Bob Tarantino skewers Linda McCuaig’s defense of the Dither slither away from BMD that
“standing up to the American empire … will only improve our standing in a world increasingly alarmed by U.S. unilateralism”.
This is one of those fascinating rationalizations that requires a complete suspension of any connection with reality in order for it to make sense. “Improve our standing in the world”? Who is she kidding? Does anyone honestly believe that anyone outside the US military establishment and the incestuous world of the Canadian media and political culture gives a flying hump about this issue? Who is getting fired up about this? Jack Layton. Newspaper editorialists. Some Canadian bloggers. That’s pretty much it. The issue was splashed across front pages for a day, and now it’ll likely fade away, never to be heard about again. Check Google News, and see if you can even find any non-Canadian, non-US media outlets reporting about the issue. I saw one mention in Australia, one in Borneo and one in India. That’s it. If the primary rationale for dodging participation in BMD is to get brownie points with “the world”, we’re gonna need to do a much better job of selling it.
Joel Fleming weighs in on a similar remark later in the “opinion” column, (we can use scare quotes, too, Linda), that “Canada’s gutsy refusal to go along was the right move – and one that, incidentally, will win us higher standing in the world.
Except “incidentally” isn’t really accurate, is it Linda? Why else would the title trumpet Canada’s newfound “respect”? International popularity was the primary factor in the decision, wasn’t it? This is what happens when you extend the Liberals trademark, poll-driven decision-making to foreign policy. Congratulations Canada – North Korea, Iran and Syria like us a lot more today.
Though I’m not sure you could call it “respect.”
To repeat something I’ve said earlier – Canada’s role in the world has been reduced to serving as a warning to the US.
Ha.. I think these guys better start worrying about what’s happening in there own country. Tomorrow, there’s a pro missle defense ralley at the US Embassy in Calgary, and the a pole in Edmonton-northern AB, shows, so far 85% that we should have been part of it, 13% opposed and 2% don’t care.
The feelings in the West are starting to steam….
For what seems all my life there’s been talk of secession in Canada – always Quebec. Has the west ever considered it? I mean seriously, and looked into if it’s even possible?
Leaving statehood out of it (as far as I’m concerned, you’re welcome to join) it just seems incredibly obvious to me (the uninformed American of course) that you’d be better off.
About ten years ago I knew a lady in Calgary, her attitude about Quebec was “Nobody really cares if they do, I just wish they’d shut up about it and make up their minds”.
That Quebec business makes me think it must be an option, tho while it’s also an option down here it’s also very unlikely to happen.
Actually, it’s funny you mentioned that. There is already a few separatist parties here. With the recent events, such as gay marriage, missile defense, 11 billion in transfer payments, a carbon tax on the horizon(NEP in disguise), it’s now more apparent then ever we want out.
We have a hell of a lot to offer as well, as we’ve been supporting Quebec all these years, while they rape everyone else with Hydro profits.
Like someone here said somewhere, were the feed for the cow which is central Canada. Then ya wonder why our damn cows get mad…. 😉
Anti Amnericanism is the heart of her ideology, and it has to be reflected back to her in the columns she reads, the news she consumes, the cocktail party chatter she spouts.Her vanity must be stroked at all times.
So if I understand this right, she’s saying that Canada gained respect from those alarmed by American unilateralism … by withdrawing from an offer of multilateralism and forcing the U.S. to act unilaterally with respect to North American missile defense?
Bwahaha!
A friend of mine always had a great line about Canada and its perception of its “role” in the world:
Canada hasn’t decided what it wants to be when it grows up yet.
But now, the more I read about our fussy national obsession with medicare and social services, I’m beginning to realize that it looks more like our dear Dominion has actually chosen to take an early retirement from the rest of the world…
Oh Canada. Oh dear…
So, how long until the US is obligated by a treaty to patrol the Grand Banks in Canada’s stead and enforce Canadian sovereignty? Just think, all those expensive patrol boats could be pensioned off to wealthy vacationers, or sunk to provide artificial reefs for Chretien’s and Martin’s detractors.
Hey JS
No use sinking those boats for artificial reefs so quickly
All in good time.
We can give them to Native gill netters to net hatchery fish raised by sportsfishermen volunteers for sportsfishermen.
Why support artificial reefs when you can support artificial rights ?