Silly Canadians! (Featuring Jean-Pierre Lafitte)
by Steven CrowderWatching this video, I know that many of you will have a few questions; “Canadians dislike Americans?”, “Why do they speak so weirdly?” and of course “… There’s a country to the North of us?” As merely a half-Canuck, I’m afraid that I cannot answer all of these questions. You’ll have to head up to the Great White North and find out for yourself. Folks, Canada is a great place to visit but (despite what Obama will tell other nations), there is no greater land than the U.S of A. and I’m grateful to live here… It’d be better if we could boot Sean Penn, though.
Note: If you do decide to visit, Beware the Canadian brew… Moonshine’s got nothing on that business.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Got a Tip?
134 Comments
I love America and Canadian bacon in that order.
Um. . . what's Canada?
Memo: To All Americans: If you're going to visit Canada please to remember to schedule ALL your medical emergencies for BEFORE or AFTER your visit. You hosers. Canadian National Health Service, Lottery and Bureau of Moose Husbandry. p.s. No guns allowed. We prefer that our criminals stab us to death. Thank you.
Moose Husbandry? Isn't that sexist? Or is there also a Bureau of Moose Wifery?
Hey, don't forget all those just south of the border who also hate America…hang on a sec…oh, it turns out the ones who actually live there like us…it's the ones who actually live here that are from there that hate U.S.
Just like some Americans!
If you want a reason that many Canadians have negative views of America, take your last statement. Essentially, many Americans have absolutely no respect for Canada. In turn, many Canadians don't have much respect for America. Canada is a valuable trading partner and provides America with many resources. It's the arrogant attitude of many Americans that they are better than everyone else and that they should be praised for not invading other countries that makes many dislike America. I don't hate America, as I recognize not all Americans are like this, but it's easy to see why others do.
Also, Greg Gutfeld is another example. He made fun of our troops, who are currently dying in Afghanistan, who are only there to support the American "War on Terror". It was completely inappropiate. I don't believe he intended it to be disrespectful, but it was nonetheless. Americans would be estatic if their dying troops were mocked, yet they make jokes at the expense of ours.
In fairness, the Canadian military has done a creditable job in Afghanistan, so individual Canadian soldiers are great. Take a look at some of Michael Yon's articles for examples. It's a shame previous Liberal governments allowed the size of their armed forces to shrink to roughly the numbers of a large constabulary, however.
Hilarious video, however. I sent the link to some Americans-in-exile friends in Toronto.
Cry me a frozen river mooseboy. "You people don't respect my country!" Oh no.__
You know I do have a lot of respect and appreciation for differnent cultures (not so much for the misogny of some Islamic cultures) with that said I will proudly say that I live in the most amazing country in the world and the fact that Canada and the better part of the world are free to do as they please is a testament to that. Also I have a great deal of respect for all of our allies in the War on Terror. With that being said Gutfeld didn't intend to be disrespectful and apologized a few days later in his gregalogue.
You know I do have a lot of respect and appreciation for differnent cultures (not so much for the misogny of some Islamic cultures) with that said I will proudly say that I live in the most amazing country in the world and the fact that Canada and the better part of the world are free to do as they please is a testament to that. Also I have a great deal of respect for all of our allies in the War on Terror. With that being said Gutfeld didn't intend to be disrespectful and apologized a few days later in his gregalogue.
"should be praised for not invading other countries".
The US is continually being accused of colonialism and yet it never happens. If that were true the countries of Western Europe, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Kuwait and Iraq wouldn't be countries but would all be American states receiving bailout out money right now. Our soldiers fought wars and won in every one of those areas of the globe and could have easily taken them over. But we didn't. We are not like the Britain, France, Spain or Russia of old. All of them truly were colonial, as Canadians should know. So, yeah, we deserve some credit for fighting for our interests and other countries freedom, on their behalf, in their lands without conquering them.
So you might understand why we get a little tired of hearing how we want to control the world. Oh, and actually all those countries do get bail out money from us… we call it foreign aid.
The United States is proud to have Canada as its official hat.
Hey, man don’t get between a man and his moose!
American exceptionalism can be brash which rubs politically correct Canadians the wrong way at times.
Much of southern Ontario example is a mosaic of cultures and how do people usually bond best…? That's right, by taking shots at a common perceived 'other'. Thus, many Canadians find something to bond with each other about when making fun of America. Unfortunately, the average understanding of the political realities leaves people grossly misinformed and unfit to pass judgment, yet it is done anyway. So we have people bonding over mutual misunderstanding.
