Photos with a Politician: Another Reason I'm Proud to Be a Canadian
@Ruby3881 (1963)
Canada
May 28, 2017 2:04pm CST
Would you stand for a photo with a politician? It's an interesting question, especially if that politician is someone you don't particularly like.
I just read a story about how a group of 100 New Jersey 8th graders refused to pose for a photo with Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. (NJ Burkett, "Half of 8th grade class from New Jersey refuses to pose with Speaker Ryan") One of the youths is quoted as saying he didn't want to be associated with the politician, and he felt posing for the photo would do just that.
I can understand.
I must also say that I'm glad I live in Canada. In this country, there's a standing joke about how Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is always photobombing someone or other. But the truth is, he often gets invited to pose for photos with people he meets when he's out and about. Even if they don't agree with his politics, young Canadians especially are pleased to meet the PM and to take a photo with him.
After a recent encounter between some young prom goers and Trudeau, the graduates were asked how they felt about meeting the PM unexpectedly. Several said they were very pleased to meet him. One said posing for the photo was something he'd remember for the rest of his life.
We heard similar sentiments when young people reacted to the death of them-NDP leader Jack Layton a few years ago, Even young people who disagreed strongly with the New Democrat platform respected Layton. So many expressed respect for Jack, as he was known to Canadians. People thought he was a true statesman and were saddened by his death, regardless of their political stripes.
That's part of what makes Canada a great place to live. We can respect and admire our politicians, even if we don't agree with their policies. And we've had a few really outstanding politicians like Layton and Trudeau (Jr) who have worked hard to put the public first and partisan politics second. I can't say that of our neighbours to the south, sadly...
Image: Flickr user GoToVan, CC BY 2.0
To see the photobomb of Trudeau hogging by the promgoers, check out this link. If you scroll through the comments, you can also see the photo of him with the young people:
7 people like this
6 responses
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
29 May 17
Yes, Trudeau and Macron did seem to forge a friendship very quickly. I see that CNN is calling it a "political bromance" and there were jokes about a wedding photo shoot. But it's good if they can talk as two men first, and then as two world leaders.
Macron was obviously uncomfortable with Trump, and with good reason. Trump takes up too much space. He makes it almost impossible not only to like him but also to take him seriously. He may be making friends in Russia or Saudi Arabia. But Trump will have trouble getting along with Western politicians if he can't learn some diplomacy and basic social skills.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168420)
• Boise, Idaho
28 May 17
That is good that you can do that.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (168420)
• Boise, Idaho
29 May 17
@Ruby3881 ......I have know of our president for many years. He was a sticker in the media for a long time before he ran for president. I just dislike him as a person and he isn't making it easy at all to even respect him as a president.
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
29 May 17
@celticeagle I can't say I've ever had much respect for Trump. I honestly thought it was a joke when I first heard that he was running for president. I figured maybe a publicity stunt or something. So it was surprising when he carried through the entire campaign.
Of course, it was not a surprise when he won. That just shows how little trust Americans have for Hilary Clinton. I know a lot of people said they voted for her because she's a woman or because they liked her husband, but those are not good reasons to vote someone into office. It should be about respecting the work they do and agreeing with their policies and priorities.
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
I have a great deal of respect for Justin Trudeau, as I had for his father. I saw stories about a group of Americans during the last election who asked Trudeau to come run for president. Of course, he wouldn't have been eligible. But I think it says a lot that they even thought about it.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49721)
• Mojave, California
28 May 17
I think this has been made into a controversy under false pretenses like most things in our country these days. I totally get where the kid and kids are coming from. Paul Ryan is just not a good man as much as he pretends to be.
I get some people say the kids should at least respect the office that he holds, they do not have to respect the man. The problem with that is do not think Ryan and many people like him respect the office or title that they hold. It is not about agreeing or disagreeing with their viewpoints.
I hate most of John McCain's political viewpoints, but know he respects the office or title he holds and puts the country first most of the time.I would be proud to take a photo with him. Paul Ryan and many of his Republican colleagues would sell out this country and do if it benefits him and his rich buddies. So good for those kids calling a spade a spade here
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
I agree. If a politician deserves to be in office, then he also deserves respect. If he abuses the office, he deserves to be kicked out of office. I also don't think that taking a photo with a public figure is required in order to show deference for the office he holds. One can be civil and use the appropriate forms of address. One can even choose to avoid challenging questions or confrontation if it isn't appropriate to the setting.
But taking a photo with someone is more personal. And I agree with the young man who talked about being associated with the politician. It's almost an endorsement to pose with someone for a photo. I think it shows more respect for the man and his office when a young person chooses to opt out, rather than to be a hypocrite. It would be far more disrespectful to stand for the photo and then speak ill of the man.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (51488)
• Canada
28 May 17
I agree with you that as Canadians we do tend to embrace our elected leaders.
Your mention of Jack Layton struck a chord with me.
Our son received a letter from him in support of his involvement with Movember, just a number of months before we lost him.
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
28 May 17
I grew up in the states and lived there until my early 30's when we came to Canada. I have always followed US politics. Rarely am I impressed with the new president. Loved Obama and can't stand Trump. I voted for Trudeau and think for a young man he is doing a good job.
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
I'm always a little amused when people describe Trudeau as young. He is a young-looking man, but he is actually 45 today. Statistically, he is one of our youngest PMs (only Joe Clark was younger when elected.) But there are a decent number of PMs who were just a few years older when they took office, most in the 46-47 year-old range.
Trudeau's own father was 48 when he became PM. Teddy Roosevelt was 42 when he took office, and JFK was 42. Queen Elizabeth II was only 27 when she ascended the throne. Now THAT's young!
1 person likes this
@PainsOnSlate (21852)
• Canada
1 Jun 17
@Ruby3881 At my age I will always think of him as young...the same age as my kids... I watched Elizabeth become queen on our TV, it was brand new and that was what I saw the first time we turned it on. 1953....
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
2 Jun 17
@PainsOnSlate How cool! My father was in the Air Force back then. He marched in the coronation parade at Quebec City that year. It must have been quite spectacular!
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
28 May 17
Prime Minister Trudeau is so popular! Well, young people love to pose with him maybe because of his good traits. And who would like to pose with a politician with so very bad image? I won't!
1 person likes this
@Ruby3881 (1963)
• Canada
28 May 17
I agree completely! I once had to shake hands with a PM whose ethics I wasn't keen on. I did it to be polite, as it was a receiving line. But I never would have taken a photo with him unless the ethical question could first be addressed.
