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Clinton News Record, 2016-07-13, Page 5Wednesday, July 13, 2016 • News Record 5 Brexit holds little comfort for Quebexit Presidential hopefuls mirror U.S. mood Quebec sovereignists clearly are hoping that the United Kingdom's vote last week to leave the European Union will breathe new life into their pro- ject: They hailed it as proof of the continued relevance of national sovereignty, a case of voters standing up to "fearmon- gering" by financial elites and a precedent for acceptance of a 50 -per -cent -plus -one threshold. Yet, the parallels with Que- bec are far from evident, and Brexit seems more likely to prove cautionary tale than shining example. It's far too soon to know how Brexit will play out -- or even whether it will. British Prime Minister David Cameron seems to be in no hurry to start with- drawal negotiations. As Quebecers well know, political uncertainty is bad for the economy, as are moves to disrupt economic ties. The June 23 vote sent markets into turmoil. The economic fallout can be expected to continue for awhile. So far, the fear - mongers have been proven right. And, it should be remem- bered, what the United King- dom has voted to do is with- draw from a partnership. This is a much smaller change than the creation of a new nation. As for recognition of a vote by simple majority: This sets British Prime Minister David Cameron. no relevant precedent. Inter- national recognition of a self - declared independent nation can be contingent on several factors; a majority vote does not guarantee anything. In the Brexit case, what is being generally recognized is that, having put a clear question to a popular vote, the U.K. government is likely to con- sider itself bound to act upon the result, and that doing so is its prerogative. What the vote does demon- strate is the danger of allowing such a momentous change to hinge on such a slim majority. Quebec sovereignists should also consider that this simple majority vote might yet lead to the breakup of the United Kingdom. They might not care: sovereignists have been cheering on Scotland's secessionists, with whom they (REUTERS/Carlos Barria identify. But it's a reminder that if Quebec were ever to try to secede from Canada, it would be likely to face its own secessionist movements, as the Cree made clear in 1995. (Also, it should be recalled that Scots rejected independ- ence in 2014; if Scotland does hold another independence referendum, it would be in order to remain in the EU.) Of course, sovereignty remains a relevant concept, albeit in an increasingly inter- dependent world. But of what nation? In two referendums already, Quebecers have cho- sen to remain a part of the sovereign nation of Canada. It's still early days. But any suggestions that the British vote boosts Que- bec's sovereignist cause seems premature. - Postmedia Network Among the greatest ofAmer- ican myths is the idea that any child bom in the United States can someday become president Conventions for both politi- cal parties are to be held this month, and with their approach it should be clear that only Americans with great wealth -- or access to great wealth -- along with superb political connections have any hope of reaching the White House. The myth was born in the 19th century when a select number of Americans of limited means and educa- tion were able to become president. But they were an exceedingly small group and as the U.S. became wealthier and more power- ful, its citizens looked for leadership from those who mirrored the country's traits and aspirations. There were two exceptions from the 20th century: Harry Truman and Jimmy Carter, both farmers and both of lim- ited financial means, although Carter was likely a paper mil- lionaire when elected in 1976, as he owned a substantial faun in Georgia. But Truman's story was dif- ferent. He was the least edu- cated of any president from the 20th century and had the least money. For most of his married life he lived in the home of his Photo by Sara D. Davis/Getty Images Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump speaks during a campaign event at the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts on July 5, 2016 in Raleigh, North Carolina. Earlier in the day Hillary Clinton campaigned in Charlotte, North Carolina with President Barack Obama. mother-in-law, and when he retired in early 1953, Truman's income prospects were so dis- mal that a pension was estab- lished for his benefit It was a miracle he was elected to public office, and a greater miracle he became president. Truman's selection as vice-president in 1944 was a surprise, and when Franklin Roosevelt died the following April, history was thrust upon Harry Truman; he certainly didn't seek it All of this is remarkable given the