Charles De Gaulle Can Rot In Hell

I look forward to the reactions that title will bring. And apologies in advance for the language.

In 1967, French President Charles de Gaulle paid a state visit to Canada and started a diplomatic firestorm by standing on the balcony of Montreal's city hall and telling the crowd below, "Vive le Quebec libre," or "long live a free Quebec." The state visit would get cut short.

I've long held to the position that history would have been better served if a lucky German sniper had taken him out before he got over to Britain in 1940. He did absolutely nothing in World War Two but position himself as the leader of Free France just because he thought so, antagonized and irritated the Allies (who were busy liberating his country by the way, no thanks from him), and stroked his own bloody ego. Other officers could have taken on the task without being egomaniacs and gotten more done. I would submit that he had an ego bigger than Napoleon (who at least had accomplishments to his name), and for all intents and purposes, was a complete prick, and one of history's biggest assholes. I suspect these days he's roasting in hell, still complaining about everything.

A separatist movement rose up in strength later, even forming the provincial government in the form of the Parti Quebecois.

In 1980, a referendum on the separatist movement was held. Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau headed up the side advocating against separatism.

Premier Rene Levesque, a chain smoking politician who's probably also spending eternity in hell these days, headed up the yes side.

It was close, but the separatist agenda was voted down.

In 1995, another referendum. The yes side was headed up by Premier Jacques Parizeau and Bloc Quebecois leader Lucien Bouchard. Parizeau is represented here by a puppet- the man famously blamed money and the "ethnic vote" for the defeat of the referendum in a speech in which he'd probably had too much to drink. Another fellow who's no doubt joined de Gaulle and Levesque in hell.

The Quebec Liberal leader Daniel Johnson headed the No side, and was joined by federal politicians, including the Prime Minister, Jean Chretien, here portrayed in puppet form.

In the end, it was close. But no to separation was the choice.

If you don't hear from me again, chances are I've been strangled by the ghosts of de Gaulle, Levesque, and Parizeau.