Posted on 03/15/2004 8:04:42 AM PST by albertabound
Mar. 14, 2004. 04:02 PM
Canadians call U.S. best pal - Yanks pick Brits: Poll
MONTREAL (CP) — The best-friend relationship that Canada and the United States once enjoyed might have become more of a one-way affair.
While 50 per cent of Canadians in a recent Leger Marketing poll said the United States was Canada's "best friend," only 20 per cent of American respondents in the same survey felt likewise about their northern neighbour.
Britain, which has forged even closer political ties with the United States in recent years, topped the best-friend list for 62 per cent of Americans.
Twenty-five per cent of Canadians chose Britain as their country's best buddy.
The poll also suggested that 68 per cent of Canadians thought the two countries were very different, while 29 per cent believed they were very much alike.
Among Americans, the numbers were reversed — 61 per cent said the countries were very much alike, compared with 31 per cent who said they were very different.
The poll of 1,501 Canadians and 1,035 Americans was conducted Feb. 17-22. The Canadian numbers are considered accurate within 2.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, while the margin of error for the U.S. sample is three percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
One keen observer of Canadian-U.S. relations said he wasn't surprised at the findings of the two questions because Canada is not on the radar screen of the average American on a daily basis.
"The average American hears about Britain all the time," said Harold Waller, chair of McGill University's North American Studies Program.
"He hears about (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair, he's aware of the fact they fought the war together in Iraq, that they've been allies for years and years."
Waller said Canadians know a lot more about their southern neighbour than Americans do about them.
"Americans know almost nothing about Canada and Canadians," he said in an interview. "They simply assume that things are pretty much the same here.
"They don't see any Canadian TV. They don't see any programs about Canada. Canada only makes the news in the U.S. when something big happens like an election or disaster.
"Canadians on the other hand, because they know about the U.S., they're more sensitive to the differences between the two countries."
An American who follows the relationship admitted that "U.S. knowledge of Canadians is little bit limited."
But Christopher Sands, senior associate with the Canada Project for the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said Canadians may have been doing their patriotic duty in emphasizing the differences between the two countries.
"Scratch the surface, I think we're fundamentally quite similar but that's a very uncomfortable answer for a country that's sort of searching for definitions of itself," Sands said from Washington, D.C.
As for the friends angle, Sands said there is no surprise that Britain was way out in the lead among Americans.
"The American public has accepted that, post-Sept. 11, allies have to be looked at by what they do, not what they say.
"And suddenly, there's this sense that when we were in a crunch, when we needed people, Britain could be counted on."
Sands also had an interesting take on his compatriots' general knowledge of the world.
"If you did a Family Feud-style poll and you said `Other than the United States, name countries,' the average American could probably get to 12," he said. "Britain's definitely one of them. But if you ask them England against Scotland, you start puzzling them."
Every Canadian knows a dam Canadian when they see one , what's the problem?
Same fate awaits those damn Canadians in the Liberal party. We hope:)
One day while browsing the Forums I came across this....
Buffalo/Niagara Chapter of FreeRepublic.com posted by 'The Mayor'
It is a discussion regarding the formation of the Chapter.
Within it I found this....
To: The Mayor
Let's not forget Southern Ontario freepers.
9 posted on 03/06/2004 5:13:53 PM EST by eleni121 (Preempt and Prevent)
To: eleni121
I have a big ping list for WNY can you get the list for them?
10 posted on 03/06/2004 5:19:14 PM EST by The Mayor (There is no such thing as insignificant service for Christ.)
To: The Mayor
I checked the Canada freepmail/location list and there are 194 members. I am sure many of them are within driving distance of Erie-Niagara.
28 posted on 03/06/2004 11:57:13 PM EST by eleni121 (Preempt and Prevent)
From the posted story:
"Americans know almost nothing about Canada....Canadians on the other hand, because they know about the U.S....U.S. knowledge of Canadians is little bit limited....Canadians may have been doing their patriotic duty in emphasizing the differences between the two countries....`Other than the United States, name countries,' the average American could probably get to 12," But if you ask them England against Scotland, you start puzzling them."
Friends?!! Conservatives?!! Who is being all lumped together, and insulted here?
What conceited hypocrisy to feign sensitivity to this particular treatment.
Why is it only incumbent upon me, the ignorant American, to "get" something? If you continually insult me, I get angry. Obviously a foreign concept to our northern "friends".
Yes. Yes it is.
This relates, to the discussion of Canadian manners, how?
A very nice picture of a beaver.
Are you still, as you agree, a British commonwealth? No.
Did President Bush act, as you say, unilaterally? No.
What history has Canada independently built for itself....not British, not French...but, Canadian?
Shall you continue to avoid this subject? Shall you continue to insist upon Canadian sophistication, and American ignorance(but in that "friendly" way)?
Show us you know as much of Candian history as I, or; instead, dazzle us with pictures of beavers("It is a picture of a beaver"; I love it!!)
Be brave!! Be bold! Herald Canadian history. Your silence on this, on terrorism, and for US support speaks volumes. Another chapter would be most eloquent.
Your conversation, and character, is devoid of bravery. You are unwilling/unable to express any pride for your home.
To a Texan, this leaves nothing. Absolutely, nothing.
As a friend, what is there you can offer?
Posting a picture of a beaver would be most appropriate here.
Wasn't that a commie phrase used by Lenin?
While Iraqi ops were going down, there were beaucoup Cdn naval boarding parties who were uploading digital snapshots of potential terrorists, which were then transmitted by satellite to the brass in Tampa. Also, JTF 2 was in country. Why aren't you serving in A'stan or Iraq?
Much better to post the words of an Eagle.
"In this contest of will and purpose, not every nation joins every mission or participates in the same way. Yet every nation makes a vital contribution, and America is proud to stand with all of you as we pursue a broad strategy in the war against terror."
George W. Bush
Mar.19/04
"You are either with us or against us"
"Wasn't that a commie phrase used by Lenin?"
LOL. That's so pathetic, it's funny. Ever heard of George W. Bush? Ever heard of Jesus of Nazareth?
Canada betrayed the United States of America over Iraq. It is insulting to tell us not to be upset about it. We *are* upset about it. Better to change your country than to come here onto an American site and show your complete and utter ignorance.
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