.qc? No

The PQ’s Daniel Turp is flogging the idea that the Internet should have a .qc domain. Separatists with nothing better to do are angry over having to type “.qc.ca” to get to Quebec-based websites

It’s this kind of thinking that has forced Quebecers to file two tax forms every year, pay two different kinds of sales taxes, and deal with all the other pointless duplication of federal services just to make us be different for difference’s sake.

And until Quebec reaches the promised land, which PQ hard-liners unilaterally declare to be an eventuality, websites based here will need to have both a .qc and .qc.ca domain.

Can someone tell these people that they lost the referendum? Twice?

UPDATE: Wow. 14 comments. Most are, of course, insulting, but I’ve responded to some of the counter-arguments brought up below.

29 thoughts on “.qc? No

  1. TurpIsDaMan!

    Can’t blame Turp. The crafty Belgian Westmounter has nuzzled more steam sep kitty than Pierre Bourgault shined sticks. But it looks like Lil Danny has too much time on his hands since he stopped spending half his day doing up his bow tie. Put Turp in charge of making Quebec a world leader in the realm of the “disco silent.” That should keep him busy.

    Reply
  2. 514-iste

    What the hell do you care fagstein ? We are a nation after all, Harper said it. Why type ”.ca” when a website has nothing to do with canadian culture.

    Yes, we lost the referendum, but by not-that-much. Should I remind you that 63% of francos voted for indepedence. Quebekers lost the referendum because of the canadian intervention.

    You’re clearly a hater. ”separatist”. Its not Star War, dude.

    Independence, is for Quebec, not against Canada. ”.qc” is for Quebec, not against Canada.

    Reply
  3. Fagstein Post author

    1. I’m not Harper
    2. The Internet domain name system is not based on cultures. It’s based on countries
    3. The “money and the ethnic vote” excuse is old, and Quebec doesn’t have citizens who are more important than others
    4. How is it not against Canada to be so desperate to strip “.ca” out of domain names?

    Reply
  4. Mike

    Jesus christ, I never thought your ugly angryphone head would rear itself into this blog, but surely it finally has. Seriously, what is the problem with a .qc domain name? It’s not like they’re forcing people to have the .qc domain or anything. The whole point is that they have a choice of using it if they want to.

    And what does this have to do with “duplication of federal services”? This issue has nothing to do with it at all, two completely different matters. However, you just couldn’t resist venting your fustrations against Quebec and the perceived injustices you feel you face.

    And the referendum comment, what the hell does this have to do with anything. Whether you like it or not, people voted for them. Two-thirds of Quebec voted for a nationalist party, a third for the PQ, and this is not without reason. There is a reason two referendums were held, and there is a reason they almost won in ’95. If Quebecers elect a government that wants a referendum, they are electing them because they want a referendum. And despite the fact a yes vote hasn’t gone through, this doesn’t mean the PQ should lay dormant as you would hope for it to be. They have the right to do things like this, and if you don’t like it, perhaps a move shouldn’t be so far off in the future for you I guess.

    People like you get so angry at the sight of anything perceived to be nationalist, you start to be unable to think clearly. This is almost universal among anglophones here in Quebec, and it really is scary.

    I’m a native english speaker, federalist as well. I used to call myself an anglophone, but sadly that word in Quebec has been tainted by people like you.

    Reply
  5. 514-iste

    I’m not saying some citizens are more important than others. I’m referring to your words: “can someone tell these people…” Yes Fagstein, “these people” voted 63% in favor of independence. Yes they lost it, but because of an exterior intervention.

    Now you clearly have something agaisnt “these people”, but remember, they represent half of everybody you’ll se around you in the metro going to work.

    Bak to domain names, internet and culture walk hand in hand, don’t be stupid. Shouldn’t it be normal that the domain name system follow ? I hardly imagine how a dude from Vancouver could give a damn about cultural events in MTL. Why not “voir.qc”, then ? And what about companies that only make buisness in our province ?

    Its only a federal vs province thing, why the hell do you have to diss souveirnists ?

    Reply
  6. Kraig

    I’m sure the ICANN will happily issue a .qc domain once, and if, QC sperates.

    Look for that headline April, 2347.

    Reply
  7. Fagstein Post author

    More responses:

    “Seriously, what is the problem with a .qc domain name? It’s not like they’re forcing people to have the .qc domain or anything.”

