Canada is looking better and better...

[Kitsune]

In the history course I'm taking now, the prof is trying to teach us how to read critically, to read past whatever the primary source actually says and what the author's motives, etc were; basically, how to read into a document rather than just read it. To me, this comes naturally anyway. I mean, it's just critical thinking.

Do the American people lack basic critical thinking skills?

There are two possibilities, as I see it, for what happened in California. Either there was massive, massive vote fraud, or there were more than enough ill-informed voters that fell for a campaign of media whoredom the likes of which the world has never seen. For the second to be true, it means that all of those people lack basic critical thinking skills.

I'm a junior in college right now, and I'll be a senior come next presidential election. If the media fellates B*sh the same way they fellated Arnold, I don't think there's any question of him walking off with the election, regardless of vote fraud. There are just too many stupid, uninformed people voting for whoever has the best PR campaign. A man with almost no platform, no experience, no expertise, and a host of allegations regarding numerous sexual assaults just got into the governor's office.

I am deathly afraid of America, as a whole, suffering from the same lack of critical thinking skills that a large segment of California apparantly has, because if so there's nothing to stop the BFEE from doing the same thing on a national scale. And if that does happen, I quit. This pattern just gets more and more disturbing.

Meanwhile, 4 hours north of here, homosexual couples can get married there's universal health care, and marijuana is on the verge of being legalized.

Like the topic says, Canada's looking better and better.

[CPschem]

1. I have good friends in Montreal

re-electing the jingoistic cowboy might tempt me to move.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. Fellated Arnold?

If having the media bring up sexual harassment charges about me less than a week before the election is being fellated, I am not sure that I want any more BJ's.

[Kitsune]

6. I'm talking about all the cheerleading

All the free publicity.

All the "Governer Schwarzenegger" slips.

All the "Arnold vs. Technocrat" headlines.

[Faygo Kid]

3. If I were younger

I might very well agree with you. If GWB "wins" reelection in 2004, I have advised my daughter to get the hell out of here. Tough admission for someone passionate about American history. But, this country is being subverted as never before.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

4. You know what gets more and more disturbing?

The growing number of anti-socials here who keep threatening to leave this country.

How does this selfish attitude differentiate from the equally selfish right wing zealots who want to limit our rights? After what they did to Clinton, after what they did to Gore, and now this, I am just more determined to want to stay and fight. Please stay. We could use your help.

[searchingforlight]

12. I agree with you

There have been many times that I have thought my philosophy of life would be better served in another country BUT if we all leave, what we leave behind is a powerful and rich country with no descenting voice. If that were to happen, there would be no place on earth that would be a safe haven.

We have a duty to stay and be the one small voice in the wilderness.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

21. "a powerful and rich country with no dissenting voice"

and no signs of intelligent life to boot!
Nope. The world cannot afford such a specter in its midst, nor Canada such a neighbor.

[dutchdemocrat]

5. Do your free assessment online

see if you are eligible

http://www.canadaimmigrationvisa.com/form.html

pretty cool service.

I am a Dual Dutch/Canadian citizen. Marijuana is decriminalized in Canada already. Funny enough in Holland it is still technically 'illegal' but officially 'tolerated'. There are almost 1000 coffee shops all over the county.

If you do move, go to BC, it is awesome.

In Vancouver you can ski and golf in the same day.

[Mari333]

14. Lets just say, technically, my net worth

is 400,000....(this is if I sell my house and land and everything else)..I think thats what it would be..
If so, is that enough to get into Canada as Im over 50 and I doubt anyone would hire me with a background in liberal arts..I wonder if I can just drive up to Windsor and try and get a nice little apartment and just wing it and hope they let me stay after a while if I show I could be a good citizen?

[dutchdemocrat]

16. Canada takes more emmigrants

Than any country in the world mate. Over 20 per cent of the population was not even born there.

The government has an official 'cultural mosaic' policy rather than America's 'melting pot' (which churns out boneheads that worship people like ahnold). This means if you are a Hindu or from the Caribbean etc. the government funds cultural programs for groups to retain their culture.

You will be more than welcome. Liberal Arts degrees are acceptable in the corporate world in Canada, as they value creative thinkers who have not come through the traditional economics or business threads.

If you want to live in the sticks you can buy a house for 40 or 50 thousand canadian.

