Andrew commented:
Your other strawman is found here: "This does not nor should it reflect on his ability to lead us, in fact it should be in his favour as it may give him a wider view on the world and our place in it. We should judge him on his worthiness to lead the nation by his policies and leadership abilities." I haven't read anyone saying that Dion's citizenship impacts his ability to lead.... you, and most others on your side of this issue, keep asserting that we are - but that fact is that you're fabricating that line of argument; it simply does not exist, and is not on the table.If it does not impact his ability to lead, then why is it an issue? I agree I set up a strawman that was very easy to knock down. Mea culpa. Still, why is it an issue?
IMO the symbol is very important - the PM of Canada must be beyond reproach, and part of that is that the PM must hold Canadian citizenship, and must not hold any other citizenship. They are representing CANADA, not Canada and France, or Canada and Zimbabwe, or whatever. If you feel that view is "close-minded and petty".... well, that's awfully close-minded and petty of you ;)Why does being "beyond reproach" imply not holding any citizenship beyond Canadian? Are you implying that people with dual citizenship are somehow reproachable? Are they somehow less Canadian? If so, why? (Definition of reproach.)
If the symbol of the Prime Minister of Canada is the reason why you feel Stephane Dion should renounce his French citizenship, I do not agree. I do not think the symbol nor the office are tarnished in any fashion because I do not see having citizenship in a second country as a "disgrace or shame" or worthy of "rebuke or criticism".
If I have misconstrued your point, please let me know.
On the other hand, perhaps reproach is not the right word you were looking for. Are you concerned with divided loyalties? Preferential treatment for France in international relations? Security concerns? If so, I can only respond by saying that those concerns do not go away by giving up French citizenship so I do not see the need for him to do so.
So in summary, based on your comments I do not find any reason yet as to why I think Stephane Dion should renounce his dual citizenship. I believe it is an emotional "gut-feeling" reaction that people like yourself are having and that I do not share.
I look forward to your response!
3 comments:
I don't have much to say on this issue...just giddy while waiting for the second display of fireworks! ;)
btw, Bill...would you think differently if the guy running for PM had a dual citizenship with a place like Isreal or Iraq instead of France?
Good question. I'd say no, my response would not change. The person's activities and positions on the issues would be important, but the simple fact of having dual citizenship for me would not have a bearing.
that response might just bring on some more fireworks...
I can say that I definitely would not want some guy running my country who had ties (citizenship)with a place like Iraq...and considering the state of the world right now (especially terrorism) I'd think many people would agree.
Maybe because Stephan has dual citizenship with a place like France, it doesn't seem to post a threat.
I can see where Andrew's coming from in his views...the PM should not have bias which could come from allegience to more than one country.
Now, since I'm not up to speed on all this political mumbo-jumbo, I'm outta here...debate on with Andrew!
Post a Comment