Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Pierre Elliot Trudeau


In case you don't remember or you never knew it at all, Canada once had a Prime Minister that was more badass that we had any right to expect. He was like a rock star in his day and was possibly one of the smartest people to ever lead our nation. He was PM of our country from 1968 - 1979 and from 1980 - 1984.

His sheer charisma and steady leadership got us through the FLQ crisis in Quebec (The October Crisis). When it seemed like a group of terrorists (FLQ) were going to break our fragile English/French alliance by their bombings, kidnappings and eventually the murder of a public official (Pierre Laporte) Trudeau stepped up and enacted the 'War Measures Act' and declared marshal law in Montreal. He sent in the military (including my father) to ensure the safety of that city.

He fought so that our Constitution had a 'Charter of Rights and Freedoms' and did much to promote bilingualism and multicultural acceptance. The effects of that can be seen today with the way that Canada treats it's homosexual citizens and our immigrant population.

However, all you need to know about the man is found in this picture. Just look at that outfit. Brother knew how to bring out the pimp daddy with his style. And that hat? You need confidence to pull off that hat. He's a charter member of the Canadian Cave of Cool.

http://neverstopquestioning.tumblr.com/

11 comments:

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Dude made us all want to be Canadians.

Pat Tillett said...

Never seen another politico like him, before or since...a classic

M. D. Jackson said...

Near where I live and work there is a railway stop. It is the infamous railway stop where Trudeau gave Western Canada the infamous "salute".

I wasn't there, but I have heard from folk who were. Apparently he smiled as he did it.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

He was just telling his supporters that they were 'number one' in his eyes. Another example of lamestream media inflating a story and telling lies.

Okay that's not true. He gave them the finger. And twas a finely given digit at that.

Marlene said...

He was also famous for his pirouettes. Gotta love a dude who can pirouette, eh?

Anonymous said...

and his wife flashed her beaver at Studio 54 before it was par for the course.

Ricky Shambles said...

Jules: I want you to go in that bag, and find my wallet.
Pumpkin: Which one is it?
Jules: It's the one that says Bad Motherfucker.

Thanks for pushing some Canadian culture my way along with the poster of why we all need to be wearing capes. Seriously. We do.

Cal's Canadian Cave of Coolness said...

I have always said the same thing about capes. They just complete t outfit.

Contemplating Cadie said...

Great post!

Megan said...

Damn my Irish ancestors! Why'd they have to sail to Boston instead of...wherever you sail to in Canada...

Nomad said...

Halifax - Pier 21 or Quebec City, Quebec. My ancestor’s came the hard way across the US border, at sudo gunpoint, empire loyalist. Got land in compensation for sticking with the Brits. The land was crap then, but now sells for millions to rich americans looking for summer homes.