Canadian flag causes flap.Maple Leaf on baggage irks 'sensitive' Americans

[Screaming Lord Byron]

http://www.canada.com/national/story.asp?id=D333BE79-44EE-407B-B960-BF1FA49CAE39

God knows what to make of this.

OTTAWA -- Canadians should be careful not to appear "boastful" to Americans, who are insecure because of the war in Iraq and admit they are annoyed by northerners showing off the red maple leaf on their luggage when they travel, a recent federal report warns.

In focus groups held this fall in four U.S. cities where the federal government is opening consulates, Americans acknowledged they don't know much about Canadians.

"Some participants expressed a certain amount of annoyance at what is perceived as a systematic attempt by Canadians to make the statement that they are not Americans by sporting the maple leaf," said the recently released report. "This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world ...."

[Fovea]

1. Show em proudly!

Canadians have nothing to be hiding or ashamed of.

[KensPen]

2. Only WE

are allowed to be flag waving patriots.

[GOPFighter]

8. Uh, you meant..

...flag waving idiots?

[Jeff in Cincinnati]

6. Depends on the American

When I see a maple leaf displayed, I have my knee-jerk reaction is to look favorably upon that person.

[Grins]

26. Actually..

They should be damned proud. Maybe those "Americans" should be reminded that it was the Canadian Embassy staff that risked their lives and risked capture themselves in smuggling American Embassy staff out of Iran in the 70's. I was at a restaurant (in Wash., DC) when the story came out. There was a guy at the table next to me heard that there were some Canadians sitting at another table, and he sent over a bottle of champagne as a "Thanks!" The owner told them dessert and after-dinner drinks were on the house.

Now we have to hear this crap about our great neighbors.

[saskatoon]

44. Americans hurt seeing the Canadian flag

OOOOh my god, boohoo, oh how aaaawwwwull! I can hardly stand it.

[IndianaGreen]

96. I'll show the Maple Leaf in solidarity with our Canadian friends!

Canada did not attack Iraq! Or nuke Hiroshima and Nagasaki!

[hlthe2b]

3. As one who traveled/worked extensively in the Middle East

and was assumed to be Canadian, because I did not fit the sterotypes of the "ugly Ameican" or whatever the viewpoint of Brits, I think this is a hoot. My only question: where can I get some of that luggage? LOL

[Lorien]

4. From the article:

The report says even Americans who blame the Bush administration to some extent for the country's poor relations with the world, do not seem to understand why friendly countries and neighbours such as Canada would want to distance themselves from Americans.

For instance, an American from San Diego is quoted saying: "What bugs me about Canadians, if I may, is that they wear that damn patch on their bags, the Canadian flag patch. That way, they differentiate themselves from us."

All I can say is:wtf: probably the same yahoos that think Jesus was an American :eyes:

[Screaming Lord Byron]

Well, Canada's not a real country y'know.

We're just pretending. We're actually just a northern extention of Vermont.

[HereSince1628]

33. Crap, I thought you were part of Newfoundland.

Well, not really. But I'd have sworn Saskatchewan was part of the Dakotas.

[ozone_man]

127. LOL, we would be proud to have you.

Quebec is our largest trading partner here in VT. In fact, we were almost part of Quebec at one time, preceding the revolution.

I have the highest regard for Canada, especially after standing up to Bush on the Iraq war.

[FlaGranny]

60. And I wonder how that is so

different than Americans displaying flags everywhere. Are we the only people allowed to display flags? Oh the humility!

[Mari333]

106. I once heard an american woman state

"if English was good enough for Jesus its good enough for ME"!!
when asked about whether Ebglish should be made the predominant language of the US.
Brain dead.
I fly the French and UN flag on my flagpole. If I flew the US flag it would certainly be upside down until Bushit is OUT of OUR white house.

[Bunny]

5. Boy are we douchebags.

We feel threatened and alienated by the maple leaf being displayed by Canadians? Good Lord. After we've pissed off the entire universe with our flag brandishing, we're going to be pissed at Canadians?

[Hong Kong Cavalier]

7. Awwww....

poor Amewicans can't accept that they're wejected by the west of the da world...
Cripes. I can't say I've heard everything but I'm coming close.
I message to my fellow Americans: LIVE WITH IT OR FIRE BUSH!

[arcane1]

9. you have got to be goddamn kidding me... this is REAL?

the same ditto-monkey shit-heads who cannot have ENOUGH flags waving 24/7 in everyone's face, and the flag pins and the flag scarves and the little worn-out flags on their SUV's covering the landscape as if the flag was made of crack cocaine??

These idiots are uncomfortable about the Canadian flag?????

:wtf:

I guess Americans are the only ones allowed to have any pride in their country, huh?

'scuse me, I think I need to purchase a do-it-yourself trepanning kit after reading this...

