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  #1  
Old 01-06-2005, 01:12 AM
sameoldsht sameoldsht is offline
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Default American Bastard

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.
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  #2  
Old 01-07-2005, 10:22 AM
TorontoCFE TorontoCFE is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

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?
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  #3  
Old 01-07-2005, 11:06 AM
nicky g nicky g is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

"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.
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  #4  
Old 01-09-2005, 06:00 AM
Tuco Tuco is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

Im so sick of whiners like you telling everyone why "we" hate americans. You have no idea, so you automatically pull out the "we're better than you" crap. You haven't lived here for decades, so you really have no idea what "we" think. Are you so insecure that the only explanation is that we are jealous? No other possible explanation?

In general, Canadians like myself, have a certain disdain for the American government and all its arrogance and hypocricy. This has nothing to do with the individual American citizens at all, except those that deserve it. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] However, I have equal disdain for Canadian and American individuals that deserve it.

We have morons in government and you have them in yours. Yours just happens to be president and is current ruler of the semi-free world.

Tuco.
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  #5  
Old 01-09-2005, 07:04 AM
Broken Glass Can Broken Glass Can is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

I have a lot of respect for Canada, just look at our history.

We failed to get them to join our Revolution even after we invaded Lower Canada (Quebec).

We gave up a great chunk of land to them by treaty with the British (the land was going to be ours, but then the British captured Gilbralter and renegotiated the treaty)(the land I refer to is all land south of the 45th parallel, extending the northern NY border west - everything south of the word "Guelph" in this picture including Toronto and a great agricultural region)


They prevented us from annexing southern Manitoba despite an influx of Americans to the region before it was part of Canada.

We failed in our 54'40" or bust attempt (we could've had British Columbia).

They achieved independence without a war (the wimps waited for decades to achieve this dubious distinction [img]/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img])

They are an ally, although a wimpy liberal somewhat unreliable one.

As I said at the top of my post, the Canadians disgust me. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
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  #6  
Old 01-09-2005, 07:53 AM
[censored] [censored] is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

this was a really good post.
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  #7  
Old 01-09-2005, 08:51 PM
arabie arabie is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

I grew up just north of toronto and completely agree with your assessment. We have had threads about this in the past.
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  #8  
Old 01-10-2005, 12:23 PM
ThaSaltCracka ThaSaltCracka is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

[ QUOTE ]
We have morons in government and you have them in yours.

[/ QUOTE ] Yes, except our "morons" don't call your leader an idiot in public. People really are fed up with the pompous attitude of the Canadian Government, and I think some of that pompousness carries over to some of Canada's citizens.
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  #9  
Old 01-10-2005, 08:45 PM
Tuco Tuco is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, except our "morons" don't call your leader an idiot in public.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I could argue fairly easily that your morons do a little worse that call someone names. To be fair, if our morons had the power of yours, similar things might happen.

[ QUOTE ]
pompousness carries over to some of Canada's citizens.

[/ QUOTE ]

So i'm pompous cause I called GWB a moron? Wow, guess opinions are not allowed to be voiced in your new America.

Tuco.
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  #10  
Old 01-11-2005, 12:37 AM
tek tek is offline
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Default Re: American Bastard

I really enjoy all of the Canadian exports:

Beer, bacon, caramel, strawberry preserves, comedians...
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