thrust of modern politics and the naked ambition that clings to those seeking the modem presidency. The "acci- dental presidency" of Truman would never happen today (although many have said George W. Bush's election in 2000 was also an accident, if a well -orchestrated one). The two contenders in this year's presidential fight are both wealthy and powerful, both born in 1947, both well edu- cated, both highly ambitious. Yet Hillary Clinton and Don- ald Trump are not representa- tive of the American people, nor of the American ideal, cer- tainly not as the myth would suggest Indeed, for the first time in modern history there is a great amount of voter dissatisfaction in both candidates, which, oddly enough, is perhaps as accurate a reflection of America and its general dissatisfaction as you'll find today. - Peter Epp, Postmedia Network Ten creatures that helped make Canada what it is Thank you First Nations, Metis and Inuit, explorers and pioneers, Fathers of Confedera- tion and successive waves of immigrants: You made the nation we call Canada But you couldn't have done it without a menagerie of iconic beasts that supplied food and clothing, became economic staples, made it possible to clear trees and till the land -- then attracted tourists and filmmakers. Here are 10 animals -- though there are many more -- that deserve credit for the part they've played in creating Canada: • Mammoth: These woolly proboscideans, extinct for mil- lennia, thrived across the Berin- gian land bridge that linked Asia to northwest North Amer- ica when the glaciers were still retreating. They were chief among the big game animals pursued by ex -Asian hunters who first peopled this hemisphere. • Seal: Some scientists believe even earlier migrations occurred along the Pacific Coast by maritime peoples sub- sisting on marine mammals such as seals, whose skins were also used to fashion the trail- blazers' boats. Inuit who fol- lowed thousands of years later likewise depended on seals. • Bison: For thousands of years before the near -destruc- tion of the species in the 19th century, the "buffalo" of the interior plains was central to the existence of many First Nations, providing meat, hides and a sacred symbol. The voyageurs key to connecting Canada's vast interior to the east survived on pemmican made from buffalo and berries, and Metis culture flourished around this once - plentiful species. • Whale: Canada was an oil superpower centuries before Alberta struck it rich. Basque whalers established huge ren- dering operations in 16th -cen- tury Labrador to supply fuel for Europe's lamps. From Atlantic to Pacific to Arctic, right, bowhead and gray whales have been hunted for oil and baleen. • Cod: Anglo -Italian explorer John Cabot famously described Canadian waters so rich with cod that brimming baskets of the fish could be scooped up from the side of his ship. The riches of the cod fishery were a major spur to the European settlement and development of Atlantic Can- ada. But like other staple com- modities sourced by nature and relentlessly exploited, the cod population eventually crashed and the struggle for recovery continues. • Beaver: It's a dam -builder, yes, but it's also recognized as Canada's pre-eminent non- human nation -builder. Its lush pelt was so valued it served as a substitute cur- rency. It's depicted on Cana- da's first postage stamp and is still on the nickel. • Horse: Transport yourself to pioneer -era Canada and try to imagine hauling felled trees from the bush, plowing the land or getting to church on time without horses. • Caribou: A keystone spe- cies in northern ecosystems across Canada and a key food for many indigenous nations throughout the country's his- tory. Like the beaver, it has a place of pride on a Canadian coin -- the quarter -- but is fre- quently mistaken for the moose. • Wolf/dog. From the husky teams essential to traditional Inuit life to today's service dogs and family pets, we owe Fido a pat and a head scratch. Plus our longest -serving prime minister, William Lyon Mackenzie King, couldn't have functioned without his confidant, an Irish terrier named Pat. • Passenger pigeon: It's been gone for more than a century, the poster -bird of extinction in North America. But these pigeons, once so numerous their flocks black- ened skies, were a significant source of food for many people in early Canada. The name of the popular Cana- dian meat dish tourtiere is believed to be derived from the French term for the spe- cies. But perhaps the passen- ger pigeon's most enduring legacy is the cautionary tale it (Leah Hennel/Postmedia) tells about what can happen when a people fail to respect and protect the animals they live with and rely on. - Randy Boswell, special to the Postmedia Network. Boswell teaches jour- nalism at Carleton University.