[buycitgo]

130. heh

he said trepanning......my favorite hobby

[buycitgo]

131. almost forgot......

isn't "do-it-yourself trepanning" straight from the Department of Redundancy Department?

[HEyHEY]

10. Tough shit

Fucking hypocrites.

I like the "AN american was qouted as saying" line...what AMerican? WHy? WHen was he spoken to?

[PsychoDad]

11. This is just messed-up!

This is rediculous!
Keep showing that maple leaf proudly Canada!

Is this the century of the ugly american or what?

[Ellen Forradalom]

78. The Project for the New Ugly American

seems to be working, sadly.

[priller]

12. How idiotic!

My god, Americans show their flags at every conceivable moment, for every imaginable triumph, no matter how small. Why shouldn't Canadians be allowed to wave their flags also?

[GOPFighter]

13. Not all of them are Canadians!

When my coworker traveled to Central America last spring, he plasrtered the maple leaf on his luggage. He told me "I don't want to be mistaken for an American down there!"

:-)

[Karenina]

39. During the blowjob brouhaha

When I was not in the mood to explain Americans' distorted prurient interests to Europeans, I deflected grillings by saying, "Dont ask me, I'm Canadian."
It was QUITE effective.

[LiberalFighter]

98. Hmmm good tactic to avoid kidnappings too

[brainshrub]

14. When I see a person sporting a Canadian flag

my first reaction very positive. I like Canadians...good bunch of folks.

[KansDem]

15. Buyer's remorse...

The report says even Americans who blame the Bush administration to some extent for the country's poor relations with the world, do not seem to understand why friendly countries and neighbours such as Canada would want to distance themselves from Americans.

"We bought" George W. Bush in 2000, now we are regretting it. And will tend to take out our frustration and anger on others. Remember that "great deal" on that car/house/second mortgage/etc. that you later learned wasn't a great deal after all? Remember how you felt? That's USA today, folks!!!

Hey, what about the 3-day "cooling off" period??? Sorry, this deal's sealed!

(edited for clarity)

[beyurslf]

24. Hey KansDem

from Wichita here. You?

[KansDem]

35. NE Kansas...

Johnson Co. I work in downtown KC MO, though, so I enjoy the best of both worlds ;)

[Code_Name_D]

63. Wichita here.

:)

[put out]

102. Johnson County too.

I'm new, so call me down quick for jacking or killing a thread. I don't want to make my neighborhood look worse than it already does.

[regnaD kciN]

104. Maybe more like "NON-Buyer's remorse"..?

"We bought" George W. Bush in 2000, now we are regretting it.

Who's "we," Kemosabe?

Last time I checked, "we" voted for President Gore in 2000 by a margin of about a half-million votes.

[patdem]

16. I have a red and white maple leaf flag right here in my office

My sig other LOVES Canada and when he visited brought back a full sized Canadian flag which is right next to me....I can look to my l/r? er uh right...(sorry folks) and see the flag. I cannot imagaine how small minded a person must be to object to another nation caring about their nation??? Insecure as the article stipulates.

[imax2268]

17. That's just plain ignorant...

I can't believe that people would be so ignorant as to say that they don't like the fact that someone from another country would be proud to show their flag...but yet some in this country want to ram the stars and stripes down other peoples throats...it's so rediculous...

[DuctapeFatwa]

18. Anyone have a url for maple leaf decals?

Suitable for decorating luggage?

How is the supply? Are the factories working overtime yet?

[iverglas]

80. here ya go ... but

... flying the maple leaf out of solidarity is much appreciated. But using it to identify one's self as Canadian when one isn't, isn't really. It's kinda like Pepsi putting "Coke" on its bottles ... the value of Coke's goodwill could be affected.

If somebody's gonna tarnish our image abroad, we'd rather it be us, and not, say the Mossad agents who reportedly have a fondness for travelling on Cdn passports. And indeed, we're capable of doing it from time to time. The little matter of the Somali teenager tortured and murdered by a few of our Airborne didn't help the paint job. And just consider Céline Dion.


http://www.hccolour.com/catalog/Misc.html

[Khephra]

19. Domesticated Primates

This country is full of them.

[Ellen Forradalom]

79. I dunno about the domesticated part....

... they seem to fling a lot of feces when they're upset.

[TrogL]

20. Now there's a twist

but it's hardly new.

I went to Europe in 1972. We were very careful to wear maple leaf lapel pins and discrete Canadian logos on luggage (Air Canada tags helped) else we got mistaken for Americans.

At one hotel, we were being given a rough time about getting a room until the day manager spotted a maple leaf, began screaming at the desk clerk and then profusely apologized for mistaking us for Americans.

In later years, Americans began donning Canadian regalia in hopes of better treatment, but things like Texas accents gave them away.

This article was on the front page of the local paper and I just looked at it wondered :wtf:.

[Richardo]

21. "sensitive Americans" THERE'S an oxymoron for ya...

