Yet Another Snub From the Chretien Government (please help me freep!)

vanity | September 16, 2003 | myself

[proud American in Canada]

On the second anniversary of 9/11, Jean Chretien was on vacation in Quebec. Neither he nor the Liberal party organized any official ceremony. Instead, Stephen Harper, the opposition leader, organized a ceremony. Though he made a quickie phone call to Pres. Bush, Jean Chretien didn't bother to show up.

Two days later, a woman writing a puff piece in the Ottawa Citizen made the comment that "seeing Canadians flying American flags in a misplaced show of solidarity" sends her into a "huff."

That was it. I went to my computer and wrote a letter to the editor. Here's the text:

"Once again, Jean Chretien and his Liberal party slap Americans in the face.

I am an American living in the Ottawa area and married to a French-Canadian. At first I wasn’t planning on writing on the deafening silence from the Canadian government on the second anniversary of the most horrific act of terrorism the world has ever seen. Nope, it was up to Stephen Harper—whom I would like to thank for his continued support of the U.S.; it hasn’t gone unnoticed by me—to organize something to remember the deaths of not only over 3,000 of those “arrogant bastards” but also 24 Canadians.

But reading Janice Kennedy’s article in the Style Weekly section sent me to my computer—after I was finished c rying in anger. So, the sight of “Canadians flying American flags in misplaced shows of brotherliness” sends her into a “huff,” does it? Well isn’t that special.

Well, it’s those American flags that make it possible for Canada to have the health care system that it does. After all, if Canada had to pay for its own national defense, that would hardly be possible. Instead, Canada has the great good fortune to live right next to the last remaining superpower, and I might add, the only place on earth besides England, Australia, Poland and some of the other members of the “Coalition of the Willing” that seem to care about real human liberty.

And it’s those American flags that enable Canada to have the standard of living that it does, though the tax rate up here really hurts Canadians. Why? Well, if Canada had to pay to export all its materials to Europe, Mexico, and other places, business net income would sink like a stone.

You know, I have many, many friends who have sworn off Canada after the repeated insults from government officials up here and Canada’s refusal to help us in the war. You can blame the drop in tourism on SARS all you want, but you know what? Americans have suddenly realized that Canadians don’t like them. So they don’t want to come up here anymore. When a friend slaps you in the face, it’s a wake up call.

Thanks to Jean Chretien and Janice Kennedy for yet another wake up call. I’ve already emailed all my friends back home about it and posted about it on an Internet forum. _____________________________________________

She sent me a nasty ranting letter, which I won't post at this time. But this is what I just wrote back to her:

Perhaps you did not mean to cause offense with your comment. However, when you refer to me as taking "unjustified leaps of logic," in essence calling me stupid, instead of simply apologizing for having written something ambiguous and potentially insulting, you have written me an article with an ultimate goal, I suspect, not to convince me of Canada’s “passionate support” of the U.S., but to insult and/or harass me. So I must respond to the points you raised in your letter.

I can understand your irritation with Canadians who always fly American flags. But have you ever considered the possibility that they are Americans or have family down there? You may not know this, but American citizens from all over the world frequently fly flags from their countries of origin and it is not in any way consideredoffensive. It is part of the free speech that Americans hold dear. I certainly would not be offended if my neighbor flew the Canadian flag. In any case, to toss off acomment like that—comparing flying the American flag to slowing down traffic, for example—is indeed offensive.

I actually was here two years ago. And, though my memory can be bad, it’s not that bad. I actually do recall that Canadians mourned with us and opened up their homes to the stranded. However, that Chretien allowed planes with U.S. destinations to land here was the very least asupposed ally could do—with the emphasis on least.

I also recall that when I attended the ceremony on Parliament Hill shortly after 9/11, I saw several Canadians sneer at my sign, which read: “Note to Terrorists: These Colors Don’t Run.” The oh-so-sophisticated sneers were a sign that while Canada would grieve for the dead, it would refuse to take any concrete action so that those who died did not die in vain.

And that’s exactly what happened. When the time came to actually do something to eliminate the threat of terrorism, support for the U.S. dried up. If memory serves me right, for a while it was not even clear that Canada would go into Afghanistan, and of course there was the decision not to support the U.S. in Iraq. Whether or not the majority of Canadians agreed with the decision at the time is debatable. I attended a rally on Parliament Hill where thousands of people not normally inclined to attend political rallies congregated in support of joining the Coalition of the Willing.

What indeed could Canada do if a terrorist attack occurred here? Well, I think we both know that Canada can’t do much except pick up the phone and dial 1-800-USA-HELP. That’s why your government’s continuing anti-American comments and slights have made Americans so angry.

