Canada 51st State
- Thread starter B00Mer
- Start date
Three years of it actually, 45+ years ago. Sorting out those d & b & p & q letters ‘cuz they’re really all the same letter. It’s still sneaks up and bites being in the ass every so often though, especially if I’m tired.
"Q" and "C" are the dumbest letters in English.
Really, is "Kwebek" all that hard to puzzle out? Or "Kaybek" if you insist on being a snotty little French pouf about it.
I had the utter joy of being in a restaurant in Paris at a conference when I overheard a Canadian table tell the waiter "We speak French." The waiter responded "Non, madame, you speak Quebecois." (My translations of the dialog.)
Letters that sound the same aren’t as big of a challenge as similar shapes (regardless of orientation) with dyslexia.
{What still screws me up, to this day, is the rare scenario where I end up at an intersection in front of an ambulance, & (especially if I’m tired) & I’m reading the word (written backwards on the front of the ambulance) in my rear view mirror…& I’m trained to mentally flip the letters over, but they’re already flipped over, & then the rear view mirror is also flipping the letters over….its a lotta mental gymnastics}
Québécois are a different animal. I concur with your assessment of the situation. Even out here on the prairies, we run into them semi-regularly. In my travels I’ve discovered that if somebody from Quebec introduces themselves as, “From Quebec or Canadians” they we’re probably gonna get along pretty well!! if they introduced themselves as “Québécois” then we’re probably not gonna get a long at all.
I was so close to being involved in a bar brawl in Cuba years ago, the lines were drawn with entitled Québécois on one side, and the Canadians & Russian tourists & bar staff on the other….over treatment of the bar staff….but luckily that story stayed as an “almost”…with other nationalities getting the Hell out’a the way. This was still during the tail-end of the Fidel era.
Yeah, Cuban jails are pretty grim now, but they were way worse when Fuzzy was the big dawg.
The best part about being in West Berlin was that my military ID gave me immunity from the Berlin cops. The worst they could do, and only if they reasonably deemed me an active threat of violence to others, was hold me on the spot and call for the MPs to come pick me up. It was so much hassle for them that most Berlin cops wouldn't bother unless you fucked up BAD. (At the time West Berlin was "under military occupation," because when we lifted the occupation of Germany, we didn't include Berlin. Technically I was subject only to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and completely immune to West German or West Berlin law. I LOVED being an occupying goon!).
I tried to avoid testing that. "Military justice," in addition to being an oxymoron, is harsh, to put it mildly.
The best part about being in West Berlin was that my military ID gave me immunity from the Berlin cops. The worst they could do, and only if they reasonably deemed me an active threat of violence to others, was hold me on the spot and call for the MPs to come pick me up. It was so much hassle for them that most Berlin cops wouldn't bother unless you fucked up BAD. (At the time West Berlin was "under military occupation," because when we lifted the occupation of Germany, we didn't include Berlin. Technically I was subject only to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and completely immune to West German or West Berlin law. I LOVED being an occupying goon!).
I tried to avoid testing that. "Military justice," in addition to being an oxymoron, is harsh, to put it mildly.
Even in Canada, accidentally pulling out your military ID or military drivers license at a traffic stop (even from the passenger seat) doesn’t seem to hurt the situation. A friend of ours is currently a Sergeant in the air force (but all services are lumped into the same building in a small centre like this) with some interesting tales.
Yep, I did the same. Theoretically I was doing it because my license was expired, but if one is stationed outside the state of issue, the military ID extends the expiration date indefinitely. But I really wanted the cops to know I was a GI. Got me a "warn and wave" a few times, especially in Texas.
Wayne Gretzky's wife backs Trump's endorsement of hubby to replace Trudeau as PM
'You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take'
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Dec 27, 2024 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 4 minute read
After President-elect Donald Trump revealed that he told NHL great Wayne Gretzky that he should be Canada’s next leader, the Great One’s wife has co-signed the idea that he could be an exceptional prime minister.
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ’The Great One’ as he is known in ice-hockey circles,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Christmas Day.
“I said, ’Wayne, why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, soon to be known as the governor of Canada — you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’ He had no interest.’”
Despite Gretzky saying he held no political aspirations, Trump urged Canadians to “start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement.”
“It would be so much fun to watch!” he concluded.
According to Fox News, Gretzky’s wife, Janet, who was born in Missouri, reposted Trump’s message to her Instagram Stories. The mother-of-five also added her own endorsement in support of her husband running for office north of the border.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” she shared, quoting one of Gretzky’s most famous statements.