:eyes:

As my Dad would wisely say: "Oh brother...."

[Jerseycoa]

22. Ignorance Rules n/t

[Rainbows]

73. Yeah it does ...

hell most these folks think it has something to do with our recent behavior. Those maple leafs really are to tell us for years our acid rain has been ruining their sweet syrup. (t&c)

[Zero Gravitas]

23. WTF Cry-baby freepers

:wtf:

Amazing. Candaians aren't allowed to put their own flag on their own baggage because some freeper-half wit might be offended by the notion that they (the Canuks) might not want to be mistaken for Americans because Our Glorious Leader is a fuck up? Give me a fucking break. How absurd.

[grannylib]

25. Oh for God's sake....my apologies to our Canadian friends for the

gross stupidity of some of my compatriots...yikes.
Most Americans know too little about their own country, and certainly not enough about others, including our two closest neighbors.

[wryter2000]

27. WTF?

Heck, I know an American who wears a maple leaf for that very reason. Who can blame the Canadians? If I were to go abroad, I'd wear a t-shirt that proclaimed..."American but against the war."

[GregW]

28. When I was hitchhiking around NZ in my youth ...

I always wondered about why they displayed their flags on their packs. When I finally asked one, her reply was, "So people don't think we're American".

Now I can see why :(

[Beetwasher]

29. Oh brother. Like our ubiquitous Stars and Stripes

that's being force fed down the rest of the world's throat doesn't make the world retch...

[kitkatrose]

30. When I think people can't get any more stupid

articles like this come along. Now, Americans have been waving the damn flag 24/7 for about two years. Hell, we've got flag-patterned thongs! When someone else decides to have just one little luggage patch, they get pissed. :wtf: Some things, people just need to shut the hell up about.

[benfranklin1776]

31. So Junior has reduced us to this.

His alienation of the world, and the sycophantic villification by our mass media of other nations that disagree with his embrace of empire building, has spawned a group of people so ultra nationalistic and terminally insecure that those people would deride the citizens of another country for wearing a symbol of their country or displaying it on their luggage. The great irony here is that those same ultra nationalistic, thin skinned folks who are upset that Canadians display their flag on their luggage are undoubtedly the ones who festoon their person, their vehicles and their houses with as many American flag related decorations as they can lay their hands on. Somehow they seem to feel that they have the right to display the symbol of their country with pride but other citizens of other countries do not. This is an amazing self centered egocentrism that explains why the citizenry of other countries look upon the belligerent idiots running this administration as arrogant and self serving people who have no regard for the feelings or concerns of the rest of the inhabitants of this planet.

I am proud that Canada is our neighbor and their citizenry our brothers and sisters so I hope that they continue to display their flag on their luggage whenever they travel here and do not succumb to this idiotically unAmerican attempt at forcing them to deny their country and their home.

[Cooley Hurd]

46. This isn't surprising - probably the same fools who poured...

...French wine into the gutter and renamed their French fries "freedom" fries after France's opposition to the Iraq warb.

I never knew lead paint chips could do that much damage to one's brain...

[benfranklin1776]

50. Indeed you are probably right. It is the same strain of rabidity.

"hate em cause dere damn fureners"

It is probably not so much the paint chips any more but, given Junior's EPA, the arsenic and pesticides in the drinking water.

[0007]

62. Glory be to God - junior has united us, don't a feel safer now?

Go Canada go -

[Mikimouse]

32. Awwwww, give the poor things a wowwypop!

[aquart]

34. Good grief!

[ZenLefty]

36. Oh. I thought it was that hit Domi made on Neidermeyer

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/hockey/cup01/2001-05-04-domi.htm
http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs2001/2001/0504/1191428.html

I wasn't much of a Maple Leafs fan before that, and I wasn't too impressed afterwards either.

[HEyHEY]

37. I hate DOmi

He's an asshole..I mean beyond enforcer type asshole.

[Bandit]

38. I say let's NUKE Em

How dare they be proud of their country and place their flag on their luggage. It makes us 'Muricans look bad. People want to disassociate themselves from the US. Just can't figure out why they would want to do that. :crazy:

[Dover]

40. Yeah, but Americans will wear, drive with, sleep on, poster the with

our flag.

The greatest crimes upon humanity in the world have been carried out by those with deep
"insecurities", if they somehow manage to seize power.

[JAbuchan08]

41. You darn Canadians had better fall in line,

just because YOUR government hasn't made YOU hated around the world doesn't mean you should make a point to avoid being hated as well. Responsible Canadians should pay the price for American actions, better start ponying up for the war you were against as well. It's only reasonable that the whole world embrace our mistakes.

[ninkasi]

42. My sincere apology to Canadians everywhere.

I have nothing but admiration for your country. Please try to forgive the churlish, childish, insensitive behavior of some of my countrymen. They are just following their role model, Dubya, who is a spoiled, bullying, ignorant sociopath.

