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.