Category — Canadian Politics

A municipal judge in Montréal has determined that a man who yelled “Fuck you” at police officers during a confrontation cannot be punished for swearing at an officer.  While English Canadians would definitely get the book thrown at them (and possibly a beat down) if they did the same, in Québecois culture,

“while generally recognized as wrong, impolite and coarse, the words ‘fuck you’ do not at all constitute a blasphemy, since a blasphemy by definition invokes God or sacred things”.

This reminds me of my grade seven homeroom teacher, who was the first to explain this concept to me.  In Québec, while it might be rude to use sexual or excretory terms in polite conversation, it’s not really swearing, for the reason quoted above.  If you really want to offend a Québecois, start angrily spouting the names of things in the Catholic Church.  Câlice!  Tabernak!  Sacrament! Vierge! (apologies to any Québecois readers out there) These are the words that will get you stabbed on the mean streets of Montreal (or, more likely, in northern rural Québec).

Fine, the word fuck doesn’t carry the same weight in Québecois culture, I get that.  It still seems odd that a judge would let this slide.  Clearly, while the man wasn’t using the most culturally potent terms, the intent on his part was clear, and part of me thinks he should be punished appropriately.  If he was shouting the word in English, that means he clearly understood its meaning in the context of English usage, so how can it really be excused?  I don’t buy the judge’s explanation that to the defendant, the word ‘fuck’ is equivalent to the French word ‘phoque’ (a seal).

The Québecois love to complain that English culture is creeping in and diluting their distinct identity.  I suppose this judge’s decision is defined by that fact (just as it defines much of their worldview).  I think in a case like this, rather than try to protect the traditional definition of swearing, they should recognize that regardless of the language or cultural context, the word was used in a disrespectful manner towards a police officer, and punish it appropriately.  Unless of course the cop was being a prick, in which case il peut se faire enculer!

Source: The Globe and Mail

Americans go to the polls tomorrow to elect a new President, and I’m sure I’m not the only who feel it’s about effing time.  What really dumbfounds me is that there are still voters out there in the ‘undecided’ column.  This election has been getting nearly around-the-clock news coverage for months.  Anyone who still hasn’t heard all they need to know to make a decision is probably the type of person who has an anxiety attack when presented with a restaurant menu.

Bill Maher had a good point about this the other night, on the most recent episode of Realm Time: this has been the most exciting American election campaign in recent memory, so why the rush to get it over and done with?  I think most people would agree that it’s been very exciting indeed, but I have to point out that politicians are not here solely to entertain us.  They’re (ostensibly) here to get things done on our behalf.  While it’s perfectly alright for political junkies to get their jollies during the throes of an election campaign, that really should come secondary to the important work of politicians getting shit done.  I love all this talk about change, now let’s see some! 

At least, that’s what I’ve always thought.  When it comes to Americans, though, I have to admit I sometimes wonder.  They really seem to love spectacle for the sake of spectacle.  Just look at the rallies that have been going on over the closing weeks of the campaign.  Thousands of people, most of whom already know how they’re going to vote, show up to hear one candidate or another spew rhetoric (and sometimes bile) and drop the occasional hint about their policy plans.  The people at these rallies aren’t hearing anything new, at least they haven’t in the last few weeks.  While I have no doubt that these rally-goers believe in their respective candidates, it’s also clean that a lot of their wild euphoria comes down to basic tribalism.  This is MY candidate, and he’s going to wallop YOUR candidate! 

Rallies of this type don’t really happen in Canada.  The closest things that come to mind are political party conventions, and those are generally only attended by the most faithful, active, and important party members.  The crowd still cheers and waves banners, but it just doesn’t have the same atmosphere.  Maybe it’s just a matter of scale.

I hope tomorrow goes well for Barack Obama (and in case you hadn’t heard, it probably will).  While he won’t be the saviour some have made him out to be, he would undoubtedly be a transformative figure.  Bush has had the country borrowing from future generations for eight years; Obama will slow that trend, even if he can’t possibly turn it around comepletely.  Still, if he’s able to help bring unity and a sense of purpose to the electorate during his time in office, his biggest contribution could be a new attitude and understanding of America’s place in the world amongst the people.  This could be a larger boon to his successor than any direct results of his policies.  Getting the country out of the current hole they’ve dug themselves will take time.  Obama can’t fix the problem, but he can make a solid first step.