On Instagram, many of Janet’s followers backed the idea of the Brantford, Ont.-born Gretzky running for prime minister.
“GOT FOR IT 99 … SAVE CANADA,” one person wrote, while another asked, “Is this a ‘running for PM’ announcement?”
Last month, Gretzky and some of his family appeared at Trump’s victory party after he was re-elected as America’s 47th president. His wife is a fan of Trump, with her mother, Jean, reportedly a fanatical supporter of The Donald.
Dustin Johnson, the professional golfer and husband of the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and Hockey Hall of Famer’s daughter Paulina, has been golfing with Trump since 2017.
Back in 2015, Gretzky, who is ineligible to vote in Canada, endorsed Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
“I think you have been an unreal prime minister,” Gretzky said during an event in Toronto, adding that he had been “wonderful to the country.”
“I know you have nothing but the country’s best interests at heart,” Gretzky added.
Gretzky’s comments divided social media, but the former Edmonton Oilers great said he has always lent a hand when a sitting prime minister has asked for his help.
“In 1981, I did a luncheon for prime minister (Pierre) Trudeau at the time. In 1986, Mr. (Brian) Mulroney and (his wife) Mila asked me to host an event for a charity of their choice, which I did,” he said.
“When Mr. Harper reached out to me and asked me to do a Q&A with him it’s simple: I can’t vote in this country. But … when the prime minister of Canada calls you, you say: ‘OK, I’ll do the favour for you.’ So whoever is going to be the next prime minister, if they call me for the favour I’d reach out again,” he said.
“I have known Patrick Brown for a number of years now,” Gretzky said in a statement. “Hard working and dedicated, Patrick is a strong Conservative. He has the passion and vision to lead Ontario.”
Elsewhere, Trump continued teasing Canada’s deeply unpopular Prime Minster Justin Trudeau as he prepares to take over as America’s next president in January.
On Wednesday, Trump also offered his Christmas greetings to Trudeau, calling him a “governor” and boasting that Canadians would enjoy a tax cut of more than 60% if the country became a U.S. state.
“Their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other country anywhere in the world,” he wrote.
These comments followed a pre-Christmas message in which he asserted “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.”
“They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” he wrote. Trump also welcomed the departure of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, calling her “totally toxic.”
Trudeau has been largely quiet about Trump’s taunts. But on Boxing Day he shared a six-word message alongside a video narrated by Tom Brokaw that provided an overview of Canadian politics, landscapes and formative moments in the national memory in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. “Some information about Canada for Americans,” Trudeau wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Trudeau’s political rival Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vociferous opponent of Trump’s takeover rhetoric.
“We need a strong, smart prime minister who has the brains and backbone to first and foremost say to President Trump, ‘Canada will never be the 51st state. We will be an independent, proud, sovereign country, as we always have been,'” he said in an exclusive interview with the Toronto Sun.
mdaniell@postmedia.com
instagram.com
foxnews.com
torontosun.com
'You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take'
Author of the article:Mark Daniell
Published Dec 27, 2024 • Last updated 21 hours ago • 4 minute read
After President-elect Donald Trump revealed that he told NHL great Wayne Gretzky that he should be Canada’s next leader, the Great One’s wife has co-signed the idea that he could be an exceptional prime minister.
“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ’The Great One’ as he is known in ice-hockey circles,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Christmas Day.
“I said, ’Wayne, why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, soon to be known as the governor of Canada — you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’ He had no interest.’”
Despite Gretzky saying he held no political aspirations, Trump urged Canadians to “start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement.”
“It would be so much fun to watch!” he concluded.
According to Fox News, Gretzky’s wife, Janet, who was born in Missouri, reposted Trump’s message to her Instagram Stories. The mother-of-five also added her own endorsement in support of her husband running for office north of the border.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” she shared, quoting one of Gretzky’s most famous statements.
On Instagram, many of Janet’s followers backed the idea of the Brantford, Ont.-born Gretzky running for prime minister.
“GOT FOR IT 99 … SAVE CANADA,” one person wrote, while another asked, “Is this a ‘running for PM’ announcement?”
Last month, Gretzky and some of his family appeared at Trump’s victory party after he was re-elected as America’s 47th president. His wife is a fan of Trump, with her mother, Jean, reportedly a fanatical supporter of The Donald.
Dustin Johnson, the professional golfer and husband of the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and Hockey Hall of Famer’s daughter Paulina, has been golfing with Trump since 2017.
Back in 2015, Gretzky, who is ineligible to vote in Canada, endorsed Conservative Leader Stephen Harper.
