Leonard Cohen for Governor General

[mutti]

over 2,200 votes noted today on the facebook page!!!
Not a job I would think Leonard would want but what an honour to have so many votes...

[Dem]

Bullshit!

Dem

[sturgess66]

Campaign picked up by Quebec media -

From LeDevoir.com -
http://www.ledevoir.com/culture/actuali ... ideau-hall

Leonard Cohen à Rideau Hall?!
Le Devoir 15 avril 2010 Actualités culturelles

Un groupe s'est formé sur Facebook pour mousser la candidature de Leonard Cohen au poste de gouverneur général du Canada.

Une initiative mi-sérieuse, mi-fantasque d'un étudiant de deuxième cycle de l'Université de Toronto. «Est-ce réaliste? écrit Jeff Rybak, le créateur de la page Facebook. Probablement pas. [...] Mais endosser sa candidature envoie un message clair à propos du genre de personne qu'on souhaite voir représenter notre pays. [...] Un pays qui n'a pas peur d'être dirigé par un poète.» Le poète-chanteur de 75 ans compte près de 1100 amis. Le premier ministre Harper a récemment fait part de son intention de ne pas prolonger le mandat de l'honorable Michaëlle Jean, qui se termine en septembre.

And the Google translation -

Leonard Cohen to Rideau Hall?!

Duty April 15, 2010 Current Events

A Facebook group formed to boost the candidacy of Leonard Cohen to the post of Governor General of Canada.

An initiative half serious, half-whimsical of a graduate student at the University of Toronto. "Is this realistic? wrote Jeff Rybak, the creator of the Facebook page. Probably not.[...] But endorsing a candidate sends a clear message about the kind of person that we wish to represent our country. [...] A country that is not afraid to be led by a poet. "The poet-singer of 75 years nearly 1100 friends. Prime Minister Harper recently announced its intention not to extend the mandate of the Honourable Michaelle Jean, which ends in September.

The FaceBook campaign now has close to 4000 members.

[sturgess66]

From CBC News -
http://www.cbc.ca/news/pointofview/2010 ... -jean.html

Canada's governor general: Who should replace Michaëlle Jean?

* April 15, 2010 11:40 AM
* By POV


Prime Minister Stephen Harper talks with Governor General Michaelle Jean following the End of an Era ceremony in Ottawa.
(Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

This fall, Canada will have a new governor general as the Queen's representative in Canada. Michaëlle Jean, who was appointed in 2005, has confirmed her term will not be extended.

The guessing game as to who her successor will be has begun, including Man in Motion Rick Hansen, Inuit leader Mary Simon and Reform Party founder Preston Manning. A Facebook group with well over 2,500 members is pushing Leonard Cohen - singer, songwriter, author and poet - as the ideal candidate.

There is a consensus that a good governor general should be dignified and authoritative, but must also possess common sense and humility. Prime Minister Stephen Harper has his work cut out for him.

Who do you think deserves the keys to Rideau Hall? Tell us who you think should be Canada's next governor general.

[st theresa]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak- ... 5734_n.jpg

Found this photo on the facebook site--not sure where it originated--but kinda kewel.

[caz]

And another article - http://www.canada.com/mobile/iphone/sto ... id=2921744

Having trouble with links again so hope it works.
Carole

[mnkyface]

No disrespect but the current Governor General looks SO much like comedienne Wanda Sykes. I actually thought it was her when I first saw that picture!!

