The French Language in Quebec - Latineau?

This post is not about Super Tuesday.

Its about this. I am sorry that the story isn't in English.

I have never lived in Quebec. In fact, most of the time I spend in Quebec, I spend talking to an Arab grocer who sells booze after the LCBO and Beer Store close. As you can probably imagine, he doesn't care very much for the tone of the ongoing debate on "reasonable accomodation."

Nationalism, in any form, has always been scary to me. It is based on the accident of birth, and pride that is based in an ethnic culture carries additional warning that is well beyond national pride. You can care about your culture or community without being a nationalist.

But, the PQ, they are socialists, right? And they are nationalists.

And they want to see one language and less imigrants. Oy vey.

Back in the real world, we see another attempt by Liberals to use language as their nationalist flag. Remember, it was Bourassa who introduced the first french charter in 1974. It was the PQ who expanded it. As part of the code, it has been litgated on many grounds- the two most controversial sections being the language signs and education provisions. Now they actually want to enforce them.

Personally- I have many concerns regarding the ability of bureaucrats to implement a policy that is specifically geared at non-francophones in a way that is not discriminatory in its application. Moreover, I continue to fail the value in such a restrictive policy in a province that is, historically, one of the most liberal (small "L") in the world in terms of so many other aspects of society. I guess they are trying to make up for how restrictive the Charter is by letting you do whatever you want - as long as it is in French. As the first generation of Hyphenated Quebecois are getting married, they are going to start using anagrams for their last names.

I look at the law suspiciously- and strongly criticize any move to further restrict the use of "not French" in Quebec. It is transparently racist. By appealing to the lower common denominator, the PLQ is pandering to the base that supports the PQ on the grounds of emotive nationhood. After almost 35 years, its effectiveness is questionable, except to drive down investment and create English flight to other parts of the country.