[proud American in Canada]

First, my letter is going to be published! The photographer is coming by in a couple of hours; the American flag will be the background.

Second, I need help convincing this woman that Americans are, indeed, ticked off at Canadians!

her email: jkennedy@thecitizen.canwest.com

Please email the Ambassador, Paul Celluci: comments@usembassycanada.gov

[proud American in Canada]

whoops! I forgot part of this! I wish FR had an edit feature. :(

Here's the rest of my letter:

"What indeed could Canada do if a terrorist attack occurred here? Well, I think we both know that Canada can’t do much except pick up the phone and dial 1-800-USA-HELP. That’s why your government’s continuing anti-American comments and slights have made Americans so angry.

I know that Jean Chretien, from his cabin in Quebec, called President Bush on the anniversary. But a private conversation, no matter how “official,” is far from organizing a ceremony. We both know it wouldn’t have taken more than an afternoon of his time, yet he couldn’t be bothered to show up at, let alone organize, an official ceremony marking the deaths of Canadians and Americans on September 11, 2001.

I know that Canada is not a possession of the United States of America. And no, I don’t believe we’ve “given you every shred of decency and goodness that marks your poor dreary lives.” You know, I’m also a writer and an editor. Just in case your editor doesn’t tell you, I will: a sarcastic tone gets old quickly.

s, I regret that Canada didn’t join the Coalition of the Willing. Let me rephrase that. Actually, I don’t regret it all, it just makes me mad. Of course you are an independent nation. But so is the United States. And we will remember who took our side. You may think that the decisions the government makes don’t affect average Canadians, but they do. Just ask any small business person whose livelihood depends on tourism or trade with the U.S. Just like the French are feeling the absence of American economic support, so too are average Canadians.

You’re right, the Canadian decision was not universally loathed. It was applauded by countries with IOUs from Saddam Hussein, like France, Germany and Russia. And by the way, isn’t it interesting that Jean Chretien’s son-in-law, I believe, is a major stakeholder in Total Fina Elf, which had business with Saddam Hussein. Yep, it’s all about oil, all right.

No, we don’t have universal health care, but the United States has Medicare and Medicaid, and many of the states have their own supplemental programs. Employers generally provide health insurance as a benefit. And there are many federal laws in place to help people when they lose their jobs. No, it’s not a complete cradle to grave safety net, but it’s pretty damn good, and you know what? I never had to wait four or five hours for an appointment to see a doctor when I was sick.

As for your sentence: “unlike nations still mired in social justice theories of the 18th century.” I assume that insult refers to our Constitution. As a lawyer, I can tell you that the U.S. Constitution has been the model for Constitutions in countries in the world. And indeed, its influence can be felt in your own Charter. So, too, are the rest of our laws used as models in other counries. For example, one of my tax law professors went to the Ukraine to help them rewrite their tax code after the Soviet Union dispersed. Our Founders, men “mired in social justice theories of the 18th century,” had a pretty good idea of what freedom means, and the example they set is still a beacon of hope throughout the world.

Pardon me, but my letter to the editor did not contain any “cheap shots.” It stated the reality of the feelings of a very large number of Americans, whether you want to hear it or not.

No, it is not “intellectually indefensible” to quote the “arrogant bastards” or “moron” comment. Jean Chretien never officially repudiated either one of them.

My “correspondence circle” is a group of over 90,000 registered members of an Internet political forum , comprised of Americans and Canadians, www.freerepublic.com, and several thousand members of its Canadian counterpart, www.freedominion.com.

Let me quote you: “The thing I really don’t understand, though—and please don’t feel I’m being flip or facetious—is how you can stand to keep living up here. My condolences.” Now, you actually were being quite flip and facetious, weren’t you? But in answer to your question: none of your damn business.

The only reason I wrote to the editor is because you belittled your fellow citizens for wanting to show solidarity with an ally (with so-called allies like this, I’m not sure we need enemies, by the way). I copied you merely out of courtesy. However, you made this personal in writing a “diatribe” to me. So I want you to know that I will respond to you every time you write me. I guarantee that. It won’t be pleasant for either one of us—clearly you’ll never convince me to become a liberal and I’ll never convince you to vote Alliance—but that is indeed what I will do. Therefore, you may want to spend an extra five minutes over your next column and see if there isn’t some offhand comment that deserves more attention.

[Diogenesis]

[proud American in Canada]

*ping*

and if you have a ping list, would you please forward this? Thanks!

[proud American in Canada]

LOL! Thanks, Diogenesis. If you have a list of people you ping, please pass this along!

