DoubleWitt said:
come out west and visit anytime.....
(actually, I am kinda fond of Montreal.......to visit.... Have some great memories of Old Montreal......McGill U. etc. Shopping is fun in Montreal.)
Should Canada Become the 52nd State?
- Thread starter soupy
- Start date
come out west and visit anytime.....
(actually, I am kinda fond of Montreal.......to visit.... Have some great memories of Old Montreal......McGill U. etc. Shopping is fun in Montreal.)
Re: RE: Should Canada Become
the grass is always greener........ :roll: :wink:
neocon-hunter said:
the grass is always greener........ :roll: :wink:
Ocean Breeze said:DoubleWitt said:
come out west and visit anytime.....
(actually, I am kinda fond of Montreal.......to visit.... Have some great memories of Old Montreal......McGill U. etc. Shopping is fun in Montreal.)
True. As a tourist or visitor, it is a good place for activities (restaurants and nightlife). However, as a native and having lived there roughly 3 decades before moving to the US, I eventually tired of the city. Don't see anything much out of the city anymore.
Re: RE: Should Canada Become
Is that so?
Demographics show that Montreal residents come from 80 countries, forming an urban mosaic of vibrant ethnic communities and neighborhoods safe to walk in day or night. Visitors will detect a distinct British influence in parts of the city, inherent in the culture since the days when English merchants controlled the city's trade. All in all, it's easy to see why "cosmopolitan" is the adjective most used in describing Montreal.
Bienvenue à Montréal!
Demographics of Montreal
The Greater Montreal area has a population of 3,607,000 people (Statistics Canada 2004), including the neighbouring major cities of Laval and Longueuil, among other smaller cities. Montreal proper will be home to over 1.5 million people after the demerger set for January 1, 2006. A resident of Montreal is known as a Montrealer in English, and a Montréalais(e) in French. Residents sometimes refer to the city by the shorthand name of MTL. The large population of Montreal justifies the city having its own postal district together with Laval; i.e. all postal codes in Montreal and Laval, and only postal codes in Montreal and Laval, begin with H.
Most Montrealers speak French as their first language; a sizeable minority speak English, but a majority of residents have at least a working knowledge of both languages. This trend has increased after the French language reforms of the 1970s.
About 67.8% of the population of the Greater Montreal Area is composed of francophones. 18.4% are allophone (they have neither French nor English as their first language) and 13.8% are native anglophones.
The demographics change on the Island of Montreal island itself, however, with francophones constituting 53% of the population, anglophones 18%, and allophones 29%. A majority of allophones speak French or English as a second language. A May 2004 survey noted that 53% of the people in Montreal speak both French and English, while 37% speak only French and 7% speak only English. click here for whole explanation
It seems to me Nascar, you seem to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder for people who are a diferent race, speak diferent languages (as from posts in "English preserves and created America") your not a racist or bigot are you? I sure hope not. I would like to think you are not but some of your posts raise my eyebrows.
Nascar_James said:
Is that so?
Demographics show that Montreal residents come from 80 countries, forming an urban mosaic of vibrant ethnic communities and neighborhoods safe to walk in day or night. Visitors will detect a distinct British influence in parts of the city, inherent in the culture since the days when English merchants controlled the city's trade. All in all, it's easy to see why "cosmopolitan" is the adjective most used in describing Montreal.
Bienvenue à Montréal!
Demographics of Montreal
The Greater Montreal area has a population of 3,607,000 people (Statistics Canada 2004), including the neighbouring major cities of Laval and Longueuil, among other smaller cities. Montreal proper will be home to over 1.5 million people after the demerger set for January 1, 2006. A resident of Montreal is known as a Montrealer in English, and a Montréalais(e) in French. Residents sometimes refer to the city by the shorthand name of MTL. The large population of Montreal justifies the city having its own postal district together with Laval; i.e. all postal codes in Montreal and Laval, and only postal codes in Montreal and Laval, begin with H.
Most Montrealers speak French as their first language; a sizeable minority speak English, but a majority of residents have at least a working knowledge of both languages. This trend has increased after the French language reforms of the 1970s.
About 67.8% of the population of the Greater Montreal Area is composed of francophones. 18.4% are allophone (they have neither French nor English as their first language) and 13.8% are native anglophones.
