Governor General Michaëlle Jean - Promising

She will touch our lives in her sincere way

The Ottawa Citizen
September 29, 2005
CREDIT: Wayne Cuddington, The Ottawa Citizen

Larry Birkbeck expects inspiring leadership from Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean, right, who was presented with a bouquet of flowers Tuesday by Daniel Stanton, 6, who is battling acute myeloid leukemia.

Re: A call to end the solitudes, Sept. 28.

The critics of Michaelle Jean's appointment have been numerous and relentless from the beginning. They should be silenced now, but is that too much to hope for?

I hope this country will now afford our new Governor General the same tolerance that Canadians hold out as one of the defining characteristics of their country.
Not until Tuesday was I so moved by the installation of a Governor General. The entire ceremony had the stamp of Michaelle Jean over it and her speech was one of the best I have heard in decades. Her words came from the heart and each word held its own variance of emotion and focus.

All people need to be reminded that there really is hope in this world that seems to be crumbling around us. Our new Governor General offered us that vision of hope. Could we ask for more? No, but she offered more as she stressed the importance of ensuring the ethical and ecological integrity of this world for generations to come. She made it clear that this is a moral obligation.

Most defining was the Governor General's courage to address the barriers that divide us as a nation. Her comment that "the time of the 'two solitudes' that for too long described the character of this country is past" was powerful. And so was "we must eliminate the spectre of all the solitudes and promote solidarity among all the citizens who make up the Canada of today."

This is a Governor General who will exceed all expectations and who will reach out to touch our lives in her sincere way. She wears her emotions on her sleeve and seems to have a place in her heart for everyone, as well as unlimited energy.

She hopes that, together, we can call upon the vigour of our shared history to realize our dearest and most ambitious wish: to make a better world. Is there a better wish?

I congratulate Canada's new Governor General, Michaelle Jean, and wish her every success in fulfilling her role on behalf of all Canadians. Wow, what a day for Canada!

Larry Birkbeck,
Regina

Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean

© The Ottawa Citizen 2005

Governor General, Michaëlle Jean

Pondering politics!

Here is one time where pondering was unnecessary and politics was provided with a new compass for a guide. I speak highly of the installation of Canada’s new Governor General, Michaëlle Jean. The critics of this appointment have been numerous and relentless from the beginning. I trust that this country will now afford our new Governor General the same tolerance that Canadians hold out as one of the defining characteristics of Canada.

Over the decades I have worked for a better Canada, but not until today was I so moved by the appointment of a Governor General. The entire ceremony had the stamp of Michaëlle Jean all over it and her installation speech was one of the best I have heard in decades. Her words came from the heart and each word held its own variance of emotion and focus.

All people need to be reminded that there really is hope in this world that seems to be crumbling around us and our new Governor General offered us that vision of hope. Could we ask for more? No, but she offered more as she stressed the importance of ensuring the ethical and ecological integrity of this world for generations to come. She made it clear that it is a moral obligation.

Most defining was the Governor General’s courage to address the barriers that divide us as a nation.

“The time of the “two solitudes” that for too long described the character of this country is past. The narrow notion of “every person for himself” does not belong in today’s world, which demands that we learn to see beyond our wounds, beyond our differences for the good of all. Quite the contrary: we must eliminate the spectre of all the solitudes and promote solidarity among all the citizens who make up the Canada of today. As well, we must make good use of our prosperity and our influence wherever the hope that we represent offers the world an extra measure of harmony.”

I believe this is a Governor General who will exceed all expectations and one who will reach out to touch the lives of each of us in her own sincere manner. She wears her emotions on her sleeve and seems to have a heart for all with no end of energy. She hopes with all her heart that together, we can call upon the vigour of our shared history to realize our dearest and most ambitious wish: to make a better world. Is there a better wish? Her critics should be silenced, but is that too much to hope for?

I congratulate Canada’s new Governor General, Michaëlle Jean, and wish her every success in fulfilling her role on behalf of all Canadians. Wow, what a day!

Not Pondering,

Larry Birkbeck
Regina, SK

Reformed Politics

Pondering politics!

There is no question we need to do politics different in this country. Reform is long over due, but what changes would make a difference? I believe it is necessary to return power to the people. Here are a few suggestions that would make a difference to our existing system.

Reorganize government into three clearly defined parts. These parts would be executive, legislative and judicial where none would be subject to unfair influence of one on the other.