Canada, you give me hope. Please know that we aren't all like that.

[David__77]

43. I'm sure some Americans are "sporting the maple leaf" too!

Who wants to be associated with the policies of the Bush regime? Many white South Africans said they were British when traveling under apartheid as well.

[KansDem]

45. I don't recall we Americans being "irked" and "sensitive" in 1980...

...when the Canadian Maple Leaf was used to get 6 Americans out of Iran...

Four days after the storming of the American Embassy, Ambassador Taylor received a call from five Americans who had escaped from the Embassy when it was overrun. They were hiding, but they were afraid that they'd soon be discovered and captured. Ambassador Taylor immediately recommended to his government in Ottawa that Americans be given shelter. Without any hesitation, the Canadian Government granted the permission. Two days later, the Americans were taken to Ambassador Taylor's residence and that of another Canadian Embassy family, the John Sheardowns. Two weeks later, another American joined his five compatriots. For 79 days, they lived there pretending to be visitors. I understand they're the best-read and the most skilled Scrabble players in all of North America.

There were several tense moments in the weeks that followed. At one point, an article was imminent in a Montreal paper which would have disclosed the story of the sheltered Americans. In an admirable display of responsibility, the journalist who had written the article agreed to withdraw it from publication. However, from this article, and more immediately from an anonymous phone call to the Taylor's residence asking to speak to two of the escapees, Ambassador Taylor knew that the chances of his guests being discovered were high.

At this point, the Canadian Government in Ottawa and the Embassy began the ingenious preparations for an escape. The Canadian Government agreed to issue fictitious passports to the Americans. The Canadian Embassy staff began making flights in and out of Tehran to establish a travel pattern and to learn airport procedures.

Finally, on January 28th, 1980, the Americans packed the bags that were given them by their Canadian hosts with the clothes also given to them. Using their Canadian passports, they flew out of the country. Ambassador Taylor and three others of his staff saw them off and then left themselves. Even this brief outline of those 79 days highlights what a team effort it was.
http://rescueattempt.tripod.com/hostagerescueattempt/id7.html

My, my, we Americans have such short memories...

[imax2268]

53. Great post...

thanks...it's so true how soon people forget...

To our neighbors in the Great White North...I apologize to all of you who may think that the US is an ignorant nation...those who feel that anyone who displays their flag on their luggage or what have you, as "insenstive"...do not understand and are blindly following the "thief-n-chief"...

I for one like Canada and have been their many times...please do not pay attention to these ingnorant fools...display your flag loud and proud...!!!

[pinto]

64. I was in DC in '80 and remember an office bldg sporting a big

"Thank You Canada" in block letters in the windows.

Sure was good to have a friend at that time....

[glitch]

47. gonna put this flag on my luggage:

[Hobarticus]

48. How embarrassing...

[Dover]

49. Yeah, while the U.S. plasters the world with the red, white and blue

Freepers fly it in their yards, stick it on every bumper of every car they own (even the ones on blocks in the yard), on their luggage, their childrens's diapers, their clothing, their sheets...

But that kind of (...cough) boastful national pride...is not permitted by other nations. Isn't that special.

The greatest crimes against humanity have occurred when deeply insecure and twisted people seize power, and try to deny it to others.

Of course these days showing the U.S. colors outside our borders is risky business.

[Arugula Latte]

51. Maybe these "hurt" douchebags...

should ask themselves WHY Americans are hated worldwide. Could it be...hmmm...oh, I don't know...SATAN BUSH?

[myrna minx]

52. Good Gawd...

Will we force Canadians to waive American Flags during the Olympics? What a shame.

[Tripper11]

54. Oh well....we live in Seattle and

on my truck I have one on display..and on our car we have one with an American flag right beside it. No one has hassled us yet. YET!

[Gemini Cat]

55. Stupid, totally stupid.

Sensitive Americans, my arse! Are these so called 'sensitive' Americans (most likely freepers) so stupid they can't understand there are other countries who have national pride too? Those little stupid freeping fuckers really *do* think they own the world!

[Solidarity]

56. No "Problem " With Canadians At All

Thanks for your lead post. Most people have no objections to Canadians displaying their national flag. The only people who object are Bushites who think Canadians should be waving the American flag and singing the U.S. National Anthymn.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

57. Welcome to DU, Solidarity.

[AndyTiedye]

66. When The Draft Starts Up Here

You folks with the maple leaves will be beseiged by Americans asking
for advice on moving there.

[Supormom]

118. My thoughts exactly...

when the draft starts up in 2005 Canada will see an influx of new residents from its southern neighbor.

[GainesT1958]

58. A few years ago...

A nurse in Greenville, N.C.--who had come down from Sudbury, Ont., to work in the med center in Greenville--told me that she and her fellow Canadian nurses were shy about celebrating Canada Day (July 1) too openly and too "vehemently" in the U.S.

