ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --- THE ZEITGEIST OF THE WORLD

[Reverend Blair]

The very first thing I learned was never mistake Canada as an extension of the United States.

And yet by your claims you seem to do it all the time. So did your last ambassador to Canada. Your next one doesn't promise to be any better, although he'll hopefully be quieter.

So I guess we should be mad at the world? Are there some who believe that?

Most indications are that you are mad at the world...at least any parts of it that won't follow your orders. Canada and the EU just imposed some retaliatory trade anctions on you, fully approved by the WTO. You're at war with one nation and threatening military action against several others.

As long as Bush has been around for sure. It will end.

Actually it starts about halfway through Reagan's reign. It certainly accelerated under Bush though.

I am not interested in statistics

Those polls indicate what people are thinking. If it was a single poll, I wouldn't give it much credence. It isn't a single poll though, it is a series of polls going back many, many years. There is definite trend there and it shows our nations to be very different and growing even further apart.

I can understand peoples frustration over Bush, and yes we have had our fair share of f*ckups in the world.

You've had far more than your share and most of them were deliberately instituted by your leaders.

 

[I think not]

I have never once tried to debunk anything anyone has ever said regarding Bush and his hawks. I think his 8 years in office will bring my country back another 10 on top of that. Everyone is entitled to their political opinions, all I can do is offer my own.

But Jo, lets get serious here for a moment. When 12 year old children wear t-shirts in Canada with anti-american rant written all over it, that didn't come from their knowledge of international politics. I'm well aware of the schools curriculum in Canada. I actually sat in a class once while the teacher played "Talking to Americans" as documentary evidence of American stupidity when this is "intended" as a comedy show. This was at the Humberview Secondary School in Bolton, Ontario.
Then you have the infamous war of 1812, where Canadians burned down the white house. Did you just hear what I said? Canadians? Correct me if I'm wrong, but Canadians didn't even exist till 1947 with your citizenship act. You were regarded as British subjects until then. Why is there a need to distort history? Why do people get on TV (no, not american shows) on a talk show and ask why isnt the war of 1812 taught more extensively in schools? And the Professor (I would use another word here If I didn't think it would be censored), basically tells the parents, "Well, we can't do that, they're just waiting for an excuse to give it another shot!" :?
We're waiting for an excuse to invade CANADA!!!!??!?!?!?!? FFS!

No Jo, I disagree, I can go on and on and on. You may not feel that way, but it is all around you. I see it every single time I'm there. There is nothing subtle about anti-americanism in Canada. It is rampant to the degree it's become natural to you, as a second national obsession next to ice hockey. And in fact it is the last acceptable sign of bigotry in Canada.

I'm going to give you one last example of this, In 2002, an American fighter pilot flying his F-16 jet over Afghanistan mistakenly dropped a large bomb on a group of Canadian soldiers when he mistook their live-fire exercise for an attack on his aircraft. What was really striking was the difference in coverage of the incident between the Canadian press and the American press: in Canada, it was a huge scandal with big front-page newspaper articles and angry speeches in parliament, while in the United States it was much more subdued. It is not that Americans did not care about the issue, in fact the response here was pretty much the same as would have happened if the pilot had dropped a bomb on a bunch of American soldiers: he was tried before an American court martial, found guilty of dereliction of duty, and punished. Americans realized that, while the incident was tragic, it is not the first time a soldier has been killed by "friendly fire" and will certainly not be the last.

Now for those Canadians reading this, think about this scenario: if it was a Canadian fighter pilot who dropped that bomb, would there have been such an outcry? I think not. I suspect if it were a Canadian pilot, the response would have been much more muted, and probably about the same level as we saw here in the United States. But, the fact that it was an American pilot meant that many Canadians perceived it as an attack on all Canadians by the whole United States, and took personal offense when Americans did not see it the same way.

Am I wrong with all this?

 

[I think not]

The very first thing I learned was never mistake Canada as an extension of the United States.

And yet by your claims you seem to do it all the time. Show me those claims Rev So did your last ambassador to Canada. Your next one doesn't promise to be any better, although he'll hopefully be quieter.

So I guess we should be mad at the world? Are there some who believe that?

Most indications are that you are mad at the world...at least any parts of it that won't follow your orders. Canada and the EU just imposed some retaliatory trade anctions on you, fully approved by the WTO. You're at war with one nation and threatening military action against several others.

As long as Bush has been around for sure. It will end.

Actually it starts about halfway through Reagan's reign. It certainly accelerated under Bush though.

I am not interested in statistics

Those polls indicate what people are thinking. If it was a single poll, I wouldn't give it much credence. It isn't a single poll though, it is a series of polls going back many, many years. There is definite trend there and it shows our nations to be very different and growing even further apart.

I can understand peoples frustration over Bush, and yes we have had our fair share of f*ckups in the world.

You've had far more than your share and most of them were deliberately instituted by your leaders.

Yes Yes Rev, nice analysis, I'm ignoring comments you make about the US government, how about getting on the topic of anti-americanism and admitting you are anti-american. Stay focused.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --

You see...you haven't got a leg to stand on. My comments are about the US government, I think not. That you are thin-skinned and take them personally is not my problem.

