Miscellaneous

Congrats, Canada! Your Obama is Coming ...

Pajiba's Canadian Wonder, Ranylt Richildis, alerted me to the latest development in the Canadian political clusterfuck, and by most accounts, it's exceptional news. Michael Ignatieff has risen to the top of the Liberal Party, and looks likely to be Canada's next prime minister.

Ignatieff is actually a little better known here in America than he was in Canada, up until recently. In fact, until 2005, he was the director of Harvard's Carr Center for Human Rights (where my wife and sometimes QuizLaw contributor also worked during Ignatieff's stint -- she is mum on his dreamy factor). I understand, too, that he had taken a controversial position on the Iraq War, as well, supporting America's invasion on grounds that Saddam Hussein was committing human rights atrocities in America, one that didn't sit well with Molly while she was working there, though she was nevertheless an admirer.

After resigning from Harvard, he instantly became a favorite to become Canada's leader, this despite the fact that Ignatieff -- until recently -- had not spent very much of the last 35 years in his home country and had long identified himself as an American.

In either respect, when and if Stephen Harper is ousted, as expected, after the budget vote in January, Ignatieff is in position to take over. I don't know how most of our Canadian readers feel about it, but Ranylt describes him as a " charismatic leader with a brain and an unsullied record" and a dream pairing to go along with Obama.

The economy is in global meltdown, but it does appear as though the civilized world is starting to turn to leaders who can help, instead of guys they can have a beer with.

*Applause*

Full post as published by Quiz Law on December 10, 2008 (boomark / email).