Even Before the 'Moron' Flap, Canada Was Petty in U.S. Eyes

The Toronto Star ^ | November 29, 2002 | William Walker

[quidnunc]

Bush White House regards neighbour as minor irritant. President's relationship with Chrétien extremely poor

Lost in the fiery cross-border debate over a former Prime Minister's Office staffer calling President George W. Bush a "moron" is the sobering reality of current Canada-U.S. relations.

As bad as the "moron" comment was, the underlying truth is much more troubling for Canada as one half of the world's two largest trading partners.

Canada is viewed inside the Bush White House as a minor irritation; a nation with little credibility on major issues such as the war on terrorism that nonetheless still "cries out" occasionally like a child angered with its parents.

Canadians are a bunch of "weenies," said CNN Crossfire host Robert Novak, summarizing the conservative view.

"We may be able to trust the Saudis, but can we trust our shifty neighbours to the north?" Novak asked this week.

Canada is "a whining kid who's got to start acting like a man," wrote conservative columnist Jonah Goldberg in a cover story he penned for National Review magazine.

Novak and Goldberg are plugged in to Republican senior officials. Their views echo the unspoken words Bush's White House officials are too well trained to utter in public.

In Bush's view, Canada doesn't contribute enough militarily to warrant being a major player. It can be part of the team for symbolic reasons, but when it wants to have a say on the play calling, the coach — Bush — smirks and sends it off to the sidelines.

When Prime Minister Jean Chrétien called Bush a "cowboy" several months ago in a closed-door Liberal caucus meeting — as revealed by the Star's Tim Harper — this newspaper's story was circulated around the White House via e-mail.

One White House staffer reacted with mild amusement tinged with boredom.

"Look, as far as this White House is concerned," he told the Star at the time, "the U.S.-Canada relationship is defined by Canada. If they want to trade with us, fine. If they want to co-operate on bilateral security issues, fine. If they want to bitch and complain, fine. We're doing our thing."

-snip-

[quidnunc]

Quote:

When it comes to border controls, North American perimeter security, the war on terrorism, or other issues, Bush would rather hear substantive Canadian contributions than gripes about perceived slights, such as the PMO's assertion that Bush was "hijacking" the NATO summit in Prague to promote his Iraq strategy.

Clearly, what Bush would prefer is irrelevant to Canada.

If Canadians insist on poking a thumb in Uncle Sam's eye then they should not expect any consideration from us.

[wideawake]

They had their chance to throw in their lot with the other American colonists and make a difference. But they decided to observe history instead of make it.

Bitching and moaning about the consequences of their decision is rather silly now.

[mitchbert]

Canada is viewed inside the Bush White House as a minor irritation; a nation with little credibility on major issues such as the war on terrorism that nonetheless still "cries out" occasionally like a child angered with its parents.

Well, maybe if our stupid delusional Prime Minister wasn't such a small minded self important moron who thinks that taking shots at the best neighbor a country could ever hope for and a President that dwarfs him in terms of intellect makes him seem "sophisticated" this situation wouldn't exist. Ya think so? Hmm, Jean?

BTW, for anyone who isn't aware of it the Toronto Star is a complete Liberal mouthpiece. Believe it or not, next to The Star the NYT seems positively right wing.

[lady lawyer]

The power structures in Canada have been taken over by socialists, radical feminists, and homosexuals. Unfortunately for the ordinary people of Canada, its legal foundations do not do as good a job as our Constitution of protecting individuals rights. Canada's legal structure makes it easier for groups such as the aforementioned to take over.

[quidnunc]

Lady lawyer wrote: The power structures in Canada have been taken over by socialists, radical feminists, and homosexuals. Unfortunately for the ordinary people of Canada, its legal foundations do not do as good a job as our Constitution of protecting individuals rights. Canada's legal structure makes it easier for groups such as the aforementioned to take over.

It's the whole postmodern, multicultural Euro mindset and unless they get a handle on their immigration it's going to turn Canada into the same sort of shi'ite hole as Holland, Belgium and France have become.

[ozzymandus]

We're talking about the snotty Canadian govt, not the citizens. Besides, molly ivens still sides with Canada over the USA.

