Iggy on Quebec and Scotland
- Thread starter Locutus
- Start date
He thinks Quebec will eventually separate. The way things are going, I wouldn't be surprised.
Former leader of Canada's liberal party says Quebec will separate
Former leader of Canada's liberal party says Quebec will separate
I don't think Ignatieff ever understood Canada.
His academic background was steeped in studies of nationalism, but he never really discerned the difference between a nation state, a community of common values and purpose, constitutionally articulated, comprising a free expression of cultural attitudes.. and the nationalism of the tribe, the rampant, aggressive, ideologically and ethnically self purifying nationalism of the Balkan wars (or Naziism).
He seems to think the latter is inevitable, but in action has never produced anything but tragedy and failed states. Canada is of the former type, and although not 'pure'.. far from perfect.. seething with factionalism.. has an overarching sense of itself.. and is a successful nation.
Ignatieff never got that, which is why he is back teaching at U of T, instead of Prime Minister of Canada.
His academic background was steeped in studies of nationalism, but he never really discerned the difference between a nation state, a community of common values and purpose, constitutionally articulated, comprising a free expression of cultural attitudes.. and the nationalism of the tribe, the rampant, aggressive, ideologically and ethnically self purifying nationalism of the Balkan wars (or Naziism).
He seems to think the latter is inevitable, but in action has never produced anything but tragedy and failed states. Canada is of the former type, and although not 'pure'.. far from perfect.. seething with factionalism.. has an overarching sense of itself.. and is a successful nation.
Ignatieff never got that, which is why he is back teaching at U of T, instead of Prime Minister of Canada.
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Somebody has had their nose stuck in a book for FAR too long, and it isn't the former Prime Minister.
Canada has been on the verge of shattering, ever since there has been a Canada. The British had to keep massive forces in the Maritimes, during the American Revolution, to keep them from joining the Americans.
The French ave ALWAYS resented the fact that they were forced out of Canada, and many of their descendants would like nothing better than to separate from Canada and become an Independent country. If they ever do, Canada will fall apart within 50 years or less, with the Maritimes and the Prairie Provinces joining the US fairly soon, and BC not too long after them.
Ontario will hold out for the longest, but, as a totally landlocked country, they will also eventually fall.
Canada has been on the verge of shattering, ever since there has been a Canada. The British had to keep massive forces in the Maritimes, during the American Revolution, to keep them from joining the Americans.
The French ave ALWAYS resented the fact that they were forced out of Canada, and many of their descendants would like nothing better than to separate from Canada and become an Independent country. If they ever do, Canada will fall apart within 50 years or less, with the Maritimes and the Prairie Provinces joining the US fairly soon, and BC not too long after them.
Ontario will hold out for the longest, but, as a totally landlocked country, they will also eventually fall.
That's simply untrue. Read Richard Gwynn's excellent 2 Volume bio of John A. MacDonald which tracks the various movements and ethnicities from which Canada was woven. The most pressing imperative of nationhood for all them was just the opposite, to avoid becoming part of the American leviathon, which was fiercely acquisitive and intent on assimilating Canada.. and for which Confederation was the ONLY alternative.
Unavoidable is strong wording and a little exaggerated. But the way we're going now, it is probable. Just not unavoidable.
Ignatieff never has and never will understand Canada
Michael Ignatieff, forgotten but not gone, told the BBC in a documentary on Scottish nationalism broadcast Tuesday that Canada is a “very strange” country whose French-English linguistic divisions will eventually destroy the Great White North.
If Britain emulates with Scotland our 263-year-long accommodation of lasurvivance – the project to maintain the Quebecois culture – Britain will be torn asunder as well.
Related: Ignatieff warns of Canadian breakup
“I think the logic of [Canada’s embrace of the francophone reality] eventually is full independence [for Quebec],” Ignatieff says in the BBC doc. “I think eventually that’s where it goes.”
more
Ignatieff never has and never will understand Canada: Olive - thestar.com
Michael Ignatieff, forgotten but not gone, told the BBC in a documentary on Scottish nationalism broadcast Tuesday that Canada is a “very strange” country whose French-English linguistic divisions will eventually destroy the Great White North.
If Britain emulates with Scotland our 263-year-long accommodation of lasurvivance – the project to maintain the Quebecois culture – Britain will be torn asunder as well.
Related: Ignatieff warns of Canadian breakup
“I think the logic of [Canada’s embrace of the francophone reality] eventually is full independence [for Quebec],” Ignatieff says in the BBC doc. “I think eventually that’s where it goes.”
more
Ignatieff never has and never will understand Canada: Olive - thestar.com
People still think he's relevant due to past egg headery is all. He's an arogant attention whoar, nothing more.
Ontario isnt landlocked. Hudson Bay and James Bay give easy access to the ocean.
Plus there's Switzerland which has been doing very well landlocked for centuries.
Scotland won't keep UK's AAA rating if it gains independence, says Fitch
Although the precise division of UK assets and liabilities has not yet been established by the Scottish Nationalists, Fitch told the Treasury Select Committee that the lack of a repayment track record could scupper Edinburgh's chances of inheriting the UK's rating.
Under sustained questioning from Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, the director of Fitch, David Riley, said: "I am not aware of any situation where we have awarded AAA rating to a newly independent sovereign nation."
The directors from Fitch, Standard & Poor's and Moody's were being grilled over their decisions to downgrade sovereign ratings, some of which have triggered turmoil in the stockmarkets. In a sometimes heated meeting, during which Bury MP David Ruffley stormed out, the agencies denied the downgrades were "marketing" decisions made to grab headlines.
Moritz Kramer, head of sovereigns at S&P, insisted his company's decision to strip America of its AAA rating last summer was not a "mistake", even though the yield on US Treasury bonds has fallen by a fifth since then.
Asked if it were really his "belief that the US's desire and capacity to repay its debts was lower than [the AAA-rated] Finland," Mr Kramer said: "I do." He said compared with Finland, America's debt ratio was higher, its debt trajectory worse, and its political policies for debt reduction less coherent.
more
Scotland won't keep UK's AAA rating if it gains independence, says Fitch - Telegraph
Although the precise division of UK assets and liabilities has not yet been established by the Scottish Nationalists, Fitch told the Treasury Select Committee that the lack of a repayment track record could scupper Edinburgh's chances of inheriting the UK's rating.
Under sustained questioning from Michael Fallon, MP for Sevenoaks, the director of Fitch, David Riley, said: "I am not aware of any situation where we have awarded AAA rating to a newly independent sovereign nation."
The directors from Fitch, Standard & Poor's and Moody's were being grilled over their decisions to downgrade sovereign ratings, some of which have triggered turmoil in the stockmarkets. In a sometimes heated meeting, during which Bury MP David Ruffley stormed out, the agencies denied the downgrades were "marketing" decisions made to grab headlines.
Moritz Kramer, head of sovereigns at S&P, insisted his company's decision to strip America of its AAA rating last summer was not a "mistake", even though the yield on US Treasury bonds has fallen by a fifth since then.
Asked if it were really his "belief that the US's desire and capacity to repay its debts was lower than [the AAA-rated] Finland," Mr Kramer said: "I do." He said compared with Finland, America's debt ratio was higher, its debt trajectory worse, and its political policies for debt reduction less coherent.
more
Scotland won't keep UK's AAA rating if it gains independence, says Fitch - Telegraph
Pssssttt... Hey Spade; double malts are generally called blends.
.... Thought that you should know
.... Thought that you should know
Good example of why Iggy failed as leader. Just not a politician. Has good material to be a talk show host or academic.