[dutchdemocrat]

20. If Dubya takes 2004

You could probably claim refugee status in Canada (I am serious). Look at all the draft dodger we absorbed in BC from California. They brought a lot of cultural values and skills to Canada - some America's most liberal youngsters who know the difference between right and wrong.

[_Jumper_]

33. A question about claiming refugee status

I am of Pakistani descent. Can I claim refugee status because I'd be coming to Canada to flee discrimination here?

[dutchdemocrat]

40. If you can prove it

If you are a Hindu in Pakistan... For sure.

I would not want to be.

[_Jumper_]

45. I'm an agnostic in America

I don't think the level of discrimination against "us" would be enough to allow me to be accepted as a refugee fleeing persecution. Of course, this could all change.

[Spazito]

50. Jumper, here is a link to the Canadian Govt website that...

may have the answers to your questions.

http://canadainternational.gc.ca/Going_To_Canada-en.asp

[_Jumper_]

53. Thanks

I'll check it out.

[Gloria]

34. If you don't have a skill they want....you cannot go there (Canada) and

live even if you have enough money to be "self-sufficient." (not use government services like health care, for example). The immigration category which was for "self-financed" retirees has been eliminated! (CRAP!)
So, to be legal you have to have a job skill they want.
You can also get residency if you are sent up there as a minister. (LOL, I found that out by accident).

My plan is this: I've investigated Lethbridge which is in Alberta (also Cranbrook, which is in BC, just the other side of the Rockies). About 75 miles from the border, so I can get back to the us for Medicare covered healthcare. You can stay in Canada for 6 months, no visa required. You can bring your pets. You can buy property. Condos in that area seem to be in the $80-100,000 range US dollars. Good place for the spring/summer early fall (I collapsed from heat this summer in Southern NM).

That seems to be the only recourse for someone like me--over 50 on disability...

Having lived and worked in England, Europe would be my first choice, but the hurdles there are just a pain to think of from so far a distance. You can buy property almost everywhere, but there are all sorts of little twists and turns, even if you're "retired."
Panama is currently rated #1, but the tropics are not for me.

[La_Serpiente]

7. If Bush is re-elected in 2004, that's it...i'm outta here

If he's re-elected, I'm out of here. I'm either going to Canada, Europe, Mexico, South America, or the South Pacific.

[Mari333]

11. I might also if I can talk my sons into moving too

I dont think they quite fathom the life their kids will lead if they continue to stay in this country.......

[SammyWinstonJack]

29. You mean re-selected don't you?

as in STEALS IT AGAIN! :argh:

[mreilly]

8. Couldn't have said it better

"If the media fellates B*sh the same way they fellated Arnold, I don't think there's any question of him walking off with the election, regardless of vote fraud. There are just too many stupid, uninformed people voting for whoever has the best PR campaign. A man with almost no platform, no experience, no expertise, and a host of allegations regarding numerous sexual assaults just got into the governor's office."

Absolutely. The media didn't just blow Arnold, they sprained their tongues rimming him (excuse the vulgarity, but there's just no other analogy). I have really had enough of politics in this country, where the celebrity moron without an agenda gets picked by stupid people more concerned with J. Lo and Ben's wedding than they are with the lack of WMD in Iraq, the environmental degradation we're suffering under Bush, or the lack of opportunities and future in this country as a result of Republican "leadership."

I've been to Canada many times and am especially fond of Nova Scotia - so beautiful up there. Nice people, who truly know what freedom is - not like the chumps in this country yammering about freedom being the right to own guns or not pay taxes or any such shit. Canadians know freedom means minding your own fucking business, living and letting others live, and not trying to tell others what to do or what to think.

If you can get the paperwork submitted and find employment opportunities up there, I highly recommend becoming Canadian. I would be the first in line, but my wife's too close to her family to want to consider relocating elsewhere, so I'm stuck in this nation of idol-worshipping sheep.

[magnolia]

41. Nova Scotia...

...is truly a wonderful place. They have the most incredible recycling program...the goal is zero waste by 2005. Earlier this year my husband and I bought a small cottage (fixer-upper) for $25,000. USD. Just a small lot but it's on the side of a mountain and has a gorgeous view of the Bay of Fundy.

But...as much as I love it there it will only be a vacation home to me...to escape the Virginia heat. I love my country...period. One president (questionable I know) does not a country make. No matter how bad it gets, I'm here for the duration and will fight to the end.

