Posted on 06/28/2005 8:06:39 AM PDT by veronica
Canada, to me, was always that mild-mannered nation to the north, full of friendlies who liked Americans and admired America.
I've been there several times and always felt welcomed.
The streets were scrubbed. The gardens were radiant. The people beamed.
Watching TV at a Toronto hotel bar, I recall seeing a local news broadcast where the street reporters wore matching polo shirts and carried tiny video cameras (which they pointed at themselves) as they rushed about the city delivering news on ribbon cuttings, check passings, dropped candy bar wrappers and such.
"This is paradise," I thought as I lit up a Cuban cigar, which, unlike Toronto, didn't live up to its hype.
But then came teenager Travis Biehn, the Canadian citizen living here in Bucks County.
Cops say Biehn spent the spring plotting to blow up his high school, Central Bucks East.
Since I wrote about Biehn, I've been dogged by a creepy e-mailer with a Canadian Yahoo! address bearing the enigmatic handle "antiamerikan2000@yahoo.com.ca."
A sample:
"When I consume, I now make a conscious effort to minimize my purchase of AmeriKan-made products. When my family travels in the winter, we go to Cuba instead of Florida; in summertime, it's Europe (which pleases my wife as she's European and you folks generally disgust her)."
And this:
"Today, on our way home from work, we were following an old couple from Texas. At every stop I yelled at them, "[Bleep]Bush!" ... a half dozen times at least.
"I yelled loud and, judging by their movements, they indeed heard me. (Every time I screamed, they turned to each other).
"When it came time for us to pass them, I gave them the finger and yelled into their open window, "[Bleep] You Iraqi Children Murderers!"
Here's one from last Thursday, commenting on terrorists killing American soldiers in Iraq: "I suppose you won't be surprised when I tell you that I'm overjoyed every time an AmeriKan Invader is killed by the resistance."
Crackpot stuff, right?
Maybe not. I recall my experience with several Canadian journalists last summer in Boston at the Democratic National Convention.
One afternoon, Michael Moore, the lefty mockumentary director, and Howard Dean, a former Democratic presidential candidate, were on a double bill to speak at a hotel outside of town.
The first five or so rows in the hotel ballroom were media.
Reporters all around me applauded both men. In fact, when Moore finished, some media members joined the ovation.
On the way out, I struck up a conversation with three enthusiastic media applauders. They told me they were covering the event for several Canadian news outfits.
I asked why they applauded. One told me she hated Bush. Another said Americans are warmongers and "jingoistic."
How widespread is this attitude in Canada?
Last year, a survey of Canadian teenagers found 40 percent see America as a force of "evil" in the world. More than 60 percent of French-Canadian teens said the same. (French. It figures.)
I don't know if my e-mailer is French-Canadian. When I asked him to reveal his name, he wouldn't. This is because he owns his own business and many of his accounts are in the United States, he said.
I guess if his clients knew he adores the island paradise of Cuba, shouts obscenities at old folks from Texas and cheers the death of American kids in Iraq, he'd jeopardize all that evil AmeriKan cash he pockets.
.
Yeah, instead of boo-ing our Natl. Anthem they could make up funny words to sing. That would be sooo cute.
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The majority of Candians, just like the majority of Americans, are good, decent people. Canada is plagued with a minority of dimwit liberals as are we. I have always enjoyed my visits in Canada. As I do here in the states, I ignore the idiots.
There are a lot of sick people in this world.
Coverage of a boy trying to get a rise out of American's in America. All I can say is "Puerile". We have young folks like this in our country too.
I'm sorry but I am not buying this reporters premise because of such wimpy proof and IMHO, neither should any of you.
No I don't. You imply that you do. So tell us already.
After reading the posts here I doubt if any of them would have cared what the US was doing. Certainly not now. Envy has nothing to do with it and humour only goes so far.
I may be the only one one this thread who has absolutely no idea what you are trying to say here, but I doubt it.
I see your point regarding one reporter's take on the situation, however I am from that country, and have watched the relationships deteriorate for years.
