So I was poking around on the Conservative website today and found out something I didn’t know before.
“RUSSIAN DUKE CRAVES POWER IN CANADA”…MAY 13, 2010
Today the Russian media outlet Pravda published an article titled “Russian Duke Craves Power in Canada”. You can read the article here:
http://english.pravda.ru/world/americas/13-05-2010/113359-canada-0
Many Canadians probably don’t know that Mr. Ignatieff admits being “flattered” when addressed using his aristocratic and hereditary title, “Count Michael Ignatieff”.
They also probably don’t know that Mr. Ignatieff admits that his aristocratic and hereditary title was “useful” for social advancement in the United Kingdom. In fact, he made the comments, amazingly, during a Canadian television interview.
Here is the transcript of his exchange with Gaston L’Heureux of Radio Canada:
Segment of Radio-Canada show L’Heure G, broadcast on January 9, 1991 (translation)
Gaston L’Heureux (host): Let’s welcome the author, Count Michael Ignatieff.
Michael Ignatieff steps on the set
GL: Doesn’t it bother you, Michael, that I called you count?
MI: Not at all. I’m flattered.
GL: It’s a hereditary title, isn’t it?
MI: Yes, since my great-grandfather. It’s a little ridiculous to use it in Canada, but I’m flattered.
GL: But in England, with all the peers you find over there, it has got to be useful?
MI: Yes, sometimes.
GL: Except that it’s Russian count, not English count.
MI: Yes, Russian, absolutely.
Michael Ignatieff is a self-identified “cosmopolitan” who admits to being “horribly arrogant”.
We can now begin to flatter him by using his aristocratic and hereditary title.
Count Michael Ignatieff. He’s not in it for Canadians. He just “craves power” for himself.
Did anyone else know that Iggy is actually an official “Count”?
Ha ha, my comment is still there. Yah, Iggy as PM.. maybe of Harvard?
Not only a Count, but scion of one of the most notable families of old Russia. A bit like saying you’re the direct male line descendant of the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury or Lord Wellington.
Really? Going so low as to call him ‘The Russian Count’?
If you want to bash Iggy, go for it… but at least do it with some sort of resemblance of class.
I’d far rather call Iggula ‘Count’ than ‘Prime Minister’.
[...] it? Along with the many speculations that Michael Ignatieff is actually Mikael Ignatov, a Russian Count. You like how the name IGNATIEFF sounds like it could be both English, OR [...]
Canada prides itself on being multicultural and acceptiing of people from all cultures and all walks of life. Count Dr. Michael Ignatiev has inherited his title from his Russian ancestors. He is what he is. Why should he be discriminated against because of his ancestry? As far I as I can see, he is an asset to Canada as are many Canadians who are descended from foreign nobility. Grand Duchess Olga, the sister of the last Tsar of Russia was a Canadian farmer and a noted Canadian artist. A nuclear physicist descended from european nobility worked for Ontario Hydro. A Russian prince was headmaster at one of Canada’s most prestigious private schools. The list of men and women descended from nobility living and working in Canada is extensive. So, why are the Conservative authors of your article speaking like racist xenophobes where the Count Dr. Ignatieff is concerned? Are they trying to stir up ancient grievances from the old world to further their own political ambitions? Please remember that it was only recently, in Toronto during the summer of 2010, that the Harper Conservative Government tread on the liberty of Canadian citizens, beating them, herding them into confinement for hours in the rain, and ripping the prosthetic leg off one elderly man to ensure that the Conservative Prime Minister could dine with high placed and titled foreign government officials and their wives city blocks away from protesters and any street noise that they might cause. Who was grabbing raw power then? There has never been an official apology to the men, women and children who were treated so brutally. That kind of ‘Facist’ arrogance will likely come back to haunt the Harper Conservative Party at election time. However, I expect that there will be a complete turnabout when their Royal Highnesses, Will and Kate, visit Canada after their wedding. Every polititian who can crawl will be there to lick thier shoes and take advantage of the photo-op. Kissy! Kissy!
Count Iggy and his new Canadian Fiefdom. Count Iggy wants in on the Liberal line of entitlement, Trudeau, Chrietian, Martin, Dion. Wake up Canadians. His great grand mother sold her entitlement for 924000 Roubles read $ 46,000,000 in 1889. Being a New York woman puts her in John Jacob Astors class. Count Iggy and recapture of paradise lost.
Ivan, talk of Royal Visits. When the Queen left Canada on her recent visit Count Iggy chased her down. Who are you,she thought. Is he not the leader of the loyal opposition? A Harvard Proffesor? No its me, Count Iggy, remember your Romanov ancesters Gave my great grand father 34,000 acres read 50 square miles which my New York grand mother sold in 1889 for 924000 Roubles? I am an aristocrat just like you. A Count. And I am a Liberal come to Canada to reclaim my entitilment just like Paul” steamship ” Martin and other Liberals before him eg Jean “Shawinigate ” Chrietian. Wake up Canada .
Iggys great grandfather destroyed over 2000 Jewish businesses and homes because they were not able to give him a 1000000 ruple bribe on a promise to leave them in peace, so it would seem that his manipulating ways has been passed on in perpetuity from great grandfather to grandfather and to grandson. Iggy himself called the Israelis terrorists for trying to protect themselves from Hamas terrorists. Ask yourself, Is this a man to lead our nation? Think long and hard on this. All this is historical fact. In fact the Nazis were inspired by the Ignatieffs handling of the Jewish population.
Try something smarter Harper. His father was executed from Russia by the government. All what you are doing is trying to play on feelings of those who doesnt know anything about him. It proves how ignorent you are in making propoganda. NO VOTE for MR. Harper from my side for sure. I know what kind of Prime minister you having been, doing nothing for Canada and still keeping our soldiers in Afganistan, forgeting the promises. I am really tired of you and your government. I still dont like any of candidats, but it doesnt make you any better.
[...] Michael Ignatieff The Russian Count? « Harper Is My HomeboyJun 9, 2011 … Communications Director on Count Michael Ignatieff; Reflections. “The Liberal Party of Canada’s foundation is its ethical beliefs. … [...]