[sturgess66]

And another article - http://www.canada.com/mobile/iphone/sto ... id=2921744

Having trouble with links again so hope it works.
Carole

I just saw that Caz - and I was just coming over to post. And I'll just have to print it out here because there is a picture of Leonard. LOL

LEONARD COHEN - Nominated by Eddie Schwartz
Sunday, April 18, 2010
By Eddie Schwartz - President of the Songwriters Association of Canada, The Mark


“I have nothing against the Queen of England. Even in my heart I never resented her
for not being Jackie Kennedy. She is, to my mind, a very gallant lady, victimized by
whoever it is who designs the tops of her uniforms.”
Photographed by: File, AFP
Visit The Mark to vote for Leonard Cohen
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1 ... 770&ref=mf

"Leonard Cohen is the man. Not the Canadian man. Not the Montreal man. Just the man. I have shed tears of joy that his words and music are part of my life.” - Eddie Schwartz

Visit The Mark to vote for Leonard Cohen.
http://www.themarknews.com/

Home province: Quebec

Age: 75

Accomplishments: A Companion of the Order of Canada, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee, and a Juno and Grammy winner, Leonard Cohen has written some of the most recognizable songs in the canon of contemporary music. Though he refused the Governor General’s Award for literature in 1968, his novels and poetry are hallmarks of Canadian letters.

Vice-regal qualities: Mr. Cohen is fluent in French and embraced by both English- and French-speaking Canada. He understands this country and its feats and foibles because he embodies many of them himself. Equally as important, his literary and musical talents prove he has a deep understanding of the human heart.

Potential obstacles: The fact that he refused the Governor General’s Award in 1968 may prove something of a stumbling block. Mr. Cohen also has a terrible track record with finances and has famously hermetic tendencies.

Memorable quote: “I have nothing against the Queen of England. Even in my heart I never resented her for not being Jackie Kennedy. She is, to my mind, a very gallant lady, victimized by whoever it is who designs the tops of her uniforms.”

© Copyright (c) canada.com

Eddie Schwartz is the Director/President of the SAC - Songwriters Association of Canada - and here is a link to that site -
http://www.songwriters.ca/ABT20.php?contributor_id=8

[sturgess66]

And here's more from Canada.com - the original story to the companion piece above. Click on the link to see/read about - the nominees -
http://www.canada.com/sports/deserves+k ... story.html

Who Deserves The Keys to Rideau Hall?

The Mark
April 18, 2010 1:05 PM


In an exclusive series from themarknews.com and canada.com, 10 prominent Canadians
were asked to nominate one individual each who they think would make a great viceroy.
And the nominees are anything but obvious, ranging from William Shatner to
Leonard Cohen to Preston Manning.
Photograph by: Files, CNS/AFP

Canada is getting a new Governor General this fall and we want to know who you think should get the job.

In an exclusive series from themarknews.com and canada.com, 10 prominent Canadians were asked to nominate one individual each who they think would make a great viceroy. And the nominees are anything but obvious, ranging from William Shatner to Leonard Cohen to Preston Manning.

Will the next GG, like the previous two, be a CBC broadcaster? The offspring of a Canadian political legend? The greatest hockey player ever?

Check out the nominees and tell us who you think most deserves the keys to Rideau Hall.
© Copyright (c) canada.com

[CinCin]

With all due respect, William Shatner? Ahead of Leonard Cohen? People, what is the world coming to? We will have to hang our heads in shame if this situation is not rectified.

[sturgess66]

CinCin - in this poll, Leonard is in second place - he trails Phil Fontaine by one percentage point- well ahead of other contenders.
(UPDATE/EDIT - the trekkies have invaded!)

The link for TheMarkNews.com is finally working where you can go to vote (you don't even have to "register"-

http://www.themarknews.com/articles/1326

Who is The Next Governor General?


Ten prominent Canadians nominate one individual each who they think would make a great viceroy.

Canada is getting a new Governor General this fall and we want to know who you think should get the job.

Will the next Governor General, like the previous two, be a CBC broadcaster? The offspring of a Canadian political legend? The greatest hockey player ever?

The Mark asked 10 prominent Canadians to nominate one individual each who they think would make a great viceroy.

Check out the nominees and tell us who you think most deserves the keys to Rideau Hall.
Who do you think should be the next Governor General?

