Can Canadian Anti-Americanism Survive Obama

[Tyr]

After eight years of a world wide collective groan whenever Dubya would open his mouth, are we able to overlook our programmed predjudice and allow someone who has even an inkling of sense be listened to? Or will it take time before we can believe anything that comes out of the American political voice?

It seems that a massive exhalation of breath accomplied GWB's "bolt" to "the ranch" and now we look for some sort of sanity to return to our southern neighbours


The answer to your question is: It can and will. Anti-Americanism has risen and fallen in Canada in 30-to-40-year cycles since at least the War of 1812, and most recently flared up in the early years of the second Iraq war.

In this respect, Canadian anti-Americanism resembles a virus that flares up, lies dormant and flares up again when conditions are right for it to do so--a quality, it must be noted, that has also marked the Quebec separatist movement.

 

[Praxius]

After eight years of a world wide collective groan whenever Dubya would open his mouth, are we able to overlook our programmed predjudice and allow someone who has even an inkling of sense be listened to? Or will it take time before we can believe anything that comes out of the American political voice?

My positions remain the same until I see some real action being taken. These executive orders Obama is signing seem to be a good start, but he's got a way to go before I just suddenly turn 180 on my views of the US. Not that my views are completely towards evil incarnate, but a lot needs to be done for me to believe the US is heading down a different path.

And don't forget, just because it's Obama, doesn't mean he's perfect. Time will soon tell, although he does have some good potiential.

It seems that a massive exhalation of breath accomplied GWB's "bolt" to "the ranch" and now we look for some sort of sanity to return to our southern neighbours

The answer to your question is: It can and will.

Well if you already knew the answer, why'd you ask the question?

Anti-Americanism has risen and fallen in Canada in 30-to-40-year cycles since at least the War of 1812, and most recently flared up in the early years of the second Iraq war.

In this respect, Canadian anti-Americanism resembles a virus that flares up, lies dormant and flares up again when conditions are right for it to do so--a quality, it must be noted, that has also marked the Quebec separatist movement.

Fair enough I suppose, and I imagine there is a chance for the US to haul itself out from it's hole Bush put it in, but once again, time will tell.

 

[Cannuck]

our programmed predjudice and allow someone who has even an inkling of sense be listened to?

Well, at least you've admitted the problem. That is always the first step.

 

[darkbeaver]

Can Canadian Anti-Americanism Survive Obama?

If it can survive Donald Duck it can survive Obama.

 

[Scott Free]

You can paint a new face on a monster but it doesn't change the monster.

 

[Niflmir]

Canadians? Anti-american? You should meet some Italians. The land that the US took after world war 2 and never gave back created some pretty sore spots. Ours is the sort of grudge that a person carries against an overly loud neighbour, or the older brother because everyone calls you "So and So's brother."

But yeah, its not like they are going to move to some other continent. Gotta learn to live together and all that.

 

[Scott Free]

Canadians? Anti-american? You should meet some Italians. The land that the US took after world war 2 and never gave back created some pretty sore spots. Ours is the sort of grudge that a person carries against an overly loud neighbour, or the older brother because everyone calls you "So and So's brother."

But yeah, its not like they are going to move to some other continent. Gotta learn to live together and all that.

Exactly!

It reminds me of summer camp and having to share a bed with a fat loudmouthed sweaty kid.

 

[Niflmir]

At least we can comiserate with the Mexicans.

 

[karrie]

I doubt Obama will make one bit of difference. Those who think the Americans are loud, rude, arrogant, etc., likely will continue to think so despite the presence of one well spoken figure head. Because I doubt that American media will change one iota.

Personally, I'm starting to get downright frustrated with the massive proliferation of Obama-mania. Our country seems to have forgotten that we have our own problems, our own war we're fighting, our own government, our own economy in a freefall. As usual, American interests and rhetoric seem to rule the day. It's hard not to resent that in its own way. Just like I get tired of the kids' socks being left in the living room all the time.

 

[earth_as_one]

This week I am in Madison Wisconsin. I haven't met a single rude arrogant American since I left the Homeland Security area at Pearson. I would describe the people I've met so far as honest (thank you for not letting me forget my laptop in departures at Pearson when you could have grabbed it) friendly (thank you for saying welcome to America -two people) helpful (thank you for helping me save money on my rent a car and bumping me up to a mustang at no charge) and polite (thank you for holding the door as I struggle with my luggage.

I've met the stereotypical ugly Americans, just not very often in the United States.

 

[Scott Free]

Yeah, I agree with that, it seems the ugly really only shines outside their boarders.

 

[gopher]

Canadian anti-Americanism? Or is it Canadian anti-Bushism??

