Canada's not so nice, after all

Houston Chronicle ^ | December 5, 2004 | NORA JACOBSON

[Blind Eye Jones]

There is some truth to what the article is saying as far as the passive/aggressive feelings Canadians have toward the US. I too have heard the definition of Canada's identity stated as a negative: unAmerican. But stated as a positive, Canadians take pride in being a multicultural nation, where different cultures are equally supported and promoted across the country. The US is a 'melting pot' and Canada is a 'vertical mosaic' of culture. By this analogy it is harder to define exactly what a Canadian is, which accounts, in part, for the negative definition of identity as something not American.

One poster mentioned that Canadians do like Americans, and there is a lot of truth in that remark. But the biggest problem, as another poster partially pointed out, is our multiculturalism which tries to do the balancing act between liberty and equality. For example, the Muslims have freedom to practice their religion but their treatment of women goes against the idea of universal equality and dignity afforded to all people. Though Canadians like the Utopian idea of multiculturalism it posses a lot of real life problems.

Canadian national identity is a mess and, therefore, it is easier to adopt a negative position. But on the whole we share a lot of values with US.

[albertabound]

I struggle with it too and have tossed and turned many a night tying to put a finger on it. My son was in WTC when the first plane hit and barely got out. All my Grandkids are Americans. One set of grandparents immigrated to Alberta from Pensylvania. Some of my very best and oldest friends are Americans. My story is one of many like it. Old Glory flies from my back porch in tribute to the young American men and women that have died in Iraq. I know how most of you feel because I also feel it. My best explanation is that this post 9/11 social revolution is more cultural than nationalistic and that the left vs. right divide cuts across international boundaries. The recent overwhelming return of President Bush and his obvious mandate is clear and the lefties are sore afraid.

In Canada, the pundulum is shifting back to the right, but our right wing still has much work to do to prove to many sceptical Canadians that it is time for change. Normally Canada is 5 years behind the American trend line so I have great expectations that a new Conservative government under MR. Stephen Harper will soon be in place up here. Mr. Bush and Mr. Harper see eye to eye.

[NTegraT]

NO KIDDING???!! Wow, live and learn. Thanks for the correction. I'm a product of U.S. public education. (hanging head in shame)

[ScoopandDizzy]

Canada is a very divided country. The article misses that. British Columbia and Alberta are much friendlier and there are tamer views about America, some even supporting us.

Ontario and Quebec are hopeless, but how are these views any different than what comes from Seattle, Portland, S.F., etc?

[Socratic]

What's a "Canada"?


Can-a-pop
Can-a-beer
Can-a-duh

[lawgirl]

roflmao!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[katana]

Americans had finally gotten what they deserved

I remain firmly committed to busting anyone who says this within my earshot across their face with a chair leg or anything else that may be handy (my father's main advice about fighting was to never use my hands - just hit them with a stick till they're down and then "stomp 'em till they can't get up" ... he was from Kentucky). Haven't had to yet but the spring is coiled.

[Blind Eye Jones]

"Is it merely the fact that liberals without class and decency have been elected in Canada?"

You got that right! The Conservatives under Harper almost got in and probably will the next election. The Liberals under Chretien's government were extremely corrupt with more scandals than you could imagine. Like the Democrats in the US, money scandals, hypocrisy and deceit will lead to their ruin.

[Snardius]

In my opinion, Canada has produced only one thing of any value ...her name was Claudette....ah, the memories.

[Ditter]

>>>"dysfunctional French">>>>

As Mr. Ditter would say in his best Cajun accent: "Hot dam, dot whot does Frenchmons en Canada get fo leavin' Lousisiana".

[Dog Gone]

My best explanation is that this post 9/11 social revolution is more cultural than nationalistic and that the left vs. right divide cuts across international boundaries.

I hadn't looked at it that way before, but my instinctive reaction is that you're right.

Here's one American hoping that you can take your country back from those who enjoy driving wedges between us.

[Oatka]

The attacks were just deserts for years of interventionist U.S. foreign policy.

The first time that argument was used on me, I was dumbfounded by the sheer lunacy and didn't respond. The next time I heard it, I asked, "Assuming, for argument's sake, that you are right, are we now even? Do you think 9/11 was too much, just right, or not enough? If the latter, how many more Americans should be murdered to make up for our transgressions?"

Do a man (or woman), they shut up. It seems they just regurgitate this canard without thinking and when pressed to do so, freeze.

[cfhBAMA]

As long as there's still more homelessness, racism and income inequality to the south, Canadians can continue to rest easy in their moral superiority.

THIS PART ABOUT THE SOUTH JUST MAKES ME AS MAD AS HELL. EVERYTHING NORTH OF THE MASON-DIXON IS JUST MILK AND HONEY, YEA RIGHT. PEOPLE IN NEW YORK LIVE IN BOXES. I LIVE IN ALABAMA AND I HAVE NEVER SEEN A PERSON THAT DID NOT HAVE A PLACE TO LIVE. IT IS JUST YANKEE IGNORANCE. THE SOUTH IS NOT LOCKED IN THE 60'S FOLKS...SO GET EDUCATED IN REALITY.

[benjaminjjones]

I think this thread gets a "Loose Lips Sink Ships" ping.

What if it gets mentioned on DU and some of those losers fleeing north decide to stay here?

[benjaminjjones]

On second thought, since so many of them hate America, it may encourage them to leave. Nevermind!

[Kozak]

They liken Canada to a gawky teen-age girl with a hopeless crush on the handsome and popular boy next door. You know, the one who doesn't even know she exists.

So Canadians like metaphor?

How about this one. Canada is like a little brother who whines and bitches and is constantly procaliming his independence, while living at home mooching off of his older brother.

[underdognewsgrl]

Why can't liberals look at anything simply?!

Because for liberals, it's "all about me" and the idea that "me" is just an ordinary schmuck is anathema to the narcissist in the leftwing-nut.

This is why they make a religious fetish out of "nuance:" they compliment each other on being "nuanced" and it props up their feeble ego strength.

[Qwinn]

While I certainly can't blame any Southerner for being annoyed at the continual dissing they're forced to deal with, I think in this case your anger is misplaced. When it says "to the south", they're not talking about the Mason Dixon line, they're talking about the Canadian/US border.

Qwinn

[Diva Betsy Ross]

I rooted for the Yankees, as most everyone I know did. It was sincere. It was also very wierd.

Diva's Husband

[ExSoldier]

When I was living in Washington State and training on a regular basis with the Canadian army. They were all good blokes and to serious drinkers. For them a social drinker qualifies for us as a full on alcoholic. Whoa. They displayed no anti American bias in the mid 1980's. But I think that changed with the Clinton adventurism into Bosnia wherein a lot of good Canadian soldiers got waxed to cover his tail in the Monica scandals. A lot of Canadians see it that way. Also, a LOT of their youth are in schools so communist so as to make our leftists look right in comparison. So the attitudes of the youth filter into society. But that doesn't stop the little cretins from slipping across our borders to buy our video games and clothes or listen to our music.