in the media limelight.
According to CTV former Prime Minister Jean Chretien is "ripping" into Prime Minister Stephen Harper for his failure to attend the Olympic's opening ceremonies.
Full disclosure here, I have always had a soft spot for Jean Chretien. While I don't agree with his politics, I respect his scrappiness, tenacity, and willingness to fight for what he believes in. I mean come on, who can't at least smile at his willingness to literally strangle those who invade your personal space.
That being said, I don't agree with him here. There is no need for PMSH to attend the opening ceremonies. Who cares, if he would rather tour some part of Canada talking to Canadians all the power to him. Jean Chretien is wishing he could have it both ways.
JC himself didn't go to every single Olympics he could have. Is his line of reasoning that it is OK to skip the opening ceremonies as long as the host country isn't a major trading partner?
The Olympics are supposed to be about international competition between all the countries of the world, regardless of their stature. When politics enter the Olympics, an already shaky foundation cracks more. I am sure Stephen Harper isn't the only prominent world leader not attending the Olympics.
Personally I don't care that much about the Olympics, but I do wish we could avoid partisan sniping from ex Prime Ministers looking to regain some time in the spot light. He is not even a sitting MP anymore. One would think it would be uncouth to talk smack now.
2 comments:
So far Mr. Harper has been raked over the coals for not attending the opening ceremonies at the olympic games, for not attending some conference or other on AIDS, for not appearing at one or another of the myriad climate conferences, etc., etc., etc.
Personally, I'd rather the elected leader of the country spend his time taking care of business on the home front. He does enough travelling for NATO business and for trade relations and for bilateral discussions with other world leaders. Since when did it become de rigueur that the PM attend every special interest gathering in the world.
Pierre de Coubertin, founder of the International Olympic Committee, stated “The first essential characteristic of the Olympics, both ancient as well as modern, is to be a religion. ... It represents, above and outside the Churches, humanity's superior religion.”.
Freedom of religion is a fundamental right.
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