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Monday, July 25, 2005

the next great gg

There seems to be a decent amount of talk as of late about who will replace current Governor General Adrienne Clarkson when her term as GG is up later this year. Some of the names being dropped by other bloggers and the MSM include Bob Rae, Ed Broadbent, Joe Clark, Marc Garneau, James Bartleman, etc.

Here are some of my suggestions...

John Ralston Saul: Intellectual, author, and husband of Ms. Clarkson. I saw him speak at the University of Alberta a couple of years ago. This guy is amazing. I think he would be an interesting choice for GG (plus, think of how much taxpayers would save on moving costs!).

Preston Manning: Former Reform Party MP and Leader, bested by Stockwell Day, son of Ernest Manning. Though I think that the GG position shouldn't be a dumping ground for old politicians, I think Mr. Manning would serve Canadians well in this position. I don't tend to agree with his politics, but I have a large amount of respect for this man and think he would be a good choice.

Warren Kinsella: Author, Chrétien Advisor, Punk Aficionado etc. Born in Calgary, lives in Toronto (Pan-Canadian). I would love to see Monte Solberg's reaction to this one. Just think of the cool GG blog!

Gordon Lightfoot: Canadian Music Legend. He scores pretty high on the "old white guy" scale, but I think he would do a decent job.

Knowlton Nash: Former CBC National News Anchor, correspondent, etc. Being an unabashed Knowlton Nash fan, so would love to see him become our Governor General (read his book: History on the Run: The Trenchcoat Memoirs of a Foreign Correspondent - It's awesome!).

Naomi Klein: Author, Anti-Globalization activist, etc. She *might* be a little too controversial for the GG position, but I would LOVE to see the reaction from right-wingers on this one.

And finally...

William Shatner: Actor, Music Artist, Fiber Advocate. Come on, how cool would that be?!?!

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Well, I am a big fan of Gordon Lightfoot, but I think Bill Shatner would be wicked :)

Anonymous said...

Kirk for GG!!

But does he even live in Canada anymore?

Robert McBean. said...

well i just got off the phone with bill. he's intrigued and flattered but he feels his work on boston legal is very important. he thinks he can get 2 more emmies. i told him to think it over and were supposed to talk again tomorrow. by the way, what kind of salary can i mention to him?

Anonymous said...

Kirk's my choice, having spent half my Calgary childhood watching Star Trek re-runs...

Warren K.

Anonymous said...

William Shatner would be great, but I'd love to see John Ralston Saul get the job just to see the reacion of the general populace.

Edward Hollett said...

Just remember that shortly before his death Scotty said Shatner was an egotistical prick...or words to that effect.

After Adreinne Clarkson, my nomiee for GG would be Paul Soles. He used to co-host "Take-30" and well, for those truly special Spidey afficionados, you will know that Paul was the voice of the old cartoon Spiderman.

Who better to rep the country?

CFAC Library said...

What about Patrick Stewart?

Sure, he's not Canadian, but Captain Picard is way cooler than Captain Kirk.

Anonymous said...

Wayne Gretzky. 'Nuff said.

Anonymous said...

I would vote for Bill, but then we'd lose him as a character on Boston Legal, and that would be a real shame.

Just last year, I told him he should ask for more money for his work on Boston Legal, and he did.

I don't know his exact pay for the show, but it's certainly more than what Canada could pay him.

Plus, and this I know for sure and from him, his hourly rate is US$30,000.

daveberta said...

Wow. It seems like a resounding endorsment of Mr. Shatner for GG.

His Excellency the Right Honourable William Shatner, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D., Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada

(btw I'd never heard of Boston Legal until after this post, chalk it up to not watching TV...)

Politicagrll said...

There is a strong tradition of having a person with French GG after an English one (and vise versa). The list is interesting (and it's not all serious at all) but if you want to put forward likely guess look at Francophone Canadians.

Anonymous said...

Wasn't Shatner born in Montreal? He counts as a Francophone.

Jason Cherniak said...

As much as Shatner would be great, I think Knowlton Nash is an amazing possibility. That said, you missed Margaret MacMillan.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Bill was born and raised in Montréal. He's an Anglo, but his French is really quite good.

daveberta said...

I'd never thought of Margaret MacMillan. Bill Shatner would still be cooler.

Wouldn't that be cool if there was a Bill Shatner for GG movement... hint hint...

Anonymous said...

An anglo from Montréal doesn't count as a franco! Take a franco from Alberta instead, who ? I still have to think about it! I nobody is available I'll vote for Warren Kinsella just cause he quoted you on his site!

Jim (Progressive Right) said...

My longshot bet is on an offer being made to Celine Dion; although her website says she's under contract till 2006.

I'd like William Shatner too.

Royal assent. Given. In short. Succint but not. Quite. Full. Sentences every. Session would be. Interesting.

daveberta said...

sweet.