God bless America

Toronto Sun ^ | July 31, 2004 | Michael Coren

[Clive]

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[garylmoore]

Now there's one wise Canadian with character!

[Ruth A.]

Bump! with thanks.

[endthematrix]

He forgot to honor the document that permitted all of the above. The greatest document written is the Constitution of the United States of America!

[Quilla]

Hear, hear.

/wiping tears from eyes

[DB]

Wow!

I think all this hate going around is going to have actual consequences for all of us some time in the not too distant future. If Iraq becomes a success, it will only get worse. Shame and hate are a bad combination...

[Clive]

Hatred of Great Britain was endemic in the world during the time of Pax Britannica, just as, I suppose it was of Rome during Pax Romanica.

Why should it be any different during Pax Americana?

But there is a logic of empire that requires the pre-eminent world power to press on regardless.

[familyop]

Thanks.

Hopefully, Michael will also soon see the wisdom of keeping
the likes of Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, Hamas, et al, out of his
yard.

[familyop]

"Hatred of Great Britain was endemic in the world during the time of Pax Britannica, just as, I suppose it was of Rome during Pax Romanica.
Why should it be any different during Pax Americana?
But there is a logic of empire that requires the pre-eminent world power to press on regardless."

Clive, surely, you know what we Americans think of "empire." By now, you should also know that we don't like having our countries policies equated with those of the Roman and British empires.

If by some rare chance, you do not know these things, then I suggest that you read about the Monroe Doctrine concerning Britain and South America, the true historical origin of the phrase, "gunboat diplomacy" (re. Britain), Nero (re. his treatment of Christians) and a few other differences.

If the USA were an empire, our government would be ruling your country, and you wouldn't have a government of your own at all.

[familyop]

Correction: "our countries policies" should have been written, "our country's policies."

But we Americans do not like "empire," and that, I suspect, is why so many anti-American writers use the phrase, "Pax Americana."

All others who read this, search and see information on "Pax Americana."

[jocon307]

"The last straw was, in itself, not particularly significant."

I hate to nit-pick with the author (really the editor should have caught it) but, by definition, the last straw is insignificant.

Other than that, great piece, thanks from this American. And I hope that silly Sheryl Crow learns a lesson; although she probably thinks that if Jean Francois Kerry were pres. it never would have happened. In fairness I must add that I'm not 100% sure the French don't just hate Armstrong because he's won their race so many times.

[Clive]

Call it what you will, the US is still the pre-eminent world power and that has its imperatives, and that is all tha I am saying.

I use the term "logic of empire" and "Pax Britannica" because I was born and raised at the twilight of Pax Britannica.

As to "Pax Americana". Someone has said tha "war is mankind's natural state. Peace is a condition to be inferred by the fact that there have been intevals between wars." Imaging the chaos that would be extant in the world but for the existence of the US as the pre-eminent world power.

[silverleaf]

Thank You for an inspiring post.

And know that many of us were comforted by envisioning the French spittle landing on their own cyclists who were trailing Lance Armstrong...

[GailA]

You might like this: Gordon Sinclair a Candian on America

[familyop]

I understand, to a small extent, and thanks for the explanation.

To understand conservative Americans a little more, one might look for a speck of the anti-materialistic principles (but not enough, IMO) in us, of those who opposed Charles I in the 1600s. ..."liberal" in the older sense (i.e., not socialist). ...this, despite what Hollywood portrays in generalization of us all. Generally, we are immoral in many ways but maybe more moral than many would expect in other ways.

I very much hope that the Iraqis continue a great and independent government that they will enjoy. And it is a near certainty, given the history of trade regarding the USA to date, that we will not take more from them than we will give or exercise any control over Iraq's leaders by threat of force, overt or covert. Germany is an example, as most Germans show animosity against us, yet we do not exercise any control over their government leaders to change that. Canada is another example. We even continue a trade deficit with Canada despite so much contempt for us there.

[Bahbah]

Trying to pick myself up off of the floor.

[SVTCobra03]

We have just as much America-hating and America-bashing from the dims in our own country.

[Malesherbes]

It was the last straw that "broke the camel's back." That makes it significant. But to the larger point: I'm glad the writer is fed up. So are a lot of Americans, including me. I've got a list of countries that I'm beginning to despise. France is, of course, at the top. Canada is on probabtion only because there are good people in its western provinces.

[-YYZ-]

Canada is another example. We even continue a trade deficit with Canada despite so much contempt for us there.

I'd like to say you were wrong about the prevailing majority sentiment in Canada in regards to the US, but I've seen it too often myself. It's a festering problem in Canada brought on by our fears of being overwhelmed and feelings of inferiority that we must deal with.

On the subject of the trade deficit between our countries, I wonder how much of that is made up by necessary imports by the US of electricity, gas and oil? Certainly Canada is one of the biggest consumers of American products of all types, as a look around any Canadian home would reveal. Since the FTA even many Canadian brands and company names with a long history in this country have been bought up or merged with US corporations. Although sometimes a little sad to see the passing of an era, I don't really mind this - I think the FTA has been good for both of our countries.