Thanks. :)

[Mears]

God I wish that I could put things into words as well as you.

My mother was born in Canada and must be turning over in her grave at what is going on.

[Spruce]

I am a Minnesotan who used to camp/fish in Canada often. Haven't been there for 2 years. Don't plan on ever going back.

[GMMAC]

Here's a pertinent little piece I did this week for our local Mississauga Ontario based community newsletter.
I've been been out at every pro-US function I could find sine 9/11 and, while I'm Canadian by birth, I'm proud to say I'm pro-American by logical conviction!
God Bless America!

Independent Thought VS. Conventional Wisdom:
While Canadians are known the world over for unfailing courtesy and almost obsessive commitment to "fairness", there was a time well within living memory, when we somehow balanced these traits by celebrating the numerous reprobates, free-thinkers and even iconoclasts who also signified our national identity.

Today - beyond maybe a Christie Blatchford or possibly a Don Cherry - our wits, plain-talkers and muck-rakers are all sadly homogenized, cookie-cutter characters who invariably take aim at the safe and easy targets and only tread the road well-traveled.

John Roberts - who once lived among us as "JD" - will soon effortlessly replace Texan Dan Rather simply because they’re cut from the same bolt of cloth. Both have mastered the arts of mouthing conventional wisdom while making it seem profound and offering up slavish adherence to political-correctness well-disguised as independent thought.

Personally, I long for the days of CFRB’s crusty old Gordon Sinclair and The Globe’s Dick Beddoes - but not necessarily for nationalistic or ideological reasons.

These were guys who called a spade a spade and let the resulting chips fall where they might. Today, even when, with our own eyes, we see the emperor riding down the street without his clothes, no one in the media dares to confirm our perception. No broadcaster or journalist speaks for the average citizen and no one questions the party line.

The recent SARS crisis and its impact upon our tourist industry is a good example.

Certainly, a significant number of ill-informed potential visitors opted to avoid the GTA like the literal plague but, isn’t it also quite possible that a lot of our neighbors to the south took Carolyn Parrish at her word? "Americans - I hate those bastards!" Additionally, isn’t it likely that many with family members or friends in the US military chose not to financially support a nation which had just elected not to stand by them in what they considered a time of crisis? If such questions were asked they were drowned out by media marching in lock-step with the ruling party toward Downsview for another publically-funded "bread and circuses" spectacle.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Dear Ms. Kennedy,

As a second-generation American, whose grandparents immigrated to Michigan from Barrie, Ontario, I am very saddened by your show of contempt for America.

My grandparents never stopped loving Canada, and always treated her with respect. But, they also instilled in their children and grandchildren the gratitude that they had for America. America was good to my grandparents, and afforded them a wonderful life.

To hear you now express distain for all things American, is very disheartening. I have always understood that the majority of Canadians do not like Americans. But, I never truly realized that until the events of September 11th happened, that these same Canadians would have the audacity to express their dislike aloud.

America has been wounded in the War on Terror, but we are winning. And America will never forget its friends and partners in peace. Today I realize that aside from Israel, Britain, and Australia, America would be alone. Canada has chosen to side with the weak, the under dog who needs protection, the disgruntled members of al Qaeda and the cowering French.

My hope is that one day in the future, Canada will not be imploring the Americans for sanctuary or support. They may find that Americans remember the lukewarm sympathy that Canada showed to us. And when that day arrives, Canadians may learn that without American support, they stand alone.

Sincerely,
XXXXXXX

[Xfan]

Hello my American friend,
Looks like I found the right place. Your responses to this article and the woman's follow up letter are very consise and appropriate. I am proud to have you as a fellow citizen abroad. Keep up the good work.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Dear Ms XXXXX,Apparently you have been given my name as some kind of Canadian villain with
nasty anti-American propensities. This is utter hogwash, of course, but I do
not have the time (or inclination, frankly) to answer each of my American
accusers' unfounded charges. If you feel like it, you might want to read my
exchange with the American woman living here in Canada who took great
offence at a single sentence of mine that appeared in a column about an
entirely different topic _ the thing that got this whole ball rolling. It
begins with her original letter to the editor.Of course, you may prefer not to read it. You may prefer to continue
believing the second-hand, and quite nonsensical, accusations of others.Janice Kennedy

(The formatting is hers, not mine. I pasted it as it was received.)

[proud American in Canada]

Thank you Mears, and thanks to all of you.

Her email address is public knowledge, it's printed in the paper. If she can't stand the heat, she should get out of the kitchen.

