bodymassage3

I wonder how many people get interviewed, and not have their reply shown on tv? There are stupid people everywhere. Shows like this - and we all know there are many like it - thrive on these people. Without 1 in however many people giving a stupid answer to a simple question, this show wouldn't exist. A man walking around getting the right answers to questions would have no market on tv. Oh, wait. Its called Jeopardy. =P

kulrblind

my thoughts:

America (that is, the USA) has 10x the population and many times the broadcasting power/reach. I fully agree that since Canadians are so heavily influenced by American media, we Canadians feel as though we might be paid some attention. It's hard as a Canadian to not pay attention to American news, politics, etc.

Also, that our cultures are actually quite similar makes us feel as though we should have more in common (politically, socially, economically) than we actually do. There's nothing out there that says "Americans should be more aware of their surroundings". Why should they? If Americans in general thought their ex-country surroundings would heavily influence their lives, they would pay closer attention to it. (Disclaimer: Every country has their ignorants)

One last word re: Rick Mercer and "Talking to Americans" -- to support Charlatan and Averett, this show is hilariously entertaining to Canadians, and does NOT have worldwide appeal. Who else would laugh at the "Peter Mans-bridge?" joke? Rick Mercer basically lays out a scenario at high speed and waits for some indication of either support or disagreement, and the Canadian interpretation makes it funny. Yes, the people he shows are generally the opinionated type who feel they have to comment on everything, but he also showed a couple of people who were wise to his ways. Regardless, it's a funny little jab back at the powerful nation that exerts influence on us at every turn.

So, are Americans ignorant? No. Are some Americans ignorant? Yes. So are some Canadians. Suck it up, Canadians.... the Americans aren't going away.

matthew330

What precisely are you asking for.... A canadian appreciation day? Canadian history in our schools? What could Americans do that would make you feel better.....i would bet nothing.

I would also bet this angst is a predominant concern amongst canadians, and as such you should count your blessings...kind of like that cartoon "...hey spike, hey, hey look at me spike, look at me." This is not America's problem, we have a lot of things on our plate to deal with, your insecurities however, are not one of them.

P.S. - Germany has MUCH better beer than Canada, in fact all of Europe does.

P.S.S. - quite clapping at your strippers and tip them god damnit.

Charlatan

Actually we'd really like it if you all would just move to another neighbourhood.

Thanks.

/sarcasm off

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

matthew330

Make Us

kulrblind

Hmm, yeah... not so much.

Fallon

Then let me on how you do it because it seems that I'm not able to do this.

Edit: grammer good for me. Taughted me well in school.

filtherton

By candian culture you mean alan thicke, right?

I live less than six hours from canada and yet have only ever been there once for about a half hour. I don't really know anything about what's going on in canada. I also have no idea what's going on in wisconsin(a 45 minute drive from my house), SoDak, NoDak, or ohiowa. I'm not in a position where in-depth knowledge of any of these places is of any importance, and until that changes i don't think i have a reason to take much notice.

Rekna

I don't think there is a problem. My question is do you understand American culture. American culture is not open, people don't talk to those they don't know. People in American have their space and they like it that way. Many people don't even know their neighbors. Different countries have different cultures.

Now for a serious question about Canada that has always made me wonder. Why is it that 90% of all good whiskey is from Canada?

Charlatan

I wouldn't say that to a Scotsman if I were you...

Daval

Very very well said. I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis.

Daval - Canadian SuperMod

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Averett

Issue Number 1: American media

Issue Number 2: Huh? Scottish whiskey

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Rekna

I have to admit i have never drank scotish whiskey, mostly because i'm still a poor college student but all the whiskey around here other than jack is canadian

OFKU0

Can't say you don't know jack.

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

kulrblind

That's because it's rye whiskey. Rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey, Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky (Scotch) are all different.

Yakk

I've actually had fun at a thought experiement.

What would happen if Canada where to decide to build nuclear weapons?

No, seriously. Canada has the technology, the raw materials, and the knowhow. Hell, we even have missile silos.

Simply withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on some pretext (the lack of international punishment for states like Isreal, India, Pakistan and South America, together with the 5 large nuclear nations refusing to disarm, has made the non-proliferation treaty a joke), and the underground test ban treaty on another (this treaty bans the use of underground nuclear tests. Dispite this, nuclear tests happen, even amoung signatories: America just recently set off an explosing containing nuclear materials, within the letter of the treaty, but it spits on the spirit. As such, Canada can no longer be signatory to such a bankrupt agreement).