You don't like my characterization of the US and Canada being very different places culturally either. So what? The facts back me up. You spent a few minutes in a school in Bolton Ontario and were offended by a kid's shirt and a video. So what? I've been offended by many things, in your country and mine.

 

[peapod]

Your government invaded another country to steal its natural resources. You try to use the guise of demoracy, to hide the true motive. Canadians don't buy it, thats the difference. If you agree, that start doing something about it.

 

[I think not]

Re: RE: ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --

You see...you haven't got a leg to stand on. My comments are about the US government, I think not. That you are thin-skinned and take them personally is not my problem.

Your comments have repeatedly strayed off the US government, and I cut and pasted that a few posts back

You don't like my characterization of the US and Canada being very different places culturally either. So what? The facts back me up.

Facts back you up? I havent seen a single fact from you since this conversation started, give me a few facts.

You spent a few minutes in a school in Bolton Ontario and were offended by a kid's shirt and a video.

Offended? Nice try. More observant than offended, and I have spent countless hours in schools in Canada, including Winnipeg, that's all you teach, that's all you want to teach. It's popular. And certainly helps promote left wing views.

So what? I've been offended by many things, in your country and mine.

Of that I have no doubt

Even your fellow citizens on this board have repeatedly accused you of anti-american rant. This isn't only me trying to make a point.

 

[I think not]

Your government invaded another country to steal its natural resources. You try to use the guise of demoracy, to hide the true motive. Canadians don't buy it, thats the difference. If you agree, that start doing something about it.

This has nothing to with Iraq, you strayed off the topic as usual because you cant defend the point I am making. You are an anti-american society (not all) from the cradle. This is indeed what you are taught as you grow up. This is also called brainwashing by the way, guess what? Leftists have an agenda also. Sorry pea, its not flying. Anti-americanism is the last acceptable sign of bigotry in Canada.

 

[peapod]

Still does not change the fact that you invaded another country to steal its natural resourses tho does it. And quit preaching to us about anti-americanism. You should have yourself a look at what your fellow americans say on the internet about this country. Do you see us complaining about it. This country is not like yours, we don't want to be like you. we are actually free here, for now anyway. :wink:

 

[no1important]

What was really striking was the difference in coverage of the incident between the Canadian press and the American press: in Canada, it was a huge scandal with big front-page newspaper articles and angry speeches in parliament, while in the United States it was much more subdued. It is not that Americans did not care about the issue, in fact the response here was pretty much the same as would have happened if the pilot had dropped a bomb on a bunch of American soldiers:

Sure it was.

What if Canadian Pilots "accidently" dropped bombs on American soldiers or what if Italians shot up an American car and killed someone, like American soldiers did?

The American government and people would be crying bloody murder. It would be on front page for weeks and round the clock coverage on CNN and Fox News. You would even have loud mouth politicians threatning to invade.

 

[Reverend Blair]

It's like when the US was all up in arms about Iraqis showing film of US POWs. That the US was doing the same and worse didn't matter.

You haven't shown anybody here to be anti-American, I think not. I doubt you could even find Winnipeg on the map, but I can assure you that anti-Americanism is not part of the school curriculum.

If you are so uncomfortable with the subject matter on this site though, might I suggest that you find one more to your liking.

 

[I think not]

Still does not change the fact that you invaded another country to steal its natural resourses tho does it.
And quit preaching to us about anti-americanism. You should have yourself a look at what your fellow americans say on the internet about this country. Do you see us complaining about it. This country is not like yours, we don't want to be like you. we are actually free here, for now anyway. :wink:

What my fellow Americans (the very few and far between) say about your country on the internet pales in comparison, we do not teach our children to hate Canadians, nor do we teach our children that we are waiting for another chance to invade Canada, nor does our media lampoon you as halfwits, nor do we distort our history like you do, nor do we extend that distortion by issuing songs like "Arrogant Worms- War of 1812", well I'll be damned, so much for Americans not knowing history like you guys do, right? And you don't want to be like us? In which way peapod? Which part of the culture, language, economy, social interaction, infrastructure, mentality do you differ to the degree that you don't want to be like "us"? So you are more like Francophone Quebecers than you are like Americans? Why don't you ask the Quebecers that question and see what they have to say. And you're actually free there eh? I'm not even going to stoop that low and comment on that :wink:

I know you are shocked that I would even hint that Canadians are anti-american. Learn the difference between hating the American government and hating its people, when you hate the government and its policies you are not anti-american, you don't even have to like anything about "us" to be anti-american, but when you systematically do the things I mentioned above, then yes, you are anti-american.

 

[I think not]

What was really striking was the difference in coverage of the incident between the Canadian press and the American press: in Canada, it was a huge scandal with big front-page newspaper articles and angry speeches in parliament, while in the United States it was much more subdued. It is not that Americans did not care about the issue, in fact the response here was pretty much the same as would have happened if the pilot had dropped a bomb on a bunch of American soldiers:

Sure it was.

What if Canadian Pilots "accidently" dropped bombs on American soldiers or what if Italians shot up an American car and killed someone, like American soldiers did?

