A reporter poses as an American tourist in Toronto, and uncovers the “ugly Canadian”.
First, I approached John, sitting on a stoop smoking, a Toronto hat on his head. I asked for a lighter, introduced myself and said I’d noticed anti-Americanism in Toronto. He asked if I was a Republican and I said I was. Then John asked, “Are you a fundamentalist of some kind?”
“This is Kensington Market,” he added. “It’s about the worst place for fellow right- wingers.” After I thanked him for his time and started walking away, he instructed, “Reconsider your views.”
I was just in Kensington Market yesterday and had that happened to me I wouldn’t have given him a lighter – I would have punched him in the face and thrown him to the ground. Then I would have yelled “Republican motherfucker!” which would have attacted more people to my cause – then we would’ve robbed him.
What?? The assault and robbery would have been to make him feel at home. No reason why he should be coming to Canada and enjoying our socialist utopia if he doesn’t agree with our policies. Social Darwinism is what he wants? Then I’ll give it to him.
I’m only half kidding.
True, you’re half right. The assault and robbery would have made him feel like he was in Canada.
Typical Toronto Star rubbish!
When he walks down the street, he smiles at everyone (except Americans), he’s King of Kensington !
I’m located in the Centre of the Universe but I telecommute every day with people from a southern state. Many of them seem to be ashamed to be American. I’ve asked if I could relocate to the US office and was asked why — I joked that I would love to be an American. My manager, located in the US office, bitterly responded with “no one should want to be American.”
Some time ago, that office took up a collection for an employee whose spouse is a Reservist deployed to Iraq. The collection was to purchase long distance calling cards so they could keep in touch. I sent a money order for $25 US — I was the only Canadian to contribute to the fund. And the total amount raised in the southern office with about 100 employees? $86, $25 of which was mine. There’s little sympathy for those who serve.
It’s not just Canadians who dislike Americans. From what I’ve seen, there’s a lot of self-loathing down there.
I’d still like to move to the US, the recent Supreme Court abolition of private property notwithstanding. I’m Canadian, so I’m already used to not having property rights.
American like you, indeed.
That’s really sad. We continue to bite the hand that feeds us (in fact, rather than fantasy like Ottawa, that feeds us with our own food).
Hey Skysaxon – is there some nuance I’m missing?
I used to spend quite a bit of time in Canada, and on each visit I experienced some form of anti-Americanism. When I was a kid visiting Ontario the anti-Americanism was a mild form derived from Loyalist snottery. Later, after Trudeau cast his spell upon Canada, the anti-Americanism became more bitter. It was all a sort of cheap triumphalism, cynically fomented to inspire national unity, which is, in the end, a Potemkin unity built on sand. It’s all a great lie.
I very much like Canada and its traditions (which today can be described as “Red Ensign”). I even had a Mountie outfit when I was 5 and the other kids wore cowboy duds. Today, things are different. I don’t visit Canada anymore, because only my money seems to be welcome.
Hell, I, like so many others here, have become anti-Canadian not anti-American. Stuff like this just makes me want to go throw rocks, or worse, at cars with ONT plates crossing the AB border.
I’m with Rob; I am not by any means a proud Canadian and believe that the USA has a lot to offer us within its culture and institutions, as we have a lot to offer it. I’ve dealt with hundreds of Americans through business, and have fallen in love with their open, take no prisoners call a spade a spade attitude… much like we see on the blogs.
Furthermore, anti-Americanism, based on fluff, is nothing but bigotry. It is my opinion that insecure Canadians are anti-American, while truly informed and secure Canadians are not, but are free to be critical of the US and Canada, without reducing themselves to generalized bigotry.
Hey, y’all. Before you criticize our American friends, put on a uniform and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them in places they don’t want to be either. Freedom has it’s price and the Americans are paying that price for everybody’s freedom, including ours.
Canadians who dis the US should stick their sanctimonious attitude up their ass.
God Bless the USA!
Sad, but true. I am ashamed to be a Canadian.
I have lived in the United States on several occasions and each time I was always treated with utmost respect and friendship whenever I indicated that I was from Canada.
