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Honestly? I'm more excited by a groundswell than endorsements from on high. I'm more interested in a party of the people than followers taking cues from powerbrokers. Endorsements are nice, don't get me wrong. Popular movement? Nicer.
When I say public endorsements, I mean from well-recognized and respected people who are not politicians or powerbrokers, writer. I'd like to see artists, environmentalists, youth groups and many other activists endorse him.
Ah! Me too! Want to do some brainstorming in private?
He. Is. Good.
It's all good, RP, and thank you for opening this discussion. Things about Saganash have started penetrating my thick skull that wouldn't have done so, but for what I've seen on babble. And I sense it happening to other babblers too. It shows how pervasive the propaganda of the MSM and indeed the whole culture is, even (or maybe especially) when it's just their extremely effective Wall of Silence.
Romeo Saganash on FB just now:
"It's unfortunate that one of the very first programs that Harper cut was the preservation of Aboriginal languages in the country."
https://www.facebook.com/RomeoSaganash
(This is a quote that comes from a question and answer about the preservation of Aboriginal languages. He also talks about what is needed to keep languages alive, and mentions that, as prime minister, he'd put the program back in place.)
Absoultly agree that the media narrative should be questioned. And I understand your frustration.
My comments had much more to do with the borderline offensive comments made by some that re-enforced that narrative. I am getting more than tired of those kinds of interventions in general, but mostly in terms of Romeo's candidacy. Comments that are subltly implying that we should abandon support for Romeo because you can't beat that narrative. I don't agree that should be a consideration in any way. I think Romeo's qualities and views are exactly what we should be supporting and incidently are the road forward to removing Harper from government in 2015.
On a more positive note, I am reposting the link to a feature that some here might not have had the chance to see yet. I think it reveals some of the qualities and views that are so appealing about Romeo. Also some of his character, determination and humble, powerful ambition.
"Running with Romeo" is just under 1/2 an hour, and it's well worth the time. This CBC program is in Cree & French with English subtitles.
What writer said. Watch the video.
I agree that Romeo has great qualities, and I want to support him. But I am very concerned about his ability to present himself in English, and that he needs to have a "mean streak" that would be very well targeted at Harper. I remember his performance in the English portion of the NDP debate, and if he's stumbling that much in a friendly crowd, how much more so will he with Harper trying to rip him apart? It would be a shame if these difficulties prevent Romeo from doing well, as I believe he has a great deal to offer.
You do know that he had bronchitis that day, yes?
As for this being able to face down bullies. How about playing a role developing an international declaration that the governments of Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand band together to defeat? With representatives from those countries aggressively trying to convince the world that the declaration should not be supported.
How about going to representatives of countries around the world, countering the opposition of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand?
How about persuading the majority of the countries on Earth to support your declaration, despite being challenged by such forceful, powerful foes?
Because that's what Romeo did. And that's why the UN passed the International Declaration of Indigenous Rights. A declaration Canada has since signed on to. He did it with intelligence, generosity and sound argument. Not with a "mean streak".
Harper? Peanuts.
Personally, I've had enough with mean streaks dominating our culture. You?
I don't think we need meaness. What we need is an internal toughness (although I am not sure that is the word I want) Romeo has demonstrated it through out his career. Going up against a mean-spirited Harper in 2015 with our own version of meanness will not provide us with a breathrough in the areas we need to in order to defeat them. We are fast approaching 50 per cent of us not voting. We will get there if we continue with this alpha wolf politics that is turning people off. I believe strongly that Romeo can provide a counterpoint to the meanness motiff. That's what I am looking for.
I believe others in the race could provide it as well, but Romeo, for me at least, has the whole package.
And what writer said.
What BA and writer said - with regard to Romeo's style and character, anyway. I don't much care about his "platform" (i.e., I don't know what it is). If his history, his record, his struggle, his direction are with the interests of the people, he'll do just fine. And so far, I'm more than impressed on that score - thanks to some people here pointing me in the right direction.
Thank you, Unionist.
I try to imagine being a small child, 6 maybe, and being taken away from my family. Being forced into a far-away school where my language isn't spoken. I pick up the new language, but I do not speak it, not a word. For 2 years. I am angry. I want to go home.
Then one day, I am called into the principal's office. I am told that my father has died. I am told there is no money to send me back for the funeral. And I understand that this is where I'll be for a while. And I begin to speak.
How tough is Harper to face, after an experience like that? How tough am I? And how miraculous is it that I do not have a mean streak? Instead, I have a life-long need to address social injustices like those my family, my people and I survived. A commitment to human rights. An understanding of how cultures live. And die.
Harper is a child of Leaside – still playing games with toy soldiers – in comparison.
Great posts writer and BA.
I love the term "alpha wolf politics" - that really does describe the toxic tone set by Harper. What Harper and his minions did to Dion was publicly sanctioned bullying. How they behave day in and out is ugly. I'm all for standing up to abusers and tyrants but not by playing along with such bully tactics. Like BA pointed out, we have less and less people voting because it's hard to respect these politicians and believe that they are in Parliament to represent you.
