David Johnston All: University of Waterloo

[xwingfighter43]

David Johnston is Canada's chickenhawk in chief. David Johnston says it's too bad that Canadian troops can't stay in Afghanistan longer, but he isn't the one risking his life there. David Johnston never served in the military.  David Johnston is Canada's Sarah Palin. David Johnston was a game show host for a while like Sarah Palin now has a reality show. They're both pathetic losers.

[xwingfighter43]

I had the misfortune of knowing David Johnston at University of Waterloo. I believe that David Johnston, Canada's new governor general, is a dirty filthy bigot, an enemy of human rights, an arrogant prick, a pathetic public speaker, a scumbag, and a disgrace to Canada. He's the last person who should have ever been appointed governor general. Monarchists like David Johnston are bootlickers to the queen.

[liuchenyu1986]

wow, DC~

[TorontoResearch]

We do too!

[324wilson]

I think he will be a great GG!

[gundamWWW]

I tried to convince them about the benefits of the monarchy, but no one cared. No matter how rational or how logical it may sound, the monarchy is inherently doomed to fail. The monarchy won't be replaced with open elections when Elizabeth is around, I'm not delusional... But when she dies and the demographics of this country has shifted, Charles won't be the King of Canada.

If Toronto can change, and people in Canada change, we can all change.

It just takes time.

[gundamWWW]

You see, I used to be like you as well. I thought that we should preserve the British Monarchy and keep our traditions out of respect for the monarchy but the thing is, it's impossible to do that forever if there is dwindling support for the monarchy in the country. In Vancouver, Montreal (especially) and Toronto formerly one of the most British dominated cities in the entire country, there are are soo many people that don't even care about the Queen.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW well i agree, if a majority of Canadians don't want the monarchy anymore, then get rid of it, and if thats how a majority of Canadians feel it will be gotten rid of. I'm not arguing against enforcing the will of the people, I just want and hope Canadians see how special the monarchy is and what it has contributed to Canada. Republics are a fine system of government, its just not really part of the fiber of Canada.

[gundamWWW]

Well that's a good start, as long as you're willing to change to like I did. Then there's hope.

Fine discussion.

[MajBlood]

This guy will be the next Governor General.

[gundamWWW]

He seems like a nice guy, however I like most Canadians believe in Democracy.

So why don't we have open, democratic and free elections to choose our head of state?

All the candidates should have a leaders debate to see who has the best skills to Governor General.

Democracy is the best!

[MajBlood]

@gundamWWW I disagree, Governor General is merely a representative of the Queen (the true head of state). Saying you would want to elect your Governor General is like saying you don't want Canada ruled by the British monarchy. You arn't saying that are you?

[gundamWWW]

I believe that no matter what the colour of your skin, what sex you are, able or disabled, gay or straight rich or poor. We should have the BEST person for the head of state. Elizabeth Windsor is more then welcome to participate in a OPEN, DEMOCRATIC, FREE electoral system. If undermines the fibres of ourt democracy if we elect municipal , provincial and federal but not the head of state.

I like most Canadians believe in Democratic rule, not rule by "divine blood".

You don't like democracy?

[MajBlood]

@gundamWWW I like democracy, but I also respect and wish to keep our monarchy, that is traditional and is almost always obligated to follow the wishes of the people. Would you want the queen to be elected? Because Governor General is just a representative for the queen. The Governor General does for us what the Queen does for the British government.

[gundamWWW]

I think Elizabeth Windsor is a charming rich women, but we can reach a little bit higher, aim a little bit further, and strive for a bit better and find someone better then her. We should remove the "hereditary rule requirment" for the head of state and keep the Governor General position, Elizabeth Windsor can run as a candidate but soo should ANYONE else who loves this country. You seem like a nice fella and your blood is as good as hers. I am well aware of the role of the Governor General.