Unfortunately a large number of smug Canadians do not realize how childish so many of our fellow compatriots are.
Thank God (am I allowed to say that in Canada?)not all Canadians are boors.
My American friends tell me that in addition to the boorish behaviour from some, they also have been treated with respect and friendship here in Canada.
definitely know what you mean.
I live in TO and commute/telecommute to California and other places in the US. I spent 70% of my time in the US. I had the opportunity to emigrate and for whatever reason did not take it 4 years ago. I would now and the only reason and will as soon as I can manage it.
I work with a bunch of blue staters, many of whom feel that because I am Canadian, I am a natural ally in their holy war against BushCo. Everytime they have conversations about Canada, they bring up all these mythologies that the Canadian MSM crafts ever so carefully. I take great enjoyment skewering these. It is at the point now where they send me articles on Canada’s failing healthcare system, etc.
From somone who was a absolute patriot, I have fallen out of love for what this country has become. And for those of you who say love it or leave it. I will and I will not look back.
Im with you ROB.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Like Lester B Pearson said
“If you cant censor the truth,
you shoot the messenger.
Failing that you label him inept,
Failing that you commence to make up stories.
All in a days work for a SOCIALIST.”
Im with you ROB.
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Like Lester B Pearson said
“If you cant censor the truth,
you shoot the messenger.
Failing that you label him inept,
Failing that you commence to make up stories.
All in a days work for a SOCIALIST.”
oops sorry for the double post
old squid – Amen to that…. Down with the sludge sucking moonbats in Bananada…
It makes me sick how some Canadians sit on Mount Superior looking down their nose at our American friends. It’s our most disgusting national trait. I lived in Vancouver for a few years, where the basest, stupidest expressions of anti-Americanism passed as high wisdom. I won’t even attempt to describe how pathetic their own lives were. Suffice to say, American ingenuity and self-reliance were completely absent in these socialist drones.
You guys are pathetic whiners dissing on Canada like that. Please leave the country and move to the super conservative bible belt where you belong with the rest of those hateful rednecks.
.. once you admit that Canada no longer represents your beliefs or values, the rest is easy. Some say we got to take it back, I say why? .. separate yourself from them and let them sink to the bottom, it’s like alcoholism, until they hit bottom, and admit it, there’s no reasoning with them.
Out west we’ve been fighting with Ottawa for 100 years now, ironically. Canada no longer represents what me and a lot of others have any desire to live in. So, as I tell my friends, neighbors, and coworkers, make yourself feel better, go sign up a separatist and make it happen.
Radical?… maybe from the opposite view, but look around, is this what you want for you and your kids.
That must be barbara streisand.
barbara – Why? , because you don’t think there’s systemic problem with the anti-American attitude?
Most of who are our friends and relatives. If someone was, as you state, dissing your relatives, would you not take a stand?
I have to ask, how much is in your brown envelope?
Why are they hateful ? They are just fed up with all the Liberal bile and bigotry that is directed at decent people.
First let me assure everyone that this private property ruling in the Supreme Court will create a huge fight down here. You haven’t seen the last of it. We’ll see who is still standing when the smoke clears.
At first, anti-Americanism hurt us, then it made us angry, then we started to regard Canadians as trivial, now we’re merely disappointed at anti-Americanism in Canadians and see them as rather childish.
If Canada would simply realize that down here population-wise it is about the size of a large state, then there would be no need to feel competitive. It would be more realistic to see Canada as competitive with Texas or California. As it is, anti-Americanism is an absurdity posturing as cogency.
As for Justin at the top of the page, I thank my lucky stars that it wasn’t me who encountered him in Kensington Market. Because I would be in jail, and he would either be in the hospital or the mortuary.
I’m only half kidding.
As typical of her species, Barbara equates anti-Americanism with “progressive Canadian values” – and believes that anyone who denounces this ugly trait in the Canadian left must be a “redneck” – using the term as though rural, bluecollar working culture is something to be despised in and of itself.
Look inside yourself, Barbara and ask when it was that you crossed the line from Proud Canadian to cultural bigot.