I was stunned. "But why, Collette?" I asked. "If I were with some Americans in Toronto, I would have no qualms whatsoever about celebrating the Fourth openly and proudly. Why would you all be worried about celebrating your national day here?"

"I guess we just look at it a little differently", she said.

That's fine--and their right--for Canadians, including, of course, our fellow DUers from north of the border, to do that. But it's also great if they wish to show their pride at coming from Canada, and fly and disply the Leaf just as we do the Stars and Stripes. And why shouldn't they? They surely DON'T have anything to be ashamed of for being from there; quite frankly, they look pretty UPSTANDING to me right now, compared to our current administration!:eyes:

B-)

[JailBush]

59. Some Relevant Points...

1. The United Stats national flag is sensibly designed, but most state flags SUCK. Canada's provincial flags are far superior.

2. Many Americans who travel abroad sport Canadian flags so foreign nationals won't think they're Americans.

3. The United States is the only nation in the world that refuses to dip its national flag to the host nation during the Olympics. Is that the ultimate in arrogance, or WHAT?

4. Canadians pay homage to a distant Queen who loves horses and associates with one of the Bush clan's biggest allies.

5. I lived in Newfoundland for a while.

6. There is at least one as*hole in Canada. I worked with him in the Aleutian Islands.

7. Qibla Cola is marketed in Canada, though it hasn't penetrated the U.S. yet.

8. Jimi Hendrix recorded a beautiful rendition of The Star Spangled Banner, but he never tackled Oh Canada.

9. Most of the world's narwhals live in Canada; there are very few in Alaska.

10. While many Americans argue that we protect Canada, there probably aren't many nations that would want to attack it aside from the fact that it's somewhat allied with the U.S.

[northzax]

114. more trivia

Oh Canada shares the same music with Hail Colby Hail, my beloved alma mater.

[Hoppin_Mad]

61. In the early 80's when I was travelling in Nicaragua and El Salvador . . .

I saw a Tshirts with a big red maple leaf, and underneath it said

" Don't shoot me - I'm Canadian "

;-)

[PacificWind]

65. Canadians too patriotic for sensitive Americans

In our local paper the article was even longer, but there isn't an online version for it. Some other concerns printed in the story.

... Americans more concerned with Canada's perceived "lax immigration policy" than with the safety of the border itself.

... a fact sheet stating none of the 9/11 terrorists came through Canada recieved a mixed response, with Americans saying it sounded "too defensive."

... Americans view Canada as "much more liberal than the States if not outright socialist."

... Canada's universal health care system is viewed with some suspicion by Americans.

... gay marriage legislation.
... the decriminalization of marijuana.
... Vancouver's legal hard drug injection centre experiment.

And this from the NYTimes:

Recently, while musing about his retirement plans, Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said he might just kick back and smoke some pot. "I will have my money for my fine and a joint in the other hand," he said with a smile. The glibness of the remark made it nearly impossible to imagine an American president uttering it. But in a nation where the dominant west coast city, Vancouver, has come to be known as Vansterdam, few Canadians blinked.

---

Same author, same story, but it is not as condensed as the posted story by Screaming Lord Byron.

Canadians too patriotic for sensitive Americans

Focus groups in U.S. reveal growing rift

Jack Aubry
CanWest News Service
Calgary Herald
December 8, 2003

excerpts:

"This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world . . . ."

A front-page story in the New York Times this week, which declared that Canada’s stance on social issues is opening rifts with the U.S., is unwittingly confirmed with the earlier findings of the report.

[MostlyBlackCat2]

67. Putting a Canadian Flag on my luggage

always seemed like a good idea to me - so as not to be identified as a part of the american silliness that is pervading our culture.

When I see someone travelling with a Canadian flag on their luggage/backpack/jacket my first instinct is to walk over and whisper "could you please take me with you" but that would get misconstrued and be embarrassing so I don't.

[markus]

68. Up here in Fargo, a lot of businesses fly a Canadian Flag

as a courtesy to the large number of shoppers who come down from Canada.

I wonder if the Holiday Inn, etc. still have their Canadian flags up? And I wonder what Canadian shoppers would think if they were gone?

[tom_paine]

69. The world does hate Imperial Amerika, and with good reason, thanks to Bush

I don't blame the Canadians a whit for wanting to distance themselves from us.

Not a whit.

[BiggJawn]

70. Guess I need to fly the Maple Leaf, now.

You Canuck folks are A-O-K by me!
Shame I can't come and stay after martial law's declared....

[MasonJar]

71. The Ugly American

has been around a long time, but this goes beyond ugly. It is now mortifying to be an American. It comes from all this preaching that other countries hate us for our lifestyles. What a joke. If one could choose to live in Paris or Rome or London or Seville or the French countryside(need I go on?) who would choose the world of Shrub and Ken Lay and wolfowitz (and need I go on?)?