    Using that logic, why stop at .qc? Why not .montreal? Or .fagstein? TLDs are a finite resource, and there are rules for how they’re setup. There should be a compelling reason to break those rules.

    “…you just couldn’t resist venting your fustrations against Quebec and the perceived injustices you feel you face.”

    I don’t perceive facing any injustices. At least not in this post. I’m simply voicing an opinion against a proposal.

    “Two-thirds of Quebec voted for a nationalist party, a third for the PQ, and this is not without reason.”

    The ADQ is not a nationalist party, it is an autonomist party, whatever the heck that means. And the number of people voting for the PQ dropped considerably because sovereignty was considered a non-priority for an increasing number of quebecers.

    “If Quebecers elect a government that wants a referendum, they are electing them because they want a referendum.”

    It’s ridiculous to assume that every single vote for a party is a vote for a specific platform point of that party. And see previous point.

    “They have the right to do things like this, and if you don’t like it, perhaps a move shouldn’t be so far off in the future for you I guess.”

    I don’t abandon my home when people come up with wacky ideas.

    “People like you get so angry at the sight of anything perceived to be nationalist, you start to be unable to think clearly. This is almost universal among anglophones here in Quebec, and it really is scary.”

    Way to counter a generalization with a generalization. I’m not angry, nor am I criticizing “anything perceived to be nationalist”

    ““these people” voted 63% in favor of independence. Yes they lost it, but because of an exterior intervention.”

    People can argue over whether No votes were unfairly spoiled or whether federalists broke rules about fundraising. Either way, the votes are as they were. Half the province voted for sovereignty, half voted against.

    And “these people” refer not to all sovereignists, but to those people who believe they should ignore the result of a democratic vote simply because they disagree with it, and who want to fudge their way to their goals without the consent of the people.

    “Now you clearly have something agaisnt “these people”, but remember, they represent half of everybody you’ll se around you in the metro going to work.”

    Half the people on the metro are PQ MNAs? Wow, no wonder their party is in bad shape.

    Actually, I think half the people on the metro are crazy Habs fans.

    don’t be stupid

    OK

    And what about companies that only make buisness in our province ?

    Same with companies that only do business in Alberta or Ontario. They either get .com domains or .ab.ca, .on.ca and .qc.ca. That’s how the domain name system works.

    Reply
  8. Patrick

    Man, you should have never posted that article. I used to think you were not too bad of a person, but this time, you really came off as an arrogant prick. Seriously, anglophones + politics do not mix.

    Reply
  9. Philippe-A.

    Pointless duplications? You’re damn right about that, why in the hell are we sending any money to Ottawa?

    Damn…

    Can someone tell these people that they fucked Quebec so bad that we’ll never sign that constitution and we’ll never want to be part of that joke they call a country?

    So easy to be “haha, you lost the referendum”.

    “haha, you lost every possible chance to reach a constitutionnal agreement”.

    That thing about .qc? Yeah, dumb.

    Your comments about “pointless duplications” and the lost referendum? Yeah, dumb!

    Reply
  10. AngryFrenchGuy

    The Gazette’s fagstein is flogging the idea that the Internet should not have a .qc domain. Federalists with nothing better to do ar angry at the very idea of their beloved .ca diapearing from Québec-based websites.

    It’s tis kind of jingoistic nationalist thinking that created a country of Canadian flag waving, Canadian beer drinking, Canadian Roots sweaters wearing at manufactured Canada day events on july 1st that nearly pissed Québec out of Canada for the 3rd time in 20 years wit a Canadian Flag scandal!

    Can someone tell these people that within or without Canada, we are not just one of their cultural communities? We are different and wish to adress the world on our our own terms, not from behind a .ca.

    Reply
  11. Sylvie

    Dear hater,

    Please dont change, and continue to express yourself. People like you are helping our cause.
    I will show your comments to fellow ” Quebecois”, that have moments of doubts.

    Many thanks for all your help and Vive le Quebec libre.

    Reply
  12. anon

    Don’t you realise you’re making an ass of yourself on your own blog. You have in past posts derided people who act in the same angryphone fashion as you, but now you’re acting like one of them yourself. I agree with the above poster, I have seriously lost all respect for you.

    Reply
  13. Josh

    Of all the posts you’ve made, this is not one I mentally flagged when I saw it. Seems you’ve touched a nerve, though.