It is bad there, it is worse now than it has ever been - and they take it back now to our late entry into WWII - a war which they as members of the Commonwealth and in defense of England, were committed to whether they agreed or not.
Some fools relive the conflict of 1812 teaching their children the U.S. was soundly whipped by the "Canadians" who didn't even exist at the time.
It is deadly serious and whether you believe this one report or not, you should tune into the CBC some days and watch their 'jingositic' hatred of the U.S. spew forth.
Their children are being taught to hate us as well and you know where that leads a country.
There isn't a minority of people who hate the U.S., there is a majority, and the liberal government want to Europeanize Canada - want stronger ties to Europe and unfortunately they are stuck with the nation connected to the south who continues to support their manufacturing, their natural resources, and protects them militarily.
If that is cause for envy and hate....then so be it... it is fact.
Personally if a large impassable wall were erected, I would applaud the effort.
Actually, I've spent a lot of time in Canada. Anti-Americanism is exagerated, imho. The chattering classes are anti-American, but not anymore than in Boston, San Francisco or London (UK/not ONT). There's a certain mild resentment, nothing too brutal.
I recall a commercial about Canadians on vacation, the highway signs were interstate signs, *not* Canadian. Vacation in the U.S. seems to be almost the default position.
Actually, I've spent a lot of time in Canada. Anti-Americanism is exagerated, imho. The chattering classes are anti-American, but not anymore than in Boston, San Francisco or London (UK/not ONT). There's a certain mild resentment, nothing too brutal.
I recall a commercial about Canadians on vacation, the highway signs were interstate signs, *not* Canadian. Vacation in the U.S. seems to be almost the default position.
Kahnada, or rather Toronto is in the grips of leftism much like NY and LA. And Boston. Western Canada, from MB to Alberta is nothing like that. The poor buggers are trapped under a liberal dictatorship, simular to what lefties want to happen here.
AT the core, I suspect it's the same old thing that's been at the core of countless examples of hatred: JEALOUSY.
MM
that's not true at all. While they do depend on the economy (and make no mistake, Canada is the biggest supplier of our oil imports, as well as natural gas and metals that we wouldn't be able to drive cars without) that's not the reason that 80% of them live close to the boarder. it's just that it's the warmest spot they can find. Nobody want's to freeeze their arses off living in more northern regions, and getting aten alive by mosquitoes during their short summer.
Perhaps we should send him some billets doux to show him how much we appreciate him and his country.
About 5000 Canadians joined the US army and voluteered, while a hell of a lot more Americans ran the other way. those are your Canadian "American hating leftists" in Canada today or their offspring.
I travel for work in Western Canada every week, so I know that's not the attitude it those parts. they have a hostility towards those leftists in Ontario as well, you should hear the talk radio in Canada! They bash those leftist bigots every chance they get. I wouldn't be suprized if western Canada separates over liberal corruption and government monopoly in the next few years. Those lefty's are destroying the country, just like they are here.
http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB2/portal.php
If you want to get Canadian news and discussion other than the leftist crap from Ontario.
Actually it's arable land that , when farming was the major industry , attracted settlement.. It's found near the border.
The best accepted estimate for volunteers that went to Vietnam from Canada is 34,000 . I've seen some as high as 50k but both figures would include those with American citizenship living in Canada who returned to enlist. Over 100 were killed, at least one received the MoH .
Actually, 90% of their population lives within 160 km of our border.
Canada is the most export dependent country in the G8. I believe Canada has become even more dependent on the U.S. since the article linked below was written, with more than 80% of Canada's exports going to the U.S.
Certainly NAFTA has a great deal to do with this but, these numbers further reinforce just how critical trade with the U.S. has become for them.
I understand that this does not prove that they live close to our border for this reason alone. However, I would argue that this kind of dependence makes locating near our border a very good idea.
You lived in the Detroit River? Good thing it doesn't freeze in the winter.
I feel bad for you. It must be terrible. I felt the same way in New York City, except I bet it's much worse for you as at least my family was not socialist.
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