Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Americans fire back over column (Americans slam Canada)
Toronto star ^ | 12-16-02 | Richard Gwyn

Posted on 12/16/2002 5:55:19 AM PST by Jimmyclyde

Americans fire back over column

RICHARD GWYN

You all suck even more than France. That is one American's opinion of 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.

First, a sample of the antis:

"We Americans don't give a rat's ass what you think about us."

"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."

"Canadians are sort of a nation of Homer Simpsons."

Then the pros:

"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."


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-108 next last
To: SAMWolf
Just out of curiosity, is the flag a "issue" in Canada.

No, not at all, and I've never seen anyone try to fly a red ensign in Canada either. Also, Canadian veterans do not pine for the red ensign.

I know they'll be die-hards who prefer the old flag but I haven't really heard of it being an issue there.

That's because it's not. I don't know why there are a few Canadians here and on FD that attach themselves to the red ensign but I imagine that it's just a rebelious stance against the liberals in Canada who they feel took away Canada's flag (if you want to call it that). They are just ignorant of Canadian history, especially about what Canadians thought of the red ensign before 1964.

You may not personally like the current flag, but it is still one of the most indentifiable in the world. Everyone knows what the Canadian flag looks like. And, thankfully, it is strictly Canadian.

81 posted on 12/16/2002 7:15:19 PM PST by Black Powder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 78 | View Replies]

To: Rocky
Actually, I wasn't being as humorous as you might think.

He was an embarrassment to my country and I can't believe the people re-elected him. I consider his terms a low point in our county's history.
82 posted on 12/16/2002 7:16:48 PM PST by SAMWolf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 80 | View Replies]

To: Black Powder
but it is still one of the most indentifiable in the world

I'll grant you that, there are so many flags that look alike, at least out countries are unique.

83 posted on 12/16/2002 7:20:14 PM PST by SAMWolf
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 81 | View Replies]

To: Jimmyclyde
DO NOT TRUST THEM! (Will open in new window.)
84 posted on 12/16/2002 7:24:04 PM PST by LibKill
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: LibKill
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!
85 posted on 12/16/2002 8:40:14 PM PST by kari72
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: zcat
I visited Canada dozens of times, I was welcomed, and admired as an American. I have great respect for the Canadians, our brothers and sisters to the north. Granted they are socialists/Liberals! Hoever, would that makes you hate your brother or mother if they were leftists?
86 posted on 12/17/2002 5:59:36 AM PST by philosofy123
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: Citizen of the Savage Nation
You have many good points. Thanks for the reply. I guess the Europeans are basically liberals, and detested a conservative cowboy in the White House. Tony Blair is liberal, and he was against attacking Iraq, how did Bush convinse him otherwise?
87 posted on 12/17/2002 6:06:57 AM PST by philosofy123
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 58 | View Replies]

To: myrabach
My position as adult trainer for my company takes me to Canada quite often. Frankly, I don't really understand America's criticism... I find the Canadians to be quite a warm group of people, very interested in what's going on in the US, and the university students to be very serious about education. Edmonton was a total surprise and is on my list of places for a return visit... just love those Canadian Rockies too! And Victoria... ahhhhh just lovely. Where ever I've gone... the Canadian's have be wonderful

Looking at the specific places you mention, you frequent the conservative regions -- Canada's "fly-over" country. Ask Canadians there what they think of their national government and you're bound to get an earful.

88 posted on 12/17/2002 6:18:08 AM PST by Stultis
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: myrabach
Victoria... ahhhhh just lovely

It should be...its the capital of BC.

If you liked Victoria, you should check out the rest of Vancouver Island, I lived there for 24 years. I was born in Sidney BC, that is just north of Victoria, then I lived in Comox until I was 13, then lived in Campbell River until I was 24.


http://www.visit-vancouverisland.com http://www.sidneybc.com/ http://www.tourism-comox-valley.bc.ca/ http://www.campbellrivertourism.bc.ca/
89 posted on 12/17/2002 6:51:01 AM PST by MD_Willington_1976
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: kari72
exactly the perception of American values in the world that are creating problems for Americans in the first place. The 'if we don't agree with you, we'll run you over until you agree with us' mentality that putting off some Canadian and Europeans (Australians haven't been mentioned but do deserve an honorable mention too). There is a many reasons why support for american's has dropped since 9/11. One of them is that after 9/11 Bush made a speech with the bottom line of 'if you're not with us, you're against us' (so if my country doesn't give absolute free reign and undying, unquestioning loyality to Bush's cause then my country is pro-terror? WTF?) The attitude has got to change or the collision course with disaster is unavoidable. Yeah, I know Canada doesn't have the answers unless you count the big welcome mat to any potential invaders (enter Canada HERE ----> we have no guns, we have no army, but we love peace and we have lots of POT!) but being the world's policeman isn't all that either. Didn't the Roman Empire collapse because it overextended itself? And if the US is raising hackles in a peace loving hippie country, then good luck with the arabs! Wink wink!

You have to realize that the US has no equal in today's world, not even close. It's our duty to lead the rest of the world. Sitting around trying not to piss off everybody else is a waste of time (see: Carter/Clinton Administrations).

The parallels between the U.S. and Romans is irrelevant.

90 posted on 12/17/2002 11:42:39 AM PST by gilor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 55 | View Replies]

To: MadIvan
But you guys had a socialist idiot cut of the head of Maggie's statue, as "a statement against whatever and as a work of art." Is Britain toast or is there room for hope?
91 posted on 12/17/2002 12:11:28 PM PST by Paulus Invictus
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 28 | View Replies]

To: Paulus Invictus
But you guys had a socialist idiot cut of the head of Maggie's statue, as "a statement against whatever and as a work of art." Is Britain toast or is there room for hope?

