Posted on 07/15/2005 5:32:33 PM PDT by NorthOf45
TESTIFY Mad Mammoth TESTIFY !
Hillier to Troop:
OK get the tank and jeep ready, eh. And I'm giving each of you a couple of bullets - don't waste them or we'll blow the defense budget.
Don't let the pacifists in Quebec find out!
I see the London attacks attract some kind of attention, sympathy, and pledge to fight the terrorists 9/11 in the US never attracted on the part of Canadians, conservative, moderate, and left-leaning.
Deep down the hearts, Britain is still regarded as Canada's Mother Country. When Mother Britain is attacked, Canadians who are never moved by attacks on the rebellious-elder-brother-who-left-home-and-striked-rich aka the United States will become emotionally involved.
Well, FWIW, I'm sure that Hillier would have had the same viewpoint even if London wasn't attacked. He's been pushing for reform in the Canadian Forces and increasing our muscle since day one of his promotion.
I was talking about many Joe Average English Canadians. Saw some messages of sympathy to Britain on the Canadian Monarchist League's forum that I never saw after 9/11. Sorry about the confusion.
I feel that many of the English Canadians, just like Kiwis, will never get off their inaction when the US is under war, but will move to the armed forces recruitment centres within seconds when the chips are down on the part of Mother Britain. It is interesting but I see that deep at heart there is still a streak of "fighting for the Empire" deep down the hearts of many Canadians. It's an entirely different matter for Quebecers though.
It's not terribly surprising that the London attacks struck a nerve in Canada. The ties are historical and deep.
I think the deep root of resentment from Canadians is the fact that the US raised up arms and rebelled against the British in 1776. Canada is in fact what the US would become if you decided to stay within the British Empire.
According to their minds you have betrayed the cause of the British Empire. Even superficially the Empire is no more it still survives on a subconscious level among English Canadian elites. I imagine it is most acute in none other than Ontario: Ontario is the English Canadian province with the most elites, the most anti-US trend, and the most widespread pro-monarchy sentiment. Support of the monarchy is the highest in Ontario, believe it or not.
The root of Canadian anti-Americanism goes two ways: yes, some are leftist sentiments, but a deeper cause is because Canada still supports the concepts of the British Empire and Commonwealth and "It is the breakaway United States that caused the destruction of the Empire. We will support whatever causes, left and right, that brings the US down!"
In other words, it is a bit like a previously good student beaten by an even better one, and he wishes the best students to be brought down. A common and understandable, but hardly noble, sentiment.
I hadn't thought of it from that angle, but it does make sense. Thanks for that new perspective.
To my knowledge, Canadians didn't "cheer in the streets". If they did, please provide some sort of source. As for saying that the US brought it on itself, Chretien is the only one that I heard of ... and he's not truly Canadian.
Its nice to know that some Canadians still have a pair!
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