Develop a system where elected officials at all three levels of government are answerable to only their constituents. This would provide for elected members to always vote their conscience without reprisal from colleagues or party leaders. It would also remove the nonsensical situation we have now where elected members have their nominations secured to prohibit others from challenging their nomination. Remember, these are the same politicians that want an elected Senate. Protected nominations are only one step away from appointing our representatives in the House of Commons and the provincial legislatures. How dumb would that be?

Elected officials should only be allowed to serve two consecutive terms. I suggest they could run for office again after they had sat out at least one election. This would tend to give them a reality check and keep them honest.

On the financial side our governments should be required by law to balance the books. Making payments on existing debt should be a mandatory percentage of revenue surplus applied to the debt in every budget. This would eventually remove debt entirely.

Governments should quit lending money entirely and rely only on short-term tax breaks to allow individuals and businesses to establish themselves.

No professional civil servant should have to worry about losing his or her job, which commonly results from a change of government. Those appointed in the executive part of government should be required to automatically file their resignation papers at the call of an election. They could be reappointed after the election. If you live by the sword, you should die by the sword.

These are just a few suggested changes that would make our governments work better and return some power to the people.

Pondering,

Larry Birkbeck
Regina, SK

Regina City Employees Strike

Pondering politics!

The politics surrounding the strike of city workers is quite ridiculous. The city has made plans for where we can dump our garbage. They should be making plans for ending the stand off with their striking employees, as should the unions.

Both sides have argued their positions are fixed and that is why I say the politics of the situation is ridiculous. The Mayor is facing his first real tough test since he was first elected. Saying, “I love Regina” will not resolve the strike. The unions are staying out to strengthen the union movement in the province to prove they can still resolve labour disputes by joining arms with their so called brothers and sisters. It is a farce and it is ridiculous!

Based on what both sides have stated the strike will never end. Really! Never! In reality, it will end by one side or the other, or both, giving in a bit on their previously stated positions. That is the fact of the matter. So what reason can either side give me for not resolving the strike within the next week? If both sides continue with the current impasse it will only prove that their own politics, however you want to define it, is more important than serving the taxpayers.

As taxpayers we are the innocent third parties in this dispute. Why should we be inconvenienced to satisfy the ridiculous politics of the City of Regina and the unions? We should begin to think about how we are going to make them pay for their political antics! He who pays the piper should call the tune. I am wondering how I will do that and I suggest all taxpayers do the same.

City council and the labour unions should be sent to New Orleans to negotiate their differences. I think then both sides may realize how petty their differences are in relative terms. As one who pays the piper, I say, “End this ridiculous strike.”

Pondering,

Larry Birkbeck
Regina, SK

Respect Flag and Country

Pondering politics!

You have to wonder where the respect is for our country and our flags. We take it all for granted in this land of peace and prosperity. Even after witnessing all the devastation, disaster, human suffering and human failure to manage the crisis resulting from the Katrina Hurricane Canadians are only a tad more thankful for all we have in this great country.

I stopped for a coffee at Tim Horton’s at the corner of 4th Avenue and Albert Street in Regina and sat outside to enjoy our beautiful weather. Across the street is the Carling Place Strip Mall where flags representing Saskatchewan and Canada attempt to fly strong and free representing our provincial and Canadian colors. They are weathered and torn in half. It is a disgrace to our country and our province for our flags to be left to wither in the sun and wind as if Hurricane Katrina had hit them.

It is interesting to note that the office of Andrew Scheer, M.P. for Regina Qu’Appelle is located just across the street from the Carling Place Mall. Andrew Scheer worked for Larry Spencer, former M.P. for Regina-Lumsden-Lake Centre. He may not have learned much in his overpaid position with Spencer, but I know he learned that a Member of Parliament’s office gets an annual allotment of Canadian flags for distribution in and around his constituency. Spencer’s office staff and Larry Spencer had a policy of providing a flag wherever one was torn and tattered. Andrew Scheer should consider adopting the same policy.

It would at least show respect for our great country if all levels of government made a commitment to assuring that any Canadian or provincial flag be flown only if it is in one piece and showing our full colors. That is the least we could do in appreciation for all we have. Andrew Scheer and all elected officials should give this some serious thought. It amazes me that Andrew Scheer can’t look across Albert Street, see the worn and weathered flags and say, “damn lets get over there and provide the Mall with some new flags.” How difficult would that be? It is apparently too difficult for a rookie Member of Parliament who must be too busy doing more important things.

Pondering,

Larry Birkbeck
Regina, SK