[DiBellaBam]

Well you obviously don't know what you're talking about here Matt. Sorry to embarass you but you left me with no choice. Don't call something bullshit unless you're sure you know what you're talking about. As a moderator, you should know better. Otherwise it makes you look like an unknowledgable saboteur.

American travelers have been disguising themselves as Canadians for 30 years," said one expert in Canadian-American relations at the University at Buffalo, part of the State University of New York.

Please re-read what I said - I said there were Americans who were doing so.

The call of bullshit was on your assertion that "you have to pretend you're Canadian for self-preservation when travelling outside your borders."

See, not that some people do it, but that is is necessary to survive.

Matt

[ArraryTauTDew]

Please re-read what I said - I said there were Americans who were doing so.

The call of bullshit was on your assertion that "you have to pretend you're Canadian for self-preservation when travelling outside your borders."

See, not that some people do it, but that is is necessary to survive.

Matt

Obviously I wasn't being literal.

[first_pr]

Ask a Brit, they'll tell you you're full of shit. I lived in the UK for a year and was constantly asked if I was American due to my accent. When I said, with a pained expression, no I'm Canadian, the usual response was invariably, "thank god!" By the way, no one in Canada says "aboot." Furthermore, the sources I posted above are just a sampling of hundreds on the topic of Americans posing as Canadians while abroad. I'll trust the expert at the University of New York over you anyday for starters....and few people are going to say to your face that they think your country has run amok.

I don't have to ask a Brit, I went to college in London for two years and I never once had a problem but maybe you were in a different country that also happened to be called Great Britain. Either that or the people you associated with were leftist commie nutjobs like yourself so then your claim would actually make a lot of sense.

As Matt said, I am also not denying that some Americans probably do that, but it isn't on the huge scale that your practically giving yourself an orgasm over and of the ones that are doing it I assure you the good majority of them are more leftist commie nutjobs that hate this country anyway, so again, no big shocker.

And yes, people in Canada do say aboot. I travel to Toronto for work on a regular basis.

[avaincmolla]

Yeah, you Americans are really smart for thumbing your noses at the 95% of the world's population that isn't American. No wonder you're so despised internationally and you have to pretend you're Canadian for self-preservation when travelling outside your borders.

You really live in your own bitter fantasy world, don't you?

Now why would I - or anyone who is sane - pretend to be like you?

[Onervemurce]

I don't have to ask a Brit, I went to college in London for two years and I never once had a problem but maybe you were in a different country that also happened to be called Great Britain. Either that or the people you associated with were leftist commie nutjobs like yourself so then your claim would actually make a lot of sense.

As Matt said, I am also not denying that some Americans probably do that, but it isn't on the huge scale that your practically giving yourself an orgasm over and of the ones that are doing it I assure you the good majority of them are more leftist commie nutjobs that hate this country anyway, so again, no big shocker.

And yes, people in Canada do say aboot. I travel to Toronto for work on a regular basis.

How could you possibly state I'm communist? LOL! This passes for debate in your country? Pathetic. Everyone who disagrees with you is a communist or leftist? You obviously received a very lousy education or your parents money was completely wasted. Where did I say I hated the US? Your idea of debate is to call someone a nutbar? Don't waste my time with such a juvenile response. If you want to have a reasonable discussion based on FACTS then I'm happy to oblige. Otherwise, you're on the ignore list. Ignore based on the word IGNORANCE.

[jstizzle]

You really live in your own bitter fantasy world, don't you?

Now why would I - or anyone who is sane - pretend to be like you?

No, Unilateralists are living in a deluded fantasy. I put my stock in the UN and the 95% of the world it represents. You are actually calling me insane? Where did you learn to debate. You didn't, obviously. Get a life Tim. In the meantime you're on the ignore list.

[xADMlNx]

.............. Where did I say I hated the US? ............

Uh....*clears throat*...Bailey old chap....you are joking, right? if not, then you have no clue as to how you come across on this forum.

[Aagotiq]

No, Unilateralists are living in a deluded fantasy. I put my stock in the UN and the 95% of the world it represents. You are actually calling me insane? Where did you learn to debate. You didn't, obviously. Get a life Tim. In the meantime you're on the ignore list.

Insane? No - Read the posts, sir.

I suggested that those who want to behave like you and take on a different (rude) identity would, indeed, need help.

As for your ignore list, I have no intention of letting you off the proverbial hook, so don't even think about it. Ignore me if you like - I will NOT ignore you.

[OQmYckYz]

http://pewglobal.org/reports/display.php?ReportID=247

http://www.onpointradio.org/shows/20...801_a_main.asp

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/inte...393499,00.html

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/inte...401899,00.html

http://www.iht.com/articles/2005/06/23/news/pew.php

...and there's hundreds of similar links where these came from.

US international image is negative. Fix it. Or keep your head in the sand. One thing for sure - this is not the country I used to respect.

[Adollobdeb]

US international image is negative. I thought you said you didn't hate the US? If you don't, then have a conversation about it. Just posting this without comment is absurd....

[verizon]

Both the Mexicans and Canadians share a healthy disdain for the USA and would never agree to join. Americans who think this way are displaying a level of hubris that's quite frankly, well, very American!

