While Canada Slept

The Globe and Mail ^ | April 3, 2003 | John Ibbitson

[longtermmemmory]

It would really be a permanent feather in the GWB presidency if two of the western provinces joined the USA. It would be excellent for the united states since we would now have a direct crossing to alaska. We could be the continental 51.

[George W. Bush]

I think subtle is fine but it must be done. I don't want punishment for Canada but I insist on regime change in Canada. If we have to ratchet things to the point that Canada collapses before it recognizes our continental partnership, then so be it. Look at what the Liberals are doing to Canada right now. Any overt American acts to institute regime change in Canada would be no more harmful to the average Canadian than is their own present government, a corrupt ally of France who profits from the same miserable money pit that the Chirac regime is mired in. Their actions in the war against terror are extremely disturbing. And they actively stirred up trouble internationally against us over Iraq, something that will most certaily be repaid economically and diplomatically. They've demanded that treatment, just like the Weasels did. We may be more gentle about it but Canada will change its direction diplomatically or it will be punished very very heavily. It is very easy for us to destabilize a socialist country like Canada and make its failing economy crash and burn without causing much trouble to American business.

Today, Bush is in Arkansas to give a dull speech on tax breaks, having cancelled his Canadian trip. And this after inviting Howard & wife to Crawford for not just one night but for two nights, the full treatment. The message here is very clear.

Canada is simply not independent any more. Except for a period of a few decades, they never were independent, always under the aegis of Britain and/or America. They are not free to stab America and England and Australia in the back while continuing to be America's most favored trade partner and hiding behind our defense shield. And Team Bush will make that very clear, first to the ruling classes, and if necessary, to show it to the voters in their own pocketbooks.

That's how it's going to be, regardless of what the chattering classes think about it.

[Billy_bob_bob]

This kind of makes sense. Let's annex western Canada, that will help to offset the loss of the southwest U.S. to "Azatlan".

[George W. Bush]

It would really be a permanent feather in the GWB presidency if two of the western provinces joined the USA.

Me like.

But it's enough to change Canada's diplomacy and matters like their dumping and their soft stand on terrorism.

But if push comes to shove, W. is fully capable of inciting a western secession. Actually, W. is capable of a lot of things, as everyone recently found out. A can-do guy. Canada's west is virtually American in outlook, culture and language already. And Canada's east is most certainly western Canada's greatest enemy, not America.

[IvanT]

Hey, as a Canuck from Ontario, sounds alright to me. I think a little pressure will go along way. Hell, the Liberals themselves are doing their part, what with their behaviour, and comments coming out of their caucus. I think it would be alot easier than many think, for America to push us in the right direction. Sure, they're will be complainers, but what can you do.

[George W. Bush]

I've always wanted Canada's western provinces in the Union. Even if they might elect a few Dims. It would be fun to redraw the continental map again, add a few stars to the flag. Fifty isn't a sacred number. BTW, I loathe statehood for D.C. and Puerto Rico. But western Canada is very desirable.

[gcruse]

Nanny or player? Since old Europe itself isn't even a player anymore, might as well spend the money on comfort food. Universal health care needs every penny not already spent on it just to be acceptable.

[Dr. Luv]

"Canada did not even have its own embasies until the 80's."

Nonsense. If you really did have a long term memory, you would recall that during the Iranian crisis (in the 70's), that Canadians hid American citizens in the Canadian embassy before spiriting them out of the country. For example, Canada has had an embassy in Washington since the 1940's

[Dr. Luv]

"I don't want punishment for Canada but I insist on regime change in Canada."

Then move to Canada, take out citizenship and vote the Liberals out of office. We cannot "insist" that a democratically elected foreign government change simply because we do not like their policies. Canada "collapsing" (a highly unlikely event) would play havoc with our economy and is something to avoid. We got rid of Clinton, they'll get rid of Chretien...

[jodorowsky]

IMO the last thing we need to do is help the socialists identify Canadian non-socialists more with the U.S. You have probably experienced how they take profitable advantage of the genetic fallacy as it is now.

Arguments against socialism are American arguments and, therefore, the rhetorical tools to replace Tim Horton's with Krispy Kreme and replace CBC with the right wing propaganda organ CNN, while denying medical care to the starving poor generated by capitalism.

Direct deposit by private citizens into savings accounts of Canadians posting to this board would be an excellent idea, OTOH. ;)

[George W. Bush]

We cannot "insist" that a democratically elected foreign government change simply because we do not like their policies.

Sure we can. Saddam got 99.9% of the vote in his last election.

It's not polite to say 'insist' publicly but that's exactly what America is going to do. It's happening. And Canada's direction is going to change. Or they are going to suffer economically. Big time.

[longtermmemmory]

The americans were not hidden in a canadian consulate, they were hidden in a safe house. The ameircan CIA got them out by creating false canadian passports and saying the americans were part of a documentary company. The CIA allowed the canadians to get credit to protect assets in iran at the time. (this is per the history channel)

Read a candian passport and you will see I am correct. I also have family who live/ed in canada and they confirm this. (the queen is techinically still the head of state of the canadian governemtn too.)

[Snowyman]

Well , now that the CIA has taken credit for the "The Canadian Caper" , which apparently never happened , I'd expect Ambassador Taylor , honourable man that he is , to return the metal, the Congressional Gold Medal that President Reagan gave him.