* Rick Hansen
* William Shatner
* Mary Simon
* John de Chastelain
* Preston Manning
* Bobby Orr
* Wayne Gretzky
* Mike Harcourt
* Kim Campbell
* Phil Fontaine
* Jean Vanier
* Marcia McClung
* Leonard Cohen

Created on Apr 14, 2010

View Results
Nominees

The voting results to date -

Who do you think should be the next Governor General?

* Rick Hansen
5%
* William Shatner
13%
* Mary Simon
6%
* John de Chastelain
6%
* Preston Manning
10%
* Bobby Orr
1%
* Wayne Gretzky
8%
* Mike Harcourt
1%
* Kim Campbell
3%
* Phil Fontaine
18%
* Jean Vanier
3%
* Marcia McClung
1%
* Leonard Cohen
17%

Created on Apr 14, 2010

The FaceBook campaign now has over 5000 members -
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/gro ... 770&ref=ts

And link to vote -
http://www.themarknews.com/articles/132 ... or-general

[sturgess66]

From Montreal Gazette -
http://communities.canada.com/MONTREALG ... ughes.aspx

So Long, Michaëlle. Leonard Cohen As Governor General?
Montreal Gazette



By Andy Riga
Mon, Apr 19 2010
Metropolitan News

A lot of names have been bandied about of possible replacements for Michaëlle Jean as Canada's Governor General. (If we really need a representative of the Queen in Canada, I kind of like the idea of putting Clara Hughes in the job).

Not sure how much time Prime Minister Stephen Harper spends on Facebook (he's less popular than this onion ring), but some people are using the website to lobby for a Leonard Cohen nomination. (In the photo above, the Montrealer is receiving his Companion of the Order of Canada medal in 2003).

From the pitch:

This group exists to promote the idea that Leonard Cohen would make an ideal choice to be Governor General of Canada. He is respected and even revered both internationally and domestically. He is fluently bilingual and is gladly claimed by both French and English Canada. He loves our nation in the quiet way only true Canadians understand. He is spiritual and morally centered without pushing his faith on anyone else.

Check it out the Facebook group here.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/gro ... 770&ref=ts

- Andy Riga

[Darling]

(UPDATE/EDIT - the trekkies have invaded!)

Yes, William Shatner is now well ahead with 38% !

[sturgess66]

(UPDATE/EDIT - the trekkies have invaded!)

Yes, William Shatner is now well ahead with 38% !

Yes - that is true for this poll - the trekkies have found it.

But it is Leonard Cohen who is receiving mention - articles in the press - not William Shatner.

Also - William Shatner is not interested in being Governor General (and that's not to say that Leonard Cohen is either).

But Shatner has outright stated he does not wish to be Governor General - and that he is interested in being Prime Minister.

The 77-year-old star said: "My intention is to be Prime Minister of Canada, not Governor General, which is mainly a ceremonial position."

http://www.ncbuy.com/news/20090219/0-wi ... wants.html

[sturgess66]

A video at the Globe and Mail site from the Canadian Press - mostly about William Shatner - but mention of the FaceBook page for Leonard Cohen and a bit of video. A FaceBook page "Canada's Next Governor General" has a poll that shows Shatner out in front - BUT - they have conveniently (must be on purpose?) left off the name "Leonard Cohen" in spite of the publicity he has received. What kind of poll is that? Here are the available choices for voting -

Anne Murray
Bobby Orr
David Suzuki
Don Cherry
Donald Sutherland
Ed Broadbent
Jack Granatstein
Joe Clark
John de Chastelain
Kim Campbell
Lewis Mackenzie
Mary Simon
Noel Kinsella
Peter Lougheed
Preston Manning
Prince Andrew
Prince William
Rex Murphy
Rick Hansen
Rick Hillier
Romeo Dallaire
Sam Sullivan
William Shatner

The membership at "Leonard Cohen for Governor General" just keeps growing and is now at 6,852 -
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=1 ... 770&ref=ts

Anyway - here is the link for the Canadian Press video - with a mention of Leonard Cohen and a bit of video -
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/video/sh ... le1543395/