The demographics change on the Island of Montreal island itself, however, with francophones constituting 53% of the population, anglophones 18%, and allophones 29%. A majority of allophones speak French or English as a second language. A May 2004 survey noted that 53% of the people in Montreal speak both French and English, while 37% speak only French and 7% speak only English. click here for whole explanation
It seems to me Nascar, you seem to have a bit of a chip on your shoulder for people who are a diferent race, speak diferent languages (as from posts in "English preserves and created America") your not a racist or bigot are you? I sure hope not. I would like to think you are not but some of your posts raise my eyebrows.
Re: RE: Should Canada Become
Of course not Hunter. I left Montreal with my American wife to move to the US years ago not becasue of language, but to live in a more conservative based society. Although I do not speak French, it was never an issue for me when growing up in Montreal. Many sections of Montreal (such as the West Island) are still overwhelmingly English speaking. In my opinion, immigrants who move to the city need to integrate into either of the two mainstream cultures. It only makes sense it you want to be a contributing member of society.
That is why I refer to the city as multiethnic and not multicultural. The city is a dual cultured city. You have there two English universities and two French ones. English school boards and French ones. English street names and French ones. English TV and French TV. English newspapers and French newspapers. The one big drawback there is the language police, but that is another issue that I will not get into right now.
neocon-hunter said:
Of course not Hunter. I left Montreal with my American wife to move to the US years ago not becasue of language, but to live in a more conservative based society. Although I do not speak French, it was never an issue for me when growing up in Montreal. Many sections of Montreal (such as the West Island) are still overwhelmingly English speaking. In my opinion, immigrants who move to the city need to integrate into either of the two mainstream cultures. It only makes sense it you want to be a contributing member of society.
That is why I refer to the city as multiethnic and not multicultural. The city is a dual cultured city. You have there two English universities and two French ones. English school boards and French ones. English street names and French ones. English TV and French TV. English newspapers and French newspapers. The one big drawback there is the language police, but that is another issue that I will not get into right now.
Canada - 52d???
Actually, we still don't have the 51st state at this point.
But if you'd ask me, I'd say = NO!
I want the Blue States to secede and allow Bush and his Red States to fight their incessant wars and rack up their endless debts while we watch and enjoy FREEDOM and PEACE!!!
Actually, we still don't have the 51st state at this point.
But if you'd ask me, I'd say = NO!
I want the Blue States to secede and allow Bush and his Red States to fight their incessant wars and rack up their endless debts while we watch and enjoy FREEDOM and PEACE!!!
gopher said:
Good point Gopher. There are only 50 states.
Canada the 52nd state? If you ask me I would say ... Canada, What street is that on?
A famous expression from one of Chicago's all time great gangsters of the 1920's...Al Capone.
RE: Should Canada Become
Isn't or wasn't Puerto Rico trying to become#51? or will that go to Iraq? ha
Isn't or wasn't Puerto Rico trying to become#51? or will that go to Iraq? ha
Wow, a totally serious and thoughtful reply to something I've posted. Thank you, Martin Le Acadien! (btw, shouldn't it be Martin l'Acadien? I'm not a fluent French speaker, only understand a little, and I'm confused )
Yes, to a certain extent I think you're right (re: borders seen as a limit to commerce). I think that is very much a part of the pro-American sentiment. In fact, I think it is the ultimate factor creating pro-American sentiment. For many Canadians, since the toughening up of the border and the way some of us have been treated at the border, that sentiment is changing. The war is highly unpopular here, Bush and his regime is unpopular, and we're being made to feel very separate and foreign from the United States by the U.S. gov't. Ironically, the actions of the American gov't have been instrumental in reasserting a sense of satisfaction and happiness with our gov't. And now that the U.S. seems to be going to Hell in a handbasket, there is cause for greater happiness that we are Canadian by virtue of not being in a sinking ship, too, so now all we have to do is put a foot in the behind of our officials to do a better job to create some positive reinforcement to Canadian nationalism.
Fair enough. The U.S. being as huge as it is population wise, it's only natural that there is variation between states and regions on issues. I actually have some friends I keep in touch with in San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago, so I'm pretty aware through them of how wildly the politics can vary. I suppose I was generalising!!!