“I think you have been an unreal prime minister,” Gretzky said during an event in Toronto, adding that he had been “wonderful to the country.”
“I know you have nothing but the country’s best interests at heart,” Gretzky added.
Gretzky’s comments divided social media, but the former Edmonton Oilers great said he has always lent a hand when a sitting prime minister has asked for his help.
“In 1981, I did a luncheon for prime minister (Pierre) Trudeau at the time. In 1986, Mr. (Brian) Mulroney and (his wife) Mila asked me to host an event for a charity of their choice, which I did,” he said.
“When Mr. Harper reached out to me and asked me to do a Q&A with him it’s simple: I can’t vote in this country. But … when the prime minister of Canada calls you, you say: ‘OK, I’ll do the favour for you.’ So whoever is going to be the next prime minister, if they call me for the favour I’d reach out again,” he said.
“I have known Patrick Brown for a number of years now,” Gretzky said in a statement. “Hard working and dedicated, Patrick is a strong Conservative. He has the passion and vision to lead Ontario.”
Elsewhere, Trump continued teasing Canada’s deeply unpopular Prime Minster Justin Trudeau as he prepares to take over as America’s next president in January.
On Wednesday, Trump also offered his Christmas greetings to Trudeau, calling him a “governor” and boasting that Canadians would enjoy a tax cut of more than 60% if the country became a U.S. state.
“Their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other country anywhere in the world,” he wrote.
These comments followed a pre-Christmas message in which he asserted “Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.”
“They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” he wrote. Trump also welcomed the departure of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, calling her “totally toxic.”
Trudeau has been largely quiet about Trump’s taunts. But on Boxing Day he shared a six-word message alongside a video narrated by Tom Brokaw that provided an overview of Canadian politics, landscapes and formative moments in the national memory in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. “Some information about Canada for Americans,” Trudeau wrote on X.
Meanwhile, Trudeau’s political rival Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vociferous opponent of Trump’s takeover rhetoric.
“We need a strong, smart prime minister who has the brains and backbone to first and foremost say to President Trump, ‘Canada will never be the 51st state. We will be an independent, proud, sovereign country, as we always have been,'” he said in an exclusive interview with the Toronto Sun.
mdaniell@postmedia.com
Janet Jones Gretzky on Instagram
434 likes, 148 comments - janetgretzky on December 26, 2024
instagram.com
Wayne Gretzky's wife shares Trump post floating NHL legend as Canadian prime minister
President-elect Trump floated Wayne Gretzky as the prime minister of Canada on Wednesday, and it appeared the hockey legend's wife was watching as she shared the post on her own social media.
Wayne Gretzky's wife backs Trump's endorsement of hubby to replace Trudeau as PM
Wayne Gretzky's wife has endorsed the idea that he could be Canada's next prime minister.
Saw this on Facebook. Thought our American friends might approve.
"We would like to invite various states such as Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts in the east or Washington, Oregon, and California in the west to join Canada and become our 11th+ province.
To our American cousins, sorry to have to say this, but the benefits of joining Canada include:
-Life expectancy will go up from a world ranking of 48th (USA) to 20th (Canada).
-Education will get better from 31st (USA) to 19th (Canada).
-Math scores will improve from 34th (USA) to 9th (Canada).
-Robberies will go down from 98 per 100,000 population to 62.
-Traffic accident deaths will drop from 12.7 per 100,000 to 5.3.
-You will spend half as much on health care yet get better outcomes.
-Poverty in Canada is 1/3 the rate in the USA.
-Although Canada has fewer millionaires, we more fairly distribute wealth (better income equality).
-The minimum wage in Canada is double that in USA.
and most important you will be happier (Canada ranked 15th, USA 23rd in happiness)."
"We would like to invite various states such as Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts in the east or Washington, Oregon, and California in the west to join Canada and become our 11th+ province.
To our American cousins, sorry to have to say this, but the benefits of joining Canada include:
-Life expectancy will go up from a world ranking of 48th (USA) to 20th (Canada).
-Education will get better from 31st (USA) to 19th (Canada).
-Math scores will improve from 34th (USA) to 9th (Canada).
-Robberies will go down from 98 per 100,000 population to 62.
-Traffic accident deaths will drop from 12.7 per 100,000 to 5.3.
-You will spend half as much on health care yet get better outcomes.
-Poverty in Canada is 1/3 the rate in the USA.
-Although Canada has fewer millionaires, we more fairly distribute wealth (better income equality).
-The minimum wage in Canada is double that in USA.
and most important you will be happier (Canada ranked 15th, USA 23rd in happiness)."
