Posted on 12/02/2004 5:50:14 PM PST by quidnunc
The Washington Post’s always imaginative White House correspondent Dana Milbank and its dour front-page caption writers would have you believe that President Bush’s Canadian visit occurred in an atmosphere of tight-lipped circumspection. “During his two-day visit to Canada,” the caption writer opined, “Bush outlined a second-term foreign policy that would make international cooperation his administration’s top priority, but the president made clear that such cooperation must occur on his terms.”
Meanwhile, I spent yesterday afternoon fielding calls from Canadians and especially Canadian journalists by no means friendly to the president who just could not stop enthusing about the wit, charm, warmth, and understanding of the president’speech.
Bush’s visit was a diplomatic triumph, from the failure of Canada’s small but vociferous anti-American minority to turn out in the cold streets of Ottawa to the new tone taken by prime minister Paul Martin — and perhaps above all to the laughter and cheers of the president’s audiences.
-snip-
Some critics of the president have in recent years endorsed the strange conceit that the United States is responsible for everything that happens in the Western alliance. If things go well, it’s solely to America’s credit; if things go ill — as they have often done since 9/11 — then it is America’s fault. But other countries have motives and purposes too. France for example has chosen bad relations with the United States for ideological purposes of its own. Germany’s Gerhard Schroeder chose a bad relationship for short-term electoral advantage. And Canada’s Jean Chretien chose a bad relationship in order to appease left-wing members of his governing Liberal party affronted by his relatively non-left economic policies.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at nationalreview.com ...
God Bless GWB!!!!!!!!!!!!
And then there was Chrétien, who was taking lessons from Chirac. His words weren't verbal acts of war; just extremely stupid, inflammatory and bad for diplomatic relations. They were meant for public consumption on state television, to blind the public to the real state of the Canadian military. In that they succeeded, at least for a time.
Thanks for your kind words. I hope the reaction to our President is just like this article suggests.
I was certain that after 9-11 there WERE acknowlegements and statement of thanks made to the Atlantic Canadians for their kindnesses. It distresses me to read that it either didn't occur or was perceived to not have occured. That the message somehow wasn't heard.
I know from personal experience that the level of gratitude in the hearts of Americans for the help and kindnesses shown by the Canadians during those days was quite simply beyond any measure.
THE PRESIDENT: It's my honor to welcome our close friend, Jean Chretien, to the White House again. Thank you for coming.
You know, after this terrible incident on September 11th, one of the first phone calls I received was from the Prime Minister, offering all his support and condolences to the United States and our citizens. It was like getting a phone call from a brother. And I appreciate that so very much.
We've got a great partner in our neighborhood who understands what I know, that we are facing a new type of war. And those of us who love freedom, like the Canadians love freedom, now understand that freedom is under attack. And we've combined together to fight -- to fight against a new enemy. And the Prime Minister understands that.
We had a great discussion about a variety of issues. We discussed the need for us to continue to work peacefully along a huge border. Border relations between Canada and Mexico have never been better. And there is no doubt in my mind that the Prime Minister and the Canadian people will work hard to make sure that Canada is secure from any terrorist activity that takes place, just like I can assure the Prime Minister we're doing the same. We both have a mutual responsibility in our hemisphere to find and disrupt terrorist organizations.
An amazing thing came up the other day. Somebody said to me, well, you know, in your speech to Congress, there were some that took affront in Canada because I didn't mention the name. I didn't necessarily think it was important to praise a brother; after all, we're talking about family.
There should be no doubt in anybody's mind about how honored we are to have the support of the Canadians, and how strong the Canadian Prime Minister has been. And not only his condolences, but his offer of support for the American people. I guess there's -- somebody is playing politics with you, Mr. Prime Minister.
But I suggest those who try to play politics with my words and drive wedges between Canada and me, understand that at this time, when nations are under attack, now is not the time for politics. Now is the time to develop a strategy to fight and win the war. And Mr. Prime Minister, I want to thank you for being here to continue those efforts with me.
PRIME MINISTER CHRETIEN: Thank you, Mr. President. And I am happy to be with you. I think that, as you say, we're part of -- not America, we're your neighbor, friends and family. And we have to work together. This problem of terrorism is a problem that concerns all the nations of the world. And we're working together to build a coalition that will defeat that, because it will disrupt the societies around the world. And I think that you know you have the support of Canadians. When you will need us, we will be there.
