Dryden Steps Up...Wow

[MrPrax]

Well I am impressed...if not Kennedy...then Dryden? (both are hockey players...beauty!)

The voice that's missing

In recent years, we have asked ourselves what Canada's role should be in the world. Economically, environmentally, in matters of security or pandemic, whether we like it or not, we are now all global citizens. Nothing now is not imaginably part of our life. And as citizens, we want and need to do something. But really something; something that matters.
....

We can help. In international conferences I've attended, I've been surprised at how important Canada was in explaining the rest of the world to the U.S., and the U.S. to the rest of the world. Seen by other nations and by the U.S. as most like them, others often hear through us what had been said before and not heard. But we can't help if we play a mini-U.S., Mini-Me role.

The individual actions of the Conservative government are troubling; collectively they are disturbing. The sudden extension, without real debate, of our mission in Afghanistan; the softwood lumber deal; Prime Minister Stephen Harper's governing style; the rhetoric; "God Bless (delete "America," insert Canada" — ugh!) at the end of some of Harper's speeches; and (double ugh!) "Steve." There is an attitude and an approach on display here that, as a Canadian, makes my stomach turn. But, more than that, it gets in the way of Canada playing a role in the world that is critical and that no one can play better. And it keeps the U.S. from hearing the voice that's missing
....

"When the going gets tough . . ." Canada doesn't "cut and run" and leadership is "standing firm" rhetoric is a comfortable ideological or academic box where you are forever right and you never have to open your eyes again. Except life isn't like that. Leadership is having the courage to have your eyes always wide open, to change and go a different way if a different way is better.

Ken Dryden, MP for York Centre, is running for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada
TorStar

Wow...good read. Looks like the Liberals might be on to a humdinger of a leadership campaign...

Your a scholar and a saint, and you understand Canada, the US and foreign affairs pretty well (and a heck of a goaltender)

Does anyone think Iggy would ever view Canada-US relations like this? Not likely...

[Spazito]

1. My first choice for leader of the Libs if I had a say, which I don't,

has always been Dryden. Thanks to DUers, I also am very impressed with Kennedy. I think either would serve Canada well, in opposition or in government.

[daleo]

3. Kennedy or Dryden, I agree

You don't hear much about them in the press. That's not surprising, as the vast majority of the press is shilling for Harper. They don't want to mention these two, as they would be Harper's greatest nightmares if they were elected to the Liberal leadership.

[ClusterFreak]

2. Finally, a sane voice in the wilderness.

Dryden would do this country proud as PM.

[Canuck55]

4. Class act.

His signature issue is education, which almost automatically gives him 97% of my support. I'm as hockey junkie as anyone up here, but i just see it being used against him, ie: 'he is an ex-NHL goalie, you want this for leader of the Libs and/or future PM?'

[MrPrax]

5. I hope not

Because I will admit I held that against him.

But I have heard him on the radio a couple of times and then reading this gives some idea where his head is at as far as foreign issue policies. His wikipedia entry.

He is not bad...and when I rethink it, which I hope most will do, that have that bias, is that he hasn't been a hockey player for awhile, so why hold that against him still. Unless he was an active Tory -- it shouldn't matter.

It's just the jock thing usually ends up bad....

LIKE:

[Canuck55]

6. There would be no substance to the claim...

...but when is the last time that stopped someone in politics from using something like that.

Sports analogies seem stupid when put into world political terms, but for a pro athlete its their only focus when the game is on, so mentally i think its a good equivalent. He had shown countless times that he was cool as could be, even approaching robotic at times, in major pressure situations. He is firmly left, but his celebrity probably gives him more across the board appeal than anyone in the House.

I fully support his bid for the leadership.

[MrPrax]

7. Agreed it shouldn't...

but I WAS speaking to the larger question that professional sports in general tends to cut a swath through the experience category in these people's CVs, who put forward their credentials for public office.

Their contribution to the community, like celebrities, is to entertain it, not produce a body of working experience that might be used to judge their actions when given a mandate.

My second objection GENERALLY is the fact that certain TYPES, namely strong alpha males types, tend to see professional sports as a legitimate vehicle to one's life's goals and success. That is very limited and elite by definition. To reach that level in employee classifcation in a very narrow exclusive, in most times, privately owned segment of the entertainment industry is a little shallow. It's speaks to a certain set of values I don't normally support in a democratic society.

Barkley might be a rebounder and SURE it shouldn't be held against him, if he decides to run for Govenor of *forget* state, but it doesn't help him either...but did take up a lot of his, as you say, FOCUS.

In Dryden case...he was drafted in 1964, but decided to stay and finish his college degree and play amateur, and then when late into the NHL. That to me speaks to a good side in his character -- that is practical, realistic thinking that shows that he, even then, had a good grounding a values system that I support.

And...it's anit half bad to have arguably the greatest goaltender in hockey history as a sideline to being the Prime Minister of Canada either...but if he turns out to be a dickhead as Prime Minister, I do reserve the right to use his hockey career against him.

Let's not get TOO cosy on this non-parisan exchange...he's still a Liberal.

[Jazz2006]

9. While it is true that the "jock thing" usually turns out bad, Dryden

is no dummy.

He is very well educated, has a law degree (although I don't know if he ever actually practiced law), and I would think that these (and other) aspects of his background will be made widely known for precisely the purpose of staving off the "jock thing" which could leave him looking one dimensional.

[LeftistGorilla]

8. Ken is....

my local MP...


We're really proud of him and he would be a great PM!