Travelling in the US for a few days makes for a lovely break from blogging, despite the fact that I have so much catching up to do when I get back. It’s not just that there’s no news from Canada – whether the discussion is focused on the economy, foreign affairs, politics – there are no comparisons of America to Canada on any topic at all.
For all intents and purposes, Canada ceases to exist.
Which, all things considered, is about what this insipid little excuse for a country deserves.
Canadians believe U.S. President George W. Bush is almost as great a threat to our national security as Osama bin Laden, according to a government opinion poll obtained by the National Post.
Words fail.
Not at all surprising, considering that 50% of all Canadians are below average…
But how come the Canadian elite subscribes to the same ideas?
The numbness to idiocy has taken hold like permafrost. While you were gone, Kate, Jack Laydown was expressing some regrets for having propped up the kleptocracy.
After five years down under I can can say that most Americans do not even know the extent of anti-Americanism in Canada and I hope that all my friends down their never discover the full extent of my shame.
OK, I’ll take the bait…
with oil reserves (tar sands) which rank us second only to Saudi Arabia…you can be certain I’m afraid of the Yanks.
plus a wealth of other natural resources…timber, water, diamonds, hydroelectric…
the only thing lacking in this banana republic is bananas.
lastmanstanding:
You believe the US is a menace to us because of our abundant natural resources? Are you smoking crack?
I don’t recall the US ever stealing the natural resources of any sovereign nation – even when they were/are in a position to do so. For example, like Kuwait and Iraq.
I’m not sure if you are trolling, but for what its worth, the US has a moral conscience and will agree to pay for our oil, water etc.
Would you rather be next door to Venezuela? Germany, France? Given their past histories, I’d say our little corner of the world is the best place to be.
Your smug, anti-Americanism is extremely ugly lastmanstanding, and your low opinion of our neighbour is part of the problem.
kate>>For all intents and purposes, Canada ceases to exist.
kate>>Which, all things considered, is about what this insipid little excuse for a country deserves.
Why do to keep coming back?
Canadians are not anti-American; they are anti stupidity!!
If George W. Bush were truly a threat to national security we would have all been visited by various divisions of the Marine Corps long ago. Who dreams up this twaddle?
I suppose Canadians should all take up building nukes in their back yard as that credible US threat is just too much for our underfunded military. Make sure you’ve got your 10 million SPF skin lotion before you deploy.
Truly we are led by rogues and fools.
Regards
Hans
Contemplate these numbers: Canadian Institute for Health Information /Medical imaging in Canada 2004.
http://secure.cihi.ca/cihiweb/dispPage.jsp?cw_page=media_13jan2005_e
“Across the country, Ontario had the most MRI machines with 52.”
Ontario has a population of some 12.5 million. Meanwhile, consider the Syracuse area, New York, population around 750,000:
http://www.excitepr.com/03b_nyt031304.html
“The five counties surrounding Syracuse have 27 M.R.I. machines…” (this includes the city itself, 2004).
[External Link]
Thus the Syracuse area has about 6% of the population of Ontario but about 50% as many MRI machines. Keep waiting.
Mark
Ottawa
JasperPants, I am neither smoking crack nor trolling.
I was offering my opinion. I respect your opinion and would like the same courtesy extended to me.
cheers,
Canadians are anti-American because they lack an identity of their own. E.g. there is no defining moment, like 1776, in Canadian history, nor a defining document or idea, like the US constitution.
And the country is also very young, as full independence (almost) was granted as late as 1967, so Canada is hardly even adolescent yet. The latter, btw, might explain why Canadians are still so obedient to authorities (governments, unions, CRTC, Wheatboard, gag laws etc), and are so easily fooled by the political classes.
Kate…nice to see you back(not to mean your subs didn’t to an excellent job). Your 2nd post and all ready raising s*** with the rest of us. Love it.
Lastman..yes..we do have bananas in Canuckistan..goggle Oyssoyos.
Jasper…lastman has no choice but to be anti-American…after all,it is our canadian identity!!
As to the “evil” U.S. after our resources,they are to late.The Chinese have bought the oilsands in AB.(funny thing..it never made the MSM).
Darcy..no worries,the Yanks are concerned about more important things then us Canucks.