We should probably be nuclear armed before we actually do the above, as a matter of insurance.

If it wasn't for the complete lack of influence Canada has in the world, I'd suspect the world would get rather fucked by such a unilateral move towards nuclear proliferation.

Why would Canada do this? Well, Canada should be a geopolitical realist. One's ability to influence the world is based on one's percieved power. Being capable of destroying any nation that disagrees with Canada would, by that measure, be increased by a large nuclear deterrant.

Oh, and before you go all ga ga, this won't happen. Canada isn't really interested in blowing up other countries. Good government, good will and security is, traditionally, enough for us.

I sometimes find the acts of American politicians rude (and often in violation of various treaties). But really, I don't want Canada to be noticed: fame isn't worth the bother.

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

metalgeek

The issue is twofold.
1. Our culture is Similar, but still very different in a lot of subtle ways. This makes us feel we're close, but it makes relations more difficult than relations within the country.
2. Americans seem to be by and large, more ignorant about whats happening in the world. European countries are fmailier with each others politics and culture, Canda is with America, Britain and France. America? well There concerned about America.

An interesting side note is that China is like the America of Asia. (except they pay attention to America here) The pay little attention to anyone else (cept maybe taiwan, but thats something different)

__________________
The truth is, wherever you choose to be, it's the wrong place.
Chuck Palahniuk , Diary

RAGEAngel9

ok Britian and France and the rest of the EU, go back to my 50 little nations analogy.

NoSoup

Wow, what an interesting discussion. I, being the typical ignorant american, really had no idea that this was even an issue.

To those Canadians in here, I couldn't agree with you more on some points. I have absolutely no idea who your prime minister was, hell - before this thread I probably would have called him your president. I would bet that many people I know are in the same boat as I.

I live in WI, not too too far from Canada, but know very little about it. It has been stated that America has a huge influence on your culture - around here, you have little to no influence on ours. I pride myself on doing my best to keep up with world events, but canada is rarely a blip on my radar. I understand that Canada is our largest trade partner, but our relationship seems so stable that it never really crossed my mind.

I have quite a bit of respect for Canada, as it is a highly industrialized nation that has many, many things that America does not. Like... You guys can play hockey really well. Or, Canadian crime rates in general, especially the murder rates, are unbelievablely low. Canadians are also healthier in general, especially compared to the "epidemic" of Obesity in America. (according to a documentary I saw on the History Channel) Oh, and the rest of the world likes you - or at least doesn't care enough to hate you.

We Americans (keep in mind I am but a single person typing, my opinion may or may not be the majority) usually keep track of things that affect us, or could potentially effect us. We have so many problems here, I spend more of my time reading about our issues than I do the rest of the worlds problems. The War on Terror, the "Constant" Threat of a Terrorist attack (thank you mass media) The upcoming Election, Scandals, Murders, kittens trapped in wells, all have much more of an effect on my life than Canadian Politics. And above all that, things that directly affect my life seem a lot more important than any of those items. Kinda funny that it is more important to me whether or not my favorite nightclub is closing down than if the "threat level" is raised.

Our cultures are extremely different - Americans are usually more independant and require personal space. Canadians, it seems, are much more open and friendly. I have a couple of Canadian friends that didn't even lock their doors when they left their house. Certainly, that probably still happens in some parts of America, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the city that does that.

Anyway, I'm not trying to ramble on here - you are right. Many Americans are ignorant not only about Canada, but many, many other things as well. What I see from the remarks in this thread is basically

Canada - "Damn you Americans, Pay Attention to us! Recognize us! Hahaha... look at the dumb Americans"

America - "Quit your bitching... We'd hate you too if we cared enough about you..."

The question remains though, what would you Canadians suggest that we do to make you feel recognized?

__________________
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Just in case you were wondering...

kulrblind

We just want a HUG! *sniffle*

Charlatan

I say we declare a food fight with America... cream pies in the face of every American that comes to Canada... That'll teach 'em...

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

NoSoup

*Hugs Canada* (Indeed, I have fairly long arms)

You feel better now?

__________________
I have an aura of reliability and good judgement.

Just in case you were wondering...

apeman

lol that's a great summary

I'm afraid it's like that with any two countries next to each other, with one much larger and dominant. Wales and England, New Zealand and Australia. Except America is so big and powerful that everyone in the whole world likes to bitch about it.