Anyway, fighting ignorance 24/7 peace
Canada's a the gateway to Alaska!
Nice work Steven! We can thank Canada for Rush, you hose heads!
Don't get between a moose and anything. . . have you seen how big those things are?
Steven Crowder is the one complaining about people not respecting his country. I'm just explaining why they don't.
I'm a Canadian who moved (legally) to America 25 years ago in order to make my fortune, something I didn't think I'd be able to do in Canada.
Well, I made it, and retired at 46. I was planning to settle down and travel the country with the time I didn't have when working my ass off for 25 years, but the US is now clearly doomed to complete socialism, verging on communism, within 3 to 5 years. So I'm moving back to Canada. Yes, it's socialist, but they have 40 years of practise at it. The US is going to screw up so badly on the transition that I expect a wholesale looting of the wealth of…well, anyone that has any. So I'm getting out while the getting's good. I'm heading up next week to look at some nice acreages near the Rockies (in Alberta, the Texas of Canada).
Good luck to all down here.
Phineas, I agree. I have yet to meet an American who doesn't appreciate the Canadian soldiers who fight along side Americans.
Frankly, I think the whole dislike thing is a canard created by pushy liberals, the politically correct, who don't like the things American and Canada stand for together. Long live our pretty happy relationship.
Many Americans respect Canada. You have to understand that conservatives are the enemy of anyone who is not like them. This means different culture, skin color, religion, nationality, philosophy, ideology. They hate everyone who is different from them. There are many extreme right-wing nationalists in America. We already defeated them in one war and we will probably have to do it again someday. We will probably call on Canada to help, just like you have helped us in Afghanistan (and we can never thank you enough for that).
Yeah, I know Gutfeld didn't intend to be disrespectful. But it still was and you know that Fox News would have never made the same mistake regarding the American military. A lot of Canadians were really offended, although it did become a bit overblown.
You can apply this issue of countries onto a more personal level. I have many friends who are much more physically imposing than me. If one of them said to me "I'm such a good friend because I could beat you up and disrespect you, but I don't", I would be pretty pissed off. Most people would (unless the comment was meant in jest). It's no different with the country issue.
You are so smart. Teach me to be like you? What are you wearing?
Good luck, have a nice trip, turn off the lights and don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. Your lack of faith in the ability of representaive republican democracy shows that you didn't learn much about America except how to make a buck. By the first Wednesday in Nov. 2010 American will have thoroughly rejected the ham-handed over-reaching attempt to sever her from her moorings. So enjoy your home in Alberta, enjoy the financial security that America provided you. But if it ever runs out, please, please don't come back.
You know, in a nation of 300 million+, I'm sure we do have some lunatics. But the hard Right in this country tends toward hard-core, Jeffersonian small government beliefs. The fascism you brag of opposing is a creation of the Left: big governments, statism, the whole totalitarian ball of wax. Wait, that must mean you're an American conservative, since you're "anti-fascist!" How clever of you to disguise yourself as an ignorant jerk. Well done, sir.
Perhaps I should clarify. As an American I believe that democracy, free markets, et cet are the best way to go and I believe we've done a lot to preserve and promote those values in the rest of the world.We have protected a lot of Europe from losing these rights and I wish the rest of the world saw it that way as opposed to viewing us as arrogant. I didn't intend to come off as saying "We're great because we choose not to beat up other countries" I think a better way to view it this way in that most Americans want to see the rest of the world prosper as we have. If anything we are like the successful friend who wants there friends to be just as successful.
I can (almost) see Canada from my house!
There are indeed many in Canada who have an ignorant stereotypical view of the USA. But there are just as many Americans who have a self-loathing for themselves and their country.
These are essentially the same people whether in Canada USA Europe anywhere. It has become quite the trend worldwide to be critical of the USA because it's so easy. The USA is a superpower but it is a benign one. They don't want to dominate the world, they want to lift everybody up. When they are hated, it is usually due to envy.
To my fellow Canadians, deep inside you know we are the luckiest country in the world because we live next to the greatest country in the history of the world, they (and their British traditions) have civilized the world.
I think Reagan said America is not good because its great, America is great because its good.
Also my fellow Canadians, don't sink to ignorant stereotypes about Americans, it only reflects poorly on you. Stop watching those glorified welfare cases on CBC and see what a really great land America is for yourselves.