Naked Ape..who keeps coming back??
Mark..these figures are suprising because???
IMHO..the reason most Canadians hate/pretend to hate Americans is because they possess something we do not have.They have patriotism.They are not ashamed to show their flag and the system they believe in.What can we show? A health care system that is rated at #30 in the world? Yet this is our identity,or at least,our politicos would have us believe so.Gee.Lets be proud of something that basically says we will kill you while you are awaiting service,but,hey,its ours and lets be proud of it! And excuse me while I jump off the nearest building.There is no defining “something” anymore that says Canada.At one time,we could say, Hey,we helped defend the free world.We were respected.We had a gov’ing system that worked. Now?
If I were an American and know what I know about how Canadians (Liberals and lefties) harbor terrorists and sympathizes with murderers, I would consider Canada a national secuirty threat right up there with OBL.
Canada (Urban Eastern Canada) has been morally bankrupt for years and the downward spiral began in the 70’s with the PET era. I do not consider Eastern Canada belonging to the same country as I do, nor do I consider the Canadian government my government, they are a rouge group of militants who have been occupying the Parliament. I consider Canada a dissolved nation with no legitimate government.
Then move Kate.
Further, if you are critical of someone, we don’t go shouting “oh he’s anti-whoever”. That is ludicrous. So why the anathema when it comes to criticizing the Americans? We who disagree with any American action get labelled anti-American?!? Don’t you find that blanket incredibly broad? Do you not wonder why this process is occurring? It seems the “you’re with us or against us” mentality is spilling into Canada, and this is a dangerous course indeed. Gone are the times when friendship stood for honesty towards each other. Now people advocate blind loyalty, saying “Hey Canada, you were our friend. You should have supported our illegitimately sanctioned war!” Well, thanks, Cellucci, but no thanks. If the rising tide of “anti-Americanism” represents a schism between our two countries, then fine. We have never been treated in equity by the US, and the road they have descended upon is haunted by shadows in the form of Jonathon Wild.
Move? I’ve looked into it, and still am.
Next question?
Yes, Kate, please move on. I’m sure the U.S. would be glad to have you. Then you can live in your chosen land and not have to deal with us directly any longer. Maybe you can enlist and truly support your invasion of Iraq.
BTW, Alabama and Texas would be ideal. I’ve lived in both places and can highly recommend them to you. Good luck!
BTW, they’re still pissed about losing the war (Civil, that is) and are suspicious of accents not familiar. So practice the lingo before you go.
Perhaps this is the Librano strategy, i.e. to disgust the right so much that some/many of them leave, which then will make it even more likely the Librano$ can continue to control the country?
Skysaxon & Tommy, can you help us out?
Tommy..it may have been an “illegitimately sanctioned war!” by U.N. standards.So,are you saying that better Saddam and his murdering sons remained?? And if you read it carefully,Kate is not criticizing nor saying it is wrong to criticize Americans.If you have read any of her other posts,she is just saying that is your’s,her’s and my right to do so…and frankly…it is the Americans that is giving us that right.It sure isn’t the namby-bamby lefties here in Canckistan that are upholding that right.
Most American citizens have never actually visited Canada. Some simple facts:
Under 5% of the US population lives within 150 miles of the US/Canada border (land or water).
Over 90% of Canada’s population lives within 150 miles of the US/Canada border (land or water).
Most of the Americans encountered by Canadians are residents of U.S. border communities like Seattle, Detroit, or Buffalo. It is rare for Canadians to encounter Americans residing in Omaha, Memphis, Charlotte, or Tallahassee.
On a per-capita basis, Canadians make far more frequent visits to the U.S. Canadian visitors are familiar to residents of U.S. border communities, but in the “heartland of America” Canadian visitors are seldom seen or noticed.
Accordingly, U.S. media audiences don’t seek out Canadian news or information. Media sources risk alienating their audiences by adding “boring” news about Canada, which might hurt audience ratings or circulation. Canada is ignored.
Canadians traveling to, or living in, the States must rely heavily on the Internet to keep up to date on things Canadian. In some cities, there are Canadian social clubs and “Meetup” groups.
