Thursday, April 17, 2008

Karen asked an interesting question


KarenS asked if anyone outside of Britain knew the British PM. I must confess I failed miserably. But it got me thinking. Living right next to the US, I probably know about as much about US politics as Americans do. But I'm wondering - do they know about Canadian politics?
Just as Karen asked who knows the name of the British PM, I'm asking those outside of Canada, who knows the Canadian Prime Minister?

20 comments:

sula said...

oooh, pick me pick me!

Is it Steven Harper?

:D

I got a kick out of listening to the newscast in Quebecois French and hearing them pronounce the H. Very odd when hearing someone speak French. heh.

Rosario said...

I'm ashamed to say I don't. No idea. The only name that comes to mind is Jean Chrétien, but that's from a few years ago, right?

I can name all the South American presidents, though. Does that count for anything?

Anonymous said...

LOL. I don't. Mind you, I once met someone who didn't know where Canada was, which I think is an even greater achievement.

I'm not sure I know many Prime Ministers at all - Berlusconi in Italy, because that's been in the news recently, and Putin in Russia - but that's about the height of it. I suppose when a country has a President as well, you're more likely to know that - but I'm feeling very guilty about Australia and N. Zealand (that's a woman, isn't it?).

Slightly shockingly, I realise I've been so absorbed in other things this week, that I've no idea about Ireland, despite actually living here.
I know both Ian Paisley in the North, and Bertie Ahern in the South have resigned, but I don't know if they've actually left office yet...

Do I get a prize for most clueless?

Anonymous said...

And I could have signed that.

Absolutely most clueless.

Marianne McA

nath said...

Tony Blair comes to mind, but I'm pretty sure he just stepped down not long ago, right? Of course, I know who our PM is... although when I read your post, for some reason, I thought Paul Martin LOL :) however, I have no idea who are the PM of the other provinces...

Anonymous said...

Chretien was the first name on my lips, but I knew that wasn't right, that there'd been at least one election since he was PM. Hanson? Harper? Harper, that's it.

I know a smattering of the South American presidents, Mexico, some of Europe, some of Africa, etc. Most of the time American news is very...insular, in terms of political coverage.

*is a bad neighbor*

KT Grant said...

I feel so ashamed.
*walks away with head down*

LorelieLong said...

Not a clue. Could tell you the Italian, since I lived there last, and of course the US but you didn't ask about them. . .

Carrie Lofty said...

Stephen Harper. And Gordon Brown is the new PM in Britain :)

Carolyn Crane said...

SHIT! I am officially an ignorant American!

Please, in my defense, though, let me explain that I used to know this sort of thing, but I have become so depressed by the news (mostly because of us ignorant Americans) that I officially don't listen to it anymore.

lisabea said...

Huh. I thought it was Avril Levigne. No?


I'm with CJ. My nose is firmly in a book. But G could tell you ALL of it. He's a news addict.

little alys said...

Something Harper for Canada and Gordon Something for Britian. I'll admit, I like keeping up with the news but I'm terrible with names, places and dates. >_<

~Alice

Anonymous said...

Wait... Canada has a PM? *kidding*
But no, alas, I don't know his name. Do I get points for knowing what continent Canada is on?

No? Ok. Sorry.

Sarai said...

Yeah so I don't have a clue! Have to admit I stopped listening to the news or even caring about it for a while.
Wow for a history major and someone who use to teach politics you would think...

~ames~ said...

Ugh, I had no idea either. And I like to pride myself on world affairs. I guess I've been lax in my current events. :(

Marg said...

Wouldn't not have a clue! I know who some of your old ones are though.

Then again, I'm pretty sure no one knows who the Aussie PM is either!

I do know who the British PM is though.

CindyS said...

The first name that came to mind for Britain was Brown but I don't know for sure.

I'm Canadian and I don't know who our Prime Minister is.

Bad Cindy.

I also refuse to read newspapers because I get too mad.

cindyS

Kristie (J) said...

For all those who guessed Steven Harper - yep, you're right.
And I have to say, after the years and years of abuse of power by the Liberal government when they were finally ousted, I was hopeful that a better smell would be forthcoming from the political machine in Canada. Alas it was not to be.
Steven Harper is proving to be quite the tyrant and is doing Very Many disquieting things.
For the first time in my life I'm TOTALLY disillusioned by the political climate here.
True - we have it so much better than many many places on earth, but I still shake my head sadly at the corruption in this country.

Rowena said...

The only Pime Minister in England that I remember is Tony Blair. As for Canada, I don't think I ever knew that.

Karen Scott said...

I knew his Christian name was Steven, but I have to say I couldn't remember his last name. Canadian politics isn't often flagged up round these parts, unfortunately.