A CANADIAN VIEW

[Harper_is_Bush]

I've taken some unpopular views of late (ex. moveon.org made a mistake) and been critisized.

I don't mind critisism, even if I can't spell it.

My objection is that some of it was based upon the fact that I'm Canadian.

Concerning moveon, some posters told me it was "family business" that I should not comment on.

Let me just say, interested CANADIANS know your politics better than most Americans. Probably more than most here.
The information flows North as quickly as it flows to you.

As well, your politics affect us. Hugely. And your foreign policy affects the whole world.

So, please, no more of this "you're Canadian, so shut up" bullshit.

Thanks

[emilyg]

1. We're all in this together. Thanks.

[mike_c]

2. sorry about the asshats who tried to stifle your views....

As it happens, I disagree with you about MoveOn.org, but as you say, our foreign policy affects everyone-- and everyone has a right to speak their mind, and be listened to.

[madokie]

3. you wouldn't ever have gotten that from me in the first place

and I'll make sure I don't start now ;-)
Peace to our good friends to the North may you never have to go through what we are now with our bushitler*

[supernova]

4. Besides, even though there's a separate anthem

and Parliament, you guys are still family to me. So whatever you want to say is OK by me. :-)

[Evergreen Emerald]

5. Not me! I am ready to pack my bags and head north!

I think extremely highly of my neighbors to the north--keep talking. Your perspective can enlighten us.

[bdamomma]

6. yea, don't stop talking and your media probably tells you more than

ours, we have to find the truth somewhere else.

I find this comment you made very true, more people who are not from the US, definitely alot more people who are not from the US know about our politics more than we do, not to be rude, we are not politically savvy as some countries.

"Let me just say, interested CANADIANS know your politics better than most Americans."

[LakeSamish706]

7. ehhhhh... I am also Canadian... and yes what happens south of us does...

effect Canadians in a huge way. I haven't experienced the "you're Canadian, so shut up", but who knows it might come my way as well.

Someone on a DU forum today made the point that what either Bush or the Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad think, is not what their people necessarily think so I agree with that for sure... I absolutely know that Bush does not represent the American people as a whole.

One thing that I noticed after watching Global BC tonight was what happens when a Canadian buys a new car south of the border with respect to warrenties.... ugh... In many cases, depending on the brand name, you may hot have a warranty at all...

[RainDog]

8. didn't see that

Didn't see the posts where you were blasted. Sorry it happened. there were lots of folks this weekend who were being really pissy with each other. I am sick of "litmus tests" by others that they seem to think make it okay to insult.

I'm looking for jobs in my area of work in Canada because I'd like to leave the U.S. Canada would be my first choice to relocate. I've even considered starting up a small biz instead of working within my profession.

I am disgusted by this country -- it's govt and too many of its citizens.

[Harper_is_Bush]

10. if you can search look for "family business". That will reveal it. nt

[unkachuck]

9. don't let their....

....jealousy get to you....most people I know, if given half a chance, would move to Canada in a heartbeat and everybody loves Canadians....

....even though you were totally wrong about moveon, I hold no animus....so speak out often and loud, and as Red would say,'Keep your stick on the ice.'

[rusty quoin]

11. I'm with you too.

[rockymountaindem]

12. As an American graduate of U of T (for Toronto)

I can attest to everything you say. I can't believe anybody would give you shit for being a Canadian. I guess some people are only worried about our global image until they can use it as a wedge.

[SidDithers]

18. Hey, you finished! Congratulations!...

0T6 or 0T7?

At least we won the odd football game during my years at UofT (9T2) :hi:

Sid

[rockymountaindem]

19. 0T7

And yeah, no football wins. I hear our alma mater is going to beef up its sports programs in the next few years. I know we're an academically focused school, but I guess it finally got too embarrassing.

[cali]

13. I love reading your posts and it

burns me that anyone here would stoop so low. I hope I see it if it ever happens again. I'll have something to say.

[Harper_is_Bush]

15. meh. Don't worry 'bout it. n/t

[Booster]

14. I love to see a post from a Canadian, and I'm sorry that you

encountered some rude assholes on DU. Please know that most Americans truly admire Canadians, and think of you guys as our good neighbors to the North. :toast:

[Vilis Veritas]

16. Please, speak up sir! Some of us demand it! Thank you...

We need to get over all the nuanced differences and start looking at the big picture.

Thanks for speaking out!

Peace.

[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[pampango]

21. Thanks. I was trying to remember who was blasting posters for

being Canadian rather than the content of their posts.

I take it that you are not open to any criticism from north of the border. What is it you will keep doing to show that you will not back down? Expressing your opinion at DU? I sure hope you keep posting, as should our Canadian friends.

Come to think of it I believe we have a British poster or two here. Are they not welcome either?

[TankLV]

38. Yep - it was me and I was doing it for the fact that this yahoo was criticizing US for daring to

speak up against the LYING WAR CRIMINALS.

I noticed how absent Harper is with limballs latest dig at our troops...

amazing how his criticisms are selective...

at least we know WHAT and WHO he is!