One of my best friends is Canadian. And he loves America. Thus, we're friends, eh. And yeah, they really do say that.
Thursdays are my weekly Carbon Credit emissions: deep breathes and big laughs. Another great one Steven. Are in incapable of being unfunny? Geez. Stop excelling without government assistance. Did Timmy boy Geithner give you permission to be entertaining? .
Went to l London in 2003. Everybody I knew tod me to tell people I was Canadian. No way. Made two friends in a local pub who told me they loved America, and I didn't pay for drinks for two days. My wife wnd I were approached by a young British couple in the same pub and asked if we were Americans. With no trepidation I replied, "yeah that's right". They had never met Americans, and were interested in talking about a place they'd never been. I made no apologies for my country, and they asked for none. I made friends with local law enforcement, (I'm a cop), and was allowed past the gates to have my picture taken at #10 Downing with two of the bobbies I met. I couldn't find someone who would hate me, (and they're out there). I truly believe the media does more to make us think everyone hates us rather than it actually being true, (although I didn't go to France).
Hence, "jackinMAINE"!! And here I was going to ask if you lived in Detroit? I really feel sorry for people who live in Detroit. I don't know what they'd do if they didn't have Robocop there to protect them.
America will survive President Zer0 AND the socialist agenda of his party. But honestly, I am selling the $US short for now, its just the fiscal reality given the incomprehensible projected deficits and the inflation that will creep into the economy. Unfortunately I'm stuck with some US stocks and for those, I'll just sit on them.
Canadians have always been, pound for pound, some of the toughest soldiers out there. Sure, there's not many of them and they're horribly under-equipped, but from Vimy Ridge (92 years ago today) to Juno Beach (The only D-Day landing to make it's objective) to Afghanistan today (search for "World record sniper shot" and see what you get), we Canadians have always down ourselves proud on the field of battle.
And as for moving back, no way. Canada is now what America wants to be, so as long as I have my freedoms here, I'm staying. If I bug out, it'll be to the Czech Republic. Any country that makes a pistol like the CZ75 can't be ALL bad…
You are sooo rite. canadans are sooo differnt from us. thats why right wing peoples hate them and there idology.
And there's the Alcan Highway. We have the Al, they have the can.
To Paul Tucker, man you are SO lucky. As an American who has lived overseas for most of my life I can guarantee that your experience was very very exceptional. I guess the trick is to stay in pubs, although…
And as for Canadians, well the trouble with them is that they're just like everybody else in the world, including Americans.
You don't know what Canada is? So I can safely assume you don't know where Canada is. My advices is for you to study a little geography. Its just North of the United States.
Look up the term "projection" and get back to us.
Ho ho ho, another humorless troll. How dull you are.
And they get a #ell of a lot of "bailouts," and want to sit on their hands when it comes to actually doing the heavy lifting. Of course we could have taken over those countries! The important thing is, we never wanted to. We just want to be here, and have our country not screwed by those who hate it. Be they citizens of this country, or not.
Can we send them the Al, too?
Oh, is the Intense Debate feature never going to be fixed on this site, or is this it from now on? Also, another gripe, but does anyone ever moderate this site, and remove the trolls? It is annoying.
I do trade partnering with folks in Mexico and China. Never met a soul in either place that didn't treat me wonderfully. Before Bush, or since. They really don't care, for the most part, most of that stuff is all media driven. People that travel the world with their jobs, don't think twice about all kinds of people.
I live in Seattle and remember seeing a show on the local PBS station in 2005 where a Canadian woman from Vancouver, BC called to chastise us stupid backward American morons for allowing the eeeeeeevil Chimpy Bushitlerburton to "steal another election" with the help of rigged computerized voting machines. When asked what her solution to this problem would be, the woman said "paper ballots" because that's what Canada uses nationwide and "we don't have any problems with voter fraud like you do in the States."
So that means that Canada, the second largest nation in the world with 33 million residents and a 1 trillion USD GDP based on high-tech manufacturing and services, is hand-counting each vote hand-written on a piece of paper that's hand-stuffed into a ballot box on election day–but obviously it's **America** that's the backward country.
Quick comparison: California is roughly 1/10th the size of Canada, has 36 million (legal) residents, and a 1.5 trillion USD GDP. It's well known that personal computers, the networking hardware that facilitates communication on the Internet, and the software that we're using right now were all created in California.
It's well known that Canada is famous for hockey, beer, and rockin' power trios with unusually high singing voices…eh?