The more I’ve read on this blog and on other Canadian political blogs, the more thankful I am to be living in the United States.
I, for one, would be more than happy to welcome Kate here to San Diego. I think she would be happy here since this is one of the most conservative locations in California, along with being one of the nicest places in the U.S. to live.
Isn’t this just lovely!-
In case you morons missed it, you are ignorantly dissing your hostess here.
There IS a way to disagree and you goons of the “hey, if you don’t like it here, move” crowd prove beyond doubt on opening your mouths that there is at least ONE poll in Canada that seems to be accurate: ” 40% of Canadians are illiterate”
If that is the best argument you can come up with arming you bunch with a keyboard is akin to giving a baby a gun.
It is not a viable argument number one.
And number two you have couched it in terms to assure two things: You show your ignorance by speaking at all and show your buffoonery by tracking in your muddy boots into Kate’s house!
I hope Kate didn’t lay out the good linen for you maroons.
And while we are at wondering why the “Canadian elite” subscribe to such nonsense and print that bilge is that the poll is again the answer:
” 40% of Canadians are illiterate, 40% of Canadians vote Liberal.”
That should answer any questions.
Actually, my ideal would be Montana, rural Minnesota or the Dakotas.
It really is an interesting experience you know – driving frequently between those states and our western provinces – with similar geography, and more plentiful natural resources (especially mineral resources), the observable differences in our economies are significant – the first thing that hits you is the profound difference in highway quality, the next is stagnant construction activity – (compare growth in Winnipeg with Minneapolis for a rude reality check)
Canadians can delude themselves all they like about what we’ve done to this country over the past 40 years – but the facts don’t lie. A standard of living 25% lower for the average Canadian middle class family, productivity that lags behind the US by about the same rate and a tax system that has resulted in an exodus of young, highly trained professionals. For every American who moves north, 6 Canadians leave for the US – compare that on the basis of relative population, and the exchange rate is 60 – 1.
So – I wouldn’t be encouraging Canadians to leave, if I were concerned about the future of the country. They’re already doing it at an alarming rate.
We also get enough “Snowbirds” that visit here in the winter to keep Kate company if she misses her countrypeople.
IMHO this is another example of how the media moulds the message.
We have a CRTC which restricts the more conservative /right wing news from the US like Fox News into Canada so our impressions of the US come from the Liberal leftists…CNN included.
Canadian media of all types is virtually non-existant in the US. We may have a few TV shows like the one with the Mountie in New York but other than that what do they know about us on a consistent basis?
If CTV Newsworld or CBC was fed to the US who would watch? And, if they did watch they would believe that we are a one party socialist state which endorses political lcorruption, legalizing drugs, changing the definition of marriage, Christian-bashing, allowing hundreds of thousands of immigrants in unchecked through porous borders, abusing and debasing our military, Cuban/Korean style restrictive health care, Maurice Strong and other Canadians involved in the Saddam Oil-For-Food UN scandal (which DID make US headlines- not Canadian ones) …
Maybe it’s better they don’t get the truth about Canada – Let the ADSCAm agencies just sell them the multi-million dollar tourism bumf for now until we can clean up our act.
Snowbunnie:
Kate has stated she wants to leave.
And, “For all intents and purposes, Canada ceases to exist.
Which, all things considered, is about what this insipid little excuse for a country deserves.”
As to the 40 percent illiterate. I agree. See Fubar above.
Johan i Kanada: actually full legal independence was achieved under the Statute of Westminster, 1931.
fubar: just surprised that the disparity is so overwhelming, especially given the similarities between upper NY State and Ontario. Mainly trying to make the sad facts clear to anyone who still believes in the wonders on one-tier (so-called) health care.
wasp: one quite agrees they are a “rouge group of militants”, although one suspects you meant “rogue”.
Mark
Ottawa
Geez Kate, it sure is nice to see things have calmed down since “the boys” have left.
😉
Whooaaaa…snowbunnie..ranting again?…lol..but why keep bringing up the 40% illteracy rate? I mean..they can’t read it anyways!!And isn’t a maroon a dessert cookie?…Naw…not for these clowns..they are to easy to chew on and spit out.
And good linen? Okay…call me stupid.Now I’m lost.
