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Ew, Canada

10 comments on Ew, Canada

Ew, Canada
: Christie Blatchford, a well-known Canadian columnist, says Canada didn’t have to send bombs, only words of support, to avoid seeing its relationship with its testy neighbor to the south deteriorate. [via Blogs of War]

Canada did not have to grab a chair and crack it over the head of the guy her American pal was pummelling in the bar, she had only to refrain from actively cheering the other fellow on — oh, and maybe buy the Yank a drink when the mess was over.

It is this national failure of nerve that is, as the modern lingo has it, the root cause of the wildly deteriorating state of relations between the two countries; why the U.S. ambassador to Canada, Paul Cellucci, said what he said this week (and why Mr. Bush, his close personal friend, gave him the go-ahead to do so) and why it now appears Mr. Bush’s first visit to Ottawa, slated for this spring, may be in jeopardy.

10 responses to “Ew, Canada”

  1. Balbulican Avatar
    Balbulican

    As noted below, Jeff, selectively quoting from Canada’s most right wing daily may reinforce the biases of those disposed to dismiss Canada’s point of view. It would be somewhat akin to a Canadian forming their opinion of American thought by listening exclusively to Howard Stern. It doesn’t do much to shed any light for your readers on what most Canadians think…which may, of course, not be your intent.

  2. Jeff Jarvis Avatar
    Jeff Jarvis

    B:
    The quoting may be selective but I simply selected from the first letters I saw and I was amazed — amazed — that I saw so many letters from Canadians so vitriolic against their own nation. I know Canadians are self-deprecating — that’s what I love about them — but this was, well, amazing; sobering. Of course, the Post is owned by a conservative; perhaps I should have pointed that out but I thought most knew that. The point is still valid: There is a voice, a chorus in Canada that is worried about whether the right decision was made.

  3. Balbulican Avatar
    Balbulican

    Quite right. It surprised me too. In fairness, though, it should be noted that the Canadian chorus of protest represents, at last count, about 30%.
    I imagine if I polled the letters section of the San Francisco Examiner or Harper’s Magazine, I could find some fairly vitriolic opposition to America’s position on Iraq: I wouldn’t take that as representative of American public opinion, however, nor would I present as such.
    Don’t pick u

  4. Wrye Avatar
    Wrye

    I think what’s going on is that opinion in Canada is very confused and divided over the war generally, much like the US. This is easily the most complex situation we’ve faced in decades. Not because toppling Saddam is a bad thing, but because doing it in this particular way at this particular time is very likely to lead to more trouble. Mix with a Canadian lame duck Prime minister who is deeply disliked in some areas of the country and infamous for being a poor communicator, add a President who is similarly bad at the diplomacy thing, and it’s no wonder that after two years of steadily deteriorating diplomatic relations, events come to this. Canadians on all sides of the issue are angry, and many of them are angry with all sides concerned. Some are angry at the US Government, some at the Canadian government, some are angry at both, and so on. tempers are running high and the vitriol is flowing…as indeed, it is south of the border. All the more reason to wish that the people who are supposed to be politicians and diplomats would be a little, you know, cordial.

  5. Balbulican Avatar
    Balbulican

    I should also point out that we did send you Celine Dion in your collective hour of need.

  6. Larry Avatar
    Larry

    Did you see the “Celine Dion – Live from Las Vegas” special on tv this week? Heck, we should just flood the tv broadcasts in Iraq with that footage and just wait for the Iraqi’s to go insane and rend their clothes. I can take her audio but the video, NO!

  7. Danjo Avatar
    Danjo

    Dearest Balbulican;
    This is not meant in a mean spirit as I live way down south, and other than Moosehead Beer, have no interaction positive or negative with Canada. The way most Americans I talk with feel, America is not going to lose a step with or without Canada. I do not feel the same could be said for the other way around. Sure, I can hear it now, piss on the USA, we don’t need em. Can you name a big difference between the 2 countries? Try National Health. How ya gonna afford it when you suddenly have to start spending money on defence?Have you checked the border policy between the two countries? Think it would effect the 87% exports to USA if they now had to pay a TARRIF?
    Or, even just held up for a couple weeks for custums to check and clear the merchandise. Our big problem with the Canadian response, and yes we know 70% back this response and thats what really hurts, is it feels like a stab in the back. You didn’t have to send troops. Just not so vocal with condemnation. Sounds like the spoiled brat who cries and whines with every play of the game, when the guy with the ball decides he has enough and takes his ball, his game and goes home. Maybe Canada feels we are such good friends that we can take “constuctive critisism and still be friends.
    Sorry, sometimes you piss off someone too much, is this that case, doubt it, but I don’t make policy. Our “Moron” president does and you never know what a moron might do?
    Who will Canada has as a friend? French? HAHAHA, you see what they do.
    Danjo
    Ice Cold Moosehead
    OK, I forgive ya

  8. Balbulican Avatar
    Balbulican

    Most esteemed Danjo:
    Moosehead is not bad, but you need to track down a Keith’s. It’s another maritime beer…lighter and not as hoppy as the Moose, and one of the few that are getting exported. Most of the best Canadian beers these days are coming out of the microbreweries, and don’t travel very well. But Quebec is exporting some its Belgian-style beers into NY and Vermont.
    Okay, that’s the important stuff. Now on to those lesser matters you raise.
    It seems to me that Canada’s public reaction to your invasion of Iraq has actually been pretty muted, especially considering that our government has had to find a way to say “No”. The Prime Minister’s communications assistant made her “moron” remark in private, was quoted by a journalist, and was forced to resign. A Liberal backbencher made her “bastards” remark, and was reprimanded. Herb Dhaliwal said he thought American policy was in error: the Prime Minister then told his caucus, cabinet and backbenchers, to keep their mouths shut. And they have.
    Forget the idiots who boo anthems at hockey games. We have assholes here, you have assholes down there. They attract more attention in media and on the Blogs than the rest of us. You want real sports assholes? Let’s talk England.
    As for the threat of economic retaliation…well, ok. We have noticed that you guys have a bigger economy than ours and that we export a lot to you: and we know that you could do a lot of damage to our economy if you set your mind to it. That fact has not escaped out attention, and if it had, the point was made by your Ambassador here this week, speaking on behalf of your President. So, yeah, we know all that.
    The point is, most Canadians still don’t support this war, and the government is doing what most Canadians want it to do. In an alliance based on mutual respect, as in a marriage, there has to be room for parties to respectfully disagree (and by and large, I think the disagreement on our side has been pretty respectful). A relationship based on fear of military force and the threat of economic retaliation isn’t an alliance: it’s an empire.
    Enjoy the Moosehead, keep your eyes open for Keith’s (Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale is the full title), and if you’re in Vermont, check out a St. Ambroise.

  9. Balbulican Avatar
    Balbulican

    And by the way, whatever happens…you guys can keep Celine.

  10. Danjo Avatar
    Danjo

    Dearest Balbulican;
    Thanks for excellent response.
    I will be on the lookout for a Keith’s.
    Danjo