'Tis a wondrous land with a Tim Horton's on every street corner and where common words such as "color" "organization" "center" and "defense" are spelled incorrectly and/or with unnecessary vowels added.
It gets slightly better each day, but it still has a long way to go. I've given up on trying to figure out threads since it seems that your best shot at finding a lost thread or comment is to keep going back to the post and eventually it will pop up. This was my third try to get back to you, and it magically reappeared for no particular reason.
As for the trolls, I think it's a similar problem. I get the distinct impression that when you send input to the tips and comments spot, it goes to a robot, not to a real human being. Some of the honchos and major contributors are going to have to sit down, try working the site themselves instead of taking the word of IT people who have no stake in the debate, and see just how complicated and plain goofy the site has become. The problem can't be solved until they see for themselves how frustrating it has become.
I completely understand. I didn't think that you were saying anything like that, just that some Americans (and Crowder seems to be of that persuasion) do say these things, which in turn makes many Canadians angry.
Nonetheless, I like America and don't stoop so low as to bash an admirable country. But I understand why some others do, because these crazy comments get out there.
Beauty toque, Steven, and I do believe it's time for me to put on some Pursuit of Happiness — no offense Rush fans, but I prefer my lyrics a little less "Look at me, I read Ayn Rand" — in honor of the Great White North.
[...] ITEM: Speaking of anti-Americanism – “I think the fact that Canada continues to exist is proof of the kindness of America as a nat…: [...]
I don't believe Steven was saying Canada should like America because American hasn't conquered Canada.
What I do believe Steven said was that the stereotype that America is an "evil empire that wants to take over the world" is disproved by the fact that Canada exists.
All anyone ever needs to know about the Canadian military is that on D-Day they took one of the five beaches. From an economic and population perspective, Canada is about the size of California. But they had no qualms about taking on 20% of the most important and dangerous operation of the war.
Hey, we have that in America too. They're called Liberals…
""War on Terror". It was completely inappropiate. I don't believe he intended it to be disrespectful, but it was nonetheless. Americans would be estatic if their dying troops were mocked, yet they make jokes at the expense of ours."
This is the kind of dishonest crap that really gets under our dimwitted American skin. You mock our troops mission with quote marks, indicating it's a just another corrupt American boondoggle not worth dying for and then turn around and ask us not to make jokes about you. Is there a double standard in there somewhere? Yeah, there is.
As for your troops' sacrifice, leave that out of it. Their sacrifice is above this silly argument. Their service speaks for itself.
""War on Terror". It was completely inappropiate. I don't believe he intended it to be disrespectful, but it was nonetheless. Americans would be estatic if their dying troops were mocked, yet they make jokes at the expense of ours."
This is the kind of dishonest crap that really gets under our dimwitted American skin. You mock our troops mission with quote marks, indicating it's a just another corrupt American boondoggle not worth dying for and then turn around and ask us not to make jokes about you. Is there a double standard in there somewhere? Yeah, there is.
As for your troops' sacrifice, leave that out of it. Their sacrifice is above this silly argument. Their service speaks for itself.
Steven, that was great. The last 15 seconds or so cracked me up… made my day.
You want to hear why I'm proud of this country? An 18 yr old kid, who graduated in a class
of about 90 can, a few years later, get married… join the AF and have 2 great kids.
He then, can serve in the AF and 20 yrs later… I still love it!
I can worship my God the way I want.
HAHAHA! Awesome.
And for the record, I am still very very proud of my country, though I am not really proud of the skinny big-eared dude running it.
The joke is on them. The way I figure it, everyone else can complain all they want. I get to live in the greatest country in the world and damn proud for the privilege.
http://the100mostannoyingthings.blogspot.com/
I read the Globe and Mail online and the things said about American troops by Canadians are outrageous and despicable. The Canadian hypocrisy over what Gutfield said was absolutely laughable.
Arrogant attitude by Americans? Give me a break; Canadians carry a boulder on their shoulder.
Valuable trading partner? Give me a break; anti-Americanism is prevalent in Canada and practically a national past-time. Canadian's diss their BUYING partner at every turn. Personally, I haven't been to Canada since 2003 and I have no intention of ever going back. You see far, far more vitriol spewed at Americans from Canadians than the other way around. That is a fact.
Love it as usual, Steven. I'm PROUD to be an American!!!