(I was born in Austria...and hang my head in shame today!)

[Spazito]

55. Re: Nova Scotia

I spent two glorious weeks there touring Nova Scotia, including Cape Breton and the Highlands and it was wonderful! I would recommend this area as a MUST to visit!

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Yep

[gully]

10. I HEAR YA...

Lets ask our Canadian friends where to move? What places are the best in canada as far as quality of life...?

[dutchdemocrat]

18. BC, no doubt

The most liberal province in Canada.

Vancouver is cool - the City sanctioned methadone clinics for heroin addicts, the country has decriminalized marijuana, The Sex Workers Alliance of Vancouver (SWAV) was founded in 1994 to fight for sex workers' right to fair wages and to working conditions that are safe, clean and healthy.

It has clean air, great cuisine (the seafood is wonderful), friendly people from all over the world (high density of Chinese and East Indian populations), Great diving, sailing, parks close by, nature on the doorstep...

The film industry is huge in Vancouver (that might change now that Arnie is in power), the city has a solid IT community that is not in decline (yes there are jobs)...

If you prefer something less busy the Okanogan in Central BC has thousands of KM of lakes and is where all the apples, cherries, peaches etc are grown. Lots of people retire there.

Vancouver Island is stunningly beautiful. Victoria, the province's capital is clean and friendly (I went to college there). If you want to check out a great place Google "saltspring island" and see one of Canada's most unique art communities located in the Gulf Islands (our San Juan's)...

That's a start. I don't live there but I have. I miss it at times.

[Frederic Bastiat]

22. BC is great, if you love lotsa rain and traffic

If your French is OK I would recommend the city of Montréal (where I moved) but you do need some serious French skills to get by although most people are bilingual. Simply put, Montréal's quality of life is unparalleled in Canada.

http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/B2C/00/default.asp

[Lisa]

24. rain depends on where you are in BC

On some parts of the coast, we get less annual precip than NYC (although most of it is during the winter months, because we have a dry-summer climate there, like California). Places on the windward side of the mountains, like Vancouver, do get a lot of rain (and as you go up the coast towards Alaska, it's wetter still. (Not that this is a bad thing -- proximity of the ocean means that the climate is rather mild, with few extremes, and very little snowfall. And some people like the cloudy skies -- less glare.)

In the interior of the province (so places like Nelson and Kamloops), the climate is more continental than on the coast. So it's drier and there's more of a temperature difference between seasons.

There are a lot of US expatriates in coastal BC (including many retirees).

[dutchdemocrat]

25. BC?

Rain and Traffic?

Earth calling exCav. You have never been here obviously. Rain I can understand for the lower mainland, but summers are wonderful and winters mild. BC is huge... there are many different climates and there is certainly not much traffic in most of the province.

Montreal? Yeah. You better learn French fast. You can get by with just English, but you will just 'get by'.

I love Montreal don't get me wrong. But winters there are like living in the Arctic and everyone scuttles underground like cockroaches to avoid the -30 to -40 weather.

Traffic

[gully]

38. Funny, I was considering Vancouver or Montreal...

;)

Which place is more charming and kid friendly. I want a safe place with good schools to raise my kidlins?

Thanks guys...

[dutchdemocrat]

47. Well

Montreal has an old world European charm... Architecture, art... film. It is the arts capital of Canada in many ways.

However, winters are brutal. At least for me. People don't even come out and there is a mass subterranean city underground so people don't have to face -30 in the winter.

And there is the French issue. Having your kids grow up bilingual is a positive move for sure. But if you don't speak it you will need to learn.

Vancouver is the wild west. The city celebrated its 100 years in 1986, so the saloon still had swinging doors not that long ago. Now, it is sophisticated in many ways. Cuisine is great. Comedy, art, theatre, film making, etc is all there. Granville Island Market... in many ways it echoes San Francisco. So if you like SF, they you will love Vancouver.

Housing is outrageous in terms of Canadian money, but may not be so bad for Americans in the exchange.

Schools are excellent in BC. The education system in Canada is really well funded and very broad.

My two bits for now...

[Sufi Marmot]

51. BC - there's not much of ANYTHING in most of the province...

...other than trees, mountains, lakes, and wildlife. Not that that's a bad thing, mind you... :-)

-SM

[DrGonzoLives]

13. And what have YOU done to try and reverse this?

Hmmmm?

