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Wish I had thought of this thread when GB had more traffic and was more diverse.. but alas.. it is what it is.

Anyway, it occurs to me that since this is an international board, there are likely figures in your country you admire for their contributions in shaping culture, the arts, politics, humanitarian efforts or what have you.. I thought it might be fun for us to list those individuals we particularly admire.

I may think of more later, but for the moment, here goes, in equal order of importance:
(note: I am using wiki links, I know that Wikipedia can be questionable at times, but in this case it's convenient for providing a quick synopsis)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Bethune"]Dr. Norman Bethune[/url] (physician and humanitarian)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Morgentaler"]Dr. Henry Morgentaler[/url] (prominent activist for the pro-choice movement)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_McLachlan"]Sarah Mclachlan[/url] (singer and song writer)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonard_Cohen"]Leonard Cohen[/url] (singer-songwriter, musician, poet and novelist)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Atwood"]Margaret Atwood[/url] (author, poet, critic, essayist, feminist and social campaigner)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irving_Layton"]Irving Layton[/url] (poet)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mordecai_Richler"]Mordecai Richler[/url] (author, screenwriter and essayist)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Fox"]Terry Fox[/url] (humanitarian, athlete, and cancer research activist)

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Trudeau"]Pierre Elliott Trudeau[/url] (former Prime Minister)

I'm Canadian as well but I only want to be associated with Cohen and Fox from DW's list (no disrespect to the fine lady of course).

And I can't begin to apologize enough for Justin Beiber.

Canadians I am very proud of...

1. David Suzuki (environmentalist). Combines the facts with an endearing charisma. Gets people to pay attention and care like few can.

2. Rush (musicians). I've never liked Rush but I admire the type of fan base they have built. Very rare to see a band with such dedicated fans over the decades.

3. Jim Carey. Rocks the physical comedy like no other.

I wish I was 'deeper' so I was better capable of providing more cerebral selections, but I'm not. But this will probably prompt me to do some research and maybe learn a bit more. I admit that I am heavily American-ized

RPGguy wrote:I'm Canadian as well but I only want to be associated with Cohen and Fox from DW's list (no disrespect to the fine lady of course).

lol, it would be terribly boring if we all had the same perspectives on these kinds of things.

Agree with you on Suzuki though!




I forgot to add another name... how could I forget [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Douglas"]Tommy Douglas[/url].... so instrumental in the creation of Canadian Medicare.

Also: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Lewis"]Stephen Lewis[/url]... perhaps best known for his AIDS/HIV work in Africa.

I'm proud that our 'Moderator and Twisted Sister' is Canadian! Her work in advancing the cause of healthy make-believe has helped to relieve stress levels through escapism and promoting synaptic exercise in youth world wide.

Seriously though, looking forward to hearing from some perspectives outside of North America. If you list them, I will Wiki them! :laugh:

Since the two of you are canadian, how about Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson? How about little know guitarist Rik Emmet of Triumph. He was classicaly trained and opened up a whole new dimension of rock music.

Before I can even contemplate joining in; is this 'in your lifetime' or throughout history?

krissyboie wrote:Since the two of you are canadian, how about Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson? How about little know guitarist Rik Emmet of Triumph. He was classicaly trained and opened up a whole new dimension of rock music.

I already mentioned Rush. And it's funny you should mention Triumph because that was the very first concert I ever saw at Cobo Hall (Detroit) with Bad Company opening up for them. I was front row center and got absolutely crushed by the crowd against the steel barrier. I tried to survive it as long as possible but had security lift me up and over about an hour into the set. I was such a n00b back then. I think I was only about 16 or 17 at the time. Totally forgot about that out of sheer embarrassment I suppose :laugh:

galraen wrote:Before I can even contemplate joining in; is this 'in your lifetime' or throughout history?

Through history

The thread topic is heavily biased against us Americans!

dragon wench wrote:
Also: [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Lewis"]Stephen Lewis[/url]... perhaps best known for his AIDS/HIV work in Africa.

He spoke at my convocation last summer, the man does angry passion like no other.

Adding another Canadian to the list (and the other speaker from my convocation, in fact), I have to mention [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Hansen"]Rick Hansen[/url], who is known for his Man In Motion tour around the world. He's raised millions for spinal cord injury research, and is really just a very nice and interesting guy.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_irwin#Environmentalism"]Steve Irwin[/url].

Pride of the Philippines...

[url="http://pacman.craveonline.com/"]Manny Pacquiao[/url] Best pound for pound boxer.

[url="http://corazonaquino.net/"]Cory Aquino[/url] First Asian female President

[url="http://www.leasalonga.com/"]Lea Salonga[/url] International Artist, played Kim in Miss Saigon.

[url="http://www.zimbio.com/The+Philippines/articles/441/Efren+Pe+aflorida+Modern+Hero"]Efren Peñaflorida[/url] Modern Pinoy Hero championing education for marginalized children.

[url="http://www.joserizal.ph/bg01.html"]Jose Rizal[/url] National Hero. Medical Doctor, Linguist, Swordsman, Poet, Writer

Abdullah Tammi. He's the chairman of the Islamic Party and a former firefighter, union boss, KGB agent, nazi, mormon, jehovah's witness and adventist preacher. How can you not love someone with such a resumé?

Curry wrote:Abdullah Tammi. He's the chairman of the Islamic Party and a former firefighter, union boss, KGB agent, nazi, mormon, jehovah's witness and adventist preacher. How can you not love someone with such a resumé?

I'm sorry, but did I read this right? He was a Nazi? Also, as chairman of the Islamic Party, he's also a Christian preacher?

RPGguy wrote: it's funny you should mention Triumph because that was the very first concert I ever saw at Cobo Hall (Detroit) with Bad Company opening up for them.

To someone of my generation from the east side of the Atlantic that reads really strange. A legendary band opening for a band I've never heard of, just shows what an effect time and distance can have.