The American government and people would be crying bloody murder. It would be on front page for weeks and round the clock coverage on CNN and Fox News. You would even have loud mouth politicians threatning to invade.

Not your fault no1, you've been taught to think that way very very carefully.

 

[I think not]

It's like when the US was all up in arms about Iraqis showing film of US POWs. That the US was doing the same and worse didn't matter.

You haven't shown anybody here to be anti-American, I think not. I doubt you could even find Winnipeg on the map, but I can assure you that anti-Americanism is not part of the school curriculum.

I can very well find Winnipeg on the map, and careful there Rev, you're actually starting to slip (Americans don't know geography and history ring a bell to you?), and you cannot assure me of anything regarding your school system, because I have seen it up close and personal, you just choose to dismiss it

If you are so uncomfortable with the subject matter on this site though, might I suggest that you find one more to your liking.

I am very comfortable, I'm still waiting for someone to provide facts as you claim to the contrary. This site is my liking, I actually listen to what people have to say and not run to debunk it.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --

When we express the slightest reservation about US policy we are immediately labelled anti-American, I think not.

We are constantly badgered in your media. Have you hear of Anne Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Bow Tie Boy, or any of the dozens of other American "commentators" who have gone after us? How about the constant barrage of Canadian jokes in your fictional programming? Have you heard the constant lie that the 9-11 terrorists came from Canada? How about the one that we're communists? Ever hear of "Soviet Canuckistan"? Me either until one of your talking heads (and former member of your government) decided to call us that.

Now you come to a Canadian site and whine that we're being mean to you. Guess what, not only are you wrong, but you are embarrassing the few people in your country that are trying to make things better.

 

[mrmom2]

Shit :lol:

 

[peapod]

For pete sakes think, your own countrymen lampoon themselves. And you are wrong about it being a few americans, you should really go and look for yourself. They are not just making comments either, they are threatening. And I don't mind good jokes about canadians either. Please don't make me start posting some of the things that americans are saying about canadians. Why is this happening?? Well my take is this, we do not support your invasion of Iraq, so now we are fair game for american gung ho fodder. I am sure you do not do these things, and I do not wear t-shirts that bad mouth americans. To me, and I could be mistaken, but you seem to want us to shut up about what your government is doing.

 

[mrmom2]

I think we hate Bush not the citizens of the US I would bet that if you looked back at this forum when Clinton was prez you wouldn't find the same kind of comments :wink: Hey don't listen to the Rev I like having you around here 8)

 

[no1important]

RE: ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --

we do not teach our children to hate Canadians, nor do we teach our children that we are waiting for another chance to invade Canada

From comments on this site and other sites I don't think Americans teach anything about the rest of the world.

Not your fault no1, you've been taught to think that way very very carefully.

I learned from all the American TV and Newscasts I have watched over the years.

The rest of the world see's you that way as well and have seen it for a long long time.

 

[I think not]

Re: RE: ANTI-AMERICAN BIAS --

When we express the slightest reservation about US policy we are immediately labelled anti-American, I think not.

Not by me and certainly not be most Americans

We are constantly badgered in your media. Have you hear of Anne Coulter, Bill O'Reilly, Bow Tie Boy, or any of the dozens of other American "commentators" who have gone after us?

Yes I have Rev, indeed I have, I guess they learned alot by watching the CBC

How about the constant barrage of Canadian jokes in your fictional programming?

Thats the problem, you take a joke as documentary evidence as Canadian bashing.Like the South Park song Rev?

Have you heard the constant lie that the 9-11 terrorists came from Canada? How about the one that we're communists? Ever hear of "Soviet Canuckistan"? Me either until one of your talking heads (and former member of your government) decided to call us that.

Rev they are ALL extreme right wing imbeciles, they are not representative of the American people towards Canadians and you very well know that

Now you come to a Canadian site and whine that we're being mean to you. Guess what, not only are you wrong, but you are embarrassing the few people in your country that are trying to make things better.

If you don't want Americans coming to your Canadian site to give you another view then I suggest you block the ip addresses from the US. And I am not wrong, and I have the years and business experience in your country, and I have mentioned a great many things about it.

 

[I think not]

For pete sakes think, your own countrymen lampoon themselves.

Thanks for making my point pea.

And you are wrong about it being a few americans, you should really go and look for yourself. They are not just making comments either, they are threatening.

Look for myself pea? Where should I go to do that? I am still in the US last time I checked. What threatening comment can a extreme right wing neocon m**her f**ker say that you can't open your mouth and tell him to go shove it up his arse, eh? Or do you really think we're planning on invading Canada?

And I don't mind good jokes about canadians either. Please don't make me start posting some of the things that americans are saying about canadians. Why is this happening?? Well my take is this, we do not support your invasion of Iraq, so now we are fair game for american gung ho fodder. I am sure you do not do these things, and I do not wear t-shirts that bad mouth americans. To me, and I could be mistaken, but you seem to want us to shut up about what your government is doing.

Well there is where you are wrong peapod, the more voices heard on what Bush is doing the better for all of us. Dont get hung on a t-shirt, it is far more pervasive than that.