Posted on 12/01/2004 5:31:56 AM PST by Clive
A poll done just before U.S. President George Bush's first official visit to Canada yesterday informs us that nearly three-quarters of Canadians view America as our "closest friend."
But the same poll also indicates Canadians in equal number dislike Bush.
There is something wrong when Canadians proclaim friendship for their most important trading partner and traditional ally, then distance themselves from the democratic choice of Americans, with whom their common continental destiny is joined.
The answer lies somewhere in the reality of an America that challenges Canadian self-identity, is unnerving and, hence, many Canadians indulge in caricatures of an America that Bush supposedly represents -- bellicose, simple-minded, uncouth, reactionary.
Following last month's election, with Bush winning his second term and Republicans making gains in the Congress as the majority party, it is time Canadians showed maturity in appreciating the reality of America as it is, rather than seeking comfort from the polemics of self-loathing Americans such as Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore and their followers.
In a recent New York Times column, David Gergen observed, "George W. Bush is emerging as one of the boldest, most audacious presidents in modern history."
Gergen is not an uncritical fan of the president, yet he is an astute observer of his nation's politics as a media person and academic who has also served four U.S. presidents, Republican and Democrat.
Gergen writes that Bush "believes he has a mandate for a revolutionary agenda."
This can be frightening to those who are afraid of altering the status quo in domestic or international politics.
But no American president -- whether a Franklin Roosevelt or a Ronald Reagan -- can lead a revolution without the people's electoral support.
American politics is ultimately the people's business, or its representative majority, and Americans are arguably the most revolutionary of all people in the world.
This fact gets obscured due to the noise and images surrounding the term "revolution," associated with violent uprisings or repression.
But the modern American revolution at home, and by extension abroad, is the unceasing quest for expanding human freedom to constantly reconstruct the world. It defies past norms and skepticism of the faint-hearted everywhere.
A generation ago, Jean-Francois Revel, an uncommon French intellectual, wrote: "The revolution of the 20th century will take place in the United States. It is only here that it can happen."
In his most recent book, Anti-Americanism, Revel discusses once again how much of European antipathy towards America is driven by hostility to Jeffersonian democracy, rather than any rational analysis.
Europe, Revel reminds us, is the cradle of the two great criminal ideologies of the 20th century -- Communism and Nazism -- and it is America that rescued her from both, as it will most likely again from the perils of Islamist fascism.
Canadians' desire to be different from Americans, or be more European, makes us imagine rhetorically a value system more compassionate and more abiding of UN principles than that of Americans.
Americans decided after 9/11 to take their revolutionary principles of freedom and democracy into the heart of Middle Eastern darkness and, accordingly, gave Bush a second mandate.
Victor Davis Hanson, a historian at Stanford University, California states in a recent essay: "We are living in historic times, as all the landmarks of the past half-century are in the midst of passing away ... as the United States is proving to be the most radical engine for world democratic change and liberalization of the age."
Canadians are not required to join Americans in this venture, but at least they need to soberly understand the historic forces at play, rather than indulge in caricatures.
Although some of us managed by out votes to get Don Cherry into the top 10, which was one in the eye for Mother Corp.
Other than that, nobody except Mother Corp's brainwashed leftist audience took this contest seriously.
USA Conservatives have a very simple creed. “Lead, follow, or get the f**k out of the way.” If you love freedom, get onboard. If you don’t love freedom, get the f**k out of our way.
I am glad that my Great Grandfather made the move!
Well, mine moved to Alberta from Pennsylvania and I am thankful for that..
Canada is not a "peacemaker". They like to be thought of as a "peacekeeper".
The only problem with that is, before you can keep the peace, you have to first MAKE the peace. You have to recognize who is causing the trouble and use whatever means(diplomacy or force) necessary to put them into quiet submission.
It is only after this is done, that the peace can be kept. In fact, once the peace has been decisively "made", you won't need anyone to "keep" it.
None of those wars was for the independence of Canada.
Canada never fought for her own freedom.
Doubtful. Too many Canadians carry on the myth that Canada fought a war for independence. Why do you think that is? Why do you perpetuate that myth?
By America, I mean America. Are we playing word-games now?
Careful. A Canadian will label you abysmally ignorant, and a Canada-basher for stating this matter of fact.
Now, how did I know to expect that?
It's hard to take this seriously when even you admit you have no idea how many deserters there are.
Yes. I do.
The greatness that is the United States is based squarely upon just such actions, and prides.
We have many shortcomings. They are of our own making. They are our shame, and our blame.
Canadas' problems are also of her own making. Her actions, and attitudes of today, are an extension of her actions and attitudes of yesterdays. Yet; Canada continues to place that blame, and that shame on America.
Canada has strong socialist leanings. Your fellow Canadian suggests this is mostly due to American draft dodgers. Canada never felt that strongly about independence, or individual liberty to begin with.
That's what Canadians like to think of them selves as. It's their national idenity.
Trouble is...it's not true.
Actually I was surprised PET didn't win. Did CBC give a vote breakdown? Wonder how Don Cherry did. Personally I think the whole "Greatest Canadian" was contrived to stir up support for liberals who are in the midst of another government scandal.
Canada didn't exist in either of these wars.
Were you meaning to praise Great Britain for these accomplishments?
Have you ever seen a history book?
O.K., How about this one....
Connie Wilkins and other supporters of Americans and President Bush were among many Bush supporters at the Welcome Rally in Ottawa ... and made sure they were the first group to greet the motorcade, receiving a thumbs up sign from President Bush!
Or these people........
I'm in the red coat towards the right, with my son to my left.
We are the people Your President referred to when he talked about the warm welcome he received here.
You are just another insult-hurling Canadian. I can't tell you how refreshing that is.
I could be wrong about that.
I could be wrong about that.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.