What makes you a Canadian?
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Very well said Dexter Sinister
I can echo most of your words except that my parent's were American. I am also Canadian both by birth and by choice. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I've traveled a fair amount in this world and I have yet to see any place where I would rather have lived, and raised my kids.
Canada has a few warts to be sure, but even with the warts, it is still the best place to live and that particular sentiment is shared by a lot of people all over the world.
I can echo most of your words except that my parent's were American. I am also Canadian both by birth and by choice. I wouldn't have it any other way.
I've traveled a fair amount in this world and I have yet to see any place where I would rather have lived, and raised my kids.
Canada has a few warts to be sure, but even with the warts, it is still the best place to live and that particular sentiment is shared by a lot of people all over the world.
Exercise in contrasts
This forum is a great illustration of the contrast of experiences and outlooks we've got amongst ourselves. Dexter, your "I'm Canadian by birth, heritage, and choice" statement is a stirring one, and makes me proud to share our great country.
I do feel sorry on further reflection, that your Canadian experience has not treated you better Katrina, and I trust that you will have more quality souls enter your life, to "fill-full" your heart.
AND, by patriotic choice I fly nothing but the Maple Leaf emblazened aircraft whenever I have a choice.
This forum is a great illustration of the contrast of experiences and outlooks we've got amongst ourselves. Dexter, your "I'm Canadian by birth, heritage, and choice" statement is a stirring one, and makes me proud to share our great country.
I do feel sorry on further reflection, that your Canadian experience has not treated you better Katrina, and I trust that you will have more quality souls enter your life, to "fill-full" your heart.
AND, by patriotic choice I fly nothing but the Maple Leaf emblazened aircraft whenever I have a choice.
canada is just a construct. there is nothing special about it. To me, what makes someone canadian, or any other nationality, in their beliefs or statements is nothing. People looking for something to belong to, to be part of a pack, and thats it.
Have I been affected by canada? yes. have I been afflicted with canada? yes.
I was born within the lines on a map calling this area canada, but I have no more affiliation to these lines than I do to any other arbitraty lines on that map.
I certianly would not fly with a second-rate airline because of a leaf on the tail! I would fly with them if there was no other choice.
Have I been affected by canada? yes. have I been afflicted with canada? yes.
I was born within the lines on a map calling this area canada, but I have no more affiliation to these lines than I do to any other arbitraty lines on that map.
I certianly would not fly with a second-rate airline because of a leaf on the tail! I would fly with them if there was no other choice.
Got your goat!
I knew someone still healing from an Air Canada burn might get excited. I have a crazy-load of aeroplan points - what can I say - I'm biased.
What's the deeper "beef" with Canada, other than the day-to-day mundane inconveniences that we all experience?
With such a bold statement of non-loyalty Caracal, you should elaborate on your dis-association with the lines of this country.
Being somewhat of a patriot, I'm firmly biased again, but don't worry - no "war lines" drawn here. Seeking to understand...
I knew someone still healing from an Air Canada burn might get excited. I have a crazy-load of aeroplan points - what can I say - I'm biased.
What's the deeper "beef" with Canada, other than the day-to-day mundane inconveniences that we all experience?
With such a bold statement of non-loyalty Caracal, you should elaborate on your dis-association with the lines of this country.
Being somewhat of a patriot, I'm firmly biased again, but don't worry - no "war lines" drawn here. Seeking to understand...
Even this topic - which had a great start - praising things about Canada and being a Canadian.....
....morphed into yet another anti-American thread..... with the exception of the two who had a few criticisms of Canada - which I guess isn't allowed either. "Either yer with us or agin us eh?"
Has a familiar sound to it.
....morphed into yet another anti-American thread..... with the exception of the two who had a few criticisms of Canada - which I guess isn't allowed either. "Either yer with us or agin us eh?"
Has a familiar sound to it.
Curio read the article I posted about Knowing Canadian History you need a laugh and this article will crack you up. I'm Canadian because I was born here, my ancestors chose to immigrate here and raise their families and pass on their traditions. I'm Canadian by choice as are those who come here and settle into Canadian life in the 21st Century.
gear,
Perhaps the question should by why you attach yourself to an area drawn on map?
If you want to know my "beef" with canada, it isn't so much a "beef" but a disharmony. However, that disharmony is a matter of degree. Sure, there are specific "canadian" things that are incongruent to me, but the majority of inconguities are with the masses of humanity itself.
Simply put, I don't need a tribe, I don't want a tribe. I don't have any desire to play up one group as being something special. It comes down to "special compared to what"? In that, you will see all the patriotism we see is built on a false notion of some how, some way, "your clan" has something another group does not. The moment you surrender to such a notion, you are dependent on that other group for your identity. Who is your master? It is a tricky question.
Perhaps the question should by why you attach yourself to an area drawn on map?
If you want to know my "beef" with canada, it isn't so much a "beef" but a disharmony. However, that disharmony is a matter of degree. Sure, there are specific "canadian" things that are incongruent to me, but the majority of inconguities are with the masses of humanity itself.
Simply put, I don't need a tribe, I don't want a tribe. I don't have any desire to play up one group as being something special. It comes down to "special compared to what"? In that, you will see all the patriotism we see is built on a false notion of some how, some way, "your clan" has something another group does not. The moment you surrender to such a notion, you are dependent on that other group for your identity. Who is your master? It is a tricky question.
Hi Sassy! Will read the article.....
