believe that?”

Agreed. You can’t keep saying such “dreadful things” and expect people to believe you’re a “nice fellow”. Now that you are the Leader of Her Majesty’s Official Opposition, you have to be diplomatic when you’re ripping the British Monarchy to shreds.

Ignatieff went on to say: “Politics is like getting a really bad review: a stinker that you know all your friends are reading.”

It’s amazing how much Mr. Ignatieff and I agree on his performance review.

By: jamesbowie

jamesbowie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:06:35 +0000

What a well referenced, thoughtful, insightful column about an important issue. Not only is this Ignatieff fellow a talented writer and researcher, but I think he's come to the issue in a way that will appeal to monarchists like myself as well as critics.

Thanks for posting this excellent work by a celebrated Canadian expat who, like me, spent a few years in the UK.

By: Shawn

Shawn — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:47:00 +0000

Let’s not forget that the Prime Minister is actually the ‘chief advisor’ to the Queen on issues relating to the country (in this case, Canada). Does no one else find it completely ironic, hypocritical, and stupendous that he is now campaigning to be the PM (or chief advisor) to the Queen (in which he does not believe) regarding the issues of Canada (where he really hasn’t lived for 35 years and still does not actually live in the riding he represents)? Why would anyone vote for this guy with this kind of flagrant hypocrisy and self-serving rhetoric?

By: VinceClortho

VinceClortho — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:48:43 +0000

I dont find much to disagree with in this, it is kind of politics 101. The crown is the creature of public opinion…..ulm duh. has been for a long time and the crown understadns that, they know that they ormally rely on those slippery creatures called politicians to defend them, as they dont defend themselves. But their ultimate redoubt is in public opinion. Consent of the governed etc etc

So iggy is really a republican, fine. he will find many a taker in this country. Except that he will also learn that changing it, or even bringing the conversation up is a painful and unrewarding experience. The crown may not be loved in this country but it isnt hated, and for the moment it has more support than other specific option. It will only be changed when the grand bargain is struck that includes Quebec signing the constitution, senate reform and few other goodies. It will all be done at the same time. I doubt I will live to see the day….