Posted on 07/02/2005 10:02:20 AM PDT by quidnunc
On Canada Day weekend I am supposed to behave like a good Canadian columnist. To say how wonderful this country is and how great and grand it is to be Canadian.
Sorry, not going to do it. I love Canadians, I love what this country has done for me, but I cannot serve it well if I play the game of adulation. Simply put, we're in big trouble.
The notion that this is the greatest country on Earth and that our cities are "world class" is, frankly, quite ludicrous. We have little history, few passable museums, mediocre galleries and minimal national pride. Our cities are mediocre at best and pale into insignificance compared to genuinely world-class centres like New York, Paris, London or Rome.
We do have natural beauty, but our summers are now clouded, in all senses, by smog warnings and endless housing developments are darkening the light of what was rural splendour.
We used to be a safe country. Not now. Gunplay is increasing at an extraordinary rate and, if we are to believe many street cops, at a much faster pace than we are told by various politicians and police chiefs. Some of our inner cities are becoming virtual no-go areas and the culture no longer has the courage to fight back.
Contrary to what you might be told, we are not particularly respected internationally. It is true that nobody hates us, but the reason for this is not affection but indifference. We are found amusing rather than admirable, a huge and empty country where lumberjacks and Mounties play in the snow.
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at torsun.canoe.ca ...
"I'm judging the country by the way they vote."
I can accept that. Is sometimes frustrating to
see people misled by their politicians.
DOH!!
I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...
It wasn't the liberal voters' fault we had to go through the Clinton mess. They were brainless, innocent victims. Sheesh.
"They were brainless, innocent victims."
What WOULD you call people who voted for that little guy whose qualifications for the presidency included the fact that he was one of the most successful manufacturer's representatives of all time?
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
What is it you're talking about?
"What is it you're talking about?"
That little guy--I can't think of his name--
the conservative whose candidacy helped get
Clinton elected.
(I actually can remember his name, but I just want
to see how many others can remember it.)
Even today many in Canada revere the Queen. That's a big part of their problem IMO. They need to cut their nostalgic ties and develop their own identity.
Good historical info BTW.
What about him?
Well, the column was OK, if a little obvious, but I liked the Sunshine Girl better.
you won't find any anwers in Detroit, that's for sure. Or anywhere in the rust belt. But... I think our conservative movement, which you're obviously tapping into on this site, is unique. And stronger than we know. We scare the hell out of the commies. Why wouldn't we? We have Congress and the White House. If only we knew what to do with them.
LOL! Monty, is that you?
Ahh...here's a pat on the hand for all Canadians. You guys are really good folks, all in all.
Yeah, I find myself laughing at Canada a lot!
Toronto BUMP!
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