    A pointless, ridiculous nerve.

    Reply
  14. Pingback: Canadian Nationalists Fear the .QC domain « AngryFrenchGuy

  15. Agreer

    You got separatists reading your site? That’s kinda impressive. I mean…that there are still separatists out there after being beat down so many times. They’re sorta like the whimpering dog that keeps coming back to get booted agaion. They sorta grow on you after a while.

    Reply
  16. Bonjour/Hello

    ”Half the people on the metro are PQ MNAs? Wow, no wonder their party is in bad shape.

    Actually, I think half the people on the metro are crazy Habs fans.”

    Hello. I’m a sovereignist . And i take the metro. And i am a Habs fan. Maybe not crazy though.
    My family is sovereignist too. Sometimes they take the metro, and also enjoy a good ol’ Canadien’s hockey game.
    My friends too, in fact.

    Hmm so yes , maybe if you take the metro, the person in the seat in front of you could be one of ” these people”. :)
    don’t worry we are nice people. Some of us have anglo friends, and enjoy english blogs about Montreal, like me! ;)

    Reply
  17. 514-iste

    Fagstein, are you too cool to admit a mistake ? You are getting killed y everyone and you’re not even replying.

    Reply
  18. AngryFrenchGuy

    “That’s kinda impressive. I mean…that there are still separatists out there after being beat down so many times.”

    It’s not a hockey game, buddy. When you’ve got a province where 35% of separatists is considered a historical low, I’d take that as a clue that were talking about a seriously messed up country. So I’d say a .qc domain is the least of your worries. Take some of that energy and figure out how to keep McGill doctors from leaving Québec and teach Sandra at American Apparel how to say : “Bonjour, est-ce que je peux vous aider?”

    Reply
  19. Pingback: Fagstein » I’m a lover not a hater

  20. Allan

    I love how this debate is just people calling you an angryphone but not actually defending any of their points.

    Reply
  21. AngryFrenchGuy

    Apparently by “separatist with nothing better to do” you meant the UNANIMOUS NATIONAL ASSEMBLY…

    MERCI AUX 7 000 SIGNATAIRES !

    Daniel Turp
    Député de Mercier à l’Assemblée nationale du Québec
    (www.danielturpqc.org)

    Depuis le 14 avril dernier, vous avez été près de 7 000 personnes à participer à l’Opération POINT-QC et à avoir signé la pétition réclamant une extension nationale pour le Québec sur la Toile. Je vous en remercie et remercie en outre les organismes qui ont participé à l’opération visant à favoriser la signature de la pétition, et en particulier le Mouvement national des Québécois et des Québécoises (MNQ).

    En lançant cette opération il y a près de 3 mois, je ne me doutais pas qu’un autre organisme, en l’occurrence PointQuébec, faisait également la promotion d’une identité québécoise sur la Toile auprès de l’Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

    Le mercredi 11 juin dernier, j’ai d’ailleurs co-parrainé une motion conjointe à l’Assemblée nationale voulant « Que l’Assemblée nationale appuie l’initiative des promoteurs de l’organisme PointQuébec auprès de l’Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers pour l’obtention d’une extension générique de premier niveau dans l’Internet exclusive au Québec. Qu’elle appuie cette demande pour aider au succès de nos entreprises et faire progresser les intérêts du Québec sur la scène internationale ». L’Assemblée nationale du Québec a adopté cette motion à l’unanimité de ses membres.

    L’adoption de cette motion m’a réjoui et j’ai eu l’occasion de saluer la volonté du ministre Raymond Bachand de favoriser l’émergence d’une identité québécoise sur la Toile dans mon intervention lors du débat sur cette motion.

    Je ferme donc la présente pétition. À compter de maintenant, je vous invite à offrir votre soutien à l’organisme PointQuébec en vous rendant sur son site à l’adresse http://www.pointquebec.org et en devenant un supporteur de PointQuébec.

    Reply
  22. Andy

    Wow. I’ve just moved back to Quebec after 8 years out of province. The ignorance and large amount of just plain old anger behind the whole sepratist movement just makes me sad. There are so many arguments I can make against such a movement… but alas the small minds you seem to get in here wouldn’t be able to handle it.

    Fagstein, I am with you. .qc, .ca… who freakin’ cares. Just another thing for you freaks to bitch about.

    Reply

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