NationStates Jolt Archive

There's another election thread but this one is just about Dion. So whats the problem? Are so many Canadians unable to recognize that talking in a second language can be real hard especially considering the french level of most english canadians? And he's not as charismatic as Harper. So what?

I thought you were talking about the singer.

I thought you were talking about the singer.

Same here.

There's another election thread but this one is just about Dion. So whats the problem? Are so many Canadians unable to recognize that talking in a second language can be real hard especially considering the french level of most english canadians? And he's not as charismatic as Harper. So what?


We have had our share of Francophone leaders whose English was not all that great.

Dion is a putz. His language skills are irrelevant.

Chretien had worse English and a disfiguring ailment that made him difficult to understand. He also made people want to vote for him and listen to him.

Dion somehow makes me want to ignore him even when I agree with his policy or idea.

We have had our share of Francophone leaders whose English was not all that great.

Dion is a putz. His language skills are irrelevant.

Chretien had worse English and a disfiguring ailment that made him difficult to understand. He also made people want to vote for him and listen to him.

Dion somehow makes me want to ignore him even when I agree with his policy or idea.

Yes. This. What is this? What puts so many people off, they cant even explain besides vague exlanations. Just a gut feeling?

I am a perfect bilingual! I was born in Quebec City and moved down to Toronto, then Florida. I went to French Catholic schools (every subject in French) and an english high school now in Florida. My grammar is superb in both languages.
:) so there!

I am a perfect bilingual! I was born in Quebec City and moved down to Toronto, then Florida. I went to French Catholic schools (every subject in French) and an english high school now in Florida. My grammar is superb in both languages.
:) so there!

Good for you. I was born in Germany and could speak perfect 2 year old german but then I forgot. I blame mom. :D

Because she can't sing.

Oh wait we are talking about someone else, because he can't sing perhaps?

He's the second last person I'd vote for . . .just ahead of Harper.

I thought you were talking about the singer.

Same here.

Me too. Damn.

Same here.

Yep me too.

Good for you. I was born in Germany and could speak perfect 2 year old german but then I forgot. I blame mom. :D

You haven't felt the need to find women who resemble her and beat them with good quality sausage, have you?

There's another election thread but this one is just about Dion. So whats the problem? Are so many Canadians unable to recognize that talking in a second language can be real hard especially considering the french level of most english canadians? And he's not as charismatic as Harper. So what?

Harper charismatic? Sad day we live in...

The language barrier is definitely a problem for Dion. I see it every time I hear 'joe average' talk about how they can't stand to watch him speak. Now, Chretien had a strong accent too, but combined with his speech impediment/disfigurement and his overall folksy charm, he came across as a goofy old french grandpa. Dion comes across as a complete pointdexter, and when you combine that with the Conservative attacks on his 'inability to lead', you end up with a Liberal leader that most of Canada doesn't feel confident in.

(And let's face it, Chretien had large majorities because the right wing was split into 3 parties and couldn't make a break in Ontario.)

And since it was Dion who authored the 'Clarity Act' (at least the Liberal version), disgruntled Quebecers don't much like him either.

So what's the point in having a primarily francophone leader that even the francophones don't like?

I find the Liberals' attempt to paint him as an environmentalist nauseating in light of his utter failure to implement Kyoto. I also think his "Green Shift" tax plan is another chapter in the Liberals' ongoing plan to structurally adjust Canada along the lines of the Washington Consensus, and will actually do little to affect our national carbon footprint.

Language and lack of charisma aside, Dion represents to me that old Liberal trope of painting themselves as concerned about social justice to hide their governance in the pocket of elites.

I must admit that when I read the title of the OP I thought you were all talking about Celine Dion. :tongue:

Same here actually. :p

'Cause he's plain, dry toast. No real, definable personality and seemingly little appeal the the majority who want a little more flavor in their leader.

Harper is like raisin toast. But with mold on the other side. But, add a little good old fashion butter and no one will know the difference, right?

Layton is like double chocolate pancakes, drowning in syrup and whip cream by comparison. Looks delicious, but can't possibly be good for you.

May is like an asperagus. Green, healthy, but under rated and unwanted, and likely not to be picked.

.... I'm hungry.

On the radio this morning, they were talking about how on eof the pollster questions these days is 'which party leader would you like to have a beer with?" Almost no-one picked Dion. People can't identify with him.

