Is running a country an important role?

[Howard2k]

This is not a thread about US politics.

I think it's quite important - being the head of the government and all that.

Although I don't have a strong opinion for or against Trudeau, it seems to me that the blackface blowup is a bit out of hand. Obviously I don't understand cultural appropriation.

The dude painted his face 20 years ago for a pantomime. It's now likely to be the death knell of his career. Is that really how we should determine who runs the country (or not)? Can anyone explain why this is such a monumental issue. I'm not saying that nobody is allowed to be offence by blackface. Hey, be offended.

For you Canadians and non-Americans - should something like that result in a political fatality?

And of course you Americans are welcome to express your opinion too, but I think it's fair to say that in the US your politics have worked in this fashion for a long time, it's pretty unique down there. Outside of the US (Canada and Europe, for example) I think it's fair to say that politics have been more about political issues and less about personality.

 

[WaywerdSon]

Was it bad taste? Probably. Should it disqualify someone from holding public office? Maybe not so much. One of the biggest mistakes, and ruinous mistakes we make is judging the past by the standards of today. Call it being more "woke" or whatever, its simply unfair to judge actions that were not a big deal at the time under the harsh scrutiny of today, where any monor trasgresion gets amplified to a level that didnt exist when the act happened. Who among us didnt do something 30 years ago (that are old enough anyway) that seen today would be a hanging offense?

 

[Subterfuge]

tempest in a teapot ... non-issue

 

[Bobby Mahogany]

As a "Theater Teacher" at the time , he should have been well aware of the origins of using brown or black make-up.

But hey, the guy has dressed his whole family "Indian style" last year on an official trip to India.
He wears white pants and a pastel shirt at the Gay Pride and is currently playing the role
of Prime Minister of Canada. He just wants a chance to act for another four years.

 

[TheX]

Much ado about nothing.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

Damn, Trudeau never misses a rake to step on. Personally, I could not give a shit. But he is the worst virtue-signaller in politics, so he should take it on the nose. Also, he was 29, and somewhat a public figure, and he should of known better.

He’s a small-l liberal racist. He’s the shit for brains who thinks his emoting is enough to disqualify him from this kind of scrutiny. The white guy who thinks having black friends allows him to say nigger.

It ain’t this event that should destroy him, but a culmination of gaffes. He’s a fuckin clown. Even worse, a silver-spoon. Useless in every way. Hasn’t achieved fuck all except a charmed life he put little work into.

 

[NorlinBlackBeauty]

I do not know the sensibilities of Canada.

What is considered in bad taste changes over time. Quite the sticky wicket you all have there.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

I do not know the sensibilities of Canada.

What is considered in bad taste changes over time. Quite the sticky wicket you all have there.

Canada presently has the most racist state in North America: Quebec. More racist than any stereotype you wanna paint on any US state.

 

[NorlinBlackBeauty]

Canada presently has the most racist state in North America: Quebec. More racist than any stereotype you wanna paint on any US state.

Think it is fair to say whites have been terribly racist for centuries.
Over my lifetime I've seen improvement, but the last several years things have gotten worse.

I personally have had little contact with actual Canadians. Those from Quebec on vacation at various beach points I've been to is pretty much it. They were all beyond rude.

Had a summer job 30+ years ago where one of the assistant managers was from Nova Scotia. He was a nice guy - actually said "aboot" instead of about. That was before South Park made that a thing.

 

[danohat]

Running a country is not really the goal. So, it's not really important to anyone other than who's running it because they are the beneficiaries.

 

[AwfulQuiet]

I think the political issue at hand has more to do with what his party represents vs. what he did in the past. ie: he never should have done it, but did on two occasions, so the press are taking him to the cleaners.

In any case, does the PM actually run the country? Yes, and no. It's more the civil servants who are supposed to put into motion the edicts of the politicians who are the ones who really run the country, hence why some policies never see the light of day.

For more on this, see the BBC series Yes, Minister from back in the 1980s. It's pure comedy genius, and only 10% exagerated..

 

[EndGame00]

American here:

That is usually a powder keg for any political party here... Any old photo that became viral is a make or break for a politician or someone aspiring to become a politician....

However the word ,"racism" or "racist" now lost its true meaning since a lot of people are quick to use that word what someone disagree with them.


"I like ice cream"

*Gasp* "You racist!"

See?

 

[Kamen_Kaiju]

you can be a shitty person, and still be great at your job.

and you can be a greatly likable person, and still be shitty at your job.


...I have noticed both of these things over the past 10 years, here.

...and I don't think you should be judged by something stupid you did or said decades ago. Everyone does stupid shit sooner or later, it shouldn't ruin your life.

 

[Dun Ringill]

This is not a thread about US politics.

I think it's quite important - being the head of the government and all that.

Although I don't have a strong opinion for or against Trudeau, it seems to me that the blackface blowup is a bit out of hand. Obviously I don't understand cultural appropriation.

The dude painted his face 20 years ago for a pantomime. It's now likely to be the death knell of his career. Is that really how we should determine who runs the country (or not)? Can anyone explain why this is such a monumental issue. I'm not saying that nobody is allowed to be offence by blackface. Hey, be offended.

For you Canadians and non-Americans - should something like that result in a political fatality?

And of course you Americans are welcome to express your opinion too, but I think it's fair to say that in the US your politics have worked in this fashion for a long time, it's pretty unique down there. Outside of the US (Canada and Europe, for example) I think it's fair to say that politics have been more about political issues and less about personality.

This is an example of how identity politics will destroy those who participate! They eat their own!

 

[NorlinBlackBeauty]

...and I don't think you should be judged by something stupid you did or said decades ago. Everyone does stupid shit sooner or later, it shouldn't ruin your life.

Largely agree ... to a point. That "point" moves around too much these days.

 

[Jymbopalyse]

The colored painted face is non-news.

It's as bad as having him on camera calling someone a fag in the 80's. (He didn't, just an example)

Sure. Today you call someone a fag at work, and you can loose your job.
But in the 80's . . . it was just a common, derogatory adjective. Thrown around more commonly then the word 'jerk'.

Trudeau has done, and is still doing, a lot more actual worse things.

It makes me wonder if the Liberals aren't the one's throwing this stuff out there, trying to pollute the FACT POOL of actual fuck-tard things he is doing now.

 

[SWeAT hOg]

The colored painted face is non-news.

It's as bad as having him on camera calling someone a fag in the 80's. (He didn't, just an example)

Sure. Today you call someone a fag at work, and you can loose your job.
But in the 80's . . . it was just a common, derogatory adjective. Thrown around more commonly then the word 'jerk'.

Trudeau has done, and is still doing, a lot more actual worse things.

It makes me wonder if the Liberals aren't the one's throwing this stuff out there, trying to pollute the FACT POOL of actual fuck-tard things he is doing now.

Except it was 2001 and he was 29. What a twat.

 

[rockstar232007]

Depends on which direction it's being run?

 

[freebyrd 69]

It's kinda like not having a COA when you sell a guitar....all of a sudden, something that doesn't matter, matters. These days, with social media, camera's EVERYWHERE....c'mon. We have all done SOMETHING stupid in life at some point. It's just so much more easily documented now. Bottom line, it depends on the "thing" that was done. If a guy is standing and speaking at a Klan rally, that pretty much tells you the root of the character of that person. If someone is just young, dumb and wild and does something stupid, it shouldn't affect anything you do 20 years later in life.

 

[pnuggett]

Aladdin wasn't even that dark.
He looks more like Lil Aladdin Z