Posted on 03/11/2005 7:07:48 AM PST by TC Rider
OTTAWA (Reuters) - A Canadian member of Parliament charged with improving ties with the United States apologized on Thursday for saying "let's embarrass the hell out of the Americans in front of other countries."
The gaffe by Marlene Jennings came exactly two weeks after Canada's Liberal government irritated Washington by refusing to join the U.S. missile defense system.
Jennings -- the parliamentary secretary for Canada-U.S. relations -- reports directly to Prime Minister Paul Martin, who came to power in December 2003 saying he wanted better relations with Washington.
"I would apologize to the members in this House that my comments were a little bit exaggerated. I apologize," she told the House of Commons elected chamber of Parliament.
Jennings, who is herself half-American, accused the United States on Tuesday of refusing to adhere to trade treaties it had signed with Canada. One way to strike back, she suggested, was to shame Washington internationally.
"Let's embarrass the hell out of the Americans in front of other countries that they are attempting to negotiate with on new binational trade agreements ... let's just do it on the public scene," she told a parliamentary committee.
The opposition Conservative party, which says the Liberals have a history of needlessly antagonizing Washington, demanded that Martin fire Jennings for making her remarks at a time when the United States is blocking imports of live Canadian cattle.
"The Liberals have once again shown their anti-American bias ... This strategy is like poking someone in the eye and then asking them for a favor," Conservative legislator Diane Finley told Parliament.
Last November Martin kicked MP Carolyn Parrish out of the Liberal caucus after she stomped on a George Bush (news - web sites) doll on a satirical TV show.
Memo to Canada: we don't need you. You, however, need us.
Gaffe?
GAFFE ???
a GAFFE is defined as: A clumsy social error; a faux pas:
This was no error, this was policy (except for getting caught).
not quite that simple, we need each, although, our need is somewhat greater than yours as we are much smaller. Jennings is another good reason why we must deter any inmigration of disaffected Democrats.
Since Jennings is also a black woman, it would be an interesting confrontation. ( no relation to Peter by the way)
I'm getting pretty tired of these latte sipping weenies from the north who continually spit on our country. If there are any good ones left, they need to give their fellow countrymen a slap before it's too late.
THIS IS FOR THE RECORD: if there is anti-Canadian sentiment among Americans, it is only because it has been fostered by these Frenchie and Euro loving wussies.
Apology not accepted. Would like these Trade Agreements torpedoed though - At least until some semblance of real Fair Trade is part of any agreement.
That's no recomendation. Maureen Dowd, Wardie Churchill and Micheal Moore are American and I'm willing to pay any attention to them.
"Let's embarrass the hell out of the Americans in front of other countries that they are attempting to negotiate with on new binational trade agreements ... let's just do it on the public scene," [Jennings] told a parliamentary committee.
Dig the hole a little deeper O' Canada. At this rate you'll get us to raise you to the same high regard that we have of all things French.
The opposition Conservative party... says the Liberals have a history of needlessly antagonizing Washington
Well Duh!!
So what should the United States do with their increasingly irritating neighbor up north in light of their claim of airspace sovereignty---even as missiles are reentering the atmosphere?
http://www.youngnationalist.com/canada.htm
Most Americans couldn't find Canada on a map.
Plumbers can!
Canuckistan is part of Alaska's "septic system..."
Why is this guy wearing ear rings?
But she was careful not to apologize to the US or to withdraw her remarks.
...and we are still in NAFTA why??
Mad cows in Canada bump
Increase the tariff on lumber from Canada...
That's true. We don't *need* Canada. We would take a hit if we stopped trading with them - but we would surive. They would not survive without us.
My guess is that we will reach a point of having had enough. There is a limit to what we will put up with. At that point - Canada had better be ready...
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