We had a very good discussion this morning on the element of the solutions and we will carry on during the lunch time. I guess that the Canadians were traumatized by what happened two weeks ago. And we had the occasion to receive 45,000 Americans on the Canadian soil who had to be diverted to Canada. And we had a great demonstration of support when 100,000 Canadians appeared on the hill to offer support to our neighbor and friends and family, the Americans.
So we will work together. We will have occasion to carry this message that we have to be together, because Canada participates in the meeting of the Commonwealth next -- 10 days from now, in Australia. And later on, there will be the meeting of the Francophone in Lebanon, where, again, we'll have to talk to all the leaders and tell them that we're all in that fight.
(Remarks in French.)
I would change this to say, if things go well, don't talk about it. At least in the liberal MSM, that is.
You are right cake-crumb...
It is NOT America vs. Canada.
It is liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right.
Liberals love liberals, American and Candian alike.
Conservatives love conservatives, both American and Canadian.
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Hmm, I sort of remember the Pres saying the part you highlighted. It appears that this meeting with Chretien occured just a couple of weeks after 9-11, must have been shortly after the speech to Congress. I remember how we were all still emotionally reeling at that time, I know the President was no different and there was certainly no slight intended whatsoever. He had a whole lot on his mind.
Wow, thinking about that speech to Congress after 9-11. It still gives me goosebumps to remember how the leader, George W. Bush, spoke, interacted with the congressional members from both parties, shaking hands, reaching out and by his words, actions, and demeanor began healing this country. That speech was beyond powerful. It was beyond awesome. I truly can't find the word.
Thanks for the post.
Listening to the spontaneous laughter to his words in Halifax, I could feel that the audience was seeing this good man for what he is --- open, honest and straight.
Google lists Kerry having Bachelor's degree from Yale, 1966 and law degree from Boston College, 1976. What am I missing?
I agree .. but to add to the fire .. Bill Clinton was paying visits to Canada (because he had a bimbo there), and was only too happy to cultivate a hate-Bush theme with the members of the Canadian govt., namely the then PM.
Hi prairiebreeze...
I am sure there were many thanks from Americans at the time, both individually, corporately and nationally.
When one considers what a horrendous time it was for America, I am sure we can overlook not being formally thanked the way we perhaps should have been.
I actually remember seeing a very good special on how Canadians received Americans in their time of need, and how the Americans in turn loved their Canadian hosts and maintain wonderful relationships with them. There were numerous gifts from Americans as well, as I recall.
Time to join together and fight the real enemies. The terrorists and the left!
Hey, another postitive article from you. Are you going soft on us? : )
It is a good article ... and very truthful. I believe he won over a lot of people here.
Well, I remember the President's Address to the Nation where the "snub" occurred. I was curious, I'll admit, as to why Canada was left off of the thank you list ... for about 10 seconds. However, I didn't let it get to me. What did occur to me though is how it would play out in the Canadian MSM. I knew it wouldn't go over well. The libs and their mouthpiece CBC would start complaining and then the liberal sheep would start mewing. Of course, that is what occurred and the rest is history ... I'd like to think at least. I'm sure the issue will resurface via the lefties.
You are right. The media and Hollywood and the rock "stars" and the Michael Moore bunch all spewed hatred and it caught like wildfire. I say it had to connect with people who already were predisposed to hatred...and that would be the left!
I always defended President Bush by saying "Just look at who his enemies are...that's good enough for me!" I knew he had to be doing something right!
Hi NorthOf45....
Speaking of snubs...do you remember how long it took Chretien to finally make his way down to Ground Zero? It was long after other leaders had taken the time and cared enough to go.
Thanks for posting this quidnunc. As a Canadian who has often felt enormous frustration over the mindless anti-Americanism of too many of my fellow citizens, this speech literally brought tears to my eyes.
You have tweaked my memory with your post. I believe I can also recall a very brief 3 second questioning in my mind as I listened, as to why Canada hadn't been mentioned more specifically. But like cakecrumb I was much more focused on the action plan that was being laid out.
Even now it's difficult to remember some aspects of those days. The sleeplessness and stress itself probably contributes to the blurring of details in memory.
You're right about the press and the libs. They love to nurse a grudge.
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