Yet Another Snub From the Chretien Government (please help me freep!)

vanity | September 16, 2003 | myself

[proud American in Canada]

On the second anniversary of 9/11, Jean Chretien was on vacation in Quebec. Neither he nor the Liberal party organized any official ceremony. Instead, Stephen Harper, the opposition leader, organized a ceremony. Though he made a quickie phone call to Pres. Bush, Jean Chretien didn't bother to show up.

Two days later, a woman writing a puff piece in the Ottawa Citizen made the comment that "seeing Canadians flying American flags in a misplaced show of solidarity" sends her into a "huff."

That was it. I went to my computer and wrote a letter to the editor. Here's the text:

"Once again, Jean Chretien and his Liberal party slap Americans in the face.

I am an American living in the Ottawa area and married to a French-Canadian. At first I wasn’t planning on writing on the deafening silence from the Canadian government on the second anniversary of the most horrific act of terrorism the world has ever seen. Nope, it was up to Stephen Harper—whom I would like to thank for his continued support of the U.S.; it hasn’t gone unnoticed by me—to organize something to remember the deaths of not only over 3,000 of those “arrogant bastards” but also 24 Canadians.

But reading Janice Kennedy’s article in the Style Weekly section sent me to my computer—after I was finished c rying in anger. So, the sight of “Canadians flying American flags in misplaced shows of brotherliness” sends her into a “huff,” does it? Well isn’t that special.

Well, it’s those American flags that make it possible for Canada to have the health care system that it does. After all, if Canada had to pay for its own national defense, that would hardly be possible. Instead, Canada has the great good fortune to live right next to the last remaining superpower, and I might add, the only place on earth besides England, Australia, Poland and some of the other members of the “Coalition of the Willing” that seem to care about real human liberty.

And it’s those American flags that enable Canada to have the standard of living that it does, though the tax rate up here really hurts Canadians. Why? Well, if Canada had to pay to export all its materials to Europe, Mexico, and other places, business net income would sink like a stone.

You know, I have many, many friends who have sworn off Canada after the repeated insults from government officials up here and Canada’s refusal to help us in the war. You can blame the drop in tourism on SARS all you want, but you know what? Americans have suddenly realized that Canadians don’t like them. So they don’t want to come up here anymore. When a friend slaps you in the face, it’s a wake up call.

Thanks to Jean Chretien and Janice Kennedy for yet another wake up call. I’ve already emailed all my friends back home about it and posted about it on an Internet forum. _____________________________________________

She sent me a nasty ranting letter, which I won't post at this time. But this is what I just wrote back to her:

Perhaps you did not mean to cause offense with your comment. However, when you refer to me as taking "unjustified leaps of logic," in essence calling me stupid, instead of simply apologizing for having written something ambiguous and potentially insulting, you have written me an article with an ultimate goal, I suspect, not to convince me of Canada’s “passionate support” of the U.S., but to insult and/or harass me. So I must respond to the points you raised in your letter.

I can understand your irritation with Canadians who always fly American flags. But have you ever considered the possibility that they are Americans or have family down there? You may not know this, but American citizens from all over the world frequently fly flags from their countries of origin and it is not in any way consideredoffensive. It is part of the free speech that Americans hold dear. I certainly would not be offended if my neighbor flew the Canadian flag. In any case, to toss off acomment like that—comparing flying the American flag to slowing down traffic, for example—is indeed offensive.

I actually was here two years ago. And, though my memory can be bad, it’s not that bad. I actually do recall that Canadians mourned with us and opened up their homes to the stranded. However, that Chretien allowed planes with U.S. destinations to land here was the very least asupposed ally could do—with the emphasis on least.

I also recall that when I attended the ceremony on Parliament Hill shortly after 9/11, I saw several Canadians sneer at my sign, which read: “Note to Terrorists: These Colors Don’t Run.” The oh-so-sophisticated sneers were a sign that while Canada would grieve for the dead, it would refuse to take any concrete action so that those who died did not die in vain.

And that’s exactly what happened. When the time came to actually do something to eliminate the threat of terrorism, support for the U.S. dried up. If memory serves me right, for a while it was not even clear that Canada would go into Afghanistan, and of course there was the decision not to support the U.S. in Iraq. Whether or not the majority of Canadians agreed with the decision at the time is debatable. I attended a rally on Parliament Hill where thousands of people not normally inclined to attend political rallies congregated in support of joining the Coalition of the Willing.

What indeed could Canada do if a terrorist attack occurred here? Well, I think we both know that Canada can’t do much except pick up the phone and dial 1-800-USA-HELP. That’s why your government’s continuing anti-American comments and slights have made Americans so angry.

[MistyCA]

:)

[Trouble North of the Border]

"True, appointed by the PMO but the majority of Parliament , the Liberals"

Incorrect, the PMO sets the agenda, indcluding the notwithstanding clause, and chooses the Judges not Parliament.

I think Klein will be pressured to use the notwithstanding clause or another party will rise up in Alberta.