Romeo has something that is very appealing, a refreshing change of pace that I think could be very much appreciated by voters, especially younger people who are fed up with the bullshit. And I agree with whomever said that the Harper gang would be hard pressed to find a negative angle to campaign against him without looking like racist a**holes.
It's up to the membership to decide who they want to lead them but I think they would be really foolish to dismiss Romeo as a non credible contender. He's still my first choice. He seems to personify integrity. And that in itself is more convincing that any words about platform promises.
writer, you so nailed what incredible toughness, courage, it takes to live through that and still be so generous and compassionate to others. It's a state of mind that leads to respectful resolution as opposed to show of force.
First off, I have difficulty accepting the bronchitis explanation because Romeo did much better in French.
I think maybe BA's phrase of "internal toughness" is a better term to use than what I would call "mean streak." What I meant by that is that even though Jack Layton had a reputation of being a happy warrior, he was not all "sweetness and light." He could get very angry and sometimes he would criticize Harper without mincing words. There is, to my mind, a difference between that and the bullying that Harper does.
I agree that Romeo is a good candidate, and I have a gut feeling about him. But I think the challenge is there, and it's doable. The comparison I would use is if a job seeker is a superb candidate but has difficulty with the actual interview. That's a whole different thing than having skeletons in one's closet, for example.
He does have the support of young musicians already.
Aristotleded24, I guess you weren't able to watch the Town Hall in BC then, where his English performance was better. And you weren't able to see his summation, which began in Cree. Wow.
https://twitter.com/#!/jimmydouglass/status/145684399827062784
https://twitter.com/#!/judemacdonald/status/145689731785691136
When you get into 'toughness of manner for dealing with Harper' .... consider the fact that if you actually watch Harper, his manner is not attack dog. It is his message that is mean and nasty, not the way he delivers it.
I think the main answer is the one that has been said: fighting fire with fire is not required or neccesarily wise. But as a kicker- Harper himself does not have the manner people are saying is required for dealing with him.
If there's something I learned about bullies growing up, it's that the worst way to let them win is to give them the reaction they were hoping for. Dion and Ignatieff played directly into Harper's hands.
For interested Babblers in Toronto (Facebook links):
A First Nations House Lunch & Learn
Please come to share a nice hot meal and join a talk about finding common ground and solidarity between the things that are used to divide us:
- rural needs and the urban concerns
... - the people in the east and people out west
- natives and non-natives
- Quebec and the rest of Canada
- national interests and international responsibilities
- men and women
- unionized and non-unionized workers
- the realities of being a temporary worker, a refugee, an immigrant, a first-generation Canadian, here for several generations, a member of a First Nation, an Inuk, Métis
Together, we are stronger. So how do we come closer together?
Wheelchair accessible.
~
Romeo Saganash is the first Indigenous person to seek the leadership of a major federal political party – and perhaps our next Prime Minister.
He was raised in the small northern community of Waswanipi, Quebec, is a residential school survivor, and graduated from the Université du Québec à Montréal law school.
A lifelong environmentalist, Romeo served as vice-chair of the Cree Regional Authority and Chair of the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment. His work in the economic sector with Creeco Inc. and the Eeyou Co. showed his understanding of how to balance our duty as stewards of the land with sustainable economic growth.
In politics for nearly 30 years, Romeo founded the Cree Nation Youth Council in 1985, served as Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Cree, and is now a Member of Parliament, representing a riding that covers the northern half of Quebec.
ATTAWAPISKAT BENEFIT CONCERT
DEREK MILLER
Janet Panic/Jace Martin/Phantom Black/The Pappy Johns Band/
Jesus Murphy-Jasper/The Clearing/PLEX/Arthur Renwick and Special Guests!
...
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Revival Bar 783 College Street, Toronto
$20 Advance Tickets go to http://everybodybuys.com/toronto/deal/bene fit
$25 @ the Door
Doors Open @ 8PM
Proceeds go to TRUE NORTH AID (www.truenorthaid.ca) Make all cheques payable to True North Aid. They will be on-site in Toronto and Ottawa.
106.5 FM The Voices Toronto/Gunner Recording/Iguana Recording/
Publicist: Stephan LaCasse t: 416-312-6955 or stephanlacasse@live.com
Contact: Rich Hunter, President Gunner Recording 647-973-6577 or rich@gunnerrecordings.com www.gunnerrecordings.com
We will also present a second Attawapiskat Benefit Concert January 24 in Ottawa. Details to be published shortly with Proceeds going to True North Aid, which is a hands on charity that will help us provide Winter Relief to our friends up in Attawapiskat for the people who really need it...See you all there...Meegwetch....Rich
With French you talk more at the front of you mouth and with English at the back of your mouth. Saganash also coughed more in English.