I've only met a few americans in this country (UK) but they've been fairly cool I have to admit

__________________
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james t kirk

Ah, that's where you are wrong mon ami.

So much of our culture has made its way into your culture, you have mistaken it as your own.

We have been infiltrating your culture for years and are well under way to taking you over. You just don't know it yet.

Muh ha ha ha ha

NoSoup

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, eh?

*goes back to eating his beaver tails*

__________________
I have an aura of reliability and good judgement.

Just in case you were wondering...

Sun Tzu

I personally have not been to Canada, nor have I spent much time researching it. If one were to ask me what the first thing that came to mind when the word Canada was mentioned; I would say socialized medicine. (not stating thats good or bad)

Canada is something I need to learn more about

__________________
To confine our attention to terrestrial matters would be to limit the human spirit.- Stephen Hawking

Yakk

Canadian info dump:

Canada formed from the English colonies that chose not to break off from Britian during the colonial war, and the French colonies that Britian had conquored long ago.

After and during the colonial war, a large number of Loyalists from the southern colonies fled to Canada. This caused something of a population boom, especially in Ontario. I can trace my family tree back to at least one of these United Empire Loyalists.

Over the next century or so, Canada spread west, and there where one or two aborted rebellions against home-rule. Canada at the time was a collection of seperate colonies. Eventually, the Queen decided that Canada should have "responsible government", government that was more responsive to the people of Canada. This eventually evolved into the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1887.

Along the way, Canadian and British troops repulsed an American invasion, and burned the White House, in the war of 1812. This was the last war between the Empire and the break away colonials that I am aware of. After this war, a large amount of fortifications where built up in Canada to make another war less likely: one beautiful example is Citadel Hill in Halifax. This war also was one of the main reasons why the Canadian capitol is in Ottawa: the twin fort-cities of Kingston and Montreal could defend it against American aggression. The Rideau canal was also built to provide a transportation link further from the boarder. As an important aside, Canada owed it's continued existance to the aid of aborignal troops, who proved a very valueable ally during this war.

The Dominion of Canada was still part of the British Empire, dispite having an elected parliament and many powers. All laws where signed by the Governor General. The GG was and still is appointed by the Queen, under the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen, through her representative the Governer Genral, is the head of state of Canada: analagous to your President.

Today, traditionally the Queen selects whomever the Prime Minister says she will select. And the Governer General signs into law everything handed to her. However, there have been a few anomolous situations when the GG did not sign a law into effect.

The "government" are the ministers (including the Prime Minister) and commitees that run the country. The government is reponsible to the represenatives of the country: namely, parliament. This arrangement is barely mentioned in foundation documents, it continues to exist as a tradition stronger than law.

If the government loses the confidence of parliament, then the Governor General can either ask someone else (another party) go form the government, or she can choose to dissolve parliament. Simularly, when the PM calls an election, he walks over to the Governor General's house, and asks her to dissolve parliament: the GG is the one with the constitutional power, not the PM.

Time passed. Canada grew in size, various boarder disputes with the USA where decided, we got Victoria Island, you got Washington State.

Around 1900, Canada sent some of its first troops overseas, to the Boer war in South Africa. The Canadian troops fought as part of the British army.

Canada industrialized at a reasonable pace. Then came The War to End All Wars: otherwise known as WWI.

As part of the British Empire, we joined the war the moment Britian declaired war. By the end of the war, Canada was an independant signatory to the treaty. This right had a cost: Canada lost 55,000+ men during the first world war: to put this in context, Canada, a nation 10 times smaller than the USA, lost more troops during this conflict.

At the start of the war, the Canadian military consisted of just over 3,000 troops.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada

The war was declaired on August 4th.
August 6th, a telegram was sent out seeking volunteers and troops from accross the country. Laurier promised 20,000 soldiers.
By the end of August, 30,000 soldiers where in training. By October, 83,000 soldiers, in the largest miltary convoy to cross the Altantic at once, took sail.

Encamped at Salisbury plain in England, AWOL was a problem: it wasn't the war, it was the mud that drove the soldiers to visit London. From what I know, when they heard the force was going to France, most returned.

The first major engagement didn't happen until April. At the battle of Ypres, the Germans used a new tactic in an attempt to break the allied defences: chlorine gas.

3 days later the Canadians where relieved. The force had almost ceased to exist, entire batallions where reduced to 100 men. But they held.