[Trouble North of the Border]

Alberta's Child you are an ass. If I can follow what you are saying, you deride those who fly any flags at all. What kind of self-depreciating, I AM NOT AN AMERICAN FLAG WAVER sort of crap are you propagating with this kind of bull.

All proud Albertans fly the Alberta flag, the Union Jack, and the American flag and sometimes even the Canadian flag (many are so POed that the Canadian flag is a sore point). Everybody knows that.

The United States and Great Britain are our oldest allies and friends of course Canadians and espescially Albertans fly our allies flags proudly.

Don't be spreading your anti-all-flags hogwash in the name of Alberta or even Canada. You are making a horses ass out of yourself.

[Canadian Outrage]

As I read your letter you taught me a couple of things. One, I was NOT aware that we could not rent a car in say, Seattle and not drive it into British Columbia without paying "duty" or taxes.!! Astonishing. The haircut or whatever that one might get while visitig the USA is being photographed by whom? I'm not disputing you I would just like to know. The one thing I would say however about healthcare is this. My small city of Kelowna just opened a private MRI clinic in August. The MRI's start at $725.00. Obviously they got clearance somewhere. I am in favour of a two tier system. For those of us who can pay to get an MRI at a clinic, shortens any wait list at the hospital. And so it should be. I have been an RN and I have to say that Universal Healthcare started out good. I never saw such a thing as a "waiting list" for anything. But as in any government run anything, beauracratic top heavy mismanagement and misuse by those who feel entitled to run to emergency for a nosebleed all run the system into the ground. There are only two Provinces in Canada that pay health care premiums and B.C. is one of them. It cost my husband and I $100.00 per month. Glad to pay it. I'm not sure what the other Province is that pays premiums. I do know that Alberta's cities have many private clinics for various things. And so it should be. Like you, I too am saddened at what a couple of decades of Liberals can do. I hope our friends to the South think long and hard BEFORE voting for a single Liberal. The Kennedy's, the Schumer's, Clintons and the like, they will ravage and ruin your Country and take away your freedom in short order. So when you hear these Limosene Liberals promising you all sorts of goodies - REJECT them outright. The goodies are not free - they come with the ties that bind and they costly regardless of whether they are termed free. You will experience taxes upon taxes upon taxes. The truth is there is only one currency for true freedom - blood.!!

[proud American in Canada]

"As my late brother would say (we just buried him a few days ago, appropriately draped beneath our American Flag, bugel blowing taps and uniformed Sailors attending his grave), "It's been a slice of Heaven! Glad to have been of service to you!""

Oh, Misty, I just saw this. I am so sorry for your loss. Prayers for your brother. :(

He was in the Navy, I take it? :(

[proud American in Canada]

""The three judges are at the pleasure of the majority in Parliament"

"No they are there at the pleasure of the Prime Minister's office. And yes, it is going to take a lot of work and time to change that."

very true. I heard a quote today on the Michael Harris show. Now, he's a populist and generally liberal (in the sense that he hates GW and the war on Iraq). However, he was very happy at the news of a possible union of the right, because he feels the Liberal government is corrupt and needs to be held accountable. Anyway, he cited someone--the name escapes me--who said (I'm paraphrasing),

"It took one thousand years for real democracy to come to the English people. And it took fifty years for it to be destroyed in Canada."

If anyone knows the exact quote, please let me know. It was right on target.

Prayers for Canada! :)

[proud American in Canada]

thank you for the history. Perhaps it was inevitable.

Today I went to Mackenzie King's estate and watched a video on his legacy; it was interesting that he was the first one with a Canadian citizenship, it had been his dream.

So, yes, Canadians were no longer British subjects, but not long after, perhaps Diefenbaker realized there was no point even trying to be independently self-reliant.

Anyway, I was in tears after I watched the video. Canada has such a proud history, and she still does, but something must be done to restore real accountability to the government.

[proud American in Canada]

re #246, I don't think my ping to the rest of you showed up. So here it is again. ?

[proud American in Canada]

"The truth is there is only one currency for true freedom - blood.!!"


Well said. :)

[MistyCA]

Yes, he was in the Navy. He was disabled in Vietnam because of a heart infection. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I know he is in a better place, finally being able to rest, but it truly angers me when anyone dare belittle his efforts or the meaning of our flag.

[proud American in Canada]

"Yes, he was in the Navy. He was disabled in Vietnam because of a heart infection. Thank you for your kind thoughts. I know he is in a better place, finally being able to rest, but it truly angers me when anyone dare belittle his efforts or the meaning of our flag."

I understand. I have a very close friend of mine who was in the Navy. I thank you brother for his service, and yes, now is able to rest.

I'm sure you've dreamed about him since then... He's saying goodbye to you.

I had no idea you were in mourning, and here you were helping out so much in this thread. Thank you.

God bless you and your brother.

[MistyCA]

Thanks for pinging me to this. It is so disheartening to see the damage the liberals have been able to get away with.

