Blog Archives

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Rick Peterson

1/31/2017

Rick Peterson was nice enough to reply to
my inquiry over Facebook. It got me
thinking how much technology has really
allowed people to easily connect with their
political class. A mere 20 years ago an
exercise such as mine would have been
conducted primarily via phone, snail mail,
or in person meetings. So far, I have only
met one candidate in person and the others
were contacted via Facebook or email.

But enough of that. What are Mr. Peterson's views on the
monarchy?

"I support the monarchy."

I can't really say too much on this can I? Rick Peterson
supports the monarchy. I know brevity is a politician's friend
but sometimes I wish it were not. This only leaves the
question of what Mr. Peterson has said about the monarchy in
the past. This is where things get difficult. Mr. Peterson has
never held public office so the Hansard is of little use here. A
quick Google search didn't turn up anything either. Although,
as a private individual perhaps that is to be expected.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Abuse of Terms: "Monarchy is not Compatible with the 21st Century"

1/18/2017

Recently I saw a comment on the Monarchists Facebook
group that deserved a closer look:

Now, readers of this blog might remember that I dealt with a
similar set of arguments a few years back. I can't say I am
satisfied with the argument I made before so this is a bit of a
redo. Now on to the Facebook post itself.

My answer would depend a great deal on whether I deemed
the question to have been asked out of a genuine desire to
understand or if it was an attempt to shut down debate.

In either case I would first point out that appealing to the
current year, century, or era to attack a subject is a form of
Chronological Snobbery. As C.S. Lewis points out,

"In the first place he made short work of what I have called my "chronological
snobbery," the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate common to our own
age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that account
discredited. You must find why it went out of date. Was it ever refuted (and if so by
whom, where, and how conclusively) or did it merely die away as fashions do? If
the latter, this tells us nothing about its truth or falsehood. From seeing this, one
passes to the realization that our own age is also "a period," and certainly has, like
all periods, its own characteristic illusions. They are likeliest to lurk in those
widespread assumptions which are so ingrained in the age that no one dares to
attack or feels it necessary to defend them."

It is important to note that monarchy has never been refuted.
Starting 200 years ago monarchy has been abandoned as a
government form because of its relative unpopularity, not its
relative inferiority. And as modern research is starting to
show, perhaps this wholesale abandonment of monarchy was
a mistake.

I might in my reply be unable to resist a bit of snark. After all,
the 21st century has seen a rise in terrorist attacks, increased
state oppression & surveillance, prolonged voter apathy, the
worsening of partisan divides, and renewed civil strife & mass
displacement of peoples. At the risk of sounding like one of
those reactionary types I'd like to ask what is so good about
the 21st century? And this question needs to be asked because
in this instance the term '21st century' may be standing in for
a set of values the person has. And if it is you may actually be
able to have a decent discussion on the merits of monarchy
once the person starts looking seriously at what they believe
rather than the nearest calendar.

A related argument that is no less silly is the slogan often
formulated as 'Because its <insert current year>'. As above it
is not an argument but in this formulation it is often used to
justify doing something while the previous example is used to
justify not doing something. One reason I dislike 'Because its
<insert current year>' is that it is almost always a missed opportunity to explain your reasoning (hence why politicians
love it so much). However, it does lend itself to use by
monarchists, in certain circumstances, who want to start a
discussion:

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Andrew Saxton

1/11/2017

Andrew Saxton's campaign team has gotten
back to me. As I've said before I tend to
prefer direct replies but I take what I can
get sometimes. Mr. Saxton's reply is the
eighth I have received. Which incidently
means I am at the halfway point with about
two months left before the leadership vote.
Pretty good and better than previous
attempts at such surveys. Andrew Saxton's
campaign gave the following reply:

"Mr. Saxton does support our constitutional monarchy. Being Canada's 150
anniversary, we can look back on our history and see the benefits that our system
has brought to us. The monarchy in Canada is a deeply rooted tradition and one
that Mr. Saxton supports."

Much like Pierre Lemieux's reply Mr. Saxton's reply focuses
on on history and tradition. I do like that Mr. Saxton notes
that for the last 150 years Canada's constitutional monarchy
has worked well (trusting systems that are tried and true
being a classic conservative trait).

As with the other candidates I checked out what Mr. Saxton
has said about the monarchy in Parliament. And like several
other candidates there was nothing to be found.

I would like to thank Mr. Saxton's campaign for getting back
to me. I understand the candidates will be getting increasingly
busy as the leadership approaches and I appreciate the
candidates taking the time to get back to me.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Deepak Obhrai

1/4/2017

Well, it has been a bit of a wait but Mr.
Obhrai has gotten back to me with an
answer to my inquiry. I don't mind
waiting (especially if it leads to quality
responses) and I thank him for taking the
time to write back. Mr. Obhrai's response to
my question on the monarchy (and other
questions I had) was the most detailed by
far. So, what are Mr. Obhrai's views on the
monarchy?

"I was born and raised under colonial rule and when Tanzania became independent
they cut ties to the Monarchy. It gave them a great deal of self-pride. However in
Canada and my 20 years in Parliament, 10 of which were on the Foreign Affairs
portfolio, I have come to see Monarchy as a stabilizing factor in our country which
is a federation of different provinces. Why I say stabilizing factor is because of the
example of Australia, whose people voted to cut ties with the Monarchy but could
not agree on how to replace it. The debate in Canada would tear our country apart,
hence my support for stability."

Ok, there is a lot to unpack here. I can sort of understand Mr.
Obhrai's views vis-a-vis Tanzania. And arguably Tanzania has
managed reasonably well in spite of being a republic.

And while I can appreciate the sentiment that the monarchy
encourages stability, I don't know if linking it to being unable
to agree on an alternative is a strong reason. Especially when
there are so many better reasons to support monarchy.
It is also interesting to note the implication of his statement
that his time in Parliament made him appreciate the
monarchy more.

As with the other candidates I examined the Hansard to see
what Mr. Obhrai has said about the monarchy. Last year he
stood in the House to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday
(which now that I think about it has actually been somewhat
uncommon among the candidates). Going back further Mr.
Obhrai made the following comment in 1998:

"Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the minister of fisheries. First, this government
forgot Christmas and Easter on the heritage calendar. Now we have been
harpooned. This government has announced that the Prince of “Whales” is coming
to town. Is there something this minister should be telling us about Moby Dick? Is
this some secret code name for a plan to finally stop U.S. overfishing off the west
coast?"

More recently Mr. Obhrai defended the Crown's honour when
a bill was brought before Parliament attempting to blame it
for the Deportation of the Acadians.

Overall, I'd say Mr. Obhrai is someone slowly moving towards
a greater appreciation of Canada's monarchy.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Rick Peterson

Abuse of Terms: "Monarchy is not Compatible with the 21st Century"

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Andrew Saxton

Conservative Leadership Candidates and the Monarchy: Deepak Obhrai

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