A Note on the Naming of Things

[grav_ity]

Canada is rebranding its government. Which, frankly, I'd never even thought about, because it's so unbelievably stupid, and since the news broke I haven't given it much thought at all because I kind of thought it was a joke? Or that Harper couldn't possibly be quibbling about this when the Middle East is on the edge of goodness knows what and there is some new natural disaster every day.

But he is, and I am...bamboozled. And also really, really angry.

Americans do this, I think. This is my impression, anyway. You have "The Bush Administration" in a way that we don't. But the word "administration" implies...paperwork. Service, even. Getting there early in the morning and starting the coffee. And we do have things like "Martin Economics". And most of us learned the word "prorogue" thanks to Harper anyway.

But what Harper is proposing, what he's put into action, is different. On our freaking letterhead, it no longer says "Government of Canada". It says "Harper Government". And that is ten THOUSAND kinds of wrong. And I'm not saying that because I didn't vote for his party. I'm not saying that because I've actively campaigned for other candidates. I'm saying it because I AM CANADIAN, for God's sake, and while I am forced to admit that man represents me internationally in politics, there is NO WAY IN HELL he gets to name it after himself.

(Unofficially, it's been "The Harper Government" for a while. But that's just us talking about ourselves. He's making it our name. In the freaking records. And that just...I can't even.)

(This is worse than during the Olympics when he asked us to go "against National character" and cheer for our own team. SERIOUSLY? SUCH A JERK, SOMETIMES!)

The world is on fire, and I'm complaining about the name. But at the same time, I don't think it's an excuse to pull a fast one (and that's one thing that Harper is very, very good at, for all he promised transparency). I wish Joe Clark, who I actually kind of respect despite his party, would say something scathing. I'm sure Rick Mercer has (and if anyone would like to provide the link, I'd be grateful).

Mostly, though, I'm just...floored. That someone suggested this. That someone thought it was a good idea. That no one said "Um...just a moment, here." That this happened at all.

And I want my government back.

+++

Links:
Glen Pearson

Comments

[snowflakie06]

I always thought that calling it the "Bush Administration" or the "Clinton Administration" was a way of referring to what was done during their presidency as well as the people making up their staff, not anything like having their name on the letterhead like 'Harper Government'. I could be wrong though.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

That's kind of what I thought. But in Canada, we don't even really do that, or at least I don't remember it before Harper. We typically refer to the party or the person, but don't put the word "government" in the mix. So this is just...really weird. And angry-making.

[snowflakie06]

Yeah, I would definitely feel the same if I was in your shoes. If they really want to do something like that, they need to find another word for it than "government" because that just really makes it sound like 'zomg this is permanent!' as though he's become king rather than the prime minister and any children he has will succeed him instead of it being up to the people :\

[camm-shenylle.livejournal.com]

Wait, what?

That's what all this "re-branding" is about? I'll be honest, I kind of ignored it just like I usually ignore things about Harper, because I don't need to be told about all the dumb things he does when I already know that he's an asshat.

But, that is infuriating. It isn't Harper's country, it's our country, which we've unfortunately given to him for a short period of time.

I think the fact that no one has done this before him speaks volumes. This isn't the Canadian way.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Wait, what?

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I SAID. WHAT THE FUCK, MR. HARPER? WHAT THE FUCK?

I'll be honest, I kind of ignored it just like I usually ignore things about Harper, because I don't need to be told about all the dumb things he does when I already know that he's an asshat.

And then I did that, because it was all on facebook, but the Pearson article really cleared up a few things for me, and now I'm just ticked off.

[clama-ne-cesses.livejournal.com]

Hm, I should read the Pearson article. My impression was that this rebranding was just on internal correspondence/official e-mail and other mail being sent between people who are part of the Canadian gov't. It's still STUPID and like, why would you even bother? (except that I guess Harper thinks he's doing such a good job that he wants his name on all of his stupid memos) If it's broader than that though, then that is seriously effed up.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

. My impression was that this rebranding was just on internal correspondence/official e-mail and other mail being sent between people who are part of the Canadian gov't.

That might be right, actually, now that I've re-read it with a cooler head. But it's still the NAME OF THE GOVERNMENT, as you said, and after the Security Council debacle, I really think this is the last thing we need.

(I also forgot that the Conservative Logo is on those "Action Plan D'Action" signs, which also annoys me greatly.)

[scifijunkie.livejournal.com]

Referring to the "Bush Administration" or the "Obama Administration" is basically a way to differentiate between presidencies. It refers to the policies, the staff, etc., but it's not put on letterhead - that still says shit like "The Office of the President of the United States". There's the office, and then there's the guy sitting in it, and they're two different things.

Harper sounds like a moron trying to inflate his importance. The office and the man are not the same thing.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Referring to the "Bush Administration" or the "Obama Administration" is basically a way to differentiate between presidencies.

This is kind of what I thought was the case, but wanted to clarify. In Canada, we don't even really do that...or at least not until Harper.

It's SO ANNOYING.

[the-jackalope.livejournal.com]

As others have said, that isn't how 'the Bush administration' or 'the Clinton administration' thing works. Because it's sort of informal. And it sounds worrysome. Because naming things still has a power. And putting that name on official letterhead? That's a pretty big ego thing.

Oh dear, neighbor to the north, you were supposed to be the sane sibling.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I know, eh!

[eldanna.livejournal.com]

I think I have just decided to ignore everything Harper does until his number is up. Mostly to save my blood pressure than anything else. There's just...not point getting angry about his doings because he's going to do them anyways and until the next election we can't do much about it. Doesn't mean it doesn't bug the crap out of me. Just...saving the fight for the one I can win.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

THIS IS STUPID. AND ANGER-INDUCING.