Start an angry post on a message board? Complain to a couple of friends you have? Are you even willing to try, or are you just a defeatist? Sounds to me like the latter.

Today, instead of teaching, we have idiotic standardized tests that equally idiotic politicians believe measure student performance, when in fact all they do is measure the ability to take the test. Teachers now have to teach what will be on the tests instead of doing creative, interesting assignments that spur critical thinking and get students to enjoy being in class. That's the first problem.

Then there's the media, 24 hours a day, broadcasting a steady stream of corporate-sponsored nonsense passed off as "news," designed to keep people calm, uninformed, and unaware of what the entrenched status quo is doing to them.

Then there's the GOP, which has successfully turned the word "liberal" into a disgusting term equal to "fuck." Most people, when a progressive idea is explained to them rationally and without saying "liberal," will think it's a pretty good idea. But all the GOP has to do now is scream "LIBERAL!! LIBERAL!!!" and poof! that idea is dead. And what have the Democrats done to counter this? Nadda.

So, once again, I ask you, what have you done to change things other than post whiny messages on an internet discussion forum?

[dutchdemocrat]

19. If you stop and think as yourself as a global citizen

If you stop and think as yourself as a global citizen, instead of an American warrior, you would see that people have the right to live where they want. Not everyone wants to be a soldier. Your ancestors came to America to find a better life. I am sure their French, German, and English fellow citizens said exactly what you are saying.

I understand some of the feeling behind your post, but trying to emotionally blackmail people to feel guilt for wanting a better life is not on.

Your post is tainted with a warped form of nationalism.

[Selwynn]

23. My god.... very well said!

This is something some people seem to forget, that there is nothing wrong with wanting a better life, and some people are destined to work within the system for change, some destined to work outside it. Some work on the micro level, some on the macro level. Some nationally, some internationally, and so on.

[SammyWinstonJack]

32. Yesss!

Thank you for saying that. I don't blame anyone for feeling like they need to leave for whatever reason, especially now. If I had the financial means to do so, I would probably give it some serious consideration. New Zealand sounds like a nice place to live.

[AntiCoup2K4]

15. Either Canada, or the Republic of Cascadia becomes reality

Actually, I'll bet Northern California will be all for joining Cascadia after a year or so of the Verminator.

[dutchdemocrat]

28. I think

There should be one country from Northern California to Alaska... lol...

Vancouverites have more in common with Seattle folks than those in Ontario, and all they do is reap profits from BC resources.

Alberta next door is like living with Texas on the doorstep... they tend to throw the lasoo waaaaaay to the right.

I think we should call the country 'Pacifica'.

With all our resources managed properly it would be a wealthy and comfortable state with a european modeled social system that is fair. Health care for all. Nice big middle class. What do you think?

Dreams...

[AntiCoup2K4]

31. That's basically the idea behind Cascadia.

http://zapatopi.net/cascadia.html

[dutchdemocrat]

37. Funny and thanks for the link

I have felt this way for years. Though I don't live there anymore, I grew up for some time in the Gulf Islands and remember more than a few rides over to Friday Harbor to pirate some cheap rum from over the border...

Nice and perfect place to live. But unlikely unfortunately, unless anarchy sets in.

[ronnykmarshall]

17. I won't leave my family

other wise I would consider moving to Canada.

[Adjoran]

26. The measure of character

is NOT how graciously one accepts victories, but how one reacts to defeats. Winning is pretty easy.

Last Monday night I stopped watching football, because Indianapolis was down by three touchdowns with about 7 minutes left in the game, and came online. Tuesday morning I found out that they had staged the greatest comeback in pro football history and won in overtime. It seems none of their players gave up and ran off to Canada.

Bill Clinton's candidacy was in big trouble just before the 1992 New Hampshire primary. It would have been easy to fold up the tent and run to Canada. He didn't; he famously said he was in it "until the last dog dies." You know the rest: they called him "The Comeback Kid" after that.

I was lucky enough to know a man named Jesse Burke in my youth. He had suffered disfiguring rheumatoid arthritis since childhood, was confined to a flattened-back wheelchair, could barely move his arms, couldn't use the bathroom on his own, and was in constant pain. But he never gave up and never gave in to the pain or his lot in life, and made every effort to enjoy every minute. He played chess and bridge with special equipment (he was very good at both, and a fierce competitor), and participated in all the social events at the institution where he lived. In his room, there was a sign over his bed, which he told me was his life's motto: "A quitter never wins - and a winner never quits."