[Scott Lee]

72. Oh boo fucking hoo

""This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest of the world ...."


Well my STARS who can America blame for that? *looks down the toilet at the Warchimp*

[Spazito]

74. This article fills me with an overwhelming sense of sadness

The mere fact that there was the need for an article shows how different things compared to how they were prior to Nov 2000. Since when is showing pride in one's country by wearing a flag pin or having a luggage sticker with one's national symbol considered an insult to the US?

I very much appreciate the kind responses of the poster here regarding the article and it's content, thank you!

Our two countries have been great friends for a very long time. Sure, we have had our trade disputes but they have been dealt with without effecting our relationship. We banter back and forth about our differences with no malice intended. All this has changed, not because, I believe, most Americans feel like those quoted in the article but because of the noxious tone set by the Bush administration.

It is so very sad.

[screembloodymurder]

75. Where can I buy some

I want them on my luggage.

[kalian]

76. This is ridiculous...

they should look in the friggin mirror with all their flag waving
and obscene statements like "Power of Pride" and "God Bless America".
There are OTHER nations out there that are just as proud and just
as deserving to be "blessed" by some deity.

Another thing, these repukes and their goons wearing on their lapels
the American flag reminds me of the Soviet Politburo members that
had the Russian Soviet flag. They are HIDING behind it...you cannot
insult them without insulting "the flag". Blatant arrogance! :mad:

To the Candadians: fly your flag proudly!

[Ellen Forradalom]

77. As an American I say, let those soreheads suck it up.

Tough shit if your delicate feelings are hurt. Turn off Fox News once in a while and breathe in REALITY. Let the Maple Leaf fly!

[Nay]

81. I have dual citizenship, and my Canadian flag flies proudly!!

Why do Americans think this way? I would bet it's because they have told themselves over and over that EVERYONE wants to be an American -- and when people demonstrate that they are happy with their own countries, it flies in the face of Americans' self-delusions.

[SoCalDem]

82. Well BOO-HOO .. I am American, and I might actually want one

too.. If it means that foreign people I meet might treat me better if they didn'y know I was American, why not??

Maybe our government could stop acting like world class assholes, so we would not NEED to pretend we are Canadian :)

[roguevalley]

85. I have put Maple Leaves on my stuff when I go abroad for ten years. I

feel safer faking others out. Thank you, Canada, for
ten years of safety.

[roguevalley]

83. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE IGNORE THIS CRAP! NO one I know feels

this way. Damn! I am tired of this.

RV, who also has Canadian relatives.

[HEyHEY]

87. too late

We've already closed the border ;-)

[tinnypriv]

84. Same people probably spew nonsense at flag burning

Go figure.

[kodi]

86. wave the maple leaf proudly canada, you are a great nation

never met a canadian i didn't like and respect, and that is not something i can say about americans.

[BlueCollar]

88. Add me to the list

of people embarrased by my fellow Americans.

To our Canadian friends I ask only that you be patient...we are working to restore some semblance of civility...but under the current regime it's taking awhile.

[thisday]

89. to my canadian brothers:

i salute you!

to all republicans and other hypocrites:

thanks for making the rest of us look like the dog's arse too! :mad:

[camero]

90. If that's true

What are these idiots going to do when the Canadian Anthem is played at a hockey game?

I'm sorry, sometimes our fellow Americans are just rediculous.

[arcane1]

91. they hate Canadians for their freedoms

seems to me...

[RebelOne]

92. That makes no sense to me.

[Rex]

93. I'm sure none of these Americans could point out Canada on a map.

nt

[whirlygigspin]

95. My I love Iran stickers get the same reaction

go figure :7

I'm gonna miss Prime Minister Chretien, you gotta love him when he says he's gonna retire with a joint in one hand and the fine in the other.

Great Chretien moments: At a White House press conference in the rose garden(during the Clinton administration) a reporter asked Chretien about illegal drugs crossing the border...Chretien mistook the word drugs for trucks...and said "good, more trade!"
--there was a stunned silence and Bill Clinton was cracking up so hard I thought he'd fall over.

Chretien also once confused nuclear arms with firearms...speaking about nuclear arms..."it's dangerous to have in the house, maybe the kids find them, will start playing with them and that's dangerous, something bad could happen..."

[T Bone]

94. Well La-dee-dah

maybe if all these pricks who are 'uncomfortable' now had got out in the streets last winter to stop Georgie's iraq quagmire they wouldn't have to worry about it now.

[Hand]

97. Izzatso? Well...

I just changed my avatar! They can suck on this!

}( }(

[saoirse]

101. Let's start a movement!

Call me a copycat, but I'm jumping on the bandwagon.

Brilliant!

[saoirse]

99. Where ARE these hypersensitive souls?

I don't know anyone like that - even the few people I
know who admit to being Republicans.