 

[Tyr]

Canadian anti-Americanism? Or is it Canadian anti-Bushism??

that's probably much closer to the actual fact. Americans as a whole aren't too bad and people can put up with them. It's the loony politics they seem to gravitate to.

Possibly the two biggest "irritant" factors are the whacked out evangelism and the far right fringe Republicanism that turn people off

 

[EagleSmack]

Exactly!

It reminds me of summer camp and having to share a bed with a fat loudmouthed sweaty kid.

It reminds us of having that weakling with the big mouth.

 

[Praxius]

It reminds us of having that weakling with the big mouth.

Wern't weak the last time you guys decided to pick a fight with us and lost and had your white house burned to the ground..... oh wait.... I forgot.... it was a draw

Oops, there's that big mouth of ours again

 

[EagleSmack]

Wern't weak the last time you guys decided to pick a fight with us and lost and had your white house burned to the ground..... oh wait.... I forgot.... it was a draw

Oops, there's that big mouth of ours again

Oh the War of 1812 myth! LOL. Still using that!

Perfect example of the BIG MOUTH.

No evidence WHATSOEVER of ANY CANADIAN burning the White House.

And those SAME BRITISH REGULAR TROOPS that ACTUALLY burned the White House had their butts kicked when they went up river to Baltimore and were whipped at Baltimore and sent packing. :lol:

But AMERICANS DID Burn your Parliment Buildings! :lol:

 

[Trex]

Exactly!

It reminds me of summer camp and having to share a bed with a fat loudmouthed sweaty kid.

Is that when you lost your cherry?


I humbly apologize.
I couldn't resist

Trex

 

[Praxius]

Oh the War of 1812 myth! LOL. Still using that!

Perfect example of the BIG MOUTH.

No evidence WHATSOEVER of ANY CANADIAN burning the White House.

And those SAME BRITISH REGULAR TROOPS that ACTUALLY burned the White House had their butts kicked when they went up river to Baltimore and were whipped at Baltimore and sent packing. :lol:

But AMERICANS DID Burn your Parliment Buildings! :lol:

Of course you'd put it on the British rather then Canadians, since at the time Canada wasn't even a country.... we were all British at the time, therefore I understand how you would find it difficult to find a difference between Canadians and British since we were all one empire.

British regulars also lived in Canada as well.... do you actually think they'd simply leave all their territory to just militias? They would have needed a strong military pressence, along with the militia and natives, which would mean many of those regular forces would have to call Canada home...... that and many of them I imagine remained in Canada after the war.

Therefore, if you want to get technical about it, the British Empire burned down your white house, via Canada.

You're welcome.

But besides that, many of the US's attempts and attacks within Canada failed, and overall, the US had a larger casualty list compared to the British Empire.

But whatever.... I was just yankie'ing yer chain.

 

[EagleSmack]

Of course you'd put it on the British rather then Canadians, since at the time Canada wasn't even a country.... we were all British at the time, therefore I understand how you would find it difficult to find a difference between Canadians and British since we were all one empire.

So that means the US beat you guys in the Revolution. Not just that but you must take credit for every war that the British lost. So much for your unblemished war record.

British regulars also lived in Canada as well.... do you actually think they'd simply leave all their territory to just militias? They would have needed a strong military pressence, along with the militia and natives, which would mean many of those regular forces would have to call Canada home...... that and many of them I imagine remained in Canada after the war.

Yes they did and were instrumental in the repulse of the US invasions.

Therefore, if you want to get technical about it, the British Empire burned down your white house, via Canada.

You're welcome.

Not true. The British troops that burned down the White House were fresh from the Pennisula Wars with France. They were sent to Bermuda and the fleet left Bermuda for the Chesapeake. They did not stop off in Canada to pick up any militia.

But besides that, many of the US's attempts and attacks within Canada failed, and overall, the US had a larger casualty list compared to the British Empire.

True... as did the many attempts by the British attempts and attack the US failed including the force that burned down the White House.

Sure we had a larger casualty list. The Soviets had a larger casualty list than the Germans in WWII. How did that work out for them?

But whatever.... I was just yankie'ing yer chain.

That's cool. No harm done.

 

[Ron in Regina]

It's interesting how history is taught differently depending on where you live, and
what side of a conflict you happen to be on. My Daughter-In-Law grew up in
Utah, and the version of history she was taught (re: Joseph Smith) would be very
different than someone from New York or Texas.

With that in mind, I'm sure Smack is regurgitating exactly what he was taught as
the Canadians on this thread are regurgitating exactly what they where taught....

Someone from Mexico and someone from the USA would learn very different
versions of the history surrounding the Alamo. Eaglesmack's (& Gophers) answer
to who discovered electricity might be very different than Vereya's due to different
history's taught in different places from different perspectives.