[SidDithers]

24. $1.5 Billion per day in cross border trade...

says that we get to have an opinion and are free to express it.

Like it or lump it, our countries are so integrated that issues affecting one automatically affect the other. So fuck you too if you can't handle the discussion.

Sid

[ChenZhen]

30. Im Embarrassed

Cowboy politics is the American Way. Yeehaw and cut some brush.

[ChenZhen]

31. Im Embarrassed

Cowboy politics is the American Way. Yeehaw and cut some brush.

[Spazito]

35. Yeah, damn eh, it's not like what is done by the bush admin and

others affects anyone else, perish the thought. Alternative perspectives expressly forbidden by some, it seems.


Sheesh.

[PDenton]

20. Until you pay for my healthcare

I'm not listening.

OK, not quite that much of a rude asshat but Canada is a different country and there are just some things we are not the same on. Common language, sort of. That doesn't mean we are the same peoples.

[Clintonista2]

22. But do American policies not impact Canada?

Tell that to Mahar Arar as well as the softwood lumber industry in BC.

[Marrah_G]

23. As the mother of 3 half french canadian kids I would like to say that...

"OMFG, SHUT UP!" is a daily thing in my house.

:hide:

Not over content, mind you, but rather the sheer fucking volume they speak at. You can hold the phone 3 feet away and clearly hear any of my former husbands family speaking. Yikes!

[Canuckistanian]

25. Gee, I never get that reaction

Probably because I don't go out of my way to inflame people.

[Mika]

26. Canadians better know US politics, as they are a mostly owned subsidiary of the USA.

Americans are feeling the heat of their manufacturing base being offshore outsourced and bought up by foreign corporations as Canadians felt the heat of this a half decade ago, as US corporofacists bought/killed off Canadian manufacturing. Luckily, Canadians (in most provinces) have a decent social infrastructure to lessen the burn for some families.

[MelissaB]

27. A waive from 3 blocks and a bridge from the border.

I'm in Sault Ste Marie...Michigan, not Canada, and I fully agree.

:hi:

[MLFerrell]

28. It's aboot time that someone stood up to the Shatner-stealing Mexico-touchers, eh?

:)

[applegrove]

29. I agree. But there are times and issues where as Canadians we can

step back. It is not so personal for us as it is for many in the USA. If we keep this in mind..it helps. That being said...I'm sure I hate * as much as anyone for what he has doone to a great country and how he has made people suffer.

[RestoreGore]

32. As well as the climate crisis effecting us all..

And I appreciate every post you make here regarding that because we don't get too many of them here. I may not have agreed with you regarding the move on ad but I sure do respect your views, perhaps especially as someone who does not live in this country and sees things from a different perspective. Had Bush and others listened to the pleas from over 3/4 of the world who knew better over four years ago we might not be in the mess we are in the Middle East right now, but of course the same mentality that trashed you trashed them. Thanks for your imput here.

[Gregorian]

33. I am grateful for your care. And besides, we have only a moment before the dollar is less than yours

Today I have a dark feeling. Not that I haven't had this feeling for a long long time. But today I woke up in the middle of the night thinking "It's too late".

I'll spare the rest. But to know that at least someone cares, is of great comfort to me. I also know that there are members from Europe here. And I thank them as well.

The saddest part of my life is seeing that Americans don't care. At least someone cares. Thanks.

Now, if I do say so, we will begin to fall.

[LeftishBrit]

34. I sympathize...

I was only ONCE told that I couldn't comment on an issue because I was in 'my cubbyhole in the UK', and I was surprised how much it annoyed me! As long as Bush drags the rest of the world into his insanity, we're all in it together. Actually, in this world we're all in it together anyway.

[Harper_is_Bush]

36. Thanks to all for the kind words of support.

I come here because I enjoy reading your posts, so thankyou.

We're all essentially in this together. How often have we been told that the POTUS is the "leader of the free world"?
That MAY be changing now that US influence and respect has been so heavily damaged, but then again the next POTUS could possibly reverse some damage.
Regardless, nobody should assume the luxury of pretending that US foreign policy debates are "family business", and us for'ners should butt out!

When Kerry lost I was deeply upset because I suspected what it meant for our world. Those suspicions have come true.
He's the US President, but the world shares the pain and legacy of his ruinous leadership.

[puebloknot]

37. Welcome. I often have though that the line in the sand that separates our two...

...countries is kind of silly. Now, though, you who dwell on the north side of it may decide you like the division!

I live in Santa Fe, NM and love it, but I'm considering a move north. My only fear is that, like people who escaped Berlin and went to Holland, only to find that Hitler followed them there, a move might prove not to solve the concerns I have.

If Harper is Bush, how do things look for the future for progressives up there? Do you think the North American Union is going to obliterate national identities, and lead to loss of freedoms for all concerned?

I'm very happy to have Canadian participation here!

[Whisp]

39. it's like if you have a neighbour that you see

torturing and killing people in the hood - you have every right to say something. It's your duty.
I really don't think there are many of 'those' kinds of 'shut ups' here, tho.

[cooolandrew]

40. IIs there any need to say your canadian, it's easy to avoid tribalism by not stating location really