Europe No Longer a Model for Us (A Canadian's plaintive cri de coeur)

The Toronto Star ^ | June 3, 2005 | Richard Gwyn

[Go Gordon]

The explanation for this that comes most easily to mind is that while we, as medium-sized guys, pay assiduous attention to what others are doing, Americans pass their time admiring themselves in a mirror.

Canuckistani's should spend some time here in the states before making complete idiots of themselves. Americans are busy tending to daily life responsibilities and recreation to give a crap about what happens in Euroweenie land. Most Americans are damn thankful to have been lucky enough to have been born in the USA. But admiring oneself in the mirror? Come on envious Canucks, you can do better than that.

[NorthOf45]

Hey now, we have sun AND beaches. However, the Cuba comparison may stand with a few more yrs of liberal rule. Ugh!

[NZerFromHK]

Good. In a true American Empire under the leadership of President NZerFromHK, I decree the following for all new citizens former known as subjects of the new abolished Realm of Canada:

1) All portraits of the Queen of England must be destroyed in 15 days;

2) The Anglican Church is to be renamed the Episcopal Church;

3) All citizens are to use spellings like "color" from now on. Anyone caught using the incorrect spelling will be fined $1 for each occasion (paid with US currency, of course).

4) All citizens formerly residents of Alberta who voted in the Conservative Party, Alberta Reform Party, or the Separation Party of Alberta must entering a 6-week training camp, where they will swear alliegance to President NZerFromHK, learn to use rifles themselves, recite the US Declaration of Independence 5 times a day until he can flawlessly recite the whole declaration when prodded during meals, and spend 4 hours a day on lectures learning why MacDonald, Cartier, Laurier, MacKenzie King, Pearson, Trudeau are bad chaps.

5) Similar training camps will likewise be mandated for all other citizens from the now abolished Realm of Canada. For BC, Saskatcheswan, Manitoba, Ontario (outside Southern Ontario), and Quebec (outside Montreal) residents who vote parties of provincial Liberal Party (for BC only) or the Conservative Party, the training camp lasts at least 9 weeks.

6) For Southern Ontario (exclusing Toronto) residents who voted the Conservative Party, the training camp lasts 10 weeks.

7) For Ontario (Toronto), Quebec (Montreal), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland residents who voted the Conservative Party, the training camp lasts 12 weeks.

8) For BC (outside Vancouver), Alberta, Saskatcheswan, and Manitoba residents who voted the Liberal Party federally, the training camp lasts 20 weeks.

9) For BC (Vancouver), Ontario (outside Toronto), Quebec (outside Montreal), New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland residents who voted the Liberal Party, the training camp lasts 26 weeks.

10) For all residents who voted the New Democratic Party, Ontario (Toronto) and Quebec (Montreal) residents who voted the Liberal Party, the training camp lasts 52 weeks.

11) For all Quebec residents who voted in the Bloc Quebecois, the training camp lasts for life until the day he dies.

12) To rules 4 to 11, anyone caught saying "God save the Queen!" during the camp, his time at the camp will be extended by 4 weeks as a penalty.

[stefan10]

Last time i checked Canada has huge budget surpluses for several years now.

Toyota builds his new factory for the north American market in Canada because the country is more competitive than the US.

[muir_redwoods]

"unilateralism leaves us alone with the Americans."

How did working with 30 other countries make us unilateralists?

[austinite]

During the past week The New York Times, which is far and away the most international-minded of American newspapers, has run not a single editorial on the rejection of the European Union constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands.

The NYT can't use precious space normally used for bashing the war and George Bush, that would require some news that was important/significant.

[Gum Shoe]

"LOL! Canada combines the worst of French sloth, British manners and Canadian self-denial. Its a wonder its even a country!"

Canada couldn't bear to sever ties with Europe, while their American brothers and sisters rejected Europe. It is very much like comparing two siblings. One who couldn't wait to get out of the house and away from the parents, while the other still lives in their basement. Canada does have many citizens who see what's wrong with their country and I suppose they hope Quebec is successful in their next attempt to secede, taking all the liberal europhiles with them.

[Tribune7]

During the past week The New York Times, which is far and away the most international-minded of American newspapers, has run not a single editorial on the rejection of the European Union constitution by voters in France and the Netherlands.

It was covered pretty heavily on Free Republic. Drudge wrote about it. The Wall Street Journal had a lot about it.

[backhoe]

This, and other related subjects, have been added to this keyword database for easy reference: KEYWORDS:  EUROFREUDE

[hershey]

The mouthpiece of the US Left, the NYTimes, fails to run an editorial mourning Europe's lack of self confidence and sense of direction -- collapse --and Canadians are mad. Well, sure! They're nice guys eager to make the world a better place, while the US, when not busy looking in the mirror, is simply mean. Canadians need psyche and more space. Who knew. From all the blather emanating from the Great White North, we thought they had plenty of both.

[hershey]

'Unilateralism leaves us alone with the Americans'....EEEEEK!

[hershey]

Your reply is so on target. Reality isn't pleasant these days, and Canada has to wake up. But don't worry, the US has plenty of hot coffee. Just ring.

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

[W]here do we Canadians go to find psychic, and real-life space in the American empire?

Here's a twoonie, call someone who cares.