Jesse is long dead now, but his courage and determination have been an inspiration to me and others. Whenever things are going badly, I think of Jesse Burke's life and attitude, and my situation suddenly doesn't seem so bad.

The point is that if you are willing to give up and run away when things don't go well, you will accomplish nothing. You do yourself, your family, and your country no good at all.

The political battles ahead are not for the weak of heart. We are better off if the crybabies run off now, so they will not be a distraction in the tough times ahead. I bear them no ill will, I wish them well. Just spare me the tearful goodbyes.

[dutchdemocrat]

27. So let's use physically challenged folks as propaganda tools now.

That's a great story about an incredible man, but to use a man who is physically challenged as a propaganda too is vile.

Let me reiterate.

If you stop and think as yourself as a global citizen, instead of an American warrior, you would see that people have the right to live where they want. Not everyone wants to be a soldier in the war against PNAC.

You obviously are (that is fine) but your statements are wrapped in a strange patriotic flag - one I am having a hard time understanding.

Other democrats want a better place for their kids and you are now having to deal with the fact that America is not the Godsend "oh say can you seeeeeee" that it once was. Too bad. It isn't.

You want it back? Well you have to fight and you just lost a battle -and you are pissed. I understand that. You see this as a war and when people want out, you see that as AWOL.

This is not Vietnam. People have choices and so they should. And you should not treat them as 'draft dodgers' because that absolutely negates any arguements you offer. Canada was good to thousands of men and women who would not go to war for the wrong reasons and they are now an integral part of the system and have contributed greatly to Canadian society.

On the other side, your ancestors came to America to find a better life. I am sure their French, German, and English fellow citizens said exactly what you are saying about those who left to build America.

I understand some of the feeling behind your post, but trying to emotionally blackmail people by using an honorable man (who's perspective on this point is nowhere evident and surely has not been relayed to him) is pure propaganda. The analogy is repugnant.

[Lars39]

30. Ummm...

My memory is foggy and I can't find the link, but didn't the US and Canada sign an agreement so that the US can cross Canada's border looking for terrorists? If someday it is declared that the US considers draft-evaders akin to terrorists(you're either with us or against us), wouldn't that allow the US to come find you?

[dutchdemocrat]

35. I am sorry

I was referring to draft dodgers from Vietnam - thousands from California and the West Coast of the US who settled in British Columbia decades ago.

And if we have to protect the new evaders from their own government who choose to leave the US as political refugees, Canada's national hockey team will be waiting at the border with sticks and missing teeth.

What choice does you big empty neighbour have?... seeing that most of Canada's troops are fighting the real war on terror in Afghanistan, not hovering in Iraq with an Uzi over a pipeline.

[_Jumper_]

36. Isn't Canada in dire need of immigrants?

To replenish the workforce because the Baby Boomers are retiring soon?

[dutchdemocrat]

39. I am not sure.

But I do know that Canada's immigration rate is very large. Numbers are eluding me.

[gully]

42. Are Canadians receptive to American Immigrants?

You mentioned the Canadian hockey team blocking entrance? :shrug:

[dutchdemocrat]

48. That was in jest

And in response to a post which teased about draft dodgers. I said we would protect any Americans who came over the border with our national hockey team... Ashcroft will not be allowed to come get them back to serve in Iraq.

Just a joke!

[Lars39]

59. It may be a joke, 'cause an agreement like that would make ANY

US citizen vulnerable to being hustled back to serve in the military.
Just trying to point out a possible pitfall to emigrating to Canada.

On edit: the thought of being defended by a citizenry armed with hockey sticks is funny. :)

[dutchdemocrat]

52. Some tips

Here is the main site for skilled workers

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/index.html

Test is here

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/skilled/assess/index.html

If you want to move and start a business go here

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/business/index.html

[_Jumper_]

43. I think it is between 200-250 K annually

It is roughly 0.7% of the population annually, almost double the rate in America.

[gully]

44. How does Canada feel about it generally speaking...

Americans seem a bit hostile to the idea at times.

[_Jumper_]

46. A slim majority oppose it

However, no country on Earth is more tolerant of immigration than Canada.