Fubar: The rhetoric in this country online and off is enough to make a SAINT rant and rave, and a SAINT I ain’t! ( thank God!) 🙂
off topic, or is it?
“Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes you can do these things. Among them are (xxx)..a few Texas oil millionaires, and an occasional politician or business man from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.”
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, 11/8/54
Fubar, I am surprised that you think I am anti-American. That label was applied by JasperPants.
Just thought I’d drop in for a visit…not a very friendly place you folks keep here…
have a great day.
Snowbunnie>>And while we are at wondering why the “Canadian elite” subscribe to such nonsense and print that bilge is that the poll is again the answer:
Snowbunnie>>” 40% of Canadians are illiterate, 40% of Canadians vote Liberal.”
Snowbunnie>>That should answer any questions.
Illiterate? Write now for a free brochure!
Just how effective do you think print media is when trying to reach the illiterate? Who is reading this stuff to them?
lastmanstanding…If I offended you,I apologize…maybe I misread your post..and scrolling back..I did.Your comment about being afraid of the Yanks because of our resources led me astray.In reality,if they really wanted to have all of our resources,they would have come up and grabbed them long ago.
Criticizing Americans is one thing, but when my fellow Canadians practically cheered at 9/11, that’s when my shame at being Canadian went into overdrive. And since then we have done nothing to support our closest neighbours and allies. We should be chagrined for not helping out and lending our support to Bush. Instead we view it as piety. That makes me sick.
Americans believe so strongly in democracy they take it around the globe. But we don’t even believe strongly about democracy in this country!
Americans never have and never will care in anyway what happens north of the border. They have a little something to deal with called “spreading freedom around the world”, and thus have no time for our petty ways.
lastmanstanding:
While I appreciate your were sharing an opinion, you were sharing it in a public forum thereby inviting comment. And yours is a poor opinion, and my judgement of it is supported by the facts.
What I see in your original post is typical of the reactionary Left in this country: Muddle headed thinking at best and outright hatred at worst.
I don’t know where you sit on this scale lastmanstanding, but if you are closer to the “muddle-headed thinking” end, then there is hope.
Hence my post. Good day sir.
Rather than just talk about it, I am actively looking for work in the USA, and will take my American children back to their native land as soon as I can. It’s not perfect, but it is better. I know this from experience. The decline of quality of life in Canada in the decade I was away was far greater than I had imagined. There are two choices: fight, or flight. The option to remain and conform is not an option. I would rather die. I would stay and fight if I thought a fair fight could be waged. There is no sense of fairness in this bleak excuse for a country. Dissent is shouted down and intimidated. Who is John Galt?
It’s true. One rarely bumps into a Canadian in my part of the country (Texas and the American Southwest). I’ve run into one Canadian couple (convention in Galveston) and one Canadian woman (substitute pharmacist) over the last 16 or 18 years.
If one reads the NY Times (actually few Americans do overall) one might see an occasional story about Canada. Otherwise, Canada basically disappears off the radar screen.
Canada is largely preserved from American criticism by its anonymity in the US. However if Americans were to really find out about the way the Librano$ actually run Canada at the expense of the Canadian people, they would be appalled.
Incidentally, I’ve run into a very few Texans who have vacationed in Canada, and they all visited Banff in Alberta.
Lastmanstanding and nakedape, when Americans do become aware of Canadian anti-Americanism, these days it is mostly seen as adolescent. We feel you’ve been highly propagandized for the advantage of Canadian politicians. Otherwise Canadians could be expected to have a more mature appraisal of matters such as President Bush and the coalition’s efforts in the Middle East. And then of course these sort of wild conspiracy theories that would have America in some kind of an effort to take over Canadian natural resources.
What do you think we are? If we carried on like that, we would be as bad as Paul Martin and Jean Chretien. Believe me, we’ve never quite sunk that far.
At the end of the American Civil War in 1865 the European powers were amazed that the large and battle hardened Union forces were not sent north to conquer British North America (Canada), a past source of aid to the recently surrendered Confederacy. It’s what they would have done.
We don’t need to steal Canada when Canada has always been so cheaply sold by Canadians themselves. The forces that formed Canada left it a heritage that is frightened by rebellion and hungry for resentment.