Enough about WWI. If you are interested, you can read about the 2nd Canadian force which replaced the dead.

Time passed, the depression hit. In WWII, Canada did not declair war with Britian, but waited precidely one month. Canada was a nation in its own right.

1 million troops mobalized and 72,000 Canadian dead later, the war ended.

Canada decided to demilitarize.

In 1949, Newfoundland, the last province, voted to join Canada. Newfoundland seperatists still dispute the result of the referendum.

During each war, there was a Conscription crisis. The province of Quebec was against conscription, viewing the wars as a problem of the British Empire. In each war, Conscription was finally introduced: in WWII, only 12,000 conscripted soldiers where sent overseas before the war ended.

Over the next 50 years, Canada continued to industrialize. A number of important things happen:
The Quiet revolution in Quebec, in which french Canada asks for a special status within Confederation.
The socialized Health Care system, which started in Saskachewan (a prarie province), eventually becomes national.
The FLQ crisis, in which the PM of Canada invokes the war measures act to catch Quebec seperatist terrorists.
The bill of rights, an act of parliament giving power to the courts to overturn acts of parliament.

The repatriation of the Constitution in 1982. With the permission of the British privy council, Canada bootstraps itself into a nation in it's own right. Quebec never agrees on the text of the Constitutional document, resulting in 10+ years of Constitutional wrangling before it is given up for a dead cause.

The abolishment of the death penalty.

Western alienation at the Progressive Conservative party of Canada, resulting in the cannibalization of the founding political party.

The collapse of the Atlantic Fishery: the maritime provinces are still in a depression from this.

The Avro Arrow, a cutting edge fighter aircraft project. Abandoned to free up budget space for some nuclear missile silos at the request of the USA.

The tri-party system: Canada has 3 traditional parties, the Conservatives, the Liberals and the New Democratic party. Historically, the Liberals have had power the most, and are the centrist party. The NDP, our left-wing party, have never formed a national government, but have formed provincial governments.

The rise of the Parti Quebecois and Bloc Quebecois. The Parti Quebecois is a seperatist provincial party. The Bloc Quebecois is a seperatist national party. The Bloc initially formed from PC party members who defected, part of the great PC-party implosion, and has since moved left politically.

Demographically, Canada is heavy in the middle and in the south. 1/3 the nation lives in Ontario, 1/4 in Quebec. The next most populous provinces are BC and Alberta (far west), which together form 1/4 of Canada's population. The remaining 1/6th of Canada's population is in the other 6 provinces and 3 territories.

The vast majority of Canada's population lives quite close to the Americna border. Canada's north is mostly unpopulated (more people live on PEI than live in all 3 northern territories).

Canada's population is 31 million, about the same as California (10% less), or about 1/10th the population of the entire USA, or 1/2 the population of the UK.

Canada accepts more immigrants per capita than any other nation on the Earth. This really started after WWII, when Canada imported large numbers of European refugees. 1 in 4 people in Ontario where born outside Canada, 18% of Canadians are foreign-born, and 43% of Toronto's population is foreign-born. <http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/demo46b.htm>
(for you UKers, Toronto has ~5% more foreign-born people than London)

In comparison, 1/9 (11%) Americans are foreign-born, and 1/12 (8%) people in the UK are foreign-born.

Canada is still a nation of immigrants.

The Canadian dollar was once higher than the American dollar, but a long term slow decline has been the rule. Right now, it is about 75 c US per Canadian dollar (or 40 pence). The purchasing power of the Canadian dollar is currently slightly higher than the American dollar, and quite higher than the UK pound, after exchange rates.

Ethnically, Canada is slightly whiter than the USA. Canada has fewer black people, and more asians and natives, per capita.

Canada's settlement was far more peaceful towards the native tribes. There are exceptions.

Recently, the Canadian economy has been growing slightly faster than the US economy.

Any questions/corrections? =)

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

Stompy

The claims that "Americans are ignorant against x culture" are hilarious!

There simply isn't enough time to sit down and learn about each individual country and their respective cultures.

We might not know about Canada and the culture, but there's no real reason to. We don't live there... just like those living in Russia aren't too concerned with the culture down in Chile or Columbia.

It's not that AMERICANS are ignorant to Canadians and their culture, it's that pretty much the rest of the world is too. I highly doubt they're teaching Canadian culture over in Italy, France, or Germany.

__________________
I love lamp.

tropple

No, I just don't care.

My parents were both born there. The left. Good enough for me.