[gundamWWW]

I know as long as Elizabeth Windsor is alive that won't happen, but after she passes (maybe 10-15 years). A lot of Canada's baby boomers will have died by then, a majority of them of British hertiage, and as our country becomes more racially and culturally diversified, there will be a push not to have "pure blood rule". I guarantee you. Right now a majority of Canadians are slightly apathetic, but there are MANY MANY staunch monarchists. This trend is slowly changing but it takes time, lol.

[MajBlood]

@gundamWWW Well I for one, will always remember and respect the monarchy and the great British empire. How much they have given us and supported us, how they let us be our own country without a war. Long live the queen, long live the British Empire!

[gundamWWW]

I too respect what they've done for us in the PAST and it will be an important part of Canadian history and heritage. It's not to be forgotten and no one should either. But a lot of their sins of the royals have not been recognized, the destruction of the aboriginal people's by coercing them into giving up their land, discrimination of the Francophone and the severe restricitions on non British residents from immigrating to Canada until the 1960's. There's always good and but reflection is key.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW If Canada was not a parliamentary democracy you might have a point, but even if the monarchy were abolished it would only be replaced by another figurehead position. The PM & Parliament would remain where power is exercised. So voting for a head of state in a westminster system is rather pointless, and who needs a politician when Canadians have a non-political Monarch and ancient institution that has been fundamental in Canada's history and identity?

God Save the Queen.

[gundamWWW]

Excellent point about the last comment, but one of the problems is that unless the Windsor Family marries outside their race it's going to be pretty much caucasian head of states from an extrmely wealthy family. This is inherently undemocratic. I would say fuse the budget of the Queen, and the Governor General and increase funding while creating a bipartisan role like fighting childhood obesity or aids. Similar to the first lady of the United States. We need to have a fresh Democratic Start.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW I understand your concern about the Head of State almost certainly being of one race or ethnic background. My retort would be however (1) we put too much emphasis on race or ethnicity - the Crown is about Canada's history and heritage, yes that heritage is British, but so is Parliament and we won't be getting rid of that anytime soon - new Canadians, of whatever race or religion, can and do become part of Canada's past through their relationship with their (new) Sovereign.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW (2) we have elected government and governor generals which are open to all peoples. Canada gets the best of both worlds -- a democratically elected government, a governor general position that is for Canadians, both born and naturalized, and a Monarch that is a living emodiment of Canada's founding and history.

[gundamWWW]

When this country becomes less (British) over the years, which it will. Baby boomers will die out, many new immigrants from foreign countries will come in. The best way to have a relationship with a sovereign is to elect him or her in a democratic and open election not being forced to put up with a person born in the job. I don't know where you got the idea of getting rid of parliment, I never said that at all. I just said have open free and democratic elections to choose the head of state.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW no no i said we would never get rid of Parliament, even though that is itself a British institution, bequethed to Canadians from the UK, just like the Monarchy. Just because it is British and the country is becoming less 'ethnically' British doesn't mean we toss out that old Canadian institution.

Plus, what exactly would people be voting on? Who can cut the best ribbons? Candidates would take positions, controversies, who needs that for a purely ceremonial role?

[gundamWWW]

With her privileges come responsibilities. I can give you a list of countries that have gotten rid of the queen as the head of state. 1776- United States of America 1949- Ireland 1950- India 1956- Pakistan 1960- Ghana 1961- South Africa 1962- Tanganyika 1963- Nigeria and Uganda 1964- Kenya 1966- Malawi 1970- Gambia and Guyana 1971- Sierra Leone 1972- Sri Lanka 1974- Malta 1976- Trinidad and Tobago 1980- Southern Rhodesia 1987- Fiji 1992- Mauritius 20??- Canada

[B21983]

@gundamWWW and of those countries you list, how many are truly prosperous and democratic? If one looks at the most highly developed and democratic nations - Canada, UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand - monarchies all. There are successful republics too, its hardly an agrument against Republicanism, but it does go to show that constitutional monarchy and liberal democracy arent mutually exclusive.

