Stop slamming U.S., Washington warns Martin (Canada)

CBC (Canada) ^ | Dec 13, 2005 | CBC News

[proud_yank]

The U.S. ambassador to Canada has rebuked Prime Minister Paul Martin, saying he risks damaging relations between the countries by dragging the United States into the federal election campaign.

Wilkins didn't name Martin directly but left no doubt that he was talking about the prime minister when he warned against scoring cheap political points against Washington.

"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly," Ambassador David Wilkins said in a speech to the Canadian Club in Ottawa on Tuesday.

"But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn't have a long-term impact on the relationship."

He said Canada and the United States have one of the best relations in the world, but warned that he often wouldn't know it by comments made in the election campaign or stories in Canadian media.

"It's easy to criticize the United States, we're an easy target at times," Wilkins said. "...But the last time I looked, the United States was not on the ballot."

Martin irked Washington with Kyoto comments

During the fall, Martin has angered Washington by criticizing a number of U.S. policies, including its position on softwood lumber duties.

A few days earlier, the White House officially complained about comments that the prime minister made at the UN climate change conference in Montreal.

FROM DEC. 7, 2005: Martin urges nations to get tough on energy consumption

In a speech, Martin had singled out the United States and, in particular, the administration of U.S. President George W. Bush for refusing to sign the Kyoto Protocol on greenhouse-gas reductions.

Martin also urged the United States – estimated to produce one-quarter of the world's greenhouse-gas emissions – to listen to the "global conscience" on climate-change issues.

On Dec. 9, Jim Connaughton, chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, chastised Canadian Ambassador Frank McKenna over Martin's comments.

He told McKenna they were the worst slight against Bush since Germany's Gerhard Schroeder suggested Bush's stance against the Kyoto Protocol was responsible for hurricane Katrina.

FROM DEC. 9, 2005: Washington furious over Martin's climate change comments

U.S. better than Canada on greenhouse-gas emissions: Wilkins

Wilkins noted the United States has a better track record on cutting its greenhouse-gas emissions, as a percentage of its total, than Canada does.

Since Kyoto was signed, Canada's greenhouse-gas emissions have gone up 24 per cent over 1990 levels, while U.S. emissions have climbed 13.3 per cent from 1990 to 2003.

"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience,' the United States is walking the walk," Wilkins said.

I'm not targeting U.S., Martin says

Martin fended off the criticisms as he talked to reporters while campaigning in Surrey, B.C.

"I have not made the United States or any country a target in the campaign," Martin said.

He said it was his job as the leader of the country to tackle issues such as the softwood lumber dispute, which has been the main trade irritant between Canada and the United States for several years.

[Mr. Mojo]

Politicians the world over score major campaign points by thumping their chests (which in actuality highlights their nations' impotence) and criticizing the U.S. in every conceivable way. Primitive, of course ....their way of trying to convince the voters that they're not afraid of the undisputed superpower.

By contrast, U.S. political candidates mention other nations and their leaders hardly ever.

[Puppage]

He said Canada and the United States have one of the best relations in the world

Yep, we're the security skirt that Canada has hid behind for years & years.

[geezerwheezer]

Martin is a low-water jerk! His administration is corrupt from the inside out, and he has no room to complain. I wish our Ambassador to Canada had told him we think he is a stupid bastard and a S.O.B., and if he didn't like it, to feel free to shove it!! I really do like Canada and most of the folks there, but this buffoonish bastard has ruined it for a lot of us, and Canada will lose in the long run. He sure ain't being a good neighbor, nor is he playing nice either.

[medscribe]

Dear Canada:

The State Department is under new management, and unlike her weak-kneed wimpy predecessor, Dr. Rice has no problem defending the interests of US rather than playing nice with the diplomatic crowd.

[proud_yank]

I guess it shows class???

On the other hand, how I would love for a US pol to have the following campaign stump speech:

"First, I will remove the US from the UN. Effective immediately, UN members have 30 minutes to gather your belongings and vacate the building before it is demolished to make way for a shopping center and parking garage.

Second, France, Russia, China, and all other commie/socialist chicken$hits: Hope you're wearing a lead shield.

Any further socialist sneak attacks, i.e. Kyoto, will be viewed as an attack, and we will retaliate."

Hey, I can dream, can't I??

[Waverunner]

I always thought the Clinton Admin failed to get Kyoto ratified- This was when Al Gore as VP ruled the senate.
Dumbocrats and Canadians
If you don't like history as it occured, change the story

[proud_yank]

Senate voted against it 95-0, but Bubba signed it in. The reference I made, was that Kyoto was basically designed to handicap the US economy. Not the first time it was tried.

Here is a good read on Maurice Strong the 'Architect of Kyoto':

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2005/cover120905.htm

[FormerACLUmember]

"Hey, like this hosehead global warming thing is like really bad if the beer isn't cold enough, eh?"

[Pop Fly]

We've put up with enough crap from Canada. If they want to stay a good ally and on important terms fine. But they can't expect us to recipricate if they're going to bash Bush. Lets hope this puts them in their place.

[llevrok]

Politically, Canada is as significant as Luxembourg.

Why waste your breath, Mr. Ambassador?

[fanfan]

Canada Ping!

Please FReepmail me to get on or off this Canada ping list.

[Sam Gamgee]

The environMENTAL movement is essentially an unscientific fear mongering enterprise. I suppose if you tell the world that things are improving and that there is nothing to worry about, no one will donate money to your hippie commune.

I wonder if Martin even knows that carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is what keeps the sun's heat in and prevents us from freezing to death?

[Sam Gamgee]

I was happy that the US Administration did not let the press garner a preference as to who they want to win the Canadian election. I think that would have kiboshed the entire CPC campaign had Bush made clear his preference for Harper.

[Sam Gamgee]

Very primitive, but what's worse is that the public falls for it. What an indictment against our reason and rationality. In fact we get better than we deserve.

[Sam Gamgee]

So why doesn't Bush do that? That would make my decade. Did the league of nations allow tinpot dictators in its membership?

[vpintheak]

All these socialist scumbag countries are like little kids and teenagers. All they do is bitch whine and complain about the USA, and then quietly later ask nicely for money and deals. Pathetic.

[Canadian Outrage]

Good for the Ambassador.!!! Glad he pointed out the COMPLETELY HYPOCHRITCAL Martin on green house gas emissions. Canada has done NOTHING it would appear and is in fact WORSE than the US and has no business criticising her ally. But he's a low life. What else can you expect?

[Sam Gamgee]

You are exactly right. I use to be a socialist. From age 14 to 17. Then I grew up. I realized that life is a little more complicated than the socialists would have us think.

[doc30]

The sad part is that Canadian politicians make gains at the box office when they use anti-U.S. rhetoric. It usually covers for a weak domestic agenda or as a distraction from corruption issues. It means Martin is worried.

[Canadian Outrage]

AMEN!!