Besides, I'm not a lumberjack, I don't wear flannel shirts, I don't play hockey, and I don't drink maple syrup. Just kidding. I wear flannel shirts.

__________________
+++++++++++Boom!

OFKU0

And you are not Canadian

Sorry couldn't resist. My version of a spin off of a beer commercial that played here a while back.

The average Joe Canadian will get it

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.

cameroncrazy822

I wouldn't say ignorant, I would say fed-up. We, Americans, are the country that stands up for the little kid at the end of the block who always gets picked on. We get bashed constantly and without shame by countries who really should'nt look a gift horse in the mouth. Canada, with a doubt, gets a free pass on world issues because they really are for all intents and purposes a non-player. It's understood they are the US's little cousin no one should mess with. I wouldn't say that Ameriocans have an anti-Candian sentiment just apathy when our northern neighbors are concerned. We, as Americans, get no respect whatsoever when visiting Canada (especially the French provinces), and are frankly fed up with it. Obviously Canada will always be safe, as America will defend it's borders at all costs. Riddle me this Eh? Saddam Hussein is in charge of the super power identified as the US. Would Canada remain sovereign then? Would their incredible sense of self allow them to defend their borders from just about any foreign invader? I think not. Am I condoning Saddam Hussein or any of his predispositions? Absolutely not! IDo I think the US is by any means perfect or an idealistic organization? Absolutely not! All I think we as Amercans are asking for simply is why can't we as the the US get a little credit for buttering Canada's bread. We understand we do it and Candians have to know France isn't doing it. Why cant people north of the border? Food for thought...

Ace_O_Spades

I realize how late I'm coming into this argument... but in reading many of the replies i'm disgusted with the contempt many of the replies in this topic have for either side... whether it be canadian or american, moreso american it seems.... Hell, even a Moderator got his punch in on canada woe is me.

Anyway, I feel the need to speak my part.

I am enraged at America for one reason, Trade Bully Tactics... It's horrible!

Softwood Lumber - We have better trees than you, and more of them. Period. People want to buy our trees over your sub-par yellow pine. So what does your government do? You put RIDICULOUS tariffs on imported lumber. Bankrupting many mills in my beautiful province of BC, and decimating one of our primary exports. Thanks a lot.

I love my country, I will never live anywhere else but in Canada. I love the fact that the rest of the world loves canada, and I can wear my flag with pride anywhere in the world (Except America, go figure) and be treated with respect and admiration. I love hearing stories of Americans sewing Canadian flags onto their packs so they are treated better... It makes me smile, and beam with joy.

It is strange that our closest neighbour holds us in such contempt... while the rest of the world is envious.

Have a nice day.

further notes:

baka - Haha, i wonder if im the only one who spotted this... Gotta love knowing nuances of a foreign language

The average Joe Canadian will get it - I loved that commercial.

Yakk - very eloquently put, you educated many people with that post... Perhaps someone from the USA can briefly make such a post... I'd be intrigued to learn more about America

Rick mercer is a brilliant political satirist... he makes fun of canadian government twice as much as he does american.

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Feh.

Yakk

Um, if USA was an Iraq with 310 billion people, Canada would have a higher GDP than it (GDP per capita of Iraq: 2400. Resulting GDP of USA: about 700 billion. GDP of Canada: about 900 billion (purchasing power parity)).

So, it would be a tough fight: a richer, smaller nation vs a poorer, larger nation. I'd expect it would go nuclear.

It wouldn't be good for Canada. Of course, I expect living under Saddam Huissain would make it worse for Americans.

Or, do you mean, this year the USA elects Saddam Hussain as their fearless leader, and starts with an invasion of Canada? I'd suspect the GDP of the USA would plummet, and the world would start a cold-war facing the other way this time. Canada would become a prison state. Canadians would flee across the boarder, and commit guerilla actions against the US government with probably a large amount of American support. It might take 50 years for America to be finally economically crushed, during wich time the world may or may not experience a nuclear holicost.

There is no nation on earth for which a conventional invasion of Canada would be worth the invading countries bother. The handful of nations which have a sufficient military and ability to project force into the area are quite rich nations: they would lose more than they gained, even if the US ignored the aggression. The poor nations of the earth, well, you do know Canada is <A> fucking remote, <B> fucking big, and <C> it isn't as if we have no military and navy.

Or was your claim a rhetorical device?

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

crewsor

I guess I must be one ignorant, uninformed American. To me Canada has always just been considered a friendly neighbor.