This would make me mortified to be an American - if I
thought it was true.

Keep those Maple Leafs flying!

[eileen_d]

100. When I was in Calgary, I saw the Canadian flag everywhere

And I can't express how SAFE it made me feel. I know that probably sounds overly-idealistic, but just the fact that I was not in a country whose public face is the BFEE, Faux News, ad nauseum... it was quite liberating.

I know Canada doesn't have a perfect history, but by God its present is a much prettier picture than here in the United States of Embarrassment.

[regnaD kciN]

103. Blame Canada...

Blame Canada!
With all their beady little eyes,
And flappin' heads so full of lies.
Blame Canada!
Blame Canada!
We need to form a full assault,
It's Canada's fault!

[drfemoe]

105. It's because Canadians are too "French"

What the f*ck will they come up with next, travel bans to Canada?

This is a disgrace ..
"Some participants expressed a certain amount of annoyance at what is perceived as a systematic attempt by Canadians to make the statement that they are not Americans by sporting the maple leaf," said the recently released report.

Where did they get these participants? The Boynkin church of self righteous bigots?

As IF every nation in the world is supposed to be junior Americans.
Oh THIS will improve our 'rejected' status in the world community.

My mind boggles and stomach turns.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

108. Shh. Don't tell them the Irish, Scots, Welsh and English aren't American

not to mention the Australians, Kiwis, South Africans. Maybe they think that anyone that speaks English must be from the US.

[iverglas]

113. "what part of America are you from?"

The question my mum and I were asked by every single Brit we talked to when we were travelling in the UK 10 years ago. We took to just gritting our teeth and saying "The Canadian part". Which, after all, is true. (Canadians pretty much never call the US "America". It's "the States", always has been.)

We felt sorry for embarrassing the gardener at Salsbury Cathedral, who asked us that, when we stopped to chat about the wisteria. So I said "That's okay, just don't mistake us for French." (The gardener paused, and said "Thank you for that; we're told we're being intolerant." But hey, it was true. French tourists in the UK were hellacious, especially the groups of schoolchildren. But then, aren't all tourists? Except Canadians, of course. ;) The Brits in Calais, whom we observed when we crossed the channel with a bunch of them for a day, were equally obnoxious.)

And me, I was embarrassed when I assumed that a fellow tourist on a bus in London was Australian ... and it turned out she was from New Zealand. Apparently New Zealanders make habit of asking North Americans whether they're from Canada in order to avoid offending any Canadians they might run into, just because they know how it feels to be constantly mistaken for one of the big overbearing bunch next door.

Anyhow, all the kind words in the thread are indeed appreciated!

.

[JNelson6563]

107. If I were to go abroad right now

I'd plaster the beautiful maple leaf all over my luggage. Humming "O Canada" through the airports....

I've always loved Canada, spent many summers there on Manitoulin Island (any Canadian posters know of it?).

Rock on Canada! If these fascists remain in power and start up the draft my family and I will be moving your way. :hi:

Julie

[veganwitch]

109. i canadian friend in college said

canadians mostly show this "national pride" while traveling so they dont get mistaken for americans, especially to places that arent very 'murkia-friendly.

also, she would buy label pins and patches for american travelers going incognito.

[Holly]

110. Saddened by

the very fact that someone felt a need to hold this focus group. This question never would have been raised prior to *. ( I can't bring myself to write his name any longer). I'm dismayed how isolated in the world our American's friends have become. This administration has undertaken a systematic campaign that IMO is nothing short of abuse, quite similar to spousal abuse. Make people feel isolated and rejected to maintain control over them. Thank you DUers for all your kind words of support and friendship.We Canadian's will not abandon you. :pals:

[EV1Ltimm]

111. wow, what a bunch of pussies.

i think americans would be much more approving if only they made rear-window graphics for pickup trucks that sport the canadian flag and/or queen elizabeth holding a loon.

[MaineDem]

112. This is so embarassing

I live 50 miles from the Canadian border. I've always thought of Canada as a great friend and ally and I grew up visiting there almost every year.

I apologize to our Canadian sisters and brothers. This is horrendous and not all US residents feel this way.

Our government has given us a reason to be ashamed. It's so sad.

[grannylib]

115. I agree...I spent about 6 weeks up in Ontario about 8 months after

9/11, and there were American flags everywhere, signs of care and support for our country (even though I am sure Canadians died at WTC too) and everyone I met was friendly and kind and gracious...I really had a good experience overall while I was there.
Got to travel around just a little on the weekends and did get up to Toronto; had never been there and that was a blast, people were great...
Why do so many people try to 'prove' the stereotype of the Ugly American??? God, it makes me sick and sad...

[Zech Marquis]

116. my god!!!

Gime one of those cbadia flag stickers-I'll put it on my desk where everybody can see it! :evilgrin:

so it's patriotic to throw the US flag in everyone's face and use any way--like a headband or..Jlo's next gown :eyes:, but don't you DARE show the Canadian flag?!