I suppose "The Act of Congress" was a lie and the CIA asked Reagan to lie when he said on
June 16, 1981

The President. I wonder what would happen if I said that in trying to express our gratitude, I was now going to talk for about 55 minutes. [Laughter] No, I'm not. But the 444 days of the hostage crisis were trying times for this country, and they were not a time of which any world citizen can be proud. What the Iranians did was a breach of international law and the rules by which states live together.

Against the background of those difficult days, however, several acts of individual heroism reminded us of man's nobler sides.
There was the courage of those participating in the daring rescue mission, some of whom gave their lives.

We're today honoring another act of courage, this one with a happier ending in which the courage and ingenuity were rewarded by success after 79 days. I'd like to sketch briefly the events of those 79 days, to describe not only Ambassador Taylor's courage but also the contribution of all the Canadian Embassy personnel in Tehran and the Canadian Government in Ottawa.

Four days after the storming of the American Embassy, Ambassador Taylor received a call from five Americans who had escaped from the Embassy when it was overrun. They were hiding, but they were afraid that they'd soon be discovered and captured. Ambassador Taylor immediately recommended to his government in Ottawa that Americans be given shelter.
Without any hesitation, the Canadian Government granted the permission. Two days later, the Americans were taken to Ambassador Taylor's residence and that of another Canadian Embassy family, the John Sheardowns. Two weeks later, another American joined his five compatriots. For 79 days, they lived there pretending to be visitors. I understand they're the best-read and the most skilled Scrabble players in all of North America.

There were several tense moments in the weeks that followed. At one point, an article was imminent in a Montreal paper which would have disclosed the story of the sheltered Americans. In an admirable display of responsibility, the journalist who had written the article agreed to withdraw it from publication. However, from this article, and more immediately from an anonymous phone call to the Taylor's residence asking to speak to two of the escapees, Ambassador Taylor knew that the chances of his
guests being discovered were high.

At this point, the Canadian Government in Ottawa and the Embassy began the ingenious preparations for an escape. The Canadian Government agreed to issue fictitious passports to the Americans. The Canadian Embassy staff began making flights in and out of Tehran to establish a travel pattern and to learn airport procedures.

Finally, on January 28th, 1980, the Americans packed the bags that were given them by their Canadian hosts with the clothes also given to them. Using their Canadian passports, they flew out of the country. Ambassador Taylor and three others of his staff saw them off and then left themselves. Even this brief outline of those 79 days highlights what a team effort it was.

The Canadian Department of External Affairs in Ottawa and the Canadian Cabinet responded with speed and decisiveness to help an ally. Ambassador Towe is here today representing the Canadian Government. The U.S. State Department is
represented today by Ambassador Stoessel, and there were others who were working at the State Department during the crisis who played a part with discretion and skill. And here today also is Representative Daniel Akaka, the sponsor, and several of his co-sponsors, of the legislation which resulted in the gold medal which I am going to present today.

Also present today is Lee Schatz, one of the six whom the Taylors rescued, as well as Bruce Laingen and Victor Tomseth, who had to wait a little longer before they could come home.

Mrs. Taylor is here with her husband and was directly involved with him in this deed. She shared the risks. She did much of the work. It was at her residence that several of the Americans were actually staying. And, finally, it's my great honor to present the medal to Kenneth Taylor whose valor, ingenuity, and steady nerves made possible this one happy chapter in the agony of those 444 days of hostage crisis.

Major Kline. The medal is inscribed by an ``Act of Congress, March 6, 1980. Entre amis, appreciation for the noble and heroic effort in the harboring of six United States diplomats and safe return to America. Thank you, Canada.''

The President. Ambassador Taylor, it's a great pleasure to present this medal to you on behalf of the American people, who are grateful to you and grateful to our neighbor, Canada.

http://rescueattempt.tripod.com/hostagerescueattempt/id7.html

[Dr. Luv]

"Sure we can. Saddam got 99.9% of the vote in his last election."

To compare Saddam with a true democracy like Canada's is asinine. Let's be clear that trade with Canada is a symbiotic relationship - we threaten them at our own risk - unless you would like to freeze in the dark?

[Dr. Luv]

If you had access to a history book you could prove to yourself that Canada had embassies around the world before the 1980's. My wife has a Canadian passport and there is no mention of your ludicrous "no embassy" claim.

Do you receive all of your information from the History Channel? Pity...

[Sunsong]

Still on your "luv Canada no matter what they do" kick? What's the difference between your view and outright appeasment?

Let's begin a wake up call to Cannuckistan by not traveling to or vacationing in Canada.

[longtermmemmory]

no I said that the passport includes that canadians have access to the british embasies. As someone who also has an ex-canadian spouse I have taken the time to read up on canadian history. Actually the information about the canadian embasies is from canada. They have a public project to advise canadian citizens about the history of canada.

There is no need to get upity, it is what it is I am looking at a canadian passport because I wanted to double check.

[longtermmemmory]

the cover story. the documentary crew cover, the fake passports, the dummy office in L.A. were all staged by the american inteligence services. This would not be the first time congress did not need to know the true story. Remember leaky lehei.

[Dr. Luv]

"no I said that the passport includes that canadians have access to the british embasies."

I'm looking at my wifes pasport right now and it states no such thing. Why would it? Canadians have embassies all over the world - as they have had for over 50 years. Kinda makes mince meat out of your statement:

"Canada did not even have its own embasies until the 80's."

Please provide a link to your above assertion to save the little dignity you have left...

[Dr. Luv]

"Let's begin a wake up call to Cannuckistan by not traveling to or vacationing in Canada."

Agreed, although methinks someone like you very rarely travels outside their trailer park...