Maybe, but those of us down here in the US get awful tired of serving as the punching bag for the rest of world simply because they see us something to be taken down a few pegs. Perhaps that helps fuel that brash behavior you so dislike?
I chalk it up to the same phenomona you see in sports myself. The team at the top is only liked by its own fans. Everyone else either hates that team or desparately wants their own team to beat the team at the top. It doesn't matter if the team at the top is sportsmanlike or not. They're at the top and anyone who isn't wants like nothing else to pull them down. Bashing that top team makes all the other fans feel better.
As a Canadian, I guess I'd say that we have a love/hate relationship with the US. Of course America has its classy, intelligent side but at the same time, there’s this prevailing image of it being (and I don’t mean to be offensive) just plain dumb and lacking common sense at times. Sometimes the stories we hear about America just seem so unconceivable and ridiculous to us: shootings, blatant racism & inequality, celebrity scandals, overzealous Christians, banning books, being denied medical treatment. We’re aware that Michael Moore’s films paint a one-sided view of things but at the same time, the stuff he’s talking about must have some basis of truth to it and that’s shocking.
We know deep down that America’s not all that bad and that Canada isn’t exactly perfect either but we sometimes just get the feeling that maybe we’re at least just a bit better than you guys when we hear of Americans who posed as Canadians for better treatment abroad.
And we certainly do mock America at times but it’s without any real hatred for America – we love to mock ourselves too. And really, we just couldn’t take Bush seriously.
And on a lighter note, your low taxes rock but we think your beer is yucky.
(And is cowardice the reason why Americans seem to dislike France? Never understood it.)
I see what you're saying, and Canada is a valuable trading partner and ally. I think some Americans have trouble processing Canadian pride, though, because for all the similarities between our countries, it's not as though Canada has been providing the world with a massive export of culture, invention or philosophy. With a population a tenth the size of the U.S., Canada is per capita more than doing its share of all of the above; but respect can't be doled out per capita, and treating Canada as an equal to the U.S. would be kind of goofy. With its goofy content rules and socialist ways, Canada is an equal to maybe California. And we already have a California.
Canada, for the most part, went off the rails years ago. It used to have what is now quickly fading in Australia, balls like basketballs and gumption and a "kiss our collective arse" mentality that we Americans could relate with. Lately I get that "Euro" feel from Canada. What the hell you guys, French? Brits? An amalgamation? I hardily SUPPORT any country that recognizes that we are in a war with a faction of Islam. A war not defined by borders, but ideology. Now, I understand that "progressives" hate the word ideology, probably because some professor at State U. told them it was a "dirty word" all the while pushing a left wing liberal ideology, but radical Islam is invading and changing great countries, incidiously, and slowly, like a python slowly choking it's victim. We Americans WILL NOT BE CHOKED to DEATH by Islam. I'm glad Canada seems to be in the fight, are the troops issued weapons? Ammo? If, so yea! If not, you guys are just Euro-west, lots of talk and progressive, liberal action.
I'm ready for that barrage of snow balls from Canada. You're a choad.
You forgot Triumph, and Bachman Turner Overdrive. I reject the Guess Who because while their singer was rejecting American Women it turns out he's a little light in loafers, so YA, an American Woman was something he wasn't interested in.
Canada, ski slopes "just up the road"!
Canada, the terrorist highway to the upper U.S.A.!
Canada, uh, why?
Canada, the best three and a half day summer you've ever had!
Canada, almost 4% is inhabitable!
Canada, outstanding cannabus, and you don't have to fake cancer!
Good point. Post colonial former Empires are the quickest to sling the barbs of "you guys are imperialists". Hogwash.
I'm just glad I learned how to spell bureau, you know, 'cause Canada has about 4,573 of them. I just decided to combine a few of them.
Who is we? You have a Confederate fag.., er flag showing. What war? What the hell are you talking about? Turn down that damn Cher album and pay attention.
"We’re aware that Michael Moore’s films paint a one-sided view of things but at the same time, the stuff he’s talking about must have some basis of truth to it and that’s shocking."
Umm…Hmm…why would you make the assumption that there must be some basis in truth to his filmaking? Moore's films are not based on facts. His films are based on his opinion. He BEGINS with his opinion, then seeks "facts" to support it. Which is the exact opposite of how real journalism works. That's fine. That's how documentaries are made. He's entitled. However, you as a viewer have to filter what he says, understanding that his "facts" might be tainted or framed in terms of persuading you over to his side.
