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Yakk · 03-03-2005, 11:33 AM

As evidenced by the opinion of our neighbours to the south, it is time for Canada to build up a punative deterrant towards America.

Canada is the US's largest supplier of energy. We should leverage this. If we have to, threaten to pull out of NAFTA -- it has a 1 year sunset clause, but really we could just cut off all exports unilaterally.

Speaking of NAFTA, lets start abusing the 'tantamount to expropriation clause'. I heard in the media that Toronto was having problems exporting garbage to Michigen. The change in laws should qualify as 'tantamount to expropriation'. Repeat ad nausium.

Thirdly, a nuclear deterrant may be called for. The USA seems to be hung up on a nation's ability to harm them more than anything else, and as noted realpolitik doesn't admit the concepts of 'contract' and 'fairness' -- power flows from the barrel of a gun under that world view.

Of course, there are benefits to living next to another nation in a peaceful, friendly, non-coersive relationship. However, if our neighbour to the south doesn't want a friendly, peaceful, non-coersive relationship, it doesn't work if it is only one way.

And yes, the above statements are about as stupid as "well, the US could invade Canada, what would they do?! So shut up and take it little country!" (no, I'm not saying anyone said that, I'm just parodying my own statements above). Playing the game of realpolitik is dangerous, and pushing on comprimises leads to people no longer being willing to comprimise with you. The USA is pushing. If it keeps it up, Canada will have to start pushing back, or just bend over and take it.

The current US administration considers international agreements to be worth less than the paper they are written on, only to be followed if it suits their short term goals. If the most powerful nation in the world continues along this line, the rest of the world will either have to oppose it militarially, bend over and take it, isolate and punish it economically, or follow suit. This is a medium to long range problem, not a short term one - a single administration probably can't reverse 50 years of increasing international cooperation.

However, it is a large potential problem. International civil relations, just like civil society, rely upon nations following the rules, and being punished (socially, economically and physically) if they break them.

I don't want another cold war (or worse), but appeasement isn't safe either.

03-03-2005, 11:33 AM	#16 (permalink)
Yakk Wehret Den Anfängen! Location: Ontario, Canada	As evidenced by the opinion of our neighbours to the south, it is time for Canada to build up a punative deterrant towards America. Canada is the US's largest supplier of energy. We should leverage this. If we have to, threaten to pull out of NAFTA -- it has a 1 year sunset clause, but really we could just cut off all exports unilaterally. Speaking of NAFTA, lets start abusing the 'tantamount to expropriation clause'. I heard in the media that Toronto was having problems exporting garbage to Michigen. The change in laws should qualify as 'tantamount to expropriation'. Repeat ad nausium. Thirdly, a nuclear deterrant may be called for. The USA seems to be hung up on a nation's ability to harm them more than anything else, and as noted realpolitik doesn't admit the concepts of 'contract' and 'fairness' -- power flows from the barrel of a gun under that world view. Of course, there are benefits to living next to another nation in a peaceful, friendly, non-coersive relationship. However, if our neighbour to the south doesn't want a friendly, peaceful, non-coersive relationship, it doesn't work if it is only one way. And yes, the above statements are about as stupid as "well, the US could invade Canada, what would they do?! So shut up and take it little country!" (no, I'm not saying anyone said that, I'm just parodying my own statements above). Playing the game of realpolitik is dangerous, and pushing on comprimises leads to people no longer being willing to comprimise with you. The USA is pushing. If it keeps it up, Canada will have to start pushing back, or just bend over and take it. The current US administration considers international agreements to be worth less than the paper they are written on, only to be followed if it suits their short term goals. If the most powerful nation in the world continues along this line, the rest of the world will either have to oppose it militarially, bend over and take it, isolate and punish it economically, or follow suit. This is a medium to long range problem, not a short term one - a single administration probably can't reverse 50 years of increasing international cooperation. However, it is a large potential problem. International civil relations, just like civil society, rely upon nations following the rules, and being punished (socially, economically and physically) if they break them. I don't want another cold war (or worse), but appeasement isn't safe either. __________________ Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.