So True

[StuartMI]

Sorry, I just have to share this. I never noticed it until I moved down here, either.

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...ageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

 

[DisFan2]

Amen, brother.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=6493819#post6493819

 

[StuartMI]

DisFan2:

The thread you reference is a very interesting one. I've just read page 5 of the posts and was even more distressed when I see comments from fellow Canadians like "The Americans will never understand it." etc. I remember last October I was up visiting my parents in Niagara and DW and I were out at Blockbuster renting a movie. I had a Bush/Cheney button on my jacket and was actually scoffed at by someone in line because of it. Also, even on this posting board, someone scoffed at me and said something like "We're glad you don't have to, too, Stuart" when I mentioned that I was glad that I didn't have to deal with Canadian Customs anymore. I don't feel like looking the post up, but really, I will be the first one in line to say that I *hated* dealing with them and their restrictions/limitations/taxes when I was a resident however saying what I did, it certainly wasn't meant to be gloating.

I'm not trying to open up a can of worms by posting that thread by any means. I'm still going to be Canadian, but the attitudes expressed by so many of my former countrymen leave me upset when I want to say that Canada is a great place to be, too. I can't believe people are like that.

My potatos will always be from PEI, I will always love poutine, but it's going to be things like this that make me not-so-proud to be a Canadian.

 

[DisFan2]

Hey Stuart,

I think (?) I just PM'd.

 

[Meagan]

Stuart the comment you refer to where *I* said and we're glad about you not having to deal with Canada Customs has nothing to do with Americans. It has to do with YOU. If you've had to deal with comments about a Bush Cheney pin in Niagara it is probably no more, or no less than may have occurred in many other states within the U.S. itself depending on the political leanings of that area.
The comment has to do with your apparent arrogance and supercilious attitude towards Canadians on this board. Its almost a condescending attitude. You say you don't gloat but I along with a number of others have commented on it many times.
The internet at times doesn't convey a person(s) actual demeanour, or feelings and perhaps that is what has occurred her Stuart. However you DO give that impression to many.
So please don't confuse my earlier comment with anything that is remotely anti-American.

 

[StuartMI]

You obviously don't know me. I'm hurt by your comments and that I can't consider you as a friend. Can't you tell?

Oh, and I like your avatar. How apropos.

 

[cdnmickeylover]

I'm actually not quite sure what you are trying to start here Stuart. I, like most Canadians do not hate Americans but do not like some Americans' attitudes. I've been 50 miles into the US from Canada and had people look at me blankly when I've said I'm from Canada -- they had no clue where Canada was and yet lived with 50 miles of the border. Amazing really.

After 9/11 I had Americans who had no clue where the planes landed once American airspace was closed, that anyone other than Americans were killed during 9/11 and who are convinced that all of the terrorists entered the US from Canada and that it's therefore our fault (as in Canada's) that 9/11 even happened. Do I have a problem with this attitude? Yup and I think understandable so.

Upset at comments about a Bush/Cheney pin -- well Bush has not exactly been a best friend to Canada so the attitude should not be a surprise.

Canadians making negative comments about American tourists -- not a surprise when you realize that some, not all, American tourists are not very nice.

If you are trying to say that Americans are better than Canadians by posting the article from the Star it's not going to fly here.

 

[StuartMI]

I, like most Canadians do not hate Americans but do not like some Americans' attitudes. I've been 50 miles into the US from Canada and had people look at me blankly when I've said I'm from Canada -- they had no clue where Canada was and yet lived with 50 miles of the border.

So what? How does this in any way relate to the article that I posted a link to? You think your comments are justified because you met some hick down here that didn't know where Canada was (which I think you're probably stretching the truth a little) that it gives you ammunition against what was said in that article? I will fully admit there are more than enough uneducated ignorant redneck bubbas down here that such a person may exist. However, remember that people are the same all over; Those types aren't just here so try looking in your own back yard too.

After 9/11 I had Americans who had no clue where the planes landed once American airspace was closed, that anyone other than Americans were killed during 9/11 and who are convinced that all of the terrorists entered the US from Canada and that it's therefore our fault (as in Canada's) that 9/11 even
happened.

Are you forgetting that GWB did a visit to Ottawa and then on to Halifax to personally thank the families that took in those bound for US airports that were unavoidably detained? And yes, just to confirm your belief: we believe that Canada is the root of all evil and that 9/11 was caused, 100% by Canada. Way to go!

Upset at comments about a Bush/Cheney pin -- well Bush has not exactly been a best friend to Canada so the attitude should not be a surprise.

Not upset at all. I found it funny. I couldn't give a crap what they thought; They had no input at all on the elections. It constantly amuses me that folks in Canada concern themselves with US issues more than Canadian ones. I mean, you don't see people here worrying about all the sponsorship business that went on up there.

Canadians making negative comments about American tourists -- not a surprise when you realize that some, not all, American tourists are not very nice.

But I thought Canada was the friendliest nation on earth? What happened to that? I don't know of any tourist that would go out of their way to be a jerk and based on what was said in this article, the reporter did NOTHING to covey negative attitude, or rudeness. That's what upset me.

If you are trying to say that Americans are better than Canadians by posting the article from the Star it's not going to fly here.

Yes, that is exactly, precisely what I am saying. You got it! Good job!

 

[Debbie]

Oh, and I like your avatar. How apropos.

You got it! Good job

Tag: S..... P.....

Learn something new every day, I always tell my kids.....just where IS that ignore button?

 

[pjpoohbear]

I found the reporters efforts to be in the tone of, I am an American, what are you going to say to that. Who brings up politics within moments of meeting someone? As Emily Post would say that is not an proper first meeting topic, kind of brash, if you ask me. I would take that as a confrontial topic. I have meet many wonderful American citizens, but I have found many who are not that wonderful, for this reporter to show only Canadians as not so nice people is one sided and unfair reporting.