Jeff in Pullman…you are so right. And maybe this is why we Canucks are so “anti-American”.Deep down we realize the truth hurts,but most of us still can’t accept this fact,and instead of trying to improve,we just lash out at the nearest target,in this case,the U.S.
many of us are angry with the current ruling class but because we are having trouble with the morality/twisted logic of this bunch does not mean we should have to vacate our own country. Some us may give up hope and do so but it is our right to stay and be disgusted.
Being from a minority group in Ontario – (White male conservative)I keep hoping that the west will separate so I can stay in a Country that has retained the anglo Canadian culture that made it great a generation ago. Not the cess pool it has become over the past couple of decades.
Following separation – eastern Canada will collapse as the auto industry migrates entirely to China and capital continues to flee to the new republic of Western Canada where tax are low and personal responsibility in vogue. At that point we could re-unite both parts but under a more rational configuration.
Please Westerners make it happen.
I think the “out migration” from Canada is happening for a slew of economic reasons – and wiser pundits are not recommending the United States.
Some see Australia as one Commonwealth country that would appeal at present for the preservation of assets before Canada’s economy goes into a tailspin when the true scope of the Liberal plundering is uncovered – or not stemmed.
IMHO another year of Liberal and Liberal “friends” pilfering, waste and out of control spending on top of the past 12 years of hiding economic truths from us would be the tipping point. IMHO.
“not a very friendly place you folks keep here…”
Yes, lastmanstanding, this is a very unforgiving place. Argue a point and you are called names. Weird. I love blogs and surf a couple dozen a day (mostly American I might add) but this blog really pulls out the hate. So sad, because some valid points are made but anyone who is open-minded enough to pay attention but not committed to the conservative cause will inevitably be driven away by the whining and hate.
Knocking the USA is so easy and so pointless.
They are a free country subject to making errors. If Iceland was next door, we would be just as critcal of them. [Probabaly about whale hunting].
All who read this are likely to stop finding so much fault with the USA and even other bloggers, when you realize it’s human nature to point out others faults.
This allows us to feel good about ourselves. It sure is fun at times too, but it can also be seen as a sign of self doubt.
Funny how people attack Georgie next door. He’s only the front man. The lightening rod.
The USA is run by various committees. Some are more expert than others.
We have to be thankful they are not too sloppy. 27% duty on softwoods was a bit sloppy, but after rubbing them the wrong way as we have, we could be in a lot deeper glue than we are.
If Putin lived next door, we would all be shovelling Alberta tar sands by hand at one dollar an hour.
Thank God for the good old USA.
73’s TG
Hey, TonyGuitar..my man!- And Spooky… well said.
Those Canucks who fought in WWl and WWll are doing a 360 in their graves! THEY knew how to fight for Queen and Country. And knew WHY they were doing it.
This rudderless and useless generation want it handed to them on a silver platter. Not the way it works.
If it is worth fighting for we should fight for it. There are those who are fighting and they can be found , young and strong, articulate, smart and well armed rhetorically, in the Conservative party. Pure and simple.
Well, I guess it was KING and Country then… 🙂
America is a wonderful place, I agree. 48% of the people are fantastic, optimistic, generous, and intelligent. Too bad that the remaining 52% seem intent on scaring the bejesus out of the rest of the world.
Well Kate, if you wanted to come to the US, I think that the South or the Lower Midwest (Southern Ohio, Indiana, Southern Illinois, Iowa, Missouri) would be the two parts of the country most conducive to you. Certainly, good productive citizens like you would be welcomed here.
I will say, though, that Canada needs conservatives, and you have a great country of your own that needs badly to be saved. It IS in danger of dissolution, after all. I believe it would be wrong for you to just give up on your country and head south, when people like you are exactly what Canada needs. If they won’t listen in Ottawa, you always have the option to REALLY make history, and historians can say of you that you helped to form a new and prosperous nation in the West.
Don’t give up the fight.
Kate:
My wife is from rural Minnesota – it is nice. Why oh Why did I come back to Canada – I have my ticket out. I know all you lefties will jump all over this but at least my children will be U.S. citizens and will have the choice to leave this socialist paradise.