I hadn't heard about any of this (if it doesn't make the first ten minutes of the news, I probably don't catch it). What a moron. He certainly has a high opinion of himself.

OMG. Between Harper and Ignatieff, I'm voting NDP this fall (or maybe earlier, if one goes by the tv ads...). Layton just all, "Psht. Idiots. It's obvious it should be done this way" and usually he is right. (Or what little I catch of it all, anyhow.)

Or! Let's all vote Green Party! This has potential for fun and hilarity.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I think I'm actually still a member of the NDP...

Anyway, yes: Psht, Idiots, but there's no way we're getting anything other than Conservatives this time around (unless we get lucky, like that time the provincial Conservative Leader promised funding for all religious schools and then failed to win his own seat, which is still one of my favourite things ever). To quote Leo McGarry, we are very much stuck in a "lesser of who cares" situation.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've pretty much resigned myself to another term of Harper and his freaky hair. Of all their choices, the Liberal Party chooses Ignatieff?! Seriously? The guy who essentially became American when we Canucks sekritly pat ourselves on the back for being less crazy than our southern neighbours?

Politics are stupid. The end.

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

I agree. Politics eveerywhere is a bit blah at the moment. In Australia we had an election this year and the dabte was scripted. It was scripted!

That is not a debate.

Also, The ALP and the coalition were both goig "We'll stop the boats!" and I was going I DON"T CARE ABOUT THE (insert stong language) BOATS!

And how were they going to stop them? Put a forcefield around the continent?

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

the dabte was scripted. It was scripted!

O.O The mind, it boggles. I can't believe that, a) someone came up with that idea, and b) everyone else agreed it was a good idea. Seriously?!

OMG, if you put a forcefield around all of Australia, you'd officially be the coolest country evar. And also the most feared because, you know, the power.

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

It would be cool. It would also be racist and against basic human rights. (The right to:
• not to be subjected to arbitrary detention, torture, or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• to challenge in court the legality of their detention
• not to be sent back to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened
• to work, education, and physical and mental health care. )

There are documents, from the Department of Immigration, stating that the dominant culture is racism. Which infuriates me.

Yeah. Mini-rant there. Just forget I said anything.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

Nono, rants are okay. I find it often helps to get it out. (And also, I took a serious topic and made a lame joke, so. Although I wasn't sure what you meant by keeping out the boats, and now I do, so I have learned more and that's never bad.)

I often wonder how people in powerful positions get there when they seem so stupid. It's like the more responsibility (and pay) they get, the fewer brains cells they have. The cells regulating common sense and logic seem to go first....

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

It's okay. It wasn't that lame a joke (forcefields are cool). I don't think they're all that stupid, they're just trying to keep in power. Sometimes that means that they have to back down on some really good policies, and be demagogues some of the time. I don't have to like it, but I understand it. And I don't like it.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

You are a bigger person than I, because I mostly just complain and don't bother trying to understand their pov. Plus there is backing down, and there is mind-boggling stuff such as scripting debates. ;)

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

I'm not a bigger person. Trust me. I'm just looking at their POV so I can find a better way to complain.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

A well-informed complainant. Every politician's worse nightmare. ;)

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

You should see me debating with teslans. (you won't understand that unless you're involved in the Sanctuary fandom, and if you are a teslen, I'm sorry for offending you now and probably at some point in the past)

I take no prisoners.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

Ha!

I watch Sanctuary but am not involved in fandom. And frankly, Tesla squicks me the hell out, as grav_ity will attest, as we've had discussions on this matter. ;)

Thus, having no idea what a teslan is, no offense taken.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what that is. :)

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

From the name I'd gather they're fans of Tesla, but beyond that....

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

A teslan is someone who ships Tesla/Helen. My OTP is Helen/John. Generally, the two groups don't get on so well. I can usually see some of their points, but it's always fun to debate. I'm especially...unkind. It's just so much fun.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

That makes sense.

Well, as much as namesmash ship names ever make sense. :)

I totally go both ways, btw.

[lone-pyramid.livejournal.com]

Ah, a namesmush! Gotcha. (Although I gotta say, it really should be "teslen" in order to get more of Helen's name in there. Just sayin'.)

A mean debater, eh? I shall remember to stay on your good side. ;) Though I can wish you fun as long as it's not aimed at me. :p~

[sarbear12456.livejournal.com]

This is a link to the debate on FanFiction.Net (http://www.fanfiction.net/). I'm under Japanese and Chocolate (http://www.fanfiction.net/~japaneseandchocolate).
This is the Debate from the start (http://forum.fanfiction.net/topic/83082/34211322/1/)
The mega-huge mega-cruel post halfway down the page is the worst I've gotten (http://forum.fanfiction.net/topic/83082/34211322/2/)

[miera-c.livejournal.com]

It's usually the cosmetic thing like this that starts people rebelling, though.

[grav-ity.livejournal.com]

Hopefully the third time will be the charm (because the other two times there's been hints of a rebellion, he's just prorogued and gone on holiday for a couple months).

[ladygj.livejournal.com]

Honnestly, I usually don't really have an opinion on politics, but THIS matter did make me react a bit, I must say. I don't have anything to add, but I just wanted you to know that I agree with you. ;)

[un-jour-viendra.livejournal.com]

Wow.

I agree, the US does this, too, but to me it's always been something of a colloquialism, albeit a very widely used one. The news uses it, individuals use it conversation, etc., but official representation is always "The US Government" or "The White House" or something of the sort. If it was actually an official, mandatory "Obama Government" or "Bush Government", I'd have a cow--I voted for Obama and I still don't want him naming the government after himself.

That's just... I don't even have a word for it.