For example, just two weeks ago, we had a family of US tourists come into the store at closing and the male member of the party sat down on a display chair and said, " you two take as long as you want, they have to stay open for us, we are tourists." So That cost the store and extra half hour of pay for 6 workers. Nice Attitude. They spent 36.00 dollars CAD. And the two females were very embarassed by his behaviour. I expience about 50/50 for normal and obxious Americans, I see it as more of a personal trait then a national trait. How did I know he was American? He tried to use a USD Check Card, and we all know that here in Canada it will come up as a Credit Card when swipped in a payment machine, he got upset and said he wanted it to come out of his bank account, not the credit card. I had to explain the difference between Interact and Check Cards.

BTW: I am an American Studies Major. I have worked in both New York and Washington D.C. as a Tour Manager, taking high School Students on Educational trips. I have had the oppportunity to spend a lot of time working with Americans, both normal citizens, officials and those who were contracted to my company. I have also lived with sorority sisters who are American and Republicans to boot. I do lean toward the left, but can talk, live and debate with those on the right side without blood shed.

Penny

 

[cdnmickeylover]

Learn something new every day, I always tell my kids.....just where IS that ignore button?

Exactly!

 

[Meagan]

As I said earlier, the internet sometimes doesn't convey the personality of the person by their comments. In your case though from reading some of yours, even though you edited them out, I think my earlier assessment of you is pretty well spot on.
Seems like you're somewhat torn. You can't vote in the states, so you really have no more input, nor is your view of America have anymore creedence than the Canadians living in Canada. Just because you pay taxes there? Don't think so
As for the avatar comment. Wow!!!! How do you come up with them so quickly?
Glad you don't care though. Wouldn't want to hurt your sensibilities

 

[Mortlives]

The journalist was looking for a story. I wonder why he found one? And the majority of Canadians he spoke to (23 out of 30) didn't act "snotty". He must have been disappointed. I have travelled throughout the US, and have almost always been met with courtesy, and do my best to treat visitors to my beautiful city with similar courtesy.

For the record, I'm fairly confident that most of us still think of "our friends to the South" as exactly that. Hey! Isn't this board mostly dedicated to the discussion of visiting our nearest neighbours? See you in less than 2 months.

Kungaloosh!
Morticia.

 

[CharlesTD]

On our trip in May we went to the beach I happened to find some broken glass on teh beach and approached a gentleman to see if he had a garbage bag to put it in so no one would step on it. he said no just throw it back further up the beach. The very next thing out of his mouth after reading my T shirt which had 8 little images of different events and all had CDN flags with them and it said Canada EH! He proceeds to ask me what I think of George Bush and the US government well not knowing his political affiliation and not wanting to ruffle any feathers I simply stated I didn't really follow it and wasn't going to make a comment on the politivcs of the US. HE then continued on about CDN and British politics and about just getting back from Iraq etc. I was not going to get into any political banter with an American I had just met on the beach especially with my wife and kids around just in case it turned ugly. I can't for the life of me figure out why he felt it pertinent to ask about something like that after meeting somone for 5 seconds. This comment in the news article made me chuckle actually


"What's the definition of a Canadian? An unarmed American with healthcare."

 

[DisFan2]

The journalist was looking for a story.

Probably true. But, I think there's more than a kernel of truth in the Star's story -

In a speech just a few weeks ago, Frank McKenna, our ambassador to the United States, acknowledged the self-righteousness and urged Canadians to cease gratuitous attacks and "endlessly" moralizing.

I'll come right out and admit my bias - I'm a dual citizen, my parents are American. I've got a chip on my shoulder when it comes to anti-Americanism and freely admit to my hypersensitivity on this issue. Having said that, it seems to me that the anti-Americanism sentiment has taken a real shift, from reactionary (e.g. the disgust at being mistaken for an American) to, as McKenna acknowledged, attacking (e.g. "I hate those American bast*rds", "The coalition of idiots"). I think one of the points the CANADIAN journalist was trying to make was that the tourism industry will eventually suffer, because more often than not, perception is reality. Americans won't come if they feel unwelcome or disliked. In a sense, we're fortunate that they don't know a great deal about us.

 

[tone.def]

I do not think that this thread belongs here.

This is a board forum dedicated to helping each other out, not insulting.

From now on if you want to post links to irrelevant articles, do so somewhere else.

Oh and no... we didn't forget that GWB came to Canada to thank families who took in Americans... he just showed up 2 years late, I guess he was too busy searching for his fictional WMD's.

 

[DisFan2]

Oh and no... we didn't forget that GWB came to Canada to thank families who took in Americans... he just showed up 2 years late, I guess he was too busy searching for his fictional WMD's.

Mr. McKenna and the reporter thank you for validating the "gratuitous attacks" comment.

 

[tone.def]

nothing gratuitous about it!

Prove there are WMD's and I take it back!

 

[DisFan2]

We're going to debate semantics now? Your comment about GWB was unnecessary, a synonym for "gratuitous". As far as WMD are concerned, hindsight is 20-20, isn't it?

"We know that he has stored secret supplies of biological and chemical weapons throughout his country."
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"Iraq's search for weapons of mass destruction has proven impossible to deter and we should assume that it will continue for as long as Saddam is in power."
Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

"We have known for many years that Saddam Hussein is seeking and developing weapons of mass destruction."
Sen. Ted Kennedy (D, MA), Sept. 27, 2002

But, debating US foreign policy and/or grammar was not my point, nor, IMO, the OPs.

 

[tone.def]

you have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much time on you hands.

I never said I supported D or R or even debating YOUR post(s)... My point was GWB waited 2 years to say thanks, a counter to Stuart who thinks we forgot his gratitude.