Replies

Here was my response, with her letter and my origninal letter.

M.P. Parrish,

Thank you for the response to my letter:

If your comments were personally written: I thank you for at least having a bit of courage.

If your commets were some form letter written in smugness: You confirmed my original perception of you.

Your Ignorant, Bastard in the USA,
Doug

To: Doug
Subject: RE: Hello from the USA

Dear Sir or Madam:

Thank you for your email on Missile Defence/"Idiots" statement. We received over 7000 letters & emails and therefore cannot respond to them individually.

If your comments were positive: They were generally based on a fear of missile defence for a variety of sound and thoughtful reasons, a respect for free speech or an understanding that Canada was well down the path toward signing on to this fiasco without a thorough public debate. You obviously recognize I was not criticizing American citizens as a whole, I was in fact criticizing politicians on both sides of the border who were blindly committing to such an outrageous proposal! For your support and kind words, I sincerely thank you.

If your comments were constructively critical: I appreciate your arguments and points of view. The basic arguments presented were: a) The language used was hurting the cause b) The U.S. deserves complete support because they're our main trade partner or c) The U.S. defends us and ensures our safety.
To respond:
a) The language used was perhaps bold, but it expressed an honest frustration at the lack of attention Canadians were paying to such an important issue, allowing it to slip "under the radar" of public debate. I offer no apology for passion or moral indignation.

b) Our trade partnership with the U.S. is reciprocal and interdependent. Trade did not end when Canada refused to enter the war in Iraq. My off-the-cuff comment will have no effect on trade.

c) Based on the serious criticisms of hundreds of scientists, scholars and former U.S. military personnel, one must conclude that the missile defence system, as proposed, will not work. You can't "shoot down a bullet with a bullet." It will challenge our mutual enemies to develop more exotic missiles and therefore accelerate the arms race, making us an even greater target for terrorists.

If your comments were crude, vile or threatening: I offer no response. Thank goodness you were part of a very small group.

For those that naively believe that Canada would never join such an enterprise, consider the words of former Defence Minister David Pratt...

"In light of the growing threat involving the proliferation of ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction, we should explore extending this partnership to include co-operation in missile defence.

We should continue to explore appropriate technical, political and financial arrangements related to the potential defence of Canada and the U.S. against missile attack... Our staffs should discuss ways in which Canada could contribute to this effort."

Proposal by David Pratt, former Minister of National Defence
January 15, 2004
For more information and the truth about missile defence, please visit my website at www.carolynparrish.ca

Again, thank you for your messages and your concerns.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Parrish, M.P.
Mississauga-Erindale

Sent: August 27, 2004 11:26 AM
To: Parrish, Carolyn - M.P.

I was happy to read today that Canada is still up there somewhere past Minnesota. I've actually been to Canada several times. It's kind of cute how you have your own money and everything.

As one of those "idiot...bastards" to whom you often refer, I would like to apologize for giving you such a tremendous inferiority complex. I know we are bigger, richer, more productive, (and worst of all) stronger than your Canada, but it isn't our fault, we aren't even trying that hard.

I'm sure if more Americans would just try to remember that Canada exists, we would try harder to mention you once in a while, whilst doing important things out in the world. Until then try to remember that Canada is important in its own way and that you don't have to base your existence on ours. There now, I hope you feel better about yourself and us.

Your friend to the south,
Doug