Jon I would think the Americans who dont support their troops are few and far between. That isnt to say there are only few, but I would think it depends on location. I spent some time in North Carolina this year and troop support is outstanding to say the least. Many vehicles had the yellow ribbon sticky which read support our troops and most people I spoke with felt the same way.
Took his bloody life in his hands he did, walking around down there with all those unregistered handguns going off thither and yon.
Barbara, do you think that this Anti-American bigotry is “progressive”?
Do you even actually understand the true meanings of the words bigotry and progressive? Like most lefties, probably not…
But I would invite you to prove me wrong.
I, however, am not holding my breath.
Let’s do the opposite of what our friend at the Toronto Star did. Let’s go to North Carolina and ask someone for directions and then tell them how rude we’ve found the locals to be after we’ve told them we’re liberals from Canada who support gay-marriage, hate Bush, are against the war in Iraq and cheer when US troops get killed in action).
The idiot at the Star shouldn’t be surprised at the reaction he got when he was the one who brought up politics in the first place and announced he was a Bush loving Republican. What did he expect — he asked people for their opinions — did he wants lies and BS for a response?
Ah, George, perhaps Canadians aren’t so polite after all.
I think the Americans would be more peaceful in response to the pitiful verbal provocation rather than stoop to the level of libby Canuck extremists. However, attack them physically with murder-bombers or with a nuclear warhead, and we’re fucked, thanks to the hatemongering of the Canadian left…
Of course, I kid… we don’t have nuclear warheads!
Barbara: So you can share the land with the loving, blissfully-wed, progessive guys wearing pink panties? Your sex life might suffer, unless…
Mark
Ottawa
Barbara, I would appreciate it if you could extend yourself to help me out. Would you please expain to me precisely what it is that you and Canadians in sympathy with your point of view have against the people of the United State?
I’m told that Canadians often think that Americans are stupid, and in your post you’ve made some perjorative references to us as rednecks.
Let’s look at this reasonably for a moment. Do you really think that Canada has more people with PhDs than the U.S.? Do you honestly think that more people in Canada read Virgil and Cicero or Aeschalus than in the United States? Is it that you feel that 300 milion people and 200 years of relating to the rest of the world somehow makes the US intellectually naive when it comes to having to make judgements and decisions about international affairs? Do you imagine that the many wars we’ve entered into have diminished our capacities relative to judgements about armed conflict?
Do you honestly think that American charities are less responsive to genuine need than Canadian charities? Do you think that Ameiricans are less giving than Canadians?
I am a Texan, and if you saw me walking down the street, you’d probably think me to be one of these rednecks. I am a conservative and a military veteran. However I majored in philosophy and my wife had a double major in French and Anthropology. Do you suppose that our joint educational background diminishes our possibility of understand the nuances of the vagaries of life and the world?
You know, Americans honestly have nothing against you except for your anti-American bias. As Rob intimated above, on an individual level we are really a bunch of friends and relatives. Just think about it.
Thanks, Greg from Texas, for your very well- thought-out, reasoned and written effort to reach out and have a rational dialog with Barbara.
I fear, however, we may have heard the last from her already. My own experience with lefties is that many will simply become angry with me for daring to think for myself and not be told what to think and for having the gall to say so, then they will no longer even say “hi” when I see them at the City Market or wherever.
I find that most of them cannot or won’t listen to, let alone try to understand, reason, truth etc. Even though not too long ago they were the ones sprouting exactly that rhetoric about reason, truth etc. Remember all the “prove it” and “make the case” challenges they kept making in the runup to the liberation of the Iraqi people? It’s all talk- they never prove anything.
BTW, I think that in Canada there are more UNDEREMPLOYED PhDs. Hell, thanks to Librano economic-incentive-distorting policies of regional patronage and vote-buying, I myself am an underemployed (okay, underpaid, anyway) BBA grad/IT diploma holder on the east coast.
