Time to take a stand(rally in Canada)

Toronto Sun ^ | 4/3/2003 | Editorial

[hobson]

They're calling it the Rally for America, but to our way of thinking it's a rally for Canadians.

For Canadians who are fed up with seeing the flag of our closest ally and neighbour burned.

For Canadians who are appalled at hearing the national anthem of the United States booed.

For Canadians who are furious our prime minister hasn't spoken out against the smug anti-Americanism spewing from his front and back benches like a cancer.

Tomorrow at noon at Nathan Phillips Square, Canadians who feel this way are going to get the chance to have their voices heard.

Organizers of the "Rally for America" are asking people to "join us for a peaceful rally to show that we love, respect and support our friends, neighbours and allies." For more information about this event - to be hosted by CFRB's Ted Woloshyn - go to www.friendsofamerica.ca.

There'll be lots of well-known guests, but among the most special will be Cindy Barkway - the Canadian "9/11 widow" who lost her husband, Dave, in the collapse of the World Trade Center towers 18 months ago. Her recent letter to the Sunday Sun about the warmth she received from the Americans - including U.S. President George Bush when she visited New York on the first anniversary of Sept. 11 last year - touched the hearts of countless Sun readers.

The rally's organizers, including Toronto real estate developer Richard Diamond, stress this isn't a "pro-war" rally, but a rally to show Canadians value their deep friendship with the U.S.

We say it's about time, if e-mails from thousands of our own readers are any indication.

* Yesterday, Dawna Edmonson, a dual citizen, took out a full-page ad in the Sun - an "Open Letter to Jean Chretien" which began "Shame on you." By the afternoon she was responding to 700 e-mails - all but a dozen positive. Reach her at dawnaedmonson@aol.com.

* As our own John Downing notes, you can e-mail a message of support to George Bush at president@whitehouse.gov or phone the White House comment line at 202-456-1111. If you want to let our PM know your views, e-mail to pm@pm.gc.ca or fax to 1-613-941-6900.

* Finally, for inspiration, read the famous declaration of support for our American neighbours by the late Gordon Sinclair, first broadcast on CFRB in 1973. You'll find it on page 16.

Canada, it's time we showed our true colours.

[Timesink]

A REAL CANADIAN

FRENCH

[IvanT]

Interesting article that the CBC (Our gov't controlled Liberal propaganda network) would dearly love to fire Don Cherry for his support, but they can't because the country would go completely insane.

He's a hockey icon, and as you all know, we love our hockey, and we love Don. The man probably has more clout than anyone in the country when it comes to public opinion.

[SAMWolf]

(((Ping)))

[HHFi]

Re: the headline. Actually, it's rather past time to take a stand, but we do appreciate the sentiment anyway.

[EnnisExile]

This is the BEST site on the Internet - no question!

Just a few minutes ago I posted a request for information on full-page ads being sponsored in Alberta in support of the US, as my neighbor and I both want to contribute. Then I read your post above. Thank you!

I'm hoping you can put me in touch with that other Alberta person who is collecting donations. I'll freepmail you my e-mail address and wait for your response.

[elenchus]

Hmmmm. 1973... Is this the last time a Canadian in a position of influence had something supportive to say?

"* Finally, for inspiration, read the famous declaration of support for our American neighbours by the late Gordon Sinclair, first broadcast on CFRB in 1973. You'll find it on page 16."

[IvanT]

Re: the headline. Actually, it's rather past time to take a stand, but we do appreciate the sentiment anyway.

Why slag citizen's of Canada? Our government evidently in not fit for power. It happens, we're going to change that, and this issue brought it to light. Now we are going to do something aboot it.

[IvanT]

Hmmmm. 1973... Is this the last time a Canadian in a position of influence had something supportive to say?

1991 - Gulf war - Brian Mulroney....

[fanfan]

Actually, a Canadian of influence had something to say about our Friends in the U.S. just the other day. Check out www.cfra.com and click on the American Flag, or go directly to www.cfra.com/audio/lowell_usa_part2.mp3.
BTW, our rally in Ottawa last Sat. was great.(Look for pics. under 'canadian rally' title) Hope to see the Toronto rally be even bigger.

[Canadian Outrage]

I'd LOVE to be there too Ivan. B.C. is just a little too far away!! We HATE the Cretin tho and he gets no votes outta here. We have have been sending Werner Schmidt from the Canadian Alliance from the Kelowna area for many years!! I don't see that changing. What I do hope to see change is a DRAMATIC HEART CHANGE in ONTARIO. STOP VOTING IN FEDERAL LIBERALS. Our voting system is so corrupt that 4 decades of Quebec born Liberals have ruled this Country with a majority party but only about 37% of the vote!! That's JUST WRONG.

[rockrr]

11. We spent all our dough disarming our own citizens.

Tch Tch. Too bad, so sad......

[Alberta Pride]

Wrong!!!
THEY spent all our dough.

---

To all Freepers...
Keep up the good fight
We are all behind you and the boys in Iraq
(Regardless of what our wishy-washy people in Ottawa say)
And we are just beginning to show our true colors....
Red, White, and Blue
Not yellow!

[ellery]

Anyone who is paying attention deeply values the contributions of those brave Canadian men and women who are out there doing good work even as Cretin stabs them in the back at home. I've been deeply moved by the vocal grassroots support from our Canadian friends, especially over the past few weeks. Anyone here blaming all of Canada for the Cretin is forgetting our very own klintoon.

[hawkaw]

Thanks for those kind words.

[RobFromGa]

I look forward to the day when Canada again acts like a friend the the United States. Take back your country from these Leftists.

Maybe the best thing that could happen would be a Quebec split. It appears to be separate countries anyway.

Good luck with the Rally, looking forward to pictures.

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Love it! Thanks for relating that story for our benefit here on FR!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

HAHAHAHA! Great flag pole!!!! ;-)

[ellery]

Thank YOU and many of your countrymen and women for being a staunch friend against the anti-American tide!