In Canada, which parties represent the conservative point of view? There are so many parties listed, and the Communists are right there near the top! Whew! I think my relatives are conservative, but now I am afraid to ask for fear they might say they are Communist! Sheesh! Naw! They just couldn't be!

[Trouble North of the Border]

Canadian Alliance is the most conservative the Progressive Conservatives moved too far to the Left so the Reform party broke off in western Canada but has not been able to make a breakthrough in eastern Canada.

We have regional issues that split the opposition because in Canada we have no electoral college and we also don't have an elected Senate.

[MistyCA]

My brother was functioning at 10% heart capacity (which is nearly incompatible with life) and still worried about getting to the Vietnam Veteran's meeting. The VA really let him down in the end. There is a thread JimRob put up here which pretty much tells what happened. It just seems like the right thing to do, being here talking about our American flag and patriotism. It was very important to my brother even though he was denied a transplant until it was too late for one to save him. The VA owes him a big one, and I hope they repay my brother by making sure no other person is asked to face the battles they put my brother through. He's gone now, resting. My commitment is now to the living who still suffer because of liberals who insist the military doesn't count. I resent the Clintons and the Kennedys and all politicians who believe their lives are more important then those of the men who served our country in the military. I hope you understand now why I am here. :) Thanks.

[MistyCA]

LOL! The word "Progressive" is always a give away! :)

[proud American in Canada]

"My brother was functioning at 10% heart capacity (which is nearly incompatible with life) and still worried about getting to the Vietnam Veteran's meeting. The VA really let him down in the end."

First, a friend of our family was a Vietnam vet who returned home to Chicago after almost having his leg blown off in a surprise attack. Of course, when he got back, he was repeatedly spit on by protesters in O'Hare airport.

Second, I've heard many stories of the VA and how they let veterans down. We do NOT treat our veterans, or our serving military, for that matter, with the respect they deserve. It is not right--I think I read somewhere that some military families have to apply for food stamps!!!!

Now that is unbelievable.

And yes, I cannot stand how Clinton, et al., decimated the military. How difficult it must have been to have X42 as a commander in chief and have to salute him. Bleeech! :(

Anyway, I have to log off for the night, but take care of yourself. :)

[proud American in Canada]

"My brother was functioning at 10% heart capacity (which is nearly incompatible with life) and still worried about getting to the Vietnam Veteran's meeting. The VA really let him down in the end."

First, a friend of our family was a Vietnam vet who returned home to Chicago after almost having his leg blown off in a surprise attack. Of course, when he got back, he was repeatedly spit on by protesters in O'Hare airport.

Second, I've heard many stories of the VA and how they let veterans down. We do NOT treat our veterans, or our serving military, for that matter, with the respect they deserve. It is not right--I think I read somewhere that some military families have to apply for food stamps!!!!

Now that is unbelievable.

And yes, I cannot stand how Clinton, et al., decimated the military. How difficult it must have been to have X42 as a commander in chief and have to salute him. Bleeech! :(

Anyway, I have to log off for the night, but take care of yourself. :)

[proud American in Canada]

oops! sorry for the double post, I got the "web site not responding" thing and clicked again...

:)

[MistyCA]

Oh yes! I know of some military who were using food stamps not long ago. That was not the case when my brother and husband and others were in Vietnam. But then, the liberals that are doing so much destruction now are the same ones who headed for Canada during Vietnam and protested at the campuses and spit on our men as they returned from war. They were just beginning to attack the military back then. It's pathetic that any military person should be without enough for their family to eat.

[Alberta's Child]

Flying a flag to show solidarity with another country during a time of crisis is about as effective and meaningful as calling 911 when someone is bleeding to death on your front lawn. It's nice to know that you "care" so much, but why not DO SOMETHING instead of just "caring."

Here's a Calgary story that illustrates the point. Calgary Freepers will know exactly where this took place . . .

I was driving home late on a Saturday night in February a few years ago. It was about 11:00 at night, and it was a bitterly cold night (about -25 degrees outside). While driving eastbound on Glenmore Trail just east of the causeway over the Glenmore Reservoir, I noticed a disabled car parked on the shoulder on the westbound side of the road with its hazard lights on.

I didn't pick up my cell phone and call 911, and I didn't "show solidarity" with the poor bastard who was broken down on the side of the road on one of the coldest nights of the year (for those of you who have never experienced that kind of cold, it isn't just uncomfortable -- it's deadly). I turned my damned truck around at the Elbow Drive interchange, headed back west, and stopped to make sure those people were all right. I would have driven the guy and his wife wherever he wanted to go, but help was on its way -- so I put them in the back seat of my truck and waited with them with the heat turned up high.

"Thank God this is Alberta," the guy said, "I just moved here from Toronto, and nobody ever would have stopped for us back there."

Imagine his surprise when he found out I was from New Jersey.

You might also want to ask yourself this: How many folks down here in the U.S. do you think would have been flying Canadian flags if a bunch of Islamic terrorists had crashed airplanes into Bankers' Hall in Calgary instead of the World Trade Center in New York on 9/11?