Really? I was totally unaware of that. Sounds like an interesting story there- I should look it up. I know that when provinces like Newfoundland joined Canada, Ottawa assumed all of their debt as well. I suppose that's a normal part of joining a union?
As an aside, my mother's family comes from Newfoundland. My maternal grandmother was born in Newfoundland when it was still a British colony (it only joined Canada in 1949). She and my maternal grandfather were fierce British patriots, and were actually quite hostile to Canada. When the issue of joining Canada was brought up there via a referendum, Newfoundlanders had the option of joining Canada or joining the United States in economic union. The overwhelming majority chose Canada because of cultural ties being closer to Britain, so there was more in common. My grandparents, however, voted for economic union with the U.S. :lol:
Yes, the same is true here, too, though the federal gov't's overall rules are tougher on average than what you find in the U.S.
Yes, that would be good for the United States, and the world. However, I'm not sure how this would directly benefit Canada. Right now, we're doing quite well, actually. We don't have the deficit and debt issues the U.S. is facing, our territorial security is arguably stronger because we have fewer enemies (despite a weaker military). We're already quite good, generally speaking, at lobbying the U.S. gov't such that issues directly affecting us are usually settled favourably.
And this is part of my problem with the whole idea. If we were to join the U.S., we would be subsumed by the U.S. It would necessitate that we join the American government's constitutional framework, and what follows from that is that our parliamentary institutions would all have to change and our institutions and traditions would come to an end. Frankly, I am not at all convinced that the American democratic system is in any way superior to our own. We've accomplished a great deal for a country of pioneers so scattered across a vast land, and part of that legacy is the institutions we used to accomplish it. We'd have to repudiate our past; it would not be a new order naturally evolving from what already exists. That sort of break from our past would be traumatic, and would necessitate huge benefits to justify it. We're doing so well on our own I just don't see what could justify it. Essentially, we would have to accomodate the U.S., but I doubt the U.S. would do much to accomodate us.
And aside from all that, I am Canadian. From the core, it's who I am. Though I have various criticisms of the U.S. gov't, I have no problems with Americans themselves, but I see them more like cousins or friends. In other words, I'm not one of them. I'm not ready to give up on my country or its unique identity and culture.
The U.S. currency keeps depreciating and ours has been appreciating for quite a while. True that there would be no exchange issues, but we're accustomed to them anyway, and right now the U.S. currency isn't performing so well.
That would benefit the U.S., I'm sure, but I'm not sure if it's overwhelmingly in our favour. True, Bush is not good for Canada, but he'll be gone soon, and he can only screw things up so much while he's here.
We do have NAFTA already in place, and our economies are fairly integrated now. I'd argue that any economic powerhouse that is ever going to take place between our nations is already there or taking shape.
Hah! Being bilingual doesn't make you a thinker. I'd chock up one point for being amusingly idiotic in two official languages. However, we've already got that! No advantage for Canada in joining the U.S., here.
Again, good for you, not convinced if it's good for us.
Hey, why can't they do that now?
They probably do already! lol
Well, Bush hasn't invaded Canada, there's only one large sticking point in trade issues between our two countries (softwood lumber), and aside from some hassles at the border, even Bush has largely maintained the status quo between us. So, no Bush wouldn't necessarily mean anything good for Canada, though it would be interesting to see how the House of Representatives would deal with the PQ! And speaking of the PQ and Quebec, they are probably the greatest guarantee that such a union would never occur. As dissatisfied as they are with the Canadian gov't, I think they wouldn't question that Canada has done much more and is much better at fostering francophone culture than the U.S. gov't would be or has been.
You know, though, I'm entirely for Louisiana becoming the eleventh province. We were stupid to give all you guys up in the first place, and it would be a great coming home of sorts. And of course, there's no doubting Canada's francophone credentials, or its willingness and ability to shore up and support francophone culture there. Think about it- not only state recognition of French, but national recognition as well. There might be something to that! :lol:
(btw, shouldn't it be Martin l'Acadien? I'm not a fluent French speaker, only understand a little, and I'm confused )Martin Le Acadien said:
Yes, to a certain extent I think you're right (re: borders seen as a limit to commerce). I think that is very much a part of the pro-American sentiment. In fact, I think it is the ultimate factor creating pro-American sentiment. For many Canadians, since the toughening up of the border and the way some of us have been treated at the border, that sentiment is changing. The war is highly unpopular here, Bush and his regime is unpopular, and we're being made to feel very separate and foreign from the United States by the U.S. gov't. Ironically, the actions of the American gov't have been instrumental in reasserting a sense of satisfaction and happiness with our gov't. And now that the U.S. seems to be going to Hell in a handbasket, there is cause for greater happiness that we are Canadian by virtue of not being in a sinking ship, too, so now all we have to do is put a foot in the behind of our officials to do a better job to create some positive reinforcement to Canadian nationalism.