[PacificWind]

117. USA track and field athletes may shun colors in name of security

USA track and field athletes may shun colors in name of security

By Tom Foreman Jr., The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — As a precaution, American track and field athletes at the 2004 Athens Olympics might be discouraged from wearing red, white and blue or anything with "USA" when they are not competing.

"For security reasons, if that's the way they want to go, that's what we'll do," said U.S. men's track coach George Williams, also track and field coach at St. Augustine's College in Raleigh.

Williams said the topic of apparel in Athens was discussed during last week's USA Track & Field annual meeting in Greensboro, which ended Sunday.

USA Track & Field spokeswoman Jill Geer said Monday that "off-track uniform issues are governed by the U.S. Olympic Committee."

more...

[durutti]

119. Most ridiculous thing I've ever seen in my life.

n/t

[0rganism]

120. The USA is the Dylan Klebold of the global high school

Careful, you don't want us "feeling rejected by the rest of the world", we might have to go Columbine on your ass.

*sigh*

I miss the Old Republic.

[skippysmom]

121. let me get this straight...

Displaying the American flag=wonderful display of patriotism

Displaying the Canadian flag="boastful" display of disgraceful nationalism

Whaaaaaaaaaahhh?????????

[s33]

122. Im in Australia and....

we get alot of Canadian tourists,probably third only to Japanese and Brit tourists.On any given day around Sydney Harbour you will spot a heap of backpacks sporting the maple leaf.I always assumed it was sewn on because most people outside Nth America cant tell the difference between the two accents.I dont see how in any way it's offensive.I've never seen one backpack with the stars and stripes,i wouldnt be offended by that either though.(im only offended by too many english flags,mainly after they beat us at rugby and i'm all bitter and stuff).

[akitamata]

123. "This underscores the American sensitivity at feeling rejected by the rest

If you weren't so obnoxious, smug and ignorant of the rest of the world, perhaps we wouldn't reject you, let alone hate you.

[philosophie_en_rose]

124. Hell, I'm wearing a maple leaf t-shirt right now.

I love Canada.

I only wish that Bob Boudelang's "Great Leader" wasn't stealing foreign policy from Terrance and Phillip cartoons.

[juajen]

125. This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard

How about we all sport a maple leaf along with our flag to show out support for our wonderful Canadian friends.

on edit: Where can I get one?

[BarbaRosa]

126. What

ok that solves my avatar question. I'm sporting my flag. I was undecided between a Canadian avatar or a New Mexico avatar.

[kymar57]

128. Canada

Love what you guys have been doing up there for the last 100 yrs or so as far as being democratically progresive. Have even considered relocating. But can't something be done about that damned cold weather? Just a thought. :toast:

[Unforgiven]

129. Really?

Well,.................Duh!!!!!!!!!!

[tameszu]

132. Yeah, well Canadians would rather not be kidnapped or

targetted for some other country's foreign policy, thank you very much. That's one of the big reasons why the flags are so popular. Even some Americans wear them as precautions.

[DeathvadeR]

133. You ever stand in a dimmly lit room, staring into a mirror, saying....

Bloody Maple.........Bloody Maple.......Bloody Maple?

Be afraid!!!! Be very Afraid!!!!!!


Look plain-n-simple if Americans knew more about Canada, they just might realize that it is the REAL land of the free. Why don't you see any school courses about Canada? Because, they don't want you to know, thats why!!!!!

[The Animator]

134. Well, ever since those Canadians bombed the Baldwins...

... their relations with the U.S. have never fully recovered. Some Americans, still sore over the fact that Terrance & Phillip remain alive, have made incursions into Canadian held territory in an attempt to rable rouse, and litter...

I swear, I think the Bush administration got its foreign policy from the classic John Candy film "Canadian Bacon". For those of you who haven't seen it, there are many parallels to our current sad state of affairs. It would be really funny, if it wasn't actually happening.

[Screaming Lord Byron]

135. Good movie, Michael Moore's one non-documentary n/t

[freeforall]

136. Boo Hoo...

If they don't know much about us (and many Americans don't), why should they care about us sporting our flag?
Sounds like whining and self-pity to me.

(*With apologies to all DUers who do know something about Canada - and maybe actually applaud us for having the sense to stay out of *s war.)

[ElsewheresDaughter]

137. sage advise from my canadian friends..."cyn if you're traveling abroad...

this winter place these decals on your luggage and have the kids wear these baseball caps (maple leaf). love ya girlfriend, see you guys on the 17th" ....also my niece who is at university in ireland for 2 semesters told me she tells everyone she is canadian because she couldn't handle the harressment and anger against bushco's* america from her peers and the people off campus...so so sad....and it will only get worse until the illegit fucker in the oval office is GONE!.... i loathe bush*....

unlike no other time in history :(