70-80% of people in America oppose it.

[gully]

49. Wow, interesting

Thanks for all the info guys!

[_Jumper_]

54. Anytime

:)

[dutchdemocrat]

56. cheers ... eh.

In Holland we say, "Prost". Man I love those funky caps on the real Grolsh bottles!

[dutchdemocrat]

57. It's not just the weather that's cooler in Canada

It's not just the weather that's cooler in Canada

You live next door to a clean-cut, quiet guy. He never plays loud music or throws raucous parties. He doesn't gossip over the fence, just smiles politely and offers you some tomatoes. His lawn is cared-for, his house is neat as a pin and you get the feeling he doesn't always lock his front door. He wears Dockers. You hardly know he's there.

And then one day you discover that he has pot in his basement, spends his weekends at peace marches and that guy you've seen mowing the yard is his spouse.

Allow me to introduce Canada.

The Canadians are so quiet that you may have forgotten they're up there, but they've been busy doing some surprising things. It's like discovering that the mice you are dimly aware of in your attic have been building an espresso machine.

Did you realize, for example, that our reliable little tag-along brother never joined the Coalition of the Willing? Canada wasn't willing, as it turns out, to join the fun in Iraq. I can only assume American diner menus weren't angrily changed to include "freedom bacon," because nobody here eats the stuff anyway.

And then there's the wild drug situation: Canadian doctors are authorized to dispense medical marijuana. Parliament is considering legislation that would not exactly legalize marijuana possession, as you may have heard, but would reduce the penalty for possession of under 15 grams to a fine, like a speeding ticket. This is to allow law enforcement to concentrate resources on traffickers; if your garden is full of wasps, it's smarter to go for the nest rather than trying to swat every individual bug. Or, in the United States, bong.

Now, here's the part that I, as an American, can't understand. These poor benighted pinkos are doing everything wrong. They have a drug problem: Marijuana offenses have doubled since 1991. And Canada has strict gun control laws, which means that the criminals must all be heavily armed, the law-abiding civilians helpless and the government on the verge of a massive confiscation campaign. (The laws have been in place since the '70s, but I'm sure the government will get around to the confiscation eventually.) They don't even have a death penalty!

And yet ... nationally, overall crime in Canada has been declining since 1991. Violent crimes fell 13 percent in 2002. Of course, there are still crimes committed with guns -- brought in from the United States, which has become the major illegal weapons supplier for all of North America -- but my theory is that the surge in pot-smoking has rendered most criminals too relaxed to commit violent crimes. They're probably more focused on shoplifting boxes of Ho-Hos from convenience stores.

And then there's the most reckless move of all: Just last month, Canada decided to allow and recognize same-sex marriages. Merciful moose, what can they be thinking? Will there be married Mounties (they always get their man!)? Dudley Do-Right was sweet on Nell, not Mel! We must be the only ones who really care about families. Not enough to make sure they all have health insurance, of course, but more than those libertines up north.

This sort of behavior is a clear and present danger to all our stereotypes about Canada. It's supposed to be a cold, wholesome country of polite, beer-drinking hockey players, not founded by freedom-fighters in a bloody revolution but quietly assembled by loyalists and royalists more interested in order and good government than liberty and independence.

But if we are the rugged individualists, why do we spend so much of our time trying to get everyone to march in lockstep? And if Canadians are so reserved and moderate, why are they so progressive about letting people do what they want to?

Canadians are, as a nation, less religious than we are, according to polls. As a result, Canada's government isn't influenced by large, well-organized religious groups and thus has more in common with those of Scandinavia than those of the United States, or, say, Iran.

Canada signed the Kyoto global warming treaty, lets 19-year-olds drink, has more of its population living in urban areas and accepts more immigrants per capita than the United States.

These are all things we've been told will wreck our society. But I guess Canadians are different, because theirs seems oddly sound.

Like teenagers, we fiercely idolize individual freedom but really demand that everyone be the same. But the Canadians seem more adult -- more secure. They aren't afraid of foreigners. They aren't afraid of homosexuality. Most of all, they're not afraid of each other.

I wonder if America will ever be that cool.

[Spazito]

58. I love that!

Not to be blowing our (Canada's) own horn but what is said there really is true.

[dutchdemocrat]

60. Yes...

When I saw it it really tickled. Great writing and very perceptive author.