Well every country has its share of idiots - I'm sure there are some idiots in Berkeley who would have approved of such an "artistic statement".

I think the biggest reason for hope lies in the way the country has responded to 9/11 - the political establishment, most of the media, and the population are still pro-American, and that means our centre of gravity is far more with you lot than with the Continent.

Regards, Ivan

92 posted on 12/17/2002 12:28:05 PM PST by MadIvan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 91 | View Replies]

To: philosofy123
Hoever, would that makes you hate your brother or mother if they were leftists?

Funny you should mention that because since it had no relevance to the argument, I did not mention that my step-mother was Canadian (now deceased), a step-sister also Canadian but now naturalized citizen and another step-sister who chooses to retain her Canadian citizenship for reasons known only to her but not political. Each one thanks God they are no longer living in Canada due to the political situation there.

Your question is hypothetical and not relevant. However, just to humor you, my step-mother would not have become same if she was as you say "leftist" (I prefer the proper term Socialist). As for my two "Canadian" step-sisters, lets just say they don't miss living in the socialist republic of Canada..........

And as for a brother I do not have, if I had one and if he was a socialist, I would regularly whip his ass without fear of legal intervention simply because he would know that I would eventually get out of jail and whip his ass again.......Hypothetically of course...

93 posted on 12/17/2002 3:11:04 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: Black Powder
So tell me, take the U.S. Auto influence out of Canada and what is left to sustain their economy at the level they currently enjoy?

The same stuff that maintaned it before US auto manufacturers decided to set up shop in Canada

You didn't answer my question. Exactly what is the "same stuff" other than beer, hockey sticks and skates that could possibly sustain them if we pulled out?

Just what exactly does Canada produce that the world wants?

The western provinces rely on fishing and tourism, the central pronvinces rely on manufacturing supplied by the U.S. based companies, Toronto relies on tourism, Windsor and the rest of Ontario relies on U.S. based manufacturers, and as for Quebec and those Eastern provinces, who the hell knows about those French cheese eaters......

As I said before, if not for the U.S. Manufacturers and the jobs in the U.S. which the Windsorites are flocking across the Blue Water Bridge and the Windsor tunnel/bridge, Windsor and the rest of Canada would wither and die...........

As for your standard of living being better before the U.S. influence, I might remind you that yes, the standard of living was indeed better and it was due entirely by the U.S. manufacturers expanding into Canada until the government took over and became Socialistic. Don't blame it on the U.S. pal........

94 posted on 12/17/2002 3:29:46 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 76 | View Replies]

To: philosofy123
I visited Canada dozens of times, I was welcomed, and admired as an American. I have great respect for the Canadians, our brothers and sisters to the north.

I have too on many occasions. Both on Canadian ski trips and occasional jaunts across the border here in Detroit. I too felt welcomed and actually believe that Canadians are more hospitable and educated than the average American and also have great respect for the populace. However, my beef lies with the anti-American sentiment being propagated by their socialist news media and until I start reading pro-U.S. articles then my anti-Canadian bias will blanket the folks I admire and that is totally unfair to them.

As evidenced here in the U.S. during the 2000 election, there are pockets of socialists whose numbers greatly affect our election process. Thank our Founders for the electoral college process.

Unfortunately, Canada does not have that process and that is why the highly socialist pockets such as windsor, Toronto and Montreal pretty much determine their election results.

The central and western provinces have already voiced their displeasure with the current government and unfortunately their only salvation lies in secession..........

95 posted on 12/17/2002 4:04:25 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: zcat
You didn't answer my question.

No, I probably didn't answer you to your satisfaction, but that's because I think you're a moron. Someone who argues from the point of view that the US is a communist country is definitely too stupid to reply to seriously. Besides, you're not really interested in any answers, anyhow. You already have it all figured out, so I'll leave you think whatever you like.

96 posted on 12/17/2002 4:38:21 PM PST by Black Powder
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 94 | View Replies]

To: Black Powder
No, I probably didn't answer you to your satisfaction, but that's because I think you're a moron. Someone who argues from the point of view that the US is a communist country is definitely too stupid to reply to seriously

Well, I certainly don't know how to answer this unfounded accusation other than to say you have not answered my question simply because you do not have a legitimate answer and where have I implied in any of my posts that the U.S. is a communist country????????????????

I am going to refrain from any name calling as you have done simply because I have successfully debunked your unsubstantiated claims with facts.

Now, if you don't mind, please explain to me what "stuff" you are referring to?

I have inferred that the U.S. is a communist country? Man, I don't know where the hell you are coming from...................

97 posted on 12/17/2002 5:01:46 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: Black Powder
No, I probably didn't answer you to your satisfaction, but that's because I think you're a moron.

Furthermore, on this site we ask for facts not unsubstantiated blanket statements and to date you have not responded to my original question with any facts whatsoever. One has to wonder who the actual moron is.......

98 posted on 12/17/2002 5:05:33 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies]

To: All
I love Canada. When the FDA banned sodium cyclimates (artificial sweetener) because Canadian rats soaked in it for a month developed skin lesions and died, the Canadians wisely did not ban it.

Now, whenever I go to Canada, I buy big boxes of Canadian Sugar Twin. It tastes great and doesn't lose its flavor when heated. It's 50 times better than saccarin.

Canadians are better than normal people. Name another group that has been able to teach Frenchmen to play hockey!
99 posted on 12/17/2002 5:16:51 PM PST by Poser
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Poser
Name another group that has been able to teach Frenchmen to play hockey!

It's one thing to teach them how to play hockey but when are we going to teach them how to not "surrender" the puck to the defense?........ LOL!

100 posted on 12/17/2002 5:21:22 PM PST by Hot Tabasco
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 99 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 41-6061-8081-100101-108 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson