Americans fire back over column (Americans slam Canada)

Another, from Salem, Mass., holds the view that, "Americans are superior to Canadians because we don't play or watch curling."

And from Kansas City comes the comment, "Canada is the bookish, nerdy sister of the prom queen that is America." Many, from all over, remark on how Canada — "hiding behind Big Mama's skirts" — depends on the U.S. for its defence.

But then a Texan chimes in with, "I'm a right-wing American who loves being part of the biggest, baddest, nation on the block.

Yet that voice from the distant, frigid north is oddly reassuring, sort of like having a more even-keeled young brother."

And a "Jon" recalled that the Roman emperors had a servant whisper in their ear, "Remember, Caesar, you are mortal" — a practice that could usefully be recreated in Ottawa — and then opined: "The U.S. needs to be challenged for its own good the same way ... (a role) Canadians are particularly well-suited to."

What Canadians think does matter to Americans. In certain circumstances at certain times.

My evidence for saying this is that I've culled those quotes from the some 1,400 e-mails sent to me as a result of my column of last Sunday titled, "It's not our fault that we're morally superior to Americans."

What promoted the column was some hand-wringing by Deputy Prime Minister John Manley that any Canadian sentiments of superiority were actually a sign of a sense of inferiority, and should be silenced so as not to annoy Americans.

My rebuttal was that Canadian sentiments of superiority were actually a sign of a sense of superiority, and why on Earth not say so out loud, since Americans are certain they are superior to everyone in the world and can hardly be shocked to be challenged.

I expected some shots back, from both sides of the border. I got the verbal equivalent of a salvo of cruise missiles. As a journalist, I've never experienced its equal. The Drudge Report on the Web picked up the column, and, in a tribute to its power, triggered well over 1,000 of those e-mails. American radio and TV stations called for interviews.

Best of all, I got by accident, a fascinating insight into American opinions about Canada but also about their own country.

"You do nothing and carp about others. You're like a nation populated entirely by university professors and newspaper columnists."

"You people can be as superior as you like while you surrender your firearms, pay for your socialist health care, and freeze your collective asses off."

"One of the reasons Canadians are such good neighbours is that they are not afraid to disagree with us. Our differences are not violent, fearful or antagonistic, and that means they must be constructive."

"I remember the first time being around Canadian people and as a black man that was the first time in my 44 years I was treated like a real person. I wish I were a Canadian."

"Overall you guys are great. If in fact you are superior in some areas, I see that as a challenge. You know how we hate to come in second."

The level of knowledge about Canada was far higher than is generally assumed. To my comment that Canadians have more of a sense of being a collectivity, many respondents replied: "What about Quebec?" On the differences in health-care systems, one of many defending the U.S. practice observed shrewdly, "Canadians do have a two-tier system. It's just that your first-tier is in places like Minneapolis and Syracuse and Boston where you can get an MRI on three day's notice."

The level of humour was high as well. "I'm impressed that Canada's firearms registration program has ballooned from $2 million to one billion. I thought only the U.S. Congress was that inept."

Most interesting, perhaps, is that dealing with a Canadian's comments about the U.S. triggered perceptive comments by Americans about themselves:

"Please be patient with us as we search for a way to respond to what we feel is a critically dangerous time in history. We can have big mouths, but we also have big hearts."

"Americans do have a bit of a superiority complex. But not in the way you understand. We want to be the best at everything we do. Our attitudes demand victory, victory, victory."

"It seems we NEED an enemy to feel good about ourselves. The fall of the Soviet Union was the worst thing that could have happened to us. No one to beat at the Olympics. No one to talk tough to."

The only way to end is to balance evenly, in a properly Canadian way, the praise and the blame:

"Just as Canadians are better at viewing themselves as a collective, they are also better at viewing themselves not just as members of a nation but as citizens of the world."

And to confirm that it's curling that really distinguishes the two nations of North America, "Go back to sliding things across the ice and calling it a sport."

Just what exactly does Canada produce that the world wants?

What does Canada produce . Besides oil. The US gets10% of her oil from Canada. Natural gas, Hydro power. If you don't want it we can keep it. Nickel from Sudbury and soon from Voisy's Bay.. The biggest supplier in the world. Gold, and if the US doesn't want it, Europe will.. Zinc, copper, platinum ,chromium and silver.

Diamonds. Better than South African or blood diamonds, Each with a little polar bear laziered on so the buyer knows it's authentic.

Softwood Lumber. Your tariffs tried to kill us. So were sending you more 2x4's. Cheaper and cut more efficient than your sawmills could only dream of. And if they were squealing before, that was just practice. And we're making more money doing it.

And military hardware . Like the Coyote. Four hundred of them for the US . Like bearings for jet engines and gatling guns. From Canadian companies. The list goes on If you doubt it, do your own research. For a change.

The difference between Canada, Europe, and the US is very easy to see. Just listen to Ted Kennedy, Ralph Nadir, Hilary Clinton, or the real American leftist media. The current hysteria about Saddam Hussein for some unknown reason was sold to our mainstream media, hence our public, liberal, and conservatives are on the same page. The European, however, for a reason unknown too did not buy the idea of war to prevent a dictator from hoping to have nuke. Their media remained anti-war, not like the US, and as the US acted without proper consultations, they became even more resentful.

I believe this hostility between us and our western allies are temporary. I also know that Bush learned his lesson not to act with arrogance. As he consulted, ALL the Security Council members voted with us. That was an act of rewarding negotiation. We are the only superpower, and we will be resented if we did not act fairly.

Saudi Arabia ranks second largest petroleum importer to US
Saudi Arabia is the second largest source of American petroleum imports. In the year in 2002, the kingdom supplied 14.3 percent of the United States’ imported oil and was surpassed only by Canada, who accounted for 18 percent of its southern neighbor’s oil imports.

The US’ sixth largest importer of petroleum was Iraq, with 4.6 percent of total imports, while
Algeria closed the top ten importers list, accounting for 2.7 percent of oil shipments, according to recently released information released by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). — (menareport.com)

Hey Pal, I see you are an expert in Canadian / American trade relations etc. etc. but perhaps you might need us a little more than you would care to accept if the A-rabs stop sending you oil. Wouldn't want to freeze your sorry ass off in the dark now would you. We will survive even if you guys don't like us anymore and stop spending your tourist dollars up here.

Oil is oil pal and the U.S. doesn't need to depend on Canadian oil by your own facts.

With a Canadian population of approx. 31 million, approx. 631,000 work directly for the automobile industry. Can your economy support those folks on unemployment if the auto industry pulled out? I don't think so!

Furthermore, in 1996, the U.S. issued 26,794 work visas for Canadians to enter the U.S. to work. If they are no longer allowed into the U.S. do you think your economy/industry can accomodate them? I really doubt it!

Last but not least Canada's trade relationship with the U.S. accounts for 80% of it's economy. So tell me PAL, who is more important to who?

Like I said, until I start reading more support of the U.S. in your twisted socialist news media, my attitude against Canada is going to remain very bad......

It accounts for 80% of Canada's total worldwide EXPORTS, not the entire economy, you moron.

You know, you must have had that moniker tatooed on your forehead by your mother you use it so much.

My statement stands as does the fact. You have nothing to add to your embarrassing argument other than name calling.

Last but not least Canada's trade relationship with the U.S. accounts for 80% of it's economy. It accounts for 80% of Canada's total worldwide EXPORTS, not the entire economy............ It looks like the Canadian government is looking for ways to expand their market outside of North America anyways.. http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2002/12/18/7684-cp.html

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