Martin Le Acadien said:
Fair enough. The U.S. being as huge as it is population wise, it's only natural that there is variation between states and regions on issues. I actually have some friends I keep in touch with in San Francisco, Houston, and Chicago, so I'm pretty aware through them of how wildly the politics can vary. I suppose I was generalising!!!
Martin Le Acadien said:
Really? I was totally unaware of that. Sounds like an interesting story there- I should look it up. I know that when provinces like Newfoundland joined Canada, Ottawa assumed all of their debt as well. I suppose that's a normal part of joining a union?
As an aside, my mother's family comes from Newfoundland. My maternal grandmother was born in Newfoundland when it was still a British colony (it only joined Canada in 1949). She and my maternal grandfather were fierce British patriots, and were actually quite hostile to Canada. When the issue of joining Canada was brought up there via a referendum, Newfoundlanders had the option of joining Canada or joining the United States in economic union. The overwhelming majority chose Canada because of cultural ties being closer to Britain, so there was more in common. My grandparents, however, voted for economic union with the U.S. :lol:
Martin Le Acadien said:
Yes, the same is true here, too, though the federal gov't's overall rules are tougher on average than what you find in the U.S.
Martin Le Acadien said:
Yes, that would be good for the United States, and the world. However, I'm not sure how this would directly benefit Canada. Right now, we're doing quite well, actually. We don't have the deficit and debt issues the U.S. is facing, our territorial security is arguably stronger because we have fewer enemies (despite a weaker military). We're already quite good, generally speaking, at lobbying the U.S. gov't such that issues directly affecting us are usually settled favourably.
And this is part of my problem with the whole idea. If we were to join the U.S., we would be subsumed by the U.S. It would necessitate that we join the American government's constitutional framework, and what follows from that is that our parliamentary institutions would all have to change and our institutions and traditions would come to an end. Frankly, I am not at all convinced that the American democratic system is in any way superior to our own. We've accomplished a great deal for a country of pioneers so scattered across a vast land, and part of that legacy is the institutions we used to accomplish it. We'd have to repudiate our past; it would not be a new order naturally evolving from what already exists. That sort of break from our past would be traumatic, and would necessitate huge benefits to justify it. We're doing so well on our own I just don't see what could justify it. Essentially, we would have to accomodate the U.S., but I doubt the U.S. would do much to accomodate us.
And aside from all that, I am Canadian. From the core, it's who I am. Though I have various criticisms of the U.S. gov't, I have no problems with Americans themselves, but I see them more like cousins or friends. In other words, I'm not one of them. I'm not ready to give up on my country or its unique identity and culture.
Martin Le Acadien said:
The U.S. currency keeps depreciating and ours has been appreciating for quite a while. True that there would be no exchange issues, but we're accustomed to them anyway, and right now the U.S. currency isn't performing so well.
Martin Le Acadien said:
That would benefit the U.S., I'm sure, but I'm not sure if it's overwhelmingly in our favour. True, Bush is not good for Canada, but he'll be gone soon, and he can only screw things up so much while he's here.
Martin Le Acadien said:
We do have NAFTA already in place, and our economies are fairly integrated now. I'd argue that any economic powerhouse that is ever going to take place between our nations is already there or taking shape.
Martin Le Acadien said:
Hah! Being bilingual doesn't make you a thinker.
I'd chock up one point for being amusingly idiotic in two official languages. However, we've already got that! No advantage for Canada in joining the U.S., here.Martin Le Acadien said:
Again, good for you, not convinced if it's good for us.
Martin Le Acadien said:
Hey, why can't they do that now?
