From a colleague at our Maclean’s Toronto headquarters:
“[Another colleague] just called from her place in the flu line at Metro Hall. Eight
over from her is Dalton McGuinty. Also waiting.
“No press, no aides, just one guy who looks like security.
“She thought someone ought to know.”
Contrary to popular belief, the ceremonial lighting of the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremonies is, in fact, a decidedly modern affair. The culmination of the torch relay in a grandiose display at the Opening Ceremonies is a relic of the 1936 Berlin Games—just one of many attempts by the Nazi regime to lend a mythical air to the Games. Still, despite its dubious history, the lighting of the cauldron has evolved into one of the most spectacular and ostentatious displays at the Games. And the secretiveness that surrounds the lead-up to the ceremony only lends to the hype.
When it comes to the 2010 Games, the speculation about who will be selected to light the cauldron has coalesced around whether VANOC will go the traditional route and opt for a former Olympian or take the road less-travelled and pick someone from outside the sports world. Facebook groups have popped up promoting everyone from Terry Fox’s mother, Betty, to former Vancouver Canucks captain Trevor Linden. So far, Vancouver’s Olympic organizers have kept a tight lid on who the potential candidates might be. We’ve assembled a list of the names making the rounds, but feel free to add your own in the poll or in the comments below.
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Kind of makes you proud of Canada, you know?
That Dalton McGuinty is categorized by Wells as a "celebrity"? Not really.
I wonder if it was McGuinty or his handlers who realized an imperious-premier story was not at all needed after the past few months of Lib misrule.
A. Good for him in setting an example.
B. Politicians are representatives of the people. As soon as they lose sight of that and think they should be treated any differently, they lose their moral authority. Unfortunately, it usually only takes about 20 days in Queens Park or the Hill.
Way to go Dalton .. and kudos to the media usually good stuff never makes it = no drama
Yes some politicians actually mingle with the Hoi Polloi. It is good to see.
Now for the not so serious comments
1) What? He doesnt have a family doctor, why is he taking up a place in public line up causing some mother and her kid to wait another 15 minutes….the nerve
2) I guess this means there is no shortage.
"I know I got the vaccine weeks ago. But I bet if I go stand quietly in line over there
someone will not-so-quietly notice. I love other people's tweets."
you should work in communications for a poltician as it is dowright machiaveliian – see if you can send a resume to Peter Donolo!
Years of living in the MacKay pocket borough.
What a bunch of cynics. I just think this says something positive about public security in Canada.
Mea culpa. Fortunately I know a lot – a lot – of people who aren't cynical and they
save me from myself at times.
No press is the real highlight.
I briefly met Dalton McGuinty and chatted with him for a few minutes at a charity fundraising event. He was polite, warm, and genuine. Without going into his policies, I can honestly say that him standing in line like everyone else shouldn't be suprising. He truly believes in what he is doing and acts with good intentions – it doesn't give him a free pass, and it doesn't mean that we have to automatically agree with the decisions he makes for Ontario, but it does mean he should get more respect than appears to be out there.
I agree. He's probably one of the most underrated politicians in Canada right now. You should seem him in Question Period under fire on eHealth and the HST. He's completely calm. Premier Dad.
He's also one of the few politicians to bother issuing mea culpas – not always, but actually does do it from time to time.
Just saw video of this on Dalton's facebook page. http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Dalton-M...
No press, no aides, just one guy who looks like security.
Well, there goes that narrative.
[Gotta protect those colleagues...]
Whether it was staged or not, McGuinty's a smart guy.
Set a good example: wait in line, get the shot. Encourage good behavior, and demonstrate humility.