Can you feel the love in the air? ;)

[Ex-Dragoon]

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/005/349tpijp.asp

Guess he is off the army.ca Xmas Card list this year.

Sorry far too huge to post in its entirety.

 

[c_canuk]

bah, pay no mind, he's just yet another American Journalist who thinks they can learn all they need to know about Canada in a weekend trip. He's Irrelavant and not worth discussing.

 

[Franko]

Matt Labash......    :

What an article.....utter tripe.

Regards

 

[Jonny Boy]

those kind of people make me soooooooooo mad. i would not right an article about America saying they were all cold blooded murderers that walk into churches and kill people. i would not say they are all trying to force there culture on others. some people should really do some more research. i am Canadian and i am not proud or synchronized swimming lol.

 

[Rfn]

This thread is something like you'd find on babble.ca....

What an article.....utter tripe.

.....

He's Irrelevant and not worth discussing.

.......

those kind of people make me soooooooooo mad.

Howcome? Lots of points the author ridiculed have been raised on this forum already, with some very respected members of Army.ca taking the side of the author and raising the very same complaints about Canadians:

...

...obsessing over American hegemony....

...The prime ministers of what was once a reliable ally that ponied up in times of war have treated us like traffic-light squeegee-men when we've stopped at their corner, asking for assistance with our latest military adventure...

...Their legislators have publicly called us "bastards" and stomped on our president in effigy. Their citizens have booed our children at peewee hockey games....

...To see Canadian progressivism in action, though, I trekked down to the East Side, Vancouver's Compton, where the storefront Supervised Injection Site caters to junkies on the government teat. With the surrounding streets hosting an open-air drug market, the Site was conceived as a way to rid the neighborhood of discarded drug paraphernalia and promote "safe" drug-taking practices...

"I think, yeah, it is a little sad that Canadians draw their identity not so much from 'I am Canadian' as 'I am not American.'"

There was only this paragraph were I disagreed with the author:

We all know the Canadian military has become a shadow of itself. Things have gotten so dire that a Queen's University study (titled "Canada Without Armed Forces?") predicted the imminent extinction of the air force. This unpreparedness has become such a joke that Ferguson says their military ranks just above Tonga's, which consists of nothing more than "a tape-recorded message yelling 'I surrender!' in thirty-two languages."

Thats just ignorant.

But other than that, I think we are pissed off with this guy (an American) being right.

especially if this is our best shot at refuting the article:

i am Canadian and i am not proud or synchronized swimming lol.

Can anybody show me what the author got wrong, (other than the point about the CF?)

 

[Gunnar]

A few minor details of fact..., and some attitude that is misplaced here (our former master's monarch?).

But yes....I heard something like this opined around an American campfire once.  And it made me really angry, hurt and insulted.  But the worst part was, it was all true, and insulted or not, I had no defense.

 

[Island Ryhno]

I think what he got wrong was the whole idea of trying to sell Canada as a worse country than the US without pointing out any of the obvious faults that Americans have. The whole articul was Canada bashing, are we supposed to enjoy it and say yeah that's true bud you got it right, we're a bunch of smug know it alls whose only attributes to the world are Tim Hortons and a place to do drugs safely! Cmon, while he mentioned that he had to stumble through 40 or so drug sellers on his way to the clinic in Vancouver he forgot to mentioned that in his own country he may have to stumble through 40 or states   of people selling drugs (anyone been to Miami, New York City, Philladelphia, Detroit, Los Angeles?) In any case, the whole your a bad country because hissy fit he is having shows the true story. Just my 2% of a Loonies worth

 

[couchcommander]

I was just going to completely ignore this, but then I saw Rfn and Gunnar's post and I felt I'd better stand up for my country.

If we have bothered forming opinions at all about Canadians, they've tended toward easy-pickings: that they are a docile, Zamboni-driving people who subsist on seal casserole and Molson. Their hobbies include wearing flannel, obsessing over American hegemony, exporting deadly Mad Cow disease and even deadlier Gordon Lightfoot and Nickelback albums.


Firstly, I've never driven a Zamboni, nor has anyone I know. Secondly, I am sure there are more Zamboni's in America than there are in Canada. Further, I have never eaten seal and IMO Molson products suck (big rock all the way...yo). Finally, I can't say that I've ever seen a person wear flannel that wasn't camping, working in construction, or being made fun of.

The only reason we have Mad Cow and the states doesn't appear too is because we actually catch it... I'd rather have it be taken out of the food chain and reported than left in my happy meal.

And yes, some of our music sucks. Would you like me to run through the multitude of horrible american music??? (and lets not forget some of the great canadian bands, BTO, tragically hip, Guess Who, the list goes on...)

These days, Canadian publications are chockablock with surveys showing that Canadians see themselves as something akin to a superior race.

a) show me one, b) you're one to talk

The prime ministers of what was once a reliable ally that ponied up in times of war have treated us like traffic-light squeegee-men when we've stopped at their corner, asking for assistance with our latest military adventure. /color]

And where was America in the first few years of World War's I and II, hrm oh great savour? This part really steams me. How about Kosovo, or Afganistan? What does he have to say to the loved ones of the seven men who have died in the war on terror, ESPECIALLY the four that died as a result of American fire? This is just the most ungrateful statement I have almost ever come across.

Their legislators have publicly called us "bastards" and stomped on our president in effigy.

There are PLENTY of cases of cross border insults if you want to get down into it, Americans are not all high and might on this count.

BAH! The second page is just too long to go through it point by point. I would add that most of the people he talked with were American, which is intersting when you are bashing Canada.

Furthermore, I freely admit i'm a self rightous bastard, as I am sure most canadian's would. I'm no polite little poodle. F*ck, if he wants to come up to edmonton I will gladly kick his ass and leave him bleeding on the street if that is what he wants. Don't even get the started with the drug thing. Has he ever walked through the dingy part of a large american centre? let me just say it sure does make vancouver look like a haven. I also notice that he doesn't mention the affect that this safe injection site has had notably less HIV infections.

The rest of seems to be more interviews with Americans (..... am I missing something...?), and disagreement with some of our social policies. lol, you know I would rather live in a country were gay people can get married and hippies can smoke marajuana all they want than be in a place where it costs a morgate payment each month to get health care coverage, where the murder rate is 3 times what it is in canada (ie 1.85 per 100,000 compared to 6.1 in the states), the life expectancy is shorter, the infant mortality rate is higher, and most importantly giving tax cuts to oil companie and rich friends of the president are more important than a childrens education!

 

[S McKee]

Man people take this too seriously, read Lloyd Axeworthy's open letter to Condolesa Rice "Dear Condi" if you want condescending. Most of what this guy wrote is true. Truth hurts I guess.

 

[TCBF]

I agree.  We have lost our way.

Tom

 

[Rfn]

If we have bothered forming opinions at all about Canadians, they've tended toward easy-pickings: that they are a docile, Zamboni-driving people who subsist on seal casserole and Molson. Their hobbies include wearing flannel, obsessing over American hegemony, exporting deadly Mad Cow disease and even deadlier Gordon Lightfoot and Nickelback albums.


Firstly, I've never driven a Zamboni, nor has anyone I know...etc

I think that was tongue in cheek- ie he wasn't being serious.

The only reason we have Mad Cow and the states doesn't appear too is because we actually catch it... I'd rather have it be taken out of the food chain and reported than left in my happy meal.

You don't think the Americans would notice if their cattle are stumbling and falling? The symptoms of BSE are hard to miss.

These days, Canadian publications are chockablock with surveys showing that Canadians see themselves as something akin to a superior race.

a) show me one, b) you're one to talk

Here's one from 4 months ago: http://www.canadiandimension.mb.ca/extra/d1104ja.htm

1/3 of Canadians polled believe the US is "a force of evil in the world"
8/10 Believe American foreign policy is indicative of the behavior of a rogue nation

Hows that for moral superiority?

The prime ministers of what was once a reliable ally that ponied up in times of war have treated us like traffic-light squeegee-men when we've stopped at their corner, asking for assistance with our latest military adventure. /color]

And where was America in the first few years of World War's I and II, hrm oh great savour?

There was no obligation for the Americans to get involved in 1939 & 1914, unlike today when we are formally allied through NATO & NORAD. I agree, we've done our bit in Afghanistan and Kosovo but the BMD decision was poll-driven rather than a calculated considered decision.

F*ck, if he wants to come up to edmonton I will gladly kick his *** and leave him bleeding on the street if that is what he wants.

You don't really want to assault him for pointing out these things?

I also notice that he doesn't mention the affect that this safe injection site has had notably less HIV infections.

Really? Do you have a link?

it costs a morgate payment each month to get health care coverage,

Yes, if you are not among the 80% of Americans with private health insurance it sucks. But my brother that lives in California slipped a disk in his back leaving him in severe pain. He was examined, catscanned, admitted to hospital, operated on and released...all in four days. In Canada, everybody suffers the same miserable care equally, in the hospital hallway, on a gurney, for weeks, depending on the province.

I think this article would be very useful for some of those so-called "Bush refugees" that are supposedly lining up to come here.

 

[COBRA-6]

Can't we just get along?? All this family-feuding is distracting us from what really matters... exporting/imposing western democracy to/on the rest of the world! lol...

 

[Sh0rtbUs]

"These days, Canadian publications are chockablock with surveys showing that Canadians see themselves as something akin to a superior race."

What!? We arent??? :

 

[Fishbone Jones]

I can't believe that sensible Canadians, such as yourselves, are getting so worked up about what some two bit hack journalist has written. He had a slow day, and an ansty editor. How do you think the average hard working American feels when he/ she sees the inane comments our own politicians spew. Although, I place our politicians and most Canadian journalists in the same sludge pile the lawyers inhabit. ;D

Let's get over it. He's having exactly the effect he wished to elicit. You don't think that putz is Googling this and reading your comments? Drop it and let him twist in the wind. Keep it up, and you can expect more of the same from him and any other Jimmy Olsen reporter down there that needs a boost in ratings.

 

[COBRA-6]

I can't believe that sensible Canadians, such as yourselves, are getting so worked up about what some two bit hack journalist has written. He had a slow day, and an ansty editor. How do you think the average hard working American feels when he/ she sees the inane comments our own politicians spew. Although, I place our politicians and most Canadian journalists in the same sludge pile the lawyers inhabit. ;D

Let's get over it. He's having exactly the effect he wished to elicit. You don't think that putz is Googling this and reading your comments? Drop it and let him twist in the wind. Keep it up, and you can expect more of the same from him and any other Jimmy Olsen reporter down there that needs a boost in ratings.

Recceguy now you've done it! Rush Limbaugh and the "Excellence in Broadcasting Network" black helicopters will soon pay you a visit... If the CBC black minivan doesn't get you first!!!

 

[winchable]

He did raise some good points and I think we should one-up the man by discussing them openly and frankly rather then using words like "Outrage" or "I'm so angry I could cry", but much like Axeworthy he did it with a certain degree of "I'm a git"-ness which detracts and turns the focus from his points.

Wouldn't it be nice to read a journalist/writer who produced a civil discourse on current affairs?

Sigh, we shall have to make do with the monkeys and their typewriters until then...
"It was the best of times, it was the blurst of t---stupid monkey."

Seriously though lads, don't take the article as a word for word attack on your Canadian-strone but also don't toss out everything he says.
There have been numerous times on this site where his points have been made without all the flak, take a look around for them.

 

[Sh0rtbUs]

Recceguy now you've done it! Rush Limbaugh and the "Excellence in Broadcasting Network" black helicopters will soon pay you a visit... If the CBC black minivan doesn't get you first!!!

OOhhh, how do I become one of THOSE!?

 

[Gouki]

oh man not this crap again..

 

[ZipperHead]

I find that people who react violently to this obviously tongue in cheek article (maybe you should read the whole thing, before jumping onto the "bad 'Merican man!!!!" bandwagon) are the young, who haven't had the benefit of travelling around to see that a lot of what he wrote is more true than we want to believe.

I love Canada, and I grew up thinking that Canada was the best country in the world. Why? Because I was told that it was. Just like every kid from Bangladesh thinks that Bangladesh is the best country in the world. I thought we could do no wrong. We were so nice. I was excited to hear about a Canadian making it "big" in the States. Buddy just  trotted out every Canadian myth, and shot it full of holes, and that's what upsets people. Santa Claus doesn't exist, just like the polite Canadian doesn't exist. My wife has walked up to a mall entrance with a baby in her arms, and people just walk by, without helping her. I open doors for people, not because I'm Canadian, but because I'm polite. I hate hearing about drunken Canadian kids ruining it for the rest of us overseas. How do you know they are Canadian? The big ass insecurity blanket, er, flag on their backpack (or their shirt). I have been guilty of that offence (flag, shirt, etc), but it has more to do with being identified as Not-American than Canadian.

He was making fun of Americans just as much as he was of Canadians, and quoting Will Ferguson just proves that we need to take all our Canadianism with a grain of salt. Saying that we have no problems, and pointing the finger back at them (ie when he says there are druggies in Canada, and people say "Oh yeah, what about Detroit, LA, NY, etc") that's like saying I only beat my kids 4 times a week, not 5 times a week like my neighbour does, so I'm nicer. Even the tough guy posturing people are using (kicking his ass, for example) is stolen directly from US culture. You thereby prove him right (that Canadian's aren't so polite, like we think we are).

While we're on the subject (thanks for getting me started....), I hate those Rick Mercer "Talking with Americans" segments. At first I thought they were funny, but then I realized it plays into the "we're not Americans, and they are" stereotypes. Sure, it was funny when he cornered GW Bush with the Jean Poutine thing, but giving GW a little bit of a break, isn't Poutine and Putin fairly close in pronunciation, and give the fella a break for getting a countries leaders names mixed up (sorry, that was me trying to be clever). Everybody loves hearing how "stupid" Americans are about their neighbour, but I think the problem is we know way more about them than they do about us, due to the media behemoth that is the US. "Who's the leader of the Ukraine?"  "I don't know...." "You're stupid!!!!" Ask the average Canadian who the Commander in Chief of the CF is, and I'm sure 99%+ will say Paul Martin is, just because GW Bush is the CinC of the US military. Who's stupid, now?!?!? It all just plays into our insecurity towards our big brother.

Get over it, he had a little fun at our expense. Oh and BTW, I'm going to mention to the guys at work that an American journalist mentioned Canada!!!! Isn't there a saying that goes: "The only thing worse than being talked about is not being talked about"?

Al

 

[PPCLI Guy]

While we're on the subject (thanks for getting me started....), I hate those Rick Mercer "Talking with Americans" segments. At first I thought they were funny, but then I realized it plays into the "we're not Americans, and they are" stereotypes.

And I thought it was just me...