Martin Le Acadien said:
They probably do already! lol
Martin Le Acadien said:
Well, Bush hasn't invaded Canada, there's only one large sticking point in trade issues between our two countries (softwood lumber), and aside from some hassles at the border, even Bush has largely maintained the status quo between us. So, no Bush wouldn't necessarily mean anything good for Canada, though it would be interesting to see how the House of Representatives would deal with the PQ! And speaking of the PQ and Quebec, they are probably the greatest guarantee that such a union would never occur.
As dissatisfied as they are with the Canadian gov't, I think they wouldn't question that Canada has done much more and is much better at fostering francophone culture than the U.S. gov't would be or has been.You know, though, I'm entirely for Louisiana becoming the eleventh province. We were stupid to give all you guys up in the first place, and it would be a great coming home of sorts. And of course, there's no doubting Canada's francophone credentials, or its willingness and ability to shore up and support francophone culture there. Think about it- not only state recognition of French, but national recognition as well. There might be something to that!
:lol:
Does anyone think that the US should become the 11th province of Canada. (BIG province......but what the heck..... :wink: That would do away with the "red" and "blue" thing the US have going at the moment too......and all the dissention in between.
RE: Should Canada Become
I think we should just encourage the blue states to form their own country, Ocean. That way we'd have a buffer between the Bushites and the rest of us.
I think we should just encourage the blue states to form their own country, Ocean. That way we'd have a buffer between the Bushites and the rest of us.
Ocean Breeze said:
Considering the benefits of a union seem to be greater for them than us, perhaps that's the way to frame the question.
Still not convinced, though, that it'd be good for us Canadians!I second Rev Blair, though, insofar as strengthening the blue states is concerned. I'm not sure a separate nation is in order, but helping make sure they're the more powerful ones in the union is definitely to our advantage.
Re: RE: Should Canada Become
that idea has my vote. Good going. :thumbleft:
and if the blue "country " wants to become a CA territory ....... it is negotiable. :wink:
and the first time bush visits .......he is arrested under international law..... ( Would THAT ever make my day..... but I digress.. :wink:
Reverend Blair said:
that idea has my vote. Good going. :thumbleft:
and if the blue "country " wants to become a CA territory ....... it is negotiable. :wink:
and the first time bush visits .......he is arrested under international law..... ( Would THAT ever make my day..... but I digress.. :wink:
Strengthening Blue states 8O You all don't get it do ya .There really is no red and blue its all a big pile of bullshit :evil:
There can be little pretense anymore that the Democrats and Republicans are anything more than faithful factions of a single party, dedicated to the interests of the fossil fuel and arms contractor lobbies and to the establishment of the U.S. as a global empire.
There all fecking corupted people its just a bunch of different rhetoric .With the same money pulling the strings .It doesn't matter who ya vote for your getting the same thieves :x
There can be little pretense anymore that the Democrats and Republicans are anything more than faithful factions of a single party, dedicated to the interests of the fossil fuel and arms contractor lobbies and to the establishment of the U.S. as a global empire.
There all fecking corupted people its just a bunch of different rhetoric .With the same money pulling the strings .It doesn't matter who ya vote for your getting the same thieves :x
mrmom2 said:
can't argue the principle /reality of that one. Suspect that "we" were speaking metaphorically .......or with some wishful thinking....
zenfisher said:
LOL - Thats true. He put Moosejaw on the map. Now its tourism industry (if it can be called an industry) is entirely based on supposed secret tunnels under the streets that Al Capone used to bootleg booze. The tunnels thing is actually untrue, but still a very cool history.
Shiva said:Hah! Being bilingual doesn't make you a thinker.
An exerpt from a news article I have, maybe I'll scan the whole thing later....
"So being billingual means that every day, every time you use language, you've got to use those executive processes to make sure that whatever you're going to say next is coming out in the right language, and that you're not getting misled by using the wrong language"
Over time, these mental gymnastics protect the brain by hindering the natural slowdown of the executive processes that occurs with age.
To prove this point, York researchers tested the cognitive function of 104 adults aged 30 to 59, and 50 adults aged 60 to 88........blah blah
....Bilinguals were faster on the test than monolinguals in each age group, says Bialystok.
Additionally, the study found that while monolinguals and bilinguals start slowing down at around the same age, around 60 of the monolinguals experienced a faster rate of mental decline.
"So, what we found is that if you're bilingual, that normal slowdown is far less rapid, far less dramatic." Bialystok said....blah blah
Sorry for de-threading the thread. Heh heh