[proud American in Canada]

*ping*

Hi,Xfan! :)

I'd like to introduce him, Xfan is a friend of mine from the Def Leppard forum. :)

[proud American in Canada]

"Haven't been there for 2 years. Don't plan on ever going back."

I've heard so many people express that sentiment. Canadians really don't get it.

[proud American in Canada]

"Today - beyond maybe a Christie Blatchford or possibly a Don Cherry - our wits, plain-talkers and muck-rakers are all sadly homogenized, cookie-cutter characters who invariably take aim at the safe and easy targets and only tread the road well-traveled."

What a great piece, GMMAC! Thanks! I love Christie Blatchford & Don Cherry. :)

[proud American in Canada]

Hi, Xfan! Thanks! :)

[proud American in Canada]

"If you feel like it, you might want to read my
exchange with the American woman living here in Canada..."

Oh, well, she has just consented for me to post her letter. So I will.


Dear XXxX,
Thank you for copying me on your letter to the editor.
I'm sorry you seized on one sentence in my column and managed to extract so much offence from it, when so little offence was intended. When I talk about Canadians flying American flags here in Canada, I'm talking about people who
seem to be confused about their national identity. That's irksome to me _ as irksome, I would imagine, as would be th e sight to Americans of their compatriots in the US routinely flying Canadian flags. It's ill-fitting and
inappropriate. There are other ways to show brotherliness and support.

How you can extrapolate from that some kind of show of derisive disrespect for the tragic events of September 11, 2001, I'm not sure. It does indeed require a leap of logic. I don't imagine you were around here two years ago
when this paper was full of sympathy, empathy and passionate support for our American cousins _ and when I wrote a column in the same space precisely to
that effect. I used the word "cousin" then, as now.
(That would have been just after the time the government of Jean Chretien _ who sent official memorial condolences to Pres. Bush last Thursday, by the way, your misperception notwithstanding _ gave the order to take in all those planeloads of people, Americans included, who couldn't get into US airspace. You probably don't recall that nobody knew at the time who or what we might be taking in on that awful day, but the Chretien government never even hesitated. Even Stephen Harper couldn't have reacted more quickly. But I digress.)

As to the rest of your diatribe.... Forgive me if I reinforce your notion of me as some kind of rabid anti-American (which my American friends both here and in the US would find very amusing), but I must tell you something you
seem not be aware of: Canada is not a possession of the United States. Oh, I know you believe you've given us, and continue to give us, every shred of goodness and decency that marks our poor, dreary lives. But the simple fact
is, we sometimes chug along on our own steam, too. We have medicare (unlike nations still mired in social justice theories of the 18th century) because we choose to, because we've always felt it's more important than other areas, including sometimes defence. But then maybe we don't have as much to fear from the rest of the world. We are not, as you point out, the superpower you are.

And while you seem to think we should somehow be doing everything in lockstep with you, I must repeat regrettably, I suppose, from your point of view) that we are an independent nation, despite our geographical and
cultural proximity. Although there were a number of Canadians over on the right (where I assume you situate yourself) who were disappointed we didn't belong to your president's "coalition of the willing," I'm one of the
majority who were pleased we declined membership in that group. And from what I hear from my American friends and some members of the American media, the Canadian decision was not universally loathed.

But that's what separate and independent nations do, isn't it? Make their own decisions, free _ it is to be hoped _ of cheap shots about disintegrated friendship. While I'm sorry you and your correspondence circle feel slapped in the face,
I have to admit I don't understand it. Anybody can take a comment or two in isolation (like "arrogant bastards" or the privately uttered "moron" _ which I suspect more than a few of your countrymen have also said of Mr Bush) and generalize to the entire country, but that's pretty intellectually indefensible.

The thing I really don't understand, though _ and please don't feel I'm being flip or facetious _ is how you can stand to keep living up here. My condolences.

[americanSoul]

Jeanie Cretin does not speak for me. That also applies to the America hating francophones he has surrounded himself with.

In my house, I have Old Glory in two windows, 24/7.

For a doormat, I a French flag, which soon will probably be sporting a red crescent.

My family literally owes their lives to American Soldiers.

G-d Bless America, and her Brave Warriors.

[Area51]

There is a great line in A few Good Men, staring Jack Nicolson and Tom Cruise When Nicholson is on the stand and says:

Col. Jessup:" Son, we live in a world that has walls. And those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinberg? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago and you curse the marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: That Santiago's death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives.

You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall.

We use words like honor, code, loyalty...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline.

I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to! "

[proud American in Canada]

Thanks for the post. Canadians just don't get it. If you cannot defend yourself, you have given up your sovereignty.