Practice makes perfect

I don't practice enough myself .... go ahead and drop him an email. He'll tell you. But even if I were one of those people who only find themselves in a place of worship for weddings and funerals I don't think I'd forgo the bible. From the National Post, (subscriber only - try the google thing.)

Michaelle Jean, the governor-general-designate, has chosen not to swear an oath on a Bible during her installation ceremony on Tuesday and will instead pronounce a solemn affirmation, her press secretary has confirmed. "She's not going to swear on the Bible because she is not practicing herself, so it would show a lack of respect to the people who have faith," Catherine Gagnaire said. Officials in the Canadian Heritage Department could not confirm whether Ms. Jean will be the first Governor-General ever to be installed without a Bible. "The corporate memory we have, which is about 25 years, points in the direction that this would be the first time in the past 25 years," said a department spokesman.

Did you notice girls that I've stayed out of the Governor General Jean discussion/debate? Nor have I ever dogged the outgoing Adrienne Clarkson either that I can remember. I don't believe the office is purely symbolic and was disappointed that the appointment appeared to have more to with Paul Martin's vision of Canada than the roll and duties of a Governor General in a parliamentary democracy. That vision including, of course, that Martin continue to be Prime Minister.

I didn't think it fair for the new GG to be labeled, rightly or wrongly, as a pawn for two reasons. One, the position is an honourable one and should be treated as such. But mostly, I was ready to wish the girl well and see what she could do with the position now that she had it. I was hoping for the best.

.... I still wish her well.

But, faith aside, she sure isn't showing too many smarts. She's taking hits from every corner and in a parliamentary system based on tradition you'd think she be trying very hard to uphold those traditions. At least for now. From the National Post and Jean's imprint on the swearing in:

During a ceremony rich in history and pageantry, the 48-year-old journalist is expected to articulate a passionate attachment to her adopted country in hopes, among other things, of putting to rest once and for all any lingering suspicions about her alleged sovereigntists sympathies.

From the same story:

Officials say Jean had a hand in everything from picking the performing artists for the morning swearing-in ceremony on Parliament Hill to agreeing to allow outgoing Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband John Ralston Saul to join other guests in the Senate chamber for the ritual transfer of power.

I'd really like to say she's making an imprint. But today she's looking like her own worst enemy and tomorrow we'll see how many "people of faith" think she was being respectful. You know what brutal honesty gets you ..... hurt.


Update: oops spoke too soon about her worst enemy

The Prime Minister's Office has insisted that incoming Governor General Michaëlle Jean nix plans to hold an intimate affair at Rideau Hall tonight following her installation, and instead is throwing a giant dinner party, a Rideau Hall source said.

The dinner will be in the basement ballroom of Lansdowne Park, Ottawa's football stadium.

"Everyone, including Michaëlle Jean, thinks it's ridiculous," the source said. "She has, and we have now, quietly resigned ourselves to the fact that the PMO wants to make what they think is a big deal out of this dinner".

Paul Wells comments on the performing artists.
Hat tip to Darcy who has more to say about faith then I do