My father's family were some of the first white settlers in western Alberta - farming and ranching from Cochrane into the foothills and south into Montana, Idaho and Wyoming before the great parallel divide was set into place dividing the two nations.
I was born in Canada....still am a citizen.... but have chosen to stay in my adopted nation. Not because I dislike Canada at all..... but because I have made a home for myself and am a vital part of my community in which I work. My Canadian upbringing - my close ties to my Canadian families, my early education in Canada are all things I am eternally grateful for and a fierce pride in that country so sparsely populated with such a great land mass to govern...and it gets done.
Still it disappoints me to read Canadians defining themselves by being "not American" no matter what the topic is..... it's just lame. The title is: What makes you a Canadian? It isn't Mensa stuff.
Still straining hard to find anti-Americanism I see. Cheers...have a good day anyway.
Lack of harmony
Good thoughts. Thanks for the reply, I understand where you're coming from.
To liberate one's self from your national "boundries" and ideologies is important - agreed. In fact, with some of the posts herein, it is obvious that many have not ventured far beyond the nest. And in my opinion, perhaps they should never have ventured so far. Openmindedness comes from seperating yourself from your frame of reference, and resisting the urge to speak before actually hearing and listening.
I feel that disharmony and intense incongruity when I go to Walmart. To use another member's phrase, there certainly are alot of people that seem to have fallen off the turnip truck.
P.S. Cool avatar - why did you pick it? (On a completely un-related or enlightened thought)
Good thoughts. Thanks for the reply, I understand where you're coming from.
To liberate one's self from your national "boundries" and ideologies is important - agreed. In fact, with some of the posts herein, it is obvious that many have not ventured far beyond the nest. And in my opinion, perhaps they should never have ventured so far. Openmindedness comes from seperating yourself from your frame of reference, and resisting the urge to speak before actually hearing and listening.
I feel that disharmony and intense incongruity when I go to Walmart. To use another member's phrase, there certainly are alot of people that seem to have fallen off the turnip truck.
P.S. Cool avatar - why did you pick it? (On a completely un-related or enlightened thought)
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Actually travelling south of the border, I see more poverty, a lot of people with little to no education, segregation, loads of crime, mean streets and extremely rude and corrupt police officers
Taller buildings? Of which cities are you talking about?
More expensive cars? Where did you see this... Beverly Hills?
Salaries are higher.. Can't argue with that one; but I would prefer a society where income levels are not so highly concentrated among the upper-elite class.
Where did you find people were more pleasant? I'd love to know that one... I won't argue about Toronto, though; that city is rude.
Kreskin
Are you kidding? I counted 5 or 6 posts offering comparative commentary.
Juan
I never have to "look very far" for anti-American writing when you are present on a forum Juan. Your biased views have become commonplace in our cyber community. It is expected of you at every opportunity you find a place to insert your opinions. The "I was born an American" is getting a bit old.... as if it makes you "better" than a Canadian?
Are you kidding? I counted 5 or 6 posts offering comparative commentary.
Juan
I never have to "look very far" for anti-American writing when you are present on a forum Juan. Your biased views have become commonplace in our cyber community. It is expected of you at every opportunity you find a place to insert your opinions. The "I was born an American" is getting a bit old.... as if it makes you "better" than a Canadian?
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,
If only you had learned to read. I have not said "I was born an American". Ever. I will accept your apology anytime.
Actually travelling south of the border, I see more poverty, a lot of people with little to no education, segregation, loads of crime, mean streets and extremely rude and corrupt police officers
Taller buildings? Of which cities are you talking about?
More expensive cars? Where did you see this... Beverly Hills?
Salaries are higher.. Can't argue with that one; but I would prefer a society where income levels are not so highly concentrated among the upper-elite class.
Where did you find people were more pleasant? I'd love to know that one... I won't argue about Toronto, though; that city is rude.
Hah, you think that Toronto has less crime? Go to Scarborogh...
Where do you go in the States if you visit such dumps with cheap cars and rude people? Treat yourself to a nice place
. Then you'll see a difference. And people are really much nicer in the States, they are happy, not like those depressed Canadians...Well, I've been all over New York State several times... Chicago (drove through Michigan and saw Detroit on the way), Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Tallahassee, Atlanta, Phoenix, Tuscon, Los Angeles, San Francisco... been through Vermont (when I lived in Montreal.. nice people in Vermont) and many small and medium-sized cities inbetween each mentioned.
I gather by your English and the fact that you know Scarborough well enough that you are probably a "refugee" [of some kind], god knows how lucky to have made it to the First World and just want something to complain about. It also sounds like you've never even been to this 'paradise' of a country you are talking about and just take joy in spending your time, paid for on the doll, posting on Internet forums trying to get rise from people.
I gather by your English and the fact that you know Scarborough well enough that you are probably a "refugee" [of some kind], god knows how lucky to have made it to the First World and just want something to complain about. It also sounds like you've never even been to this 'paradise' of a country you are talking about and just take joy in spending your time, paid for on the doll, posting on Internet forums trying to get rise from people.
Nice places... You probably should've gone from your trailer park to see more attractions in those cities
. Yes, I know how Scarborough is spelled, because it's in the news all the time. That seems to be a criminal center of Toronto, the criminal capital of Canada.
And sorry, I don't think that Canada is the "first world" country, that sounds just funny. Several cities, cattle, forests for 30 mln population...