BTW, Kate, I hail from Saskatchewan. Miss it even though it was when I was a little fellow. It’s quite a different culture out here in NB. Although the country folk here (I’m city myself, but have had real country friends much like yourself and your neighbors) are pretty much like country folk out west. The city-country cultural differences are eye-opening. The people really do have noticeable differences. No surprise, then, that there are often differences in voting patterns…
Many Canadians and Americans are indeed friends and relatives. My maternal grandmother was from Welland, Ontario and emigrated with her family to find a better life in upstate New York. My maternal grandfather’s portion of the family contained a branch that came to Maine from Nova Scotia around 1840, and I have distant kinfolk in several Canadian provinces. One of my great aunts was a Dean at the University of Alberta. Hence, my attachment to Canada, despite the nastiness of people like Barbara, remains firm.
I came to conservatism mostly through a strong belief in traditionalism and my faith (not a born-again, just a plain ol’ Lutheran). I have three university degrees, yet I’ve rejected the cloistered narrowness of academe. I belong to two unions and was also once a Democrat, but I wised up as I long ago began to realize their true intent. Call me a redneck if you will, but I will never lose my devotion to this great nation, its past, its present and its future.
Had a couple of Americans at my home today. (They seem to dig it here.) I was tempted to toss the proverbial ‘fart at a garden party’, by asking them if they could sponsor me as a ‘refugee’ to their country?
Barbara: Since others are being polite and rational, I would just add that I wonder what your views are on the super-conservative Koranic areas and the hateful ragheads who live there?–just to follow on, in an ironic vein, your way of describing others: not to express a personal opinion.
Mark
Ottawa
Any chance of turning this into an on-line dating service pairing Canadians with lovely, warm-blooded Yanks???? Otherwise, I’ll have to find somebody to adopt me, preferably in Jeb Bush country (I like the heat and sunshine, even hurricanes).
Iron Lady, aka “darcykisses”, could you possibly post a picture? 🙂
Unfortunately, I’m just a Canuck, so I guess I’m probably outta your league, plus I think Kate might not really warm to your idea of a dating service on SDA. I prefer to meet the ladies in person myself… but keep posting your comments! 🙂
CANADA, NOT THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY FOR IMMIGRANTS (For Canada loving Liberals)
Posted by OKIEDOC
On 06/25/2005 2:12:46 PM PDT � 14 replies � 352+ views
caribbeanmedicine.com ^ | Monday May 31, 2004 | Binoy Thomas
The following is a gut-wrenching story of how the dreams of one immigrant to Canada came to naught.
Ghulam Rasool is a Mechanical Engineer (1976) with M. E. in Production (1979) and Industrial Engineering (1980) from India with immediate family on both sides of the border. Before he migrated to Canada, induced by the promises held forth by Canada’s immigration policy, he had picked up years of experience in machine building industry. He wrote to Voice: “I may not be able to access my mail anymore now. There is not time left for me. My phone is gone and I…
??????????????????????????????
freerepublic.com
OK Mark, I’ll take your bait.
“I wonder what your views are on the super-conservative Koranic areas and the hateful ragheads who live there?” I won’t comment on your ‘ironic’ appropriation of my last post but I will answer your question. What do I think of conservative Muslims, to the extent that I do think of them, i don’t think much. Conservative/radical Muslims are an extreme variant of the christianist right in America – they’re inherently undemocratic and irrational, that is, they’re ultimate goal is gov’t by religious decree.
Another thing I dislike is this fake macho anti-Canada ethos permeating this thread. Americans are strong and on the side of angels while Canadians are weak and side with the devil. This attitude isn’t much different than a reactionary anti-American attitude that you hate. I have much respect for America and their history but I, like many Canadians, have no respect for the current regime. Please don’t mistake anti-Bush feelings with anti-American ones.
Barbara, it’s hard to not mistake anti-Bush feelings for anti-American feelings when you are called “bastards” and worse for the mere act of holding U.S. citizenship and right-of-center views.
And address for me, if you would, the concept of “friendship” when applying the knife to one’s back, as the Canadian ruling menage-a-trois of Desmarais-Strong-Martin profited from the Oil for Food scandal, thus propping up a corrupt and murderous regime in Baghdad.
Re: barbara at June 25, 2005 01:38 PM
Caroline, is that you ?
So from Barbara’s response, I take it that it’s ok for her to have freedom and democracy, from her point of view, but for everyone else it’s a different standard. That sounds like the typical response of the government, we are liberal therefore we are Canada. What a crock of shit….