As for the plain dumb dimwitted side of America, Canada seems to have its plain dumb side as well—Is everyone up there like Bob & Doug MacKenzie?
You forgot to mention all of the extreme left-wing communists and socialists that exist who believe in silencing all opposition. They make colorful statements like describing "anyone who is not like them" as a fascist, racist or nationalist. Then they purchase t-shirts emblazoned with the likeness of a man who used to drain the blood of his enemies and then put them in front of a firing squad for daring to disagree with his revolution. By disagree I mean not giving up his car dealership (see Che). By the way the first abolitionists were from the religious right in England. Look it up. Seems to me like we kicked your democrat enslaving but and soon we're gonna kick your baby-killing butt. Who's owns the guns again?
OK you Americans. If you want to really get mad at us watch this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo
For the record, people from western Canada can do the same thing to people in eastern Canada and visa versa.
Michelle,
I don't mean to make excuses for America (cause I don't need to) but you need to realize that we have 300 million people here and are more apt to have a few crackpots here than the much less populated Canada.
Besides, the major media here loves to report on small, local items that would otherwise would stay just that…. local.
Some of us have a memory. I will never forget how the left-wingers in the Chrétien government behaved towards the US. One top aide called the American president a "moron". Meanwhile, the CBC (Al Jazeera of the frozen North) bashes us all the time, quite openly.
Canadian values, eh?
Frank Marino’s Mahogany Rush as well!
Don't worry, we have plenty of guns. The south will fall again.
Right! What a great band. I saw them a few times and was blown away every time. "Dragonfly" and their killer redition of "Purple Haze". A fellow bass player and wacko buddy of mine pulled up on day (in the day time) with a car full of people at another friends house, here in El Paso, Tx. In the car were the guys from Mahogany Rush except for Marino, and of course they were partying like, well, like rock stars! It seems that they were on a pot hunt and in the 70's El Paso and it's proximity were condusive to high quality marijuana. (so I've heard, uhmm, I've been told, er, ya!) That night the bass player used that buddy of mines 70's era Jazz bass on stage, it was one of those freak instruments that has a perfect feel and sound to it. I wish I knew where that bass was today. Anyway, the party went till show time and beyond and those guys would look up this guy and some girls (groupies ) we intro'ed them to when in town . Great band, great guys, very humble down to earth people. Thanks for the memories.
A Canadian friend of mine, a thoughtful lady and no intellectual slouch, used this analogy for the United States…. It's like being in bed with an Elephant, she said, and it doesn't matter at all how friendly the Elephant is if it rolls over in its sleep.
And I thought that might not be a flattering picture, but it's probably about as true as it gets. The US *is* huge. And if we screw up, it matters around the world. If our economy collapses the world will feel it. If we turn into Venezuela, it will be a global disaster… unlike the real Venezuela which is just a horrific disaster for its own citizens.
I think that some of the anti-Americanism stems from that reality. It's not something that can (or should!) be apologized for. Egad. How does one form that apology? Gee, I'm so sorry that you're insecure and feel insignificant and are annoyed by the McDonald's they built in your town.
Speaking of McDonald's… it's hard to feel sorry about inadvertent cultural imperialism when I'm sitting here eating my noodle-bowl from the Vietnamese restaurant and drinking my Iron Beer soda from Cuba (canned in Florida.)
A Canadian friend of mine, a thoughtful lady and no intellectual slouch, used this analogy for the United States…. It's like being in bed with an Elephant, she said, and it doesn't matter at all how friendly the Elephant is if it rolls over in its sleep.
And I thought that might not be a flattering picture, but it's probably about as true as it gets. The US *is* huge. And if we screw up, it matters around the world. If our economy collapses the world will feel it. If we turn into Venezuela, it will be a global disaster… unlike the real Venezuela which is just a horrific disaster for its own citizens.
I think that some of the anti-Americanism stems from that reality. It's not something that can (or should!) be apologized for. Egad. How does one form that apology? Gee, I'm so sorry that you're insecure and feel insignificant and are annoyed by the McDonald's they built in your town.
Speaking of McDonald's… it's hard to feel sorry about inadvertent cultural imperialism when I'm sitting here eating my noodle-bowl from the Vietnamese restaurant and drinking my Iron Beer soda from Cuba (canned in Florida.)
Great video, I see a lot of anti American crap here in Australia and it is virtually the same as in the video 'Americans are fat and stupid', the other bit being that they are arrogant and deserve to be taken down a peg or two.