[Randjuke]

(from the article)Unless Canada steps up to the plate, it risks being steamrolled under a new North American and world order that this Bush administration intends to establish.

Interesting use of the "new world order" term, usually used to refer to the Socialist Clinton vision. I think Bush regards the rest of the world as how it relates to the US instead of the other way around.

As far as Canada goes, they have marginalized themselves with increasingly Socialist policies in addition to sniping at the US seemingly every chance they get. Too bad, Canada has a lot to offer.

[lady lawyer]

You're right about Europe. One interesting thing is that the radical lesbian feminists and homosexuals are working at cross purposes with themselves. If present demographic trends continue, Europe will be majority Muslim within about 50 years. Feminists and homosexuals will not do well under Muslim domination.

[Pliney the younger]

My Dear Friends,


As FDR said “When your neighbors house is on fire, you run to get a hose! You don.t stop to debate“ (Paraphrased, I forget the exact quote)

The Canadian response to America.s dilemma is not representative of the Canadian people. It is representative of the leftist pigs that have taken over her political leadership.

In time the Canadians will throw these enemies of democracy out of office the same way that 95% of the civilizes nations have been doing in recent election.

“Leftist Pigs act like Pigs, because they are Pigs”

Love,

Pliny the Younger

[linn37]

they were good to us during 9-11 when we needed a place to land all those planes,they are not all that bad.

[desertcry]

It is very difficult for canadians to gain any respect from anybody now. By acting the way they have, they made themselves irrelevant. No military, no clout!

[quidnunc]

Linn37 wrote: they were good to us during 9-11 when we needed a place to land all those planes,they are not all that bad.

Talk about damning someone with faint praise!

[Inkie]

The proof of their mettle will come when they attend to the millions of Muslims they let in, willy nilly, with no attention to their backgrounds, criminal, terrorist or otherwise. All these immigrants have to say is, "I need asylum" and they're in, never to be kept tabs on again. With our huge, largely unmonitored border to the north, this is the biggest problem we have with our neighbors. So the question here is, are they with us or with the terrorists? And, if the latter, what are we going to do about it?

Does anyone know which end of the trading relationship we're on -- are we the net importer or net exporter?

[Peter Libra]

You got it right about the "Star" - a wonderful light in the heavens it is not. There is however, the flamboyant Toronto Sun. A curious 'ahem, contradiction in a way. Heavily built(endowed) female persons in various states of undress appear.

Prominent in this publication is Peter Worthington, redoubtable defender of the alliance between the two countries.

Many of the silent majority here, surely wish the United States a wonderful weekend.

A well meant statement though on the "Star" - when it is not bashing the Toronto Police department- which keeps them safe in their beds, it strains itself and occasionally does some decent, objective reporting.

The National Post and Ms Blatchford are very solid for the GOOD things America represents, throw in Mark Steyn as well. Cheers.

[Nitro]

Do you know what the Italians call Canada?

Uppa U S!!

[quidnunc]

Inkie wrote: Does anyone know which end of the trading relationship we're on -- are we the net importer or net exporter?

I think we import significantly more from Canada than we export to them.

I'm not sure how NAFTA would figure into the equation, but we really wouldn't have to stop imports to put a real hurting on their economy.

All we would have to do is slow them to a trickle by closely inspecting everything and everybody that crossed from north to south.

[Peter Libra]

Whoops, sorry. Should have perused your profile first. As a Torontonian you already know these other publications. Thought I might inform our American friends.

All is not lost- Canadians may be sleeping giants.

[Malesherbes]

I always thought that calling someone a "cowbow" was a compliment. Chretien probably doesn't like John Wayne movies.

[Snowyman]

Only Buchanan could turn it around and call selling less a gift of 50 Billion to Canada. In the real economic world called an American trade deficit of $50 billion. I'd suggest you stop the NG and Oil imports first, followed by the Hydro. The details aren't that important right now but it'll make for an interesting winter.

[Blue Screen of Death]

Chretien probably doesn't like John Wayne movies.

That is because John Wayne did not ride sidesaddle.