Posted on 09/17/2004 8:23:04 AM PDT by quidnunc
The comity between Canada and the United States is testimony to the strength of liberal peace. The Rush-Bagot Treaty of 1818 is still in effect and has been described as the “longest lasting and most successful disarmament treaty in international history.”[1] Canadians do not go to bed worrying if the United States is going to attack. We have become so interdependent that it is impossible to see our paths diverging to such a degree that our special relationship is jeopardized. Within the Americas, Canada is the democracy with which we have the most in common, whether it is history or kinship. In fact, Canada and the United States are an example of how values and interests can converge so pervasively that each side takes the other for granted, akin to a long-married couple. Nevertheless, important political differences are highlighted when administrations emerge from very different political viewpoints, as was the case between Prime Minister Jean Chretien and President George Bush. Moreover, Canada generally worships at the United Nations altar, whereas the United States is skeptical about the United Nations’ ability to provide timely and sound handling of global problems. In truth, both positions are somewhat flawed, because one state is trying to use an international organization to magnify its modest power, while the other state is more eager to use its superpower status to disengage from slow UN deliberations to craft its own solutions to security threats.
A major cause of divergent views is the power imbalance between these two neighbors. On the whole, Canada is a middle-power — it possesses a great-power economy and a less-than-middle-power military. Its neighbor is a superpower. This comparative sense of weakness inspires some Canadians to complain of US hegemony. …
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at carlisle-www.army.mil ...
Canada has a military?
Let's see:
33 man Army.
4 Tanks
4 WW2 Spitfires (three work)
10 small ships
6 rifles.
4 pistols.
100 rounds total.
Uh, I think they are ready to take on the Antarctic. Wait, there is no "people" down there per se. Looks like they might win.
Yup! And a navy, which is a couple of guys from the army who know how to swim.
:^D Its sad when of country of 30,000,000 is only protected by 50,000
1812, anyone?
1812, anyone?
Man, with that kind of firepower they could get Frenchie to surrender in no time!
1812, anyone?
Canada was once a real country - we still have the historic uniforms, even if no actual military power.
Sell the 4 Spitfires (what MK?) to warbirds enthusiasts and you can probably fund a jet fighter or two!
"Uh, I think they are ready to take on the Antarctic. Wait, there is no "people" down there per se. Looks like they might win."
Not necessarily, penguins can be very territorial.
Some big oaf named Pierre, armed with a hockey stick.
No spitballs?
Ha! Why do they need to spend perfectly good money on a military of their own if the live next door to the biggest baddest MO FO army on earth? This way they can have 'free health care' (for whatever that's worth) and throw stones at the guys next door for being such insensitive bullies, and loudmouth gingos. These guys have it made in the shade. However, they are NOT players in the continuing stream of history because the are BOUGHT AND PAID FOR by the taxpayers of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and deserve to be harshly reminded of this as often as events permit.
Canada is there. That's about all one can say about it.
From the thrust of the essay, there is a significant down side that is being overlooked. While Canada plays "aren't we grand" on the international stage by way of the UN, there is a mutual agreement between the US and Canada to cover each other's backs. It appears to me that the US is keeping its part of the bargain, but, under the (dubious) leadership of Cretin and Martin, Canada is more than happy to ignore its part of the deal to cover America's back.
Frankly, this American has concerns that, were another attack on America to occur that was associated with Canadian airspace, for example, I'm not certain that we wouldn't be treated to broadcast news stories showing some Canadians dancing in the streets. We might want to re-think our part of the mutual protection pact since we can't rely on receiving any quid pro quo response from our Canadian "allies".
This doesn't mean that I think all Canadians are against America and would love to see us fall. Only the ones running the country. But, by the same token, I don't believe that we can place our trust in their ability to protect themselves, much less their "ally" to the south. If al-Qaida were to threaten Canada with a Madrid type of attack, I don't think that Ottawa could capitulate fast enough, thereby leaving our northern border more exposed than it already is.
I believe they need to pay the United States since we protect them from Russia...
"No Spitballs?"
That was part of a arms reduction treaty with the French.
Now thats funny......LoL
Canada and "military power" in the same sentence? Now that's something you don't see every day.
I remind you all that 4 coffins that have been flown back from Afghanistan had Canadian flags on them. That's more than almost any other country in the world. Show some respect.
An appeal to all the intelligent, hard-working, conservative people in western Canada: If Quebec can secede, why can't you? We'd love to have you in the USA. Alberta would make a great 52nd state.
This is serious writing.
The articles in Parameters, which is the quarterly publication of the US Army war college, are peer reviewed.
I work with the Canadian military daily as a private subcontractor. Many of the men and women that proudly serve our country are just as frustrated and upset about the military's current state as you guys. They are trying and know that something needs to be changed.
The failure of Canada's military lies almost entirely with the political leadership(?) in this country. Years of PC crap and anti-military bias from our politicians have reduced our once proud military to a joke. So feel free to denigrate Martin, Cretin, True-dope, etc., because they are the ones to blame. But the Canadian soldier is just as dedicated, patriotic and hard working as any other soldier in the world.
I remember ready an article that those of Scotch Irish descent(I am not one) from the hard scrabble south in the U.S make up the best of the U.S SpecFor. I am sure there are a 100,000 McKenzie's, MacDonalds, etc... that would make a very effective ground force and they could help guard the border and ports. Why not equip them and train them here? We pay for their defense. We should upgrade their planes and pilots as well. anyway.
Alberta would make a great 51'st state.
Oops. ready=reading.
The next time a Canadian starts ranting about America's wars for oil, and American theft of Iraqi oil, just remember that Canada has no army to speak of, and feels no need for one. Canada has one of the largest pools of oil in the world, and the longest undefended borders in the world.
When Canadians start to believe, really, that we are prepared to invade countries for their oil, that border will be militarized. It isn't.
I personally request that the U.S. attack and annex us. I have some brewskies on ice and the Barby fired up. Back bacon anyone?
Sadly, anti-Americanism is as pervasive as ever up here, and you can thank the left wing media in both countries for that. The problem being, is that Canada looks up to America, Canada watches American television and American movies, and sadly, we see anti-Americanism spewing from so many Americans that we have learned it only too well.
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