But now I read here that Canadians resent, feel superior to, and don't care much for Americans in general. Go figure.

I admit I have little knowledge of Canadian politics and culture. Mostly because I have no reason to know such things. There are too many other things of importance in my life to be concerned with besides spending time learning about something of no relevance to me. ( I started to read the Canadian info dump post, but lost interest after the first two lines).

Sorry if that offends Canadians, but thats just the way it is.

It does seem to me that there might be some envy and jealousy involved in some Canadians feelings towards Americans, but thats just a guess. I think its great Canadians are proud of their country, but does belittling America make Canada greater?

It reminds me some of the kids in high school with such low self esteem they constantly made fun of other people because they so desperately wanted to be able to somehow feel superior.

__________________
We all have wings, some of us just don't know why.

Yakk

Oh, I forgot two things.

Canada is one of the most highly educated nations on the earth.

And I can't spell worth danm.

crewsor, I apologize for any offence I may have given: possibly I was too venemous.

Yes, Canadians resent American policies that harm them, especially those that are against signed treaties. Yes, Canadian politics and opinions are divergent on a number of issues: the war in Iraq, for instance. And yes, some Canadians feel that they are less worse than Americans in some ways: what nation on earth doesn't have this feeling, at least to some extent?

We are still friendly. And will remain friendly until our invading hoards, gathered at the border, are ready to sweep over you in a wave of horse-mounted red horror (backed by a musical score).

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Last edited by JHVH : 10-29-4004 BC at 09:00 PM. Reason: Time for a rest.

Averett

Dude, I love Mounties

__________________
Absence is to love what wind is to fire. It extinguishes the small, it enkindles the great.

losthellhound

I love the Musical Ride.. Ive seen it ten times now

__________________
"Life is possible only with illusions. And so, the question for the science of mental health must become an absolutely new and revolutionary one, yet one that reflects the essence of the human condition: On what level of illusion does one live?"
-- Ernest Becker, The Denial of Death

Cowman

ahh forget it

__________________
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Charlatan

When was the last time Canada needed a pass? It isn't like we go around picking fights. There hasn't been a time in history where the US has had to back us up militarily or even flex their muscle so we feel safe. If anything, we are a bit anxious being so close to the American stockpiles.

Canada is a non-player on the world scene? Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean we are completely absent from world politics. Remember most of your news revolves around your own nation. Canada has been quite influencial in the back rooms because our politicans are not seen as having an agenda. Diplomacy through words rather than weapons... to quote Lester B. Pearson (former Prime Minister and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize) - "Peace Through Understanding."

Many French Canadians are that way with ANY maudit anglais (damned English speakers). Don't take it personally.

As for respect, it is a two-way street, no?

What border, the Canadian/US border? Who is going to attack Saskatchewan, ALberta, Manitoba or Ontario? Who would attack the coast of BC or the Maritimes? There is no upside. There is a reason the 49th parallel is the longest undefended border, who'd bother to attack it?

I'm really not sure what you are suggesting here. Are suggesting that if a Mililtary Dictatorship took over the US and wanted to invade Canada that we would just roll over? If you are, well, yes there is little we could do if the US decided to invade. But you could be damn sure that we know where your soft underbelly is and guerrilla warfare is not fun. I can only imagine that any number of nations around the globe, including many Americans, would back us up on that fight.

But let's face it, the US isn't about to go that way is it? Or is it?...


Thank you for buttering our bread. Can you pass the Peanut Butter please...

I don't think there is a Canadian that wouldn't agree that as out largest trading partner, the US is responsible for our level of wealth and comfort. However, as pointed out many times above, we ARE you neighbour (France isn't - but I would argue the average Frenchman knows way more about Canada - mostly Quebec - than the average American does about any part of Canada). We share a boarder. We consume endless amounts of your culture (moreso than any other nation). When we do things like take in thousands of your stranded passengers on 9/11 we don't get thanked by your president.

Canadians don't hate American's per se. We just don't want to be taken for granted (clearly you don't think American's do either). Being taken for granted sucks. It builds resentment. This discussion just reflects that.

__________________
"My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars."
- Old Man Luedecke

OFKU0

Some things Americans and Canadians may not know.

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa090100a.htm

__________________
" In Canada, you can tell the most blatant lie in a calm voice, and people will believe you over someone who's a little passionate about the truth." David Warren, Western Standard.