I think the majority of this anti American crap comes from two areas, firstly stupidity and secondly jealousy. Stupidity needs no explanation, some of those people can come around if they actually think, the rest are helpless. The jealousy is easy to explain, they are jealous because they are not Americans, they are not a citizen of the most powerful countries in the world, I'm fine with that, I'm happy to be a citizen of a country that is allied to the most powerful country in the world.
I ask these idiots, if America is taken down a notch, which country they would prefer to be the most powerful in the world, Russia? China? Iran? I get no answer, as they know just like I do that America is the only country that can/could handle that power responsibly. If for some reason I had to leave Australia, the American consulate would be my first stop.
Oh… this ought to piss off Canadians… In college a student from Cyprus asked if I'd been outside of the states. When I said I'd been to Winnipeg he said that didn't count!
It seems that the world wants theU.S. to wallow in the same mediocracy that they live in. Not going to happen, Hussein Obowma not with standing.
I'm a Canadian who moved (legally – why do I have to say that I wonder) to the US, and unlike our friend "flubber" above, I have little desire to move back to Canada. For one thing, I do not (yet?) suffer the same fear of my government just because I own guns.
But I stray… what I really wanted to do was provide this link http://www.kvacanada.com/stories_rskap%27yong.htm for anyone who cares to read a piece about Canadian troops in Korea. If you read the story in the link, you will note that "3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, A Company 72nd U.S. Heavy Tank Battalion and, ultimately standing alone, 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry," that day in 1951 won a US Presidential Citation for their efforts. My father was one of the members of the 2nd battalion PPCLI unit on that hill at Kapyong Korea in 1951 – and as a matter of fact he was also (in a different unit) one of the Canadians that went ashore on D-Day at Juno beach.
The 58th anniversary of the Kapyong battle is coming up in less than two weeks, and my dad, at 84 will no doubt once again participate in the commemorative ceremonies as he has for the past decades. (BTW he can still fit into his old battle-dress uniform)
I am proud to part of a country (Canada) that provided the bravery and steadfastness displayed in the D-Day landings and Kapyong, and proud to be part of a country (USA) that provided the bravery and steadfastness displayed in the D-Day landings and Kapyong.
Truth is, in both countries, people are great … and people are jerks! It does me no good to generalize.
"Antifascist"… So you're against Obama?
Left-wing idealogy is far far worse in that it purports itself to be for the people while restricting their rights. At least with far far right wingers you know what you're getting.
Left wing cowards like to change language and hide behind things in the name of "progression"
Oh stop, man, it's not hard to take the attitude he's got. The ship really does feel like it's sinking. I'm fiercly pro-American and debate all idiocy and stick it out but I can't blame the man for wanting to get out before Obama/Carter completely screws the pooch.
Yeah, he came through Atlanta a couple years ago. My wife and I went the dude can still play after all these years. I had a 72 Jazz Bass off the rack right on the cusp when CBS bought them, as the ‘70s progressed I became partial to Ric’s and Alembic. But I know what you mean by a playable axe, Zappa said it best to paraphrase, “when you pick it up, the guitar (bass) says play me.”
Ok, you talked me into it. I'll Apologize
On behalf of myself and an ever growing number of Americans I apologize for unleashing that moron Barak Obama on the free world. Don't worry, he'll be in the minority party in 2010.
I don't blame him for wanting to get out because (1) he left the land of his birth to seek something better in the US because he feared he couldn't do it in Canada as opposed to trying to excercise his rights as a citizen and trying to make Canda more of what he wanted, and (2) as I said in 20 yrs. here didn't learn enuf of America to really understand what makes her great. So good luck and bon voyage. This guy sounds just like all the celebutards who promised to leave after the 2004 GWB re-election. To his credit, this guy has at least enuf stones to actually do it. The people who are going to stop all this nonsense are the people who speak out against it AND stay AND VOTE! Who else can? Like the old cigarette commercial used to say "I'd rather fight, than switch".
You can bet your last dollar that when America is back on track, this guy'll be the first one at the border, heading south.
"blatant racism & inequality" ??? There is no institutionalized racism or discrimination in the US. Zero laws on the books. Whatever racism exists is in the hearts of men. And that cannot be legislated away. And I wouldn't call the Quebecois the most tolerant group of foks either. And no one in America is denied medical treatment based on their ability to pay or not. By law. Name one single solitary book that has been banned in America in my lifetime (born 1957). Celebrity scandals? Two words….Madame Trudeau.
