Cosmopolitan Ignatieff
The man who would be Prime Minister has a few things to answer for. They're rather inconvenient in that they occurred at a time when running for political election in Canada couldn't have been further from his mind. Living for decades in Britain as a news hound, a public entertainer, a member of the British establishment, he cast his vote when he could, there. And quite completely identified with his country of residence.
Living in the United States as an expatriate, but one who was honoured for his academic skills - his forays into human rights and his lengthy travels to war zones and linked reportage therefrom - by a Harvard University post as a human rights expert, he became, essentially, an American-at-heart, and why not?
Decades of living comfortably in any country that shares social and political attributes with your own does render a sense of connection.
While living in the United States, Michael Ignatieff quite completely identified with American values and concerns and perspectives. Natural enough, given the length of time he lived there and his immersion in American politics, culture and society. A reflection of his lengthy period of residence in Britain when he exercised his right to be involved there, as well.
He is, if nothing else, a complete cosmopolitan. Ah, amend that somewhat: an aristocratic cosmopolitan.
As such he has completely embraced that old maxim..."when in Rome, do as the Romans do", and he most certainly did, referring to himself actually, while living in the U.S. as an American. Of course, Canadians are after all, North Americans, we share a continent with the U.S. and Mexico, though who thinks of Mexicans as other than Mexicans?
His quotes referring to himself as a Brit and as an American, are, unfortunately, coming back to snap at his electoral heels now. "I am an American Democrat. I will vote for (John) Kerry in November" and for Britain: "Why did I vote Labour? I wanted the rascals out."
Michael Ignatieff is Canadian, one with an extensive introduction-and-residence elsewhere in the world, true. Adding to his intellectual aplomb, his experience of the wider world, his comfortable essence of cosmopolitanism - and elitism.
Not very polite to state it at this juncture, but Zsuzsanna Szohar is, as her name betrays, a Hungarian-born, with due citizenship (and dual British citizenship), now tardily in the process of obtaining her Canadian citizenship.
How cosmopolitan is Ignatieff? Well, a home in Provence will do it. He owns a condo in Toronto's Yorkville, though; no financial piker he. While living in Ottawa, and aspiring to 24 Sussex Drive.
Living in the United States as an expatriate, but one who was honoured for his academic skills - his forays into human rights and his lengthy travels to war zones and linked reportage therefrom - by a Harvard University post as a human rights expert, he became, essentially, an American-at-heart, and why not?
Decades of living comfortably in any country that shares social and political attributes with your own does render a sense of connection.
While living in the United States, Michael Ignatieff quite completely identified with American values and concerns and perspectives. Natural enough, given the length of time he lived there and his immersion in American politics, culture and society. A reflection of his lengthy period of residence in Britain when he exercised his right to be involved there, as well.
He is, if nothing else, a complete cosmopolitan. Ah, amend that somewhat: an aristocratic cosmopolitan.
As such he has completely embraced that old maxim..."when in Rome, do as the Romans do", and he most certainly did, referring to himself actually, while living in the U.S. as an American. Of course, Canadians are after all, North Americans, we share a continent with the U.S. and Mexico, though who thinks of Mexicans as other than Mexicans?
His quotes referring to himself as a Brit and as an American, are, unfortunately, coming back to snap at his electoral heels now. "I am an American Democrat. I will vote for (John) Kerry in November" and for Britain: "Why did I vote Labour? I wanted the rascals out."
Michael Ignatieff is Canadian, one with an extensive introduction-and-residence elsewhere in the world, true. Adding to his intellectual aplomb, his experience of the wider world, his comfortable essence of cosmopolitanism - and elitism.
Not very polite to state it at this juncture, but Zsuzsanna Szohar is, as her name betrays, a Hungarian-born, with due citizenship (and dual British citizenship), now tardily in the process of obtaining her Canadian citizenship.
How cosmopolitan is Ignatieff? Well, a home in Provence will do it. He owns a condo in Toronto's Yorkville, though; no financial piker he. While living in Ottawa, and aspiring to 24 Sussex Drive.
Labels: Canada, Culture, Politics of Convenience
posted by Pieface | 7:48 PM
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