Bush cancels visit to Canada

National Post ^ | 2003-04-12 | Robert Fife

[TopQuark]

And good for us that we have a principled and straight-shooting president!

I admire his courage and streangth of convictions. It appears that his own father was totally against the Iraqi was and wanted him to go back crawling to the UN. We have a mature, courageous man as president. Thank G-d.

[metesky]

Let's see if I've got this straight: TotalFinaElf's largest shareholder is a subsidiary of Montreal's Power Corp, whose co-chief executive is Jean Chrétien's son-in-law, Andre Desmarais. Mr. Desmarais' brother, Paul Desmarais Jr., sits on the Total board.

[cynicom]

Strains???? More like a rupture.

[Mare]

Understandable reaction, but those things will just hurt the Canadian people, a majority of whom support us and are disgusted by the Canadian government's actions (and words).

Chrétien is retiring from politics next year and could care less.

All the repercussions from those idiots will affect the average Canadian citizen. I live in Canada (husband is Canadian), and I am very concerned about the economic impact.

[Paul_B]

Bravo for Bush. Making Chretien accountable for his slimey actions is exactly the right thing to do. This has got to become an issue for the Canadian people to decide on; it definitely shouldn't be smoothed over.

It quite seems to me that there is far too much despicable French influence on the Canadian government. Maybe the rest of the provinces should let Quebec go, and then join in tight with us. That we have much more in common is increasingly clear. We'd make a great team of fast friends, and they'd be better off without Quebec.

[texastoo]

Hopefully, this applies to Mexico and Vicente Fox as well.

[reformedliberal]

We here are very worried about the impact of terrorism on our economy and our average American citizen.

The concerned Canadian citizens should exercise their vote in favor of politicians who understand the realities of the 21st century and the realities of Canada's economy. It seems from here that the Western Provinces understand these issues and the Eastern Provinces do not.

Americans finally have a President who does not do half measures. We like that. Many of us worked hard for years to get to the point where someone like George W Bush could run and win in America and we will not stop just because one conservative won one election. We have liberal elites on both coasts, as you do, and those of us either trapped there or lucky enough to live in the Heartland have stood up to them.

If we can do it, so can the Canadians. If it is impossible, then perhaps you can move a bit further south, if you are dissatisfied. Those Canadians who do not like America can then either stay in Canada or move to France.

We are just not going to sit back and be a target any longer. Actions have consequences and words have meaning. Our allies, neighbors and trading partners can understand that or not. If nations don't like us, don't expect us to coddle them or back down from our own self-interests. Unless our own domestic fifth columnsists figure out how to disenfranchise the majority of American voters, America will continue to act in her own defense and security interests.

[uncbob]

Western Canada should secede and then become several US States

Of course that precludes Canada having a Lincoln that would drag them back in

[scooby321]

Great News

[B4Ranch]

I am curious if this will prompt Canadians to review their candidates better at the next election for Prime Minister?

[Mare]

Whoa! Where is that coming from?

I am a proud American citizen, support George Bush 100%, abhor terrorism, and despise the liberals here in Canada.

Everywhere I go, every paper I read, most of the Canadian citizens are supportive of America's actions and ashamed of their Canadian government. Some people know I'm an American, some people don't.

The liberals here came to power the same way as the Clintonistas, uninformed and ignorant folks put them in power.

All I was trying to say was that in trying to punish the idiots in charge of this country, the people supportive of America will pay the price. Just something to consider.

[reformedliberal]

IMO, it will depend on how much of their souls they are willing to sell for the false benefits of socialism and how important it is to them to delude themselves that their very weaknesses are some sort of moral superiority.

[Beck_isright]

Prime Minister Yellow Stain has done it. Congrats! Now let's hope this wakes up the people of Canada that there really is a problem in the relations between the two old neighbors. Before it's too late. Or maybe this is the reason:

"The Western oil company with the closest ties to the late Saddam is France's TotalFinaElf. That's not the curious fact, that's just business as usual in the Fifth Republic. This is the curious fact: As Diane wrote in February and again last week, "Total's biggest shareholder is Montreal's Paul Desmarais, whose youngest son is married to Prime Minister Jean Chrétien's daughter." - Thank you Mark Steyn; National Post April 10

V

[Mare]

I sure hope so.

This current stance regarding Iraq is the absolute worst international blunder those idiots in charge have committed. It's almost like their brains received the final zap.

[Beck_isright]

" and I am very concerned about the economic impact."

You should be. But you'd best hope that the voters realize this before unemployment creeps up to the 15-20% level. Otherwise you might be doomed to the destiny of France.

V

[Dog Gone]

There's an argument that can be made that Bush should visit Canada and take the opportunity to address the Canadian people, going over Chretien's head.

But I think this is the right decision. Actions have consequences, dammit, and Chretien has gone far out of his way in an attempt to frustrate the US. He hates America and he hates President Bush.

[Let's Roll]

It couldn't possibly be because cretin's daughter is married to the largest shareholder of a french oil company that formerly did business with Iraq, could it?

It doesn't get much more corrupt than that.

[Amalie]

My feeling is as most of the other posters - Canada and its population are going to need to show they are either for us or against us. IMO, the real turning point for American opinion was the boo-ing of a kids hockey team; ridiculous! At this point in history, lines are being drawn, and there are many relationships that will be forever altered by what is happening right now. Contact your elected representatives and make sure that they know where you stand. Regardless of where Jean is going in a year, this is serious business, and it could indeed have long-term reverberations throughout your economy. Get the other Canadian elected officials involvded...

[gcruse]

I live in Canada (husband is Canadian), and I
am very concerned about the economic impact.

Fair enough.  There were Dixie Chicks who didn't
trash the President from London, but their fate and
finances are bound up with the ones that did so long
as they maintain their association.  It is the business
of no one to tell the Chicks with whom they may
make music; if they choose to remain a group and
suffer the loss of their country fans, so be it.

Neither is it the place of Americans to tell Canada
what political party should be forming their government,
nor which province will have the top hand in deciding
how the country is run.  The consequences of maintaining
the status quo are not entirely in the hands of Canada, though.
And Americans cannot be faulted for choosing where to
spend their money and loyalty.

[Mare]

I agree with you.

I am very glad Bush has cancelled his visit to Canada. That is the level where the price must be paid for Chretien's idiocy.

However, what I'm talking about is if Americans start boycotting Canada in an attempt to punish the Canadian government, all they will do is punish the little people (merchants, etc.) and NOT the Liberal government.