[gundamWWW]

The candidates would be running on a platform of how to enhance democracy in our country. How would they do that? By running on their priniples on any policy not on their "lineage". A democratically elected representative of the people has much more weight behind them then someone based on their "pure blood". That's why when Michelle Jean was no wear as near as popular as Barack Obama when elected. In this country we are afraid to have discussion on the monarchy. We hide from controversy.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW I'm just not sure what that means, do you envision a Head of State with real powers? So the Prime Minister will be diminished. Something akin to the system they have in France?

[gundamWWW]

(2) The government may be democratically elected but the TRUE head of state is not. I believe in Democracy, rule of the people. You seem to believe very firmly in Monarchy, rule of the monarch. I am just saying perhaps Queen Elizabeth should run in a open, free and democratic election against other candidates. If she wins, they we accept her as our head of state, if she loses, then we have a new head of state. Many countries do this, very sucessfully. No one should be entitled to a job.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW no, I don't believe in rule by the Monarch, because the monarch doesn't rule, nor would I want her to. Canadians have a parliamentary democracy, Canadians vote for an individual MP and the party to win most seats in the commons becomes PM and head of government and effectively rules, with the consent of the people. Thats good all around.

[gundamWWW]

They should earn it.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW The Monarch is merely a non-political figurehead. Democracy means there can be no government w/out the consent of the people. Canada has that. The UK has it, so does Holland, Denmark, etc. It doesn't mean you have to vote for everything for the sake of voting, especially since in a Parliamentary system like Canada, the real head of government is the Prime Minister. Amongst the world's oldest democracies are Monarchies, only the US is the exception. They are not mutually exclusive.

[gundamWWW]

I say that we can keep the identity of the monarchy alive in history books and text, but to have a fundemental and principle open election would allow this country to move forward from it's racist past. Imagine an a Democratically elected Aboriginal head of state. Or a democratically elected Black head of state, or a democratically elected white male farmer head of state. Right now approximately only 55% of Canadians like the queen (poll numbers), when she passes, how many will like Charles? lol

[B21983]

@gundamWWW racist past? Every country has a racist past somewhere, but Canada, under the monarchy, abolished slavery before the US Republic. It was the Royal Navy that fought to stop the trans-atlantic slave trade, it was under the Crown that Canadians fought in two world wars for democracy and against militarism and fascism. Republics have no more a moral past or present than any constitutional monarchy, let alone Canada.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW let me add one thing on the racial argument. While theoretically, in some election for Head of State, any ethnic group member could be elected, theory and practice are much different. People vote based on all types of considerations, and you could likely go a 500 yrs without electing, say a Sri Lankan-Canadian, not b/c of any racism but just because elections dont work out that way. I jst dont think we should chuck a rich heritage for some theoretical benefit.

[gundamWWW]

You say your a democratic but your still a monarchist. Because Monarchy means "rule of the monarchy" in priciple and theory. You can't be a democrat and a monarchist at the same time, lol! They contradict. Canada's racist past is linked to the monarchy because many of the plight of the first nations people and the theft of their land was done in the name of the British Monarchy. The good goes with the bad. Perhaps the Monarch should make repiration payments.

.

[B21983]

@gundamWWW well under that thinking, democracy means rule of the people, do you want every person in Canada voting on everything? I doubt it. Thats why we have elected representatives. I think those of us who say we support the monarchy, mean Constitutional Monarchy, whereby the Monarch does not rule, does not enact law or administer justice. Thats for the people's representatives. No one is arguing for absolute monarchy, that would be un-British and un-Canadian.

[GrandpaChris]

David communicates so well I'd like to go back to university. The Soo is proud of his accomplishments.

[acekingofspade]

very well spoken

[ChronosCypress]

um..this is DC library?

[muhammadumairzafar]

I wanna be there for my masters degree as soon as i got my bachelors degree...hope for the best

[blisspheme]

love this school...didn't go there but good school