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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com. This summer I am joined by Keir Wilmut and Omar Soliman.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Jean's continued silence
The Michaelle Jean story continues to make headlines, even though the mainstream press seems reluctant to do any investigative work on the matter, likely because Jean is a colleague and friend and they are quietly cheering her on.
Liberal apologists continue defending Jean claiming her views on Quebec separatism are not important. I was disappointed in La Presse chief editorialist Andre Pratte's article in today's Globe, which accused those demanding answers of McCarthyism. I agree with almost every piece Pratte writes, but couldn't disagree more today.
A few points that need clarification, based on comments from the camp defending Jean:
"This is just a campaign by 'hardline separatists' to get English Canada mad and provoke separatist sentiment in Quebec. It was a brilliant appointment -- otherwise the separatists wouldn't be so angry."
Yes, it was separatists who released the video footage of Jean toasting Quebec indepdence and damaging quotes from Jean-Daniel Lafond's book. Who cares? This stuff is not invented -- they are on-the-record comments. If there were journalists doing investigative reporting on this story (apparently there are none) this would have been discovered eventually anyway.
"Calls for her to declare how she voted in the 1995 referendum are out of line. It's a private matter and divulging that info violates the principle of the secret ballot."
Agreed. But few have called on her to announce her vote. That's not the real issue, nor even is her French citizenship. It is her current views that matter. As Stephen Harper said so common sensically, the head of state should be a supporter of the state.
"There's no way she's a separatist. What self-respecting separatist would accept being named G-G?"
Some people are opportunists. She told colleagues her reason for taking the job was to promote the causes she cares about, such as violence against women and child poverty.
"Who cares if she was a separatist in the past? People change their minds."
Absolutely. That is why some kind of statement is necessary. Even the Monarchist League's John Aimers, who was gushing over the appointment as late as last weekend, is now calling for some kind of clarification. Harper and Aimers are, I suspect, reflecting the views of the vast majority of Canadians, including federalist Quebecers.
The fact is that as of this morning, we have absolutely no evidence whatsoever on the public record that Michaelle Jean is a federalist or ever has been. None. We do have concrete evidence that her husband is a declared separatist (or at least was as of 1991) and that she had at least some sympathy for that view. Jean must make a public statement to reassure the country. As soon as she does, this issue is dead.
UPDATE, 11:10 am: Via Paul Wells, the PMO is now saying "they can't speak for" Jean, and will let her say something if she so chooses.
UPDATE II, 12:10pm: This issue is now dead. Thank you Mme. Jean.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 10:07 AM
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