leonardcohenforum.com

imaginary friend wrote:Huh! I hope Preston Manning's name is there for a joke!

imaginary friend wrote: Hey Darling,
whenever I see your name as the last post on a thread, I always remember the story about how you chose it...

lizzytysh wrote:I always think of that, too, Sheila and Darling .

Leonard Cohen for Governor General of Canada

Leonard Cohen for Governor General

Mr. Prime Minister;

I am but a young buck, writing my life away, in the shadow of giants. None greater than Mr. Leonard Cohen and it is with this in mind that I humbly beseech you to reward this great Canadian for his efforts to advance the spirit of Canadians for over five decades.

Cohen has stood as a giant, a true Canadian patriot, who sits quietly at the edge of the bar at closing time and reminisces about the times that were just around the corner. One of the only men on the planet that can use the phrase; “Where’s the beef,” to invoke a mysterious passion that seems just out of reach.

Cohen is sentimental about democracy. As he says; “he loves the country but can’t stand the scene.” Clearly this is a man that time “can not decay.” I wonder Mr. Prime Minister, who could you choose, some lackey, a political hack as a patronage appointment.

Mr. Prime Minster, it is “real but it ain’t exactly there,” what’s more is; “Everybody knows that the dice are loaded, everybody rolls with their fingers crossed.” As a young man from Toronto, who has lived in Montreal, I can tell you, there is none finer, than Mr. Leonard Cohen.

Canada has numerous challenges that faces it at present and I can hardly think of a better man, woman or child to be the Head of State then a man who recognizes that every body wants chocolates and roses. While at the same time holding dear the chord that David played; “Hallelujah.” If he pleases the Lord, shouldn’t he please you?

On behalf of all thinking Canadians, I beseech you, I entreat you, I beg you, to reward this man for his great spirit that can elevate the Canadian spirit and give the world a sign, that arts matter, songs matter and poetry matters. In short, he says it himself Mr. Prime Minister; “If you want a lover I’ll do anything you ask me to, if you want another kind of love well this old mans for you”… because he is “Your Man.”

Sender D. MacLean

On behalf of all thinking Canadians, I beseech you, I entreat you, I beg you, to reward this man for his great spirit that can elevate the Canadian spirit and give the world a sign, that arts matter, songs matter and poetry matters. In short, he says it himself Mr. Prime Minister; “If you want a lover I’ll do anything you ask me to, if you want another kind of love well this old mans for you”… because he is “Your Man.”

Sender D. MacLean

On behalf of all thinking Canadians, I beseech you, I entreat you, I beg you, to reward this man for his great spirit that can elevate the Canadian spirit and give the world a sign, that arts matter, songs matter and poetry matters.

Jeff Rybak wrote:

This group exists to promote the idea that Leonard Cohen would make an ideal choice to be Governor General of Canada. He is respected and even revered both internationally and domestically. He is fluently bilingual and is gladly claimed by both French and English Canada. He loves our nation in the quiet way only true Canadians understand. He is spiritual and morally centered without pushing his faith on anyone else.

Is this realistic? Likely not. Mr. Cohen is probably too wise to accept the job even if it were offered to him. But endorsing Leonard Cohen as a candidate still sends a message about who we want to represent our nation as Governor General. Not a cynical choice. Not a politically expedient choice. But a choice that reflects our true pride as Canadians in who and what we are. A nation not afraid to be led by a poet.

Let's send a message to Mr. Harper that ordinary Canadians do care who leads our nation, even in a largely ceremonial role. And we've been reminded lately that our Governor General is still very much more than a figurehead, under the right circumstances. This may not be an election but it can certainly be a public issue. If we're to have a new Governor General, it should be the one that we want, and not the one that's foisted off on us.