On the international stage, why don’t you ask the Librano$ were the hell the tsunami relief money went. They still haven’t received a bloody cent, and you have the nerve to mock President Bush?
For your info Barbara, the VAST majority of Albertan’ s support President Bush in his quest to spread freedom and democracy, and dissipate dictatorships to prevent future problems. Read your damn history, or is that beneath your intelligence level. Your so called progressive redneck response fired the first shot many years ago, and then you have the nerve to question our attitude. You also told us to move to the bible belt, and I could respond by telling you to move to Fwwwwance, but instead I’ll encourage you to stay or move out east, were you can continue to alienate the west so we can tell you to take your version of Canada and stick it were the sun don’t shine.
Kate, hit the trackback button. I’ve given you a shoutout on my take on this story.
Keep on smilin’.
Well, this thread sure took a turn when I wasn’t looking!
So, if I got it right, commenting in a negative fashion toward the actions of our technically-illegitimate government is anti-Canadian? hmmm… And supporting democracy in Iraq is also anti-Canadian? And anyone belonging to the CPC is automatically a fundamentalist Christian who would be happier in the (I’m assuming US) bible belt?
Well, Barbara, I don’t know where you live, but… there are, fyi, ‘bible belts’ I’m guessing all across Canada. I’ve only lived in AB & BC, but know that the ‘bible belt’ (Fraser Valley) in BC is way more fundamentalist than anything I’ve seen in Alberta. I’m betting Ontario has a few as well.
Just out of curiousity, can you name me one fundamentalist Christian country that, in the last 100 years, has been… let’s see. Run by a dictator (possibly Italy?) and indiscriminately killing large numbers of citizens for political reasons and jailing large numbers of citizens for political reasons?
“fake macho anti-Canada ethos…” Interesting mouthful. I believe you’ve mistaken absolute disgust at the illegal manoueverings of PMPM and his merry men for anti-Canadian sentiments. But perhaps I’m being redundant.
Bob,
Great post as always. Sorry, I have to put it here, no comments on your site.
One thing, as stated earlier on some post, Albertan’s have learned to rely on themselves, but are usually first in when others need help, so the Red Cross wouldn’t be necessary.
Gee, does that sound familiar, uh let me see, have to think reaaaallll hard, uh, it sounds like the American way, there always first internationally to send aid and people when required and don’t ask for help themselves, then all these countries line up and diss them for being a great neighbor….
Barbara said,
“Conservative/radical Muslims are an extreme variant of the christianist right in America – they’re inherently undemocratic and irrational, that is, they’re ultimate goal is gov’t by religious decree.”
You are an absolute IDIOT!
If Canada is such a utopia, why is it that 60 per cent of French-speaking Canadians voted Oui(yes) in the last referendum to leave Canada and a higher percentage plan to vote Oui in a future referendum?
If Canada is such a prized destination, why is that a Syrian general (non-religious extreme secular muslim) can dial a minister for a permit while a poor Mexican is always refused?
If Canada is so great, why is that more people are rude and vulgar in Canada than anywhere else in the world?
Finally, if Canada is so wonderful, why can’t our cultural communities produce any popular movies or books that are not vulgar and negative?
That’s right Anselm. You can tell a Canadian script right away because what it lacks in substance it makes up for in vulgarity/expletives. Lousy lighting is a dead giveaway, too. And then there’s Ann of Green Gables … ad infinitum, ad nauseum. Though I did see one good one about a British war bride brough to Alberta by her Canuck husband. Trouble is, in one scene where the couple meets at a local dancehall in England welcoming the troops to Britain, among all the flags, a Canadian Maple Leaf!!!! This, from a Canadian producer. Oh well.
Stripped of rights
WINNIPEG – Thomas Hanaway, 80, never asked the government to take over his life. But that’s exactly what they’ve done to the Second World War veteran, cleaning out his bank account, seizing his pension cheques and assuming complete control over his life — without even asking him or his family. (Winnipeg Sun)
primetimecrime.com
Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
AdScam Martin’s socialist regime at work.