Canada gets a black head of state before the US

[Hatman 🍁]

She has what power?

Technically, she has a lot of power, but if she were to use it, she would be out. What she can do, is make decisions about who the Prime Minister should be if ever there is some problem in that department, like after an election, and it's not clear who the winner is or something like that.

So none.

No, a little.

So basically, the only thing she can do is if on the off chance you can't figure out who won the election, she gets to decide.  This is likely to happen how many times during her term?  And how much does she get paid for this?

Well, with the current situation in Canada, the chances are indeed quite high, you see we have a minority government on our hands.

Weren't you just bragging about how you got a minority head of state?  Seems you caused your own problem there.

Minority government = Not enough seats in the legislature to make a majority

Minority (person) = someone who is ethnically speaking, is not in the majority

See Gabu's response.

Great pun

It does have a point though.  Who cares what her skin color is?  I don't.  The only time the word minority should be used in government is in the way you used it.

I dont think she was appointed because she was black. She speaks 5 languages, for example- which does help for someone in her new poisition.

[Jake]

How? She was a reporter from what I can see. Canada can't find a General, probably not now that I think of it, or a senior diplomat?

[KEmperor]

The point is, you didn't title this thread "Canada gets a new head of state that speaks five languages."  That would be impressive and something to brag about. 

You titled it "Canada gets a black head of state before the US."  Obviously you are bragging because of her race, not her credentials.

[Max Power]

Wow, Canada, you've beat us again. And she's attractive, I might add.

[WMS]

Canada's new Governor General:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/governorgeneral/michaelle_jean.html

Don't be too quick to gloat. Who has more power and influence, Condoleeza Rice or Michaelle Jear?

[Hatman 🍁]

The point is, you didn't title this thread "Canada gets a new head of state that speaks five languages."  That would be impressive and something to brag about. 

You titled it "Canada gets a black head of state before the US."  Obviously you are bragging because of her race, not her credentials.

If I titled it "Canada gets a new head of state that speaks five languages." then I doubt anyone would have even replied by now. You should note, that the headlines so far have not mentioned her blackness.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

The current Governor General is also an Asian female so Canada got that before the US too, of course it's not too difficult to find some token minority to put in an appointed position with no real power for bragging value.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Don't you mean stand-in ceremonial head of state?

[Max Power]

Don't you mean stand-in ceremonial head of state?

Shhhh!!!!

[Ebowed]

Damn she is hot for 48! 

Uhhhh no she isn't.

[KillerPollo]

The current Governor General is also an Asian female

I hope this happens in Mexico too... that'd be AWESOME.

[DanielX]

Well... if anyone is disappointed, you can always vote for Condi Rice in '08.

Rice/Bolton '08!

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

Rice has never held an elected position, she's got no chance. Last President who did not hold an elected position: Eisenhower. Condi doesn't even come close.

[Blue Rectangle]

So exactly how much say do the people of Canada have in the choice of their governor?

Isn't it ironic that the Queen's deputy is so pro-Quebec?  Or is this just meaningless appeasement?

[AuH2O]

She has a good shot at VP for certain potential GOP candidates (Governors in particular).

[Joe Republic]

It may not be an exactly powerful position, but a journalist and documentary-maker are hardly the credentials of a figurehead of state.

[AuH2O]

Canada is a stupid country completely enslaved to political correctness. I'm just surprised they didn't pick a crack whore for the job.

[KillerPollo]

Canada is a stupid country completely enslaved to political correctness. I'm just surprised they didn't pick a crack whore for the job.

LOL

[Hatman 🍁]

It may not be an exactly powerful position, but a journalist and documentary-maker are hardly the credentials of a figurehead of state.

Our current GG is a former journalist too, and she is doing a pretty good job (aside from over spending).

Canada is a stupid country completely enslaved to political correctness. I'm just surprised they didn't pick a crack whore for the job.

Try and find a crack whore who can speak five languages.

[AuH2O]

If it was a language contest, I'm sure they could have topped 5.

[Hatman 🍁]

If it was a language contest, I'm sure they could have topped 5.

Obviously it isn't, but it certainly makes her qualified for the post.

[Richard]

She has what power?

To fire the government and struck down bills ascending into laws.

[Emsworth]

She has what power?

To fire the government and struck down bills ascending into laws.

... neither of which would be used in anything but the most extraordinary circumstances. I cannot recall any instance of the Governor-General in any realm removing the Prime Minister unilaterally, except Sir John Kerr's dismissal of Gough Whitlam in Australia in the 1970s.

As to the Royal Assent: I think the only modern instance of it being denied was in 1937, when Aberhart's Albertan provincial legislation was vetoed by the Lt. Governor.

[Hatman 🍁]

She has what power?

To fire the government and struck down bills ascending into laws.

... neither of which would be used in anything but the most extraordinary circumstances. I cannot recall any instance of the Governor-General in any realm removing the Prime Minister unilaterally, except Sir John Kerr's dismissal of Gough Whitlam in Australia in the 1970s.

As to the Royal Assent: I think the only modern instance of it being denied was in 1937, when Aberhart's Albertan provincial legislation was vetoed by the Lt. Governor.

Don't forget the King-Byng affair.

[Emsworth]

She has what power?

To fire the government and struck down bills ascending into laws.

... neither of which would be used in anything but the most extraordinary circumstances. I cannot recall any instance of the Governor-General in any realm removing the Prime Minister unilaterally, except Sir John Kerr's dismissal of Gough Whitlam in Australia in the 1970s.

Don't forget the King-Byng affair.

I hadn't fogotten: to be technical, I suppose, King was not dismissed, but resigned.