I have no problem with Dion other than the fact that he's not in the NDP. Seeing as how I'm a party member, I will be voting for the leader of the NDP, and to do so, I'm voting for David Sparrow who is the candidate for my riding of Don Valley West... ok, I should say that I did vote as I voted in the advance poll this past Saturday.

We have had our share of Francophone leaders whose English was not all that great.

Dion is a putz. His language skills are irrelevant.

What's putzy about him?

Does he mangle his english when he sings, just like Celine does?

'Cause he's plain, dry toast. No real, definable personality and seemingly little appeal the the majority who want a little more flavor in their leader.

Harper is like raisin toast. But with mold on the other side. But, add a little good old fashion butter and no one will know the difference, right?

Layton is like double chocolate pancakes, drowning in syrup and whip cream by comparison. Looks delicious, but can't possibly be good for you.

May is like an asperagus. Green, healthy, but under rated and unwanted, and likely not to be picked.

.... I'm hungry.

Does that make Gilles Duceppe Poutine? Damnit, why can't I vote BQ? Eh?

Now I'M hungry damnit!

On the radio this morning, they were talking about how on eof the pollster questions these days is 'which party leader would you like to have a beer with?" Almost no-one picked Dion. People can't identify with him.

If I get into a drinking debate with someone, I want them to be unintelligable AFTER the drinking makes them slur their words.

I found Dion to be quite understandable. I was show how sadden that he didn't add in quaint French phrases. Anyone who says they can't find Dion intelligible or personable has their head shoved into the sand. Sure I wouldn't vote him as a Liberal, but if Dion was running for NDP, I'd vote for Dion.

I thought you were talking about the singer.

He's not?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Dion

On the radio this morning, they were talking about how on eof the pollster questions these days is 'which party leader would you like to have a beer with?" Almost no-one picked Dion. People can't identify with him.

So frikkin what? We are electing a prime minister, not choosing a buddy.

So frikkin what? We are electing a prime minister, not choosing a buddy.

Thank you. It's nice to hear a fellow Canadian who makes sense.

I must admit that when I read the title of the OP I thought you were all talking about Celine Dion. :tongue:But I made that mistake FIRST, so there :tongue:

So frikkin what? We are electing a prime minister, not choosing a buddy.

Thank you. It's nice to hear a fellow Canadian who makes sense.

If a person is generally unlikable, why would you want them to be your leader? The two qualities should go hand in hand. Choosing a PM should be more than just choosing an accountant. You should be choosing someone inspiring.

If a person is generally unlikable, why would you want them to be your leader? The two qualities should go hand in hand. Choosing a PM should be more than just choosing an accountant. You should be choosing someone inspiring.
Like Jack.

I thought you were talking about the singer.

Me, too. I was going to say "because they see her as an embarrassment and don't want everyone to automatically think of Celine Dion when they think of Canada." And then I saw that such was not what the thread was aboot.

Like Jack.

Yeah. I voted for that guy! :)

But I made that mistake FIRST, so there :tongue:

All hail!!:hail::hail:

So frikkin what? We are electing a prime minister, not choosing a buddy.

The qualities that the voting public wish to see in a leader are changing over time. back in Nixon's day, they wanted a take-charge kind of guy who would keep the Commies at bay. Now we want someone who will be able to intelligently discuss with, and understand people from diverse backgrounds. Approachability is a factor in this.

Are so many Canadians unable to recognize that talking in a second language can be real hard

Only for those who are raised in countries that factory-farm their kids to just speak english, there are many countries that have set the rule at kids having to learn second languages
Back home in my Germany, we are not allowed to pass school until we can speak at least one other language, and I think Russia has that too

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[At the end of the day, we must all learn to speak Russian to appease our future overlords]
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:D

The singer?

The singer?

Another one!:eek2:

Yes. Another one. And it was just as funny and original that time as it was all those other times (i.e. not at all).

I don't like him because he supports expanding Section 13 of the Human Rights Code, an already ill-defined and overly broad hate speech law which seems well suited to legitimising the harrasment of almost any speech that anyone might find offensive. Well, a bit of an exageration, but not by that much.

That law is also seems like a frivolous law suit gennerator.

Plus the usual reason, which is that he's utterly lacking in charisma or skill as a campaigner, and apparently would understand campaing strategies if they hit him in the face.:rolleyes: