American Bastard

[sameoldsht]

I never really understood the animosity between Canada and the US. This former Canadian had a few words to say.

American Bastard

I'm writing this letter to the editor of the main newspaper of my birthplace, Sarnia, Ontario.

I was born in Sarnia in 1951 and moved to the United States in 1954. I joined the United States Army in 1970 during the Viet Nam War as a Canadian citizen and did not flee to Canada like many of the cowards in my country did, even though I had a valid Canadian passport. In 1992 I became an American citizen.

It was at that time that I started to realize the depth and range of the anti-American sentiment of many of the Canadian people. I had always believed that we were good neighbors but I was becoming aware that this was not the case.

Because of my Canadian roots, I'm frequently asked to comment on the reasoning behind the anti-American attitudes of many Canadians.

Many people here believe that the current attitude is a result of the war in the Middle East and that it is a fashionable position to take; much like your European allies. However, I know that this pervasive attitude transcends this particular conflict. This perception and animosity is much older than the current situation.

We hear about your peace rallies and protests - but never hear any viable solutions or alternatives.

We have heard you "boo" and disrespect our national anthem at hockey games and other sporting events.

We have heard your elected officials call our President a "moron" and most recently, one of your Members of Parliament commented that she "hated those American bastards".

Well do you know how this Canadian/American bastard explains it? I tell them that Canadians (for the most part) are jealous of our prosperity, our power and our world influence. I tell them Canada has emulated European Socialists and abrogated your freedoms and wealth to the government and yet you can't understand why you haven't prospered or are held at any level of esteem by any nation, with the possible exception of France.

I tell them that the Canadians have inhabited North America for as long as we have and possess natural resources greater than ours, yet they have produced nothing of any worth; in fact they are out produced by S. Korea.

You cannot design your own automobiles (you take ours and put Canadian names on them), computers, semi-conductors, consumer electronics, etc. You have never liberated any countries from tyranny. What are your accomplishments for your 200 plus years? Canadian bacon and Molsons, eh?

You benefit from your proximity to the United States and the commonality of language (Quebec excepted) in terms of security, freedom and commodities that you purchase here with your semi-worthless currency.


This American bastard is really sick of the whining and the insults.I'm proud to be an American citizen and ashamed of the country of my birthplace for their continued condemnation of the United States.


There is a profound need for a world super-power and those of you who believe in God should thank Him that a country as benevolent, powerful and as influential as ours is that super power.


You should also ask yourselves what country can best direct global peace and liberty? France? Germany? Russia? China? Canada?


You might also ask yourselves what your life would be like without the achievement, technologies, freedoms and sacrifices provided by "those American bastards" to your south.

[TorontoCFE]

Not every Canadian resents the US.
The lack of respect goes both ways though.

Yes, Canadians boo the American anthem - it was more pronounced after the Canadian flag was displayed upside down and after an American decided to bomb Canadian soldiers in Afganistan.

Yes, we have idoitic politicians like Carolyn Parrish (who uttered all of the public insults) who get off on bashing an ally and friend to make themselves feel better and look tough. But they are clearly clueless rebels making aname for themselves on their hatred rather than their own accomplishments and the embarrassment she caused led to her being kicked out of the governement caucus.

For the most part, the ill feelings of Canadians do not come from jealousy as you say, but rather their perception of an arrogance on the part of "many" Americans, such as that exhibited in your letter.

Canada has been around as long as the US - perhaps our growth was slowed by our desire to befriend the natives rather than slaughter them wholesale.

Last time I checked, Canada has actually progressed beyond the Stone Age. Wonder how your life in the States may be different without penicilin? Just one of Canada's inventions, much like basketball and the United Nations (a wonderful idea even if it could never work).

Do we design our own cars? Not currently, however Canadian manufacturing plants consistently post a higher productivity level than the US plants.

Has Canada ever liberated countries? Hmmm. Besides Belgium in WWII? Oh, I forgot - Canada was fighting WWII for 2 years before the US got its head out of the sand and helped. I guess the fact that Canada took more causalties in that war then the US did with 10% of the population(20% of the population were in uniform) means nothing according to you, a war vet yourself. Maybe the inability of the US to trade fairly with Canada is a factor in Canada's economic problems- softwood lumber is among a half dozen WTO cases the US has lost and still won't abide by.

Should Canada do more to defend North America? Absolutely.
Does that mean Canada doesa nothing? No. Canada chooses to use its resources in peacekeeping missions and foreign aid. Choosing to use its influence peacefully rather than militarily is not so wrong as to be as laughable as you suggest.

Many people would argue the need for a superpower that you say is necessary. A lot of people, including many Americans, don't want the US acting as a global policeman.
I'm not sure why it is not acceptable to think that perhaps everyone affacted by a global situation can not get together to solve the issue rather than it being the American way or no way.

I would submit to you that much of the bad feelings SOME Canadians have for Americans come from the attitude you clearly demonstrate - a total lack of understanding and interest in Canada and an attitude that the American way is the only way. From what I see, people in Canada work as hard for what they think is right


It's too bad that it comes from soneone who should know better.

These attitudes on both sides really do no good and will only harm both countries in the future. Maybe you should take a look and see that by pounding your patriotic chest and denouncing any other way of looking at things and belittling others, you are acting the exact same way as the Canadian whiners.

Do "we're #1" fanatic rants really help anything?

[[censored]]

this was a really good post.

[mojorisin24]

Excuse me, but the American pilot did not "decide" to bomb those Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan anymore than the Army Rangers in Pat Tillman's unit "decided" to kill him with friendly fire.

Canadian fans booing the American anthem is nothing more than the typical jealousy emanating from our neighbors north of the border.

And for your proclamation that the U.S. didn't "get their head out of the sand" and join Canadian forces in WWII until two years after the Canucks, well, let me remind you that the U.S. was a little busy fighting the Japanese in the Pacific.

[busguy]

[ QUOTE ]
Excuse me, but the American pilot did not "decide" to bomb those Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan

[/ QUOTE ]

Ah . . yah he did. It was his decision and his alone.

Did he choose to bomb them knowing that they were friendlies . . .of course not. But he DECIDED to bomb them.

But of course that is not the point. The poster that you were responding to, just gave that as EXAMPLE of why some people MAY have booed the American anthem on a PARTICULAR night.

Maybe if you got your head out of your ass and read the rest of his post you would see that your post offers NO counterpoint to any of the main points that he was trying to make, the biggest one of which was this,


[ QUOTE ]
For the most part, the ill feelings of Canadians do not come from jealousy as you say, but rather their perception of an arrogance on the part of "many" Americans, such as that exhibited in your letter.

[/ QUOTE ]

which of course you could not offer any retort to.

Weak to say the least !

[img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] busguy

[TorontoCFE]

"And for your proclamation that the U.S. didn't "get their head out of the sand" and join Canadian forces in WWII until two years after the Canucks, well, let me remind you that the U.S. was a little busy fighting the Japanese in the Pacific. "

Let's see - the Pacific war began for the US after Pearl Harbor (since they weren't involved in the Chinese campaigns), which occured in 1941.

Most of the world was fighting the Nazis starting in 1939.
Maybe the European thing could have been wrapped up before Pearl Harbor with more help.

But let's not fight over that.

[Felix_Nietsche]

I plead guilty.....
I'm past the point of whether nations like or dislike the USA. It is nice to find other nations who like the USA but I do not stake the success of the USA on how many countries like us. Most of the animosity seems to come from the foreign policy of the USA. Specifically: Israel and Iraq.

With regard to Israel, it is more moral to support a civilized society than a society that believes killing civilians in justified. Easy choice... The Palestinains had a country in 1948 but they invaded Israel and lost their country... Boo Hoo Hoo... Then their Palestinian "allies" chose to keep a good chunk of Palestian terrority for themselves. But these peace-loving people attack Israel again and lost that land as well....

With regard to Iraq, they(Iraq) violated the cease fire and the USA was justifed to attack on this reason alone. Treaties are useless if one side will not abide by the conditions. As a bonus, we took out a dictator who financial supported terrorism and who I SUSPECT had loose ties to al-qaida at the minimum..... The crime was waiting over a decade to enforce the cease fire....

I've been to hockey games where the US fans boo'd the Canadien national anthem and I was embarassed. I think the Canadien anthem is one of the better national anthems and I use to know all the words (to the 1st verse only)...

Most of the world seems to think the UN should make all international decisions and when the US decides to go a different way, ill will is created. For those who bow at the UN alter, it may be a surprie that the USA is a sovereign nation govern by US laws. With the exception of treaties, the UN nor any other nation has a right to tell the US what they should do.
If this makes Americans "arrogant", then I plead guilty...

[tek]

Unfortunately, the "US" has signed many treaties over the past few decades with the UN...

[lastchance]

You can only have that viewpoint when you can effectively conquer and occupy the entire world to your benefit.

When other countries have nukes, you are obligated to listen to what they have to say, and of course, they are obligated to listen to what you have to say, and it is pareto-optimal to work out an agreement.

[nicky g]

"I tell them that the Canadians have inhabited North America for as long as we have and possess natural resources greater than ours, yet they have produced nothing of any worth; in fact they are out produced by S. Korea.

You cannot design your own automobiles (you take ours and put Canadian names on them), computers, semi-conductors, consumer electronics, etc. You have never liberated any countries from tyranny. What are your accomplishments for your 200 plus years? Canadian bacon and Molsons, eh?"

And this guy is accusing Canadians of bigotry? Articles like this amaze me. It's like saying "Stop [censored] swearing." How stupid do you have to be to condemn the arrogance and perceived racism of others by indulging in bigoted put-downs of your own?

"I never really understood the animosity between Canada and the US."

Nearly all neighbouring countries have some sort of animosity, and especially those which are superficially similar/linked in some ways. Major powers also always attract a lot of flack simply because they are so visible and active.