Well it seems I have jumped right into the deep-end on this Easter weekend's political obsession about who should be the next Governor-General. This little game of fantasy politics appears to have overtaken other distractions. Helena who?
Personally, I have no problems with the current occupant of Rideau Hall. Her seal-eating escapade last year remains a high-point for me of her tenure. She got down and dirty to bring attention to important way of life for many Canadians.
Norman Spector does point out that previous Governors-General have not been bilingual. Fair enough. But I think whoever the next GG turns out to be, he or she needs to be able to communicate as best as possible in Canada's two official languages - and any ability to speak to Canadians in the variety of other dialects that are gaining prominence in this country is also welcome. The more languages you can operate in, the more people you can reach.
Having spent Easter in Newfoundland, and being imbued with more patriotic pride than ever, I think one of our people should get the nod for the job. It is a post no one from my province has held. Newfoundlanders are never short of colour, enthusiasm, intelligence, energy, a great appreciation of parliamentary democracy and - after 60 years as part of Canada - have served a sufficient apprenticeship. We even have bilingual and multilingual citizens. And here I do not mean an ability to curse in multiple streams.
Rick Hillier, who led the Canadian Forces, is the top of everyone's list these days for everything. Why not put him on this one (though he might find it too confining)?. If you are looking younger but no less able there is Canada's current ambassador to Afghanistan, Bill Crosbie. But maybe the country can only handle one vice-regal Crosbie at a time.
Too bad CBC employment isn't likely to be a prerequiste for the next Queen's representative in Canada, otherwise Rick Mercer and Rex Murphy could have a shot. Between the two of them I am sure some French could be spoken. Rick, despite being an equal-opportunity disturber, still prefers to whack Tories as opposed to work with them. Rex was once a Tory candidate, so that partisan streak could also soil him.
Looking for a capable women from the East? How about Moya Greene? She's another Newfoundlander who runs Canada Post - you can't get more Canadian than that.
Hockey players? We have plenty of them, including Stanley Cup winner and Detroit Red Wing Dan Cleary, Ryan Clowe in San Jose and Michael Ryder in Boston. Those are good main-street boys.
Canadian acting icon and Newfoundland-born Gordon Pinsent is another figure of national stature. Unfortunately he hasn't always been the biggest fan of the current government, but we are an adaptable people when called to serve for the greater good.
Anyway you get the point. We haven't had a GG from Newfoundland and now is a good a time as any. With no Tory seats in Newfoundland this would also be an important gesture to the province.
Fantasy politics just enough to kill a plane-ride back to Ottawa, the city of distracting delusions.