"but we sometimes just get the feeling that maybe we’re at least just a bit better than you guys…"
I once heard a Canadian govt. offcial describe Canada as "a moral superpower". Oh please spare me. Canadians have to cross the border to get timely medical care, and this is someone's idea of moral? And let's just say that Canada has no free-speech guarantees (google Mark Steyn Canadian Human Rights Commissions) and didn't even have a Bill of Rights until well into the 20th Century. Does any of this make you feel better than the US?
In 18th century America there were 2 groups of people who argued about the future of the 13 colonies. Some decided to throw off "the ties that bind" and create a free, independent nation, governed by the rule of law and the consent of the governed. The others wanted to remain loyal to royal authority and be governed from thousands of miles away with no say as to their indvidual rights. The first group stayed and fought and died and defeated the most powerful military on earth. These folks were called 'The Revolutionaries" then and their decendants are called Americans. The second group left and moved out of the 13 colonies. They were called 'The Loyalists", their decendants are called Canadians.
And for the most part, not much has changed in 223 years. Americans are still very passionate and fierce in their desire for indivdual rights and liberties. The Canadians still prefer to be satisifed with whatever proscriptions on their liberties that their govt. hands down, and still have the passive attitudes toward taxation that their Loyalist forebearers had. I mean really, no codified freedom of speech?
So go on thinking yourselves better than the US, after all you were right 223 years ago.
Good one!
I forgot to mention that I grew up in Winnipeg.
Good for him!
Growing up in Calgary, I have many fond memories of the PPCLI, including riding in the back of an M113 and shooting off a clip from an L1A1 during Armed Forces Day at Sarcee.
Broke my heart when I heard they left town.
And the PPCLI is still kicking @$$ and taking names in Afghanistan. Honouring the military may be going out of style in some parts of Canada (coughcoughOntariosuckscoughcough) but it's a tradition that's alive and well out in the Prairies.
I don't think its quite so simple, I try to give people good faith when I hear their arguments because I truly believe they want a part in a better world. The standard is high so it's hard at times to carve out a cause you can believe in and people are so apathetic lately they'll do anything to feel alive.
I think it's more of a misunderstanding of the culture we (America and Canada), we have this found freedom but with what do we do with it? The world seems just out of our grasp, and people have problems disciplining themselves to work hard to get somewhere and the question in the culture wars is, can you blame them? How do we measure human capacity? The world is really complicated and it takes a concerted effort to gain a solid grasp of the several spheres of human intellectual exploration. At what level are we are individuals responsible for this?
I could go on, people have these questions, but do not know where to direct them, so I think they direct them inwards. They are tough questions, so maybe that's why they're hard to face and they manifest themselves as self-hatred, which when outwardly projected, is hatred of the thing someone is apart of. All in an effort to alleviate the guilt they feel.
Maybe I'm a pessimist, but I think this explains why so many people around the world speak about their contempt for a society doing more for everyone else, from helping establish a safety world wide by having a large army which is rather restrained for the size of the power (relative, of course, to history, and relevant, of course, because of the magnitude), to the innovations and general role model for a democratic free society. Yes there are stumbles, but damn people we need to stick together in the stumbles, be critical of ourselves and each other, but do so from a position of strength not this weak shit! Be positive with your mind and be happy when other people are championing another virtue within our society, we need the difference to make it better for everyone. This is fundamental for everyone to understand I don't know why its not practiced more. How far away are we from our true selves?
I had a '68 Tele Bass (looks like a 50's Precision) and it was a log, but I was a kid and glad to have it. Later a bought a nice '63 Precision and had a Ric I bought new amongst others. (had a EB-0, better than reputation but not really a decent stage bass)That Ric was pretty (a tuxedo white with the black binding, nice) but it really spent a lot of time in the case, it just didn't click for me, that and I was playing pretty heavy stuff and no matter how I amped it , well it had the Rick-o-sound, which is cool by didn't have the bottom I needed to compete with a kit with a seperate smaller P.A. system, etc. Dang it got LOUD, but still clean and controlled enough. I've held one Alembic ever, never really played one. An Alembic was always the holy grail for me. I'd love to see Marino again, I should watch out for him and make it a point.
Rush hasn't sung about Rand since 1979. Seriously. And Geddy Lee's voice has matured very nicely, thank you, down about a major third overall.
I'm always amazed at how people think Rush are still the same musicians that did 2112.
You must be logged in to post a comment.