quote:

Originally posted by malek For a french speaker, this question doesn't make sense because it has past and present tences in the same sentence. I'm wondering why no one is making any fuss about M. Baird or most CPC ministers ability to answer in French.

Malek, it makes no sense to an English speaker either. Tenses should not be mixed.

Regarding why no one makes a fuss about CPC ministers (to be truthful, most opposition critics too) not being able to answer in French... because politicians and media are usually civil enough as to not jump all over someone for having minor difficulties with their second language. The difference here is that this is a close, heated, election and the CPC are getting desperate. Harper probably more so then the party... he must know that his time as leader is up if he doesn't form the government; hell, it's probably just about up because he blew the majority.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

quote:

Originally posted by Moral Hazard Painful to watch... sure, that's a good criteria upon which to base a vote. Strange that someone who presents herself as highly intelligent (and I don't doubt that you are) would be so influenced by something so superficial. I would never presume to tell someone how to vote; however, I really do hope you have better reasons for your decision.

If you think I base my vote on this interview then I think you are the one who needs to think a little harder.

I don't like Dion's policies, and I like conservative policies (the fiscal ones, primarily). The fact that Dion is such a piss poor communicator is just icing on the cake.

quote:

Originally posted by malek I'm wondering why no one is making any fuss about M. Baird or most CPC ministers ability to answer in French.

because French is not the language of international relations, probably.

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper If you think I base my vote on this interview then I think you are the one who needs to think a little harder. I don't like Dion's policies, and I like conservative policies (the fiscal ones, primarily). The fact that Dion is such a piss poor communicator is just icing on the cake.

Fair enough... I've just seen an inordinate amount of attention being paid by you to Dion's communication skills, which is something I would expect from someone with a lower level of understanding then I've always believed you had... so I was/am surprised. I just figured if you had a more substantial basis for your position you would focus on issues of substance rather then superficial matters.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

Malak, I changed my mind... it seems more likely that people don't make a big deal out of ministers bungling French due to a pro-English bias.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper because French is not the language of international relations, probably.

what does it matter in the canadian parlimant? bi-national, bi-lingual parlimant??

You are mixing things up here.

I wonder how most european countries (and the rest) are doing to manage their international relations

___________________
[/IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/ngycqo.png[/IMG]

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper It's not the most ideal way to ask the question, but in order to be addressing the financial crisis today, the PM would have had to HAVE DONE various things before the present time. Interviewer was asking what those things were. I understand asking for clarification, but he asks THREE times. And after each time, continues to answer the question despite clearly not understanding what he was being asked. Why not spend a little more time understanding the question before you start providing an answer? The liberal aide understood the question, didn't she? Dion is absolutely painful to watch. Moreso than Palin. If these two get elected I'm throwing myself in front of a train.

I'm kind of stunned that you dislike Dion *so* much because of this...as if a PM ever has to make important decisions "on the fly" without the opportunity for clarity and discussion. Isn't that a bit of a ridiculous standard to hold?

He asked for clarification three times because the impatient idiot of an interviewer *repeatedly* didn't answer Dion's request for a further context.

'If you were PM, what would you do differently, that Mr. Harper has not done'

Do differently if he had been elected today, had been elected in the last election...?

The interviewer needed to qualify his question by providing for WHEN Dion would have become PM.

And DION is being accused of not understanding English?

wow, lol.

If anything, it should reflect poorly on the lack of clarity by the impatient interviewer. Dion was flustered because this jackass couldn't understand Dion's request for context.

quote:

Originally posted by malek what does it matter in the canadian parlimant? bi-national, bi-lingual parlimant?? You are mixing things up here. I wonder how most european countries (and the rest) are doing to manage their international relations

Our PM does not sit in parliament all day. He goes to other countries! *surprise face*

Listen to any of the G8 leaders speak english - first language or not, they're pretty good.

and Hazard, I personally think communication skills is of utmost importance. It's not just that it's irritating, it's that it diminishes his presence as a leader IMO.

quote:

Originally posted by malek what does it matter in the canadian parlimant? bi-national, bi-lingual parlimant?? You are mixing things up here. I wonder how most european countries (and the rest) are doing to manage their international relations

the "language of international relations" argument is just hogwash made up to try and lend legitimacy to a pro-English (or perhaps) anti-French bias.

International groups official languages
UN - English, French, Arabic, Russian, Chinese, and Spanish
IMF - English, French, Spanish, Arabic, German, Russian, and Chinese
International Criminal Court - English and French
International Olympic Committee - English and French
Organization for International Co-operation and development - English and French
World Trade Organization - English and French
NATO - English and French

Really, the only international groups of substance that Canada is involved in that do not use French as an official language are APEC and The Commonwealth. That said, we're also part of La Francophonie... which I'm going to presume does not do business in English.

___________________

quote:

Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

quote:

Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

quote:

Originally posted by Skipper Our PM does not sit in parliament all day. He goes to other countries! *surprise face*

no way!

quote:

Listen to any of the G8 leaders speak english - first language or not, they're pretty good.

Japan at G8 talking in english



Italian PM speaking English



French PM speaking immaculate English


Russian president (at 1:30) speaking english

___________________
[/IMG]http://i54.tinypic.com/ngycqo.png[/IMG]

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT He asked for clarification three times because the impatient idiot of an interviewer *repeatedly* didn't answer Dion's request for a further context.

Then why not ask a few times before you start to answer the question? Why on earth did he begin to answer the question several times without knowing what he was being asked? if the interviewer gave him an insufficient response, then stop and demand proper clarification before you begin responding.

Honestly if you were interviewing for a job, would you start answering a question, then stop and ask for clarficiation, then start answering again and then stop again because you didn't make sure you understood it when you asked for clarification? Show a little bit of assertiveness and make sure you get the right info before you proceed.