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Com..._8_06_RNJ.html

Obnoxious Americans like this create Canadian distrust and disdain for the US....http://mediamatters.org/items/email/200412010011

http://mediamatters.org/items/200512160012

We're a lot more comfortable in our own skin. The research indicates that one big reason for this is the extent to which Canada has created an open, tolerant, "small-l liberal" society, welcoming immigrants from all countries, and accommodating a wide range of attitudes and behaviours. 9 in 10 Canadians think "Canada is the best country in the world to live in," and 8 in 10 agree that "we do have our own identity; we just don't need to shout about it." (I DO, because I'm not a typical Canadian - I am dedicated to bringing Canada to the US's attention whether they like it or not - obviously on this forum they don't...which just increases my motivation)

The second trend, globalization, is connected to the first. The world is growing smaller, and the world's issues have become our issues — partly because of immigration; partly because of social, political and economic trends. Yet its dangers and downsides are recognized, as much as its attractions and benefits. In particular, many people feel that globalization means "American takeover."

And this brings me to the third trend I want to discuss, which is the strong and even growing divergence between Canada and the United States.

Throughout its existence, Canada has had to struggle against the economic and cultural dominance of its neighbour to the south. When public broadcasting was being created in this country in the 1930s, the rallying cry was "the State or the United States!" And the issue remains highly relevant today. Many Canadians define themselves in terms of their differences from Americans.

I want to stress that I am definitely not indulging in US-bashing here. Far from it. Like many Canadians, I have immediate family members living and working south of the border. There is an intricate web of ties connecting our two countries. And yet, there is a paradox in all of this.

Increasingly, our economic connections flow north-south. Yet our cultural connections remain strongly east-west.

One of Canada's leading social researchers, Michael Adams, recently published a book called Fire and Ice, in which he makes this point. It may appear that with talk of border harmonization, common currency and private health care clinics, Canada is drifting inevitably towards a closer political and philosophical alliance with the United States. And yet, Adams' research reveals that the two countries are actually diverging in significant ways, in terms of their attitudes, opinions and values.

Again, I stress that I'm generalizing, and opinion on these matters is divided in Canada. But I would suggest that many Canadians take quiet pride in our evolving stand on issues like gun control, same-sex marriage and decriminalization of marijuana, precisely because they are points of differentiation between us and the US. A headline in the Washington Post earlier this year made the same point. "Whoa Canada!" it exclaimed. "Legal Marijuana. Gay Marriage. Peace. What the Heck's Going On Up North, Eh?" In fact, on many social issues and attitudes, Canada probably has as much or more in common with Europe, as with the United States.



http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/speeches/20031006.shtml

http://www.intervac.ca/why_visit_canada.htm

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/wo..._101541_101541

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/milestones/

[cristmiff]

So, lemme get this straight: canada is great, the usa sucks, The UN is great, The usa sucks. Anything else you want to add BCBAILEY? Oh yes, BCBAILEY doesn't hate the USA? lol...you are too much. Please, invest in a mirror. You need some self knowledge, you come off like an anti-american loon.....
.

[chppjdf]

So, lemme get this straight: canada is great, the usa sucks, The UN is great, The usa sucks. Anything else you want to add BCBAILEY? Oh yes, BCBAILEY doesn't hate the USA? lol...you are too much. Please, invest in a mirror. You need some self knowledge, you come off like an anti-american loon.....
.

Wrong. I am pointing out particular US government policies that are making situations worse, not better. You might not have noticed thanks to your insular and US-centric media, but the world's not in the best shape at the moment and the US bears some responsibility thanks to some of the bone-headed policies I'm highlighting on this forum. You can't handle that? Not my problem at all. Personally, I like many aspects of the US. That's not the point of my posting here, obviously. President Bush and the Republican party in general, seem to think everything is hunky-dory and they could never possibly make a mistake. They have caused all sorts of damage around the world (and in the US) and yet Americans voted them in AGAIN. Seems like your country is full of "loons." They need a serious counter-balance.

Furthermore, many of your compatriots could also eat some humble pie once in awhile and learn from some of the successes of your Northern Neighbour (ie there must be some things worth learning from a country that was ranked best in the world for 8 years in a row by the UN - health insurance for all regardless of income is one of the first things that comes to mind)), about which many Americans have no basic knowledge of (i.e. Ann Coulter, Tucker Carlson and others of their ilk who are considered intellectuals in America these days). Is that so hard for you to comprehend let alone acknowledge?...and can't you respond with something more intelligent than a drive-by personal insult? C'mon. Grow up and address the issues, contribute some ideas on how to improve....otherwise don't waste my time.

[uncoodync]

And yes, people in Canada do say aboot. I travel to Toronto for work on a regular basis.

Bemused giggles.

The term is specific to the Atlantic provinces - Newfoundland specifically.

And while there are quite a few Newfies in Toronto, you'd be hard pressed to enounter one of them outside of some manual labour function...

In other words, if you heard that word around Toronto, I have to ask what you were doing hanging out in all those Newfie drinking holes?

[blogwado]

...I am dedicated to bringing Canada to the US's attention whether they like it or not - obviously on this forum they don't...which just increases my motivation)

You aren't really doing any Canadians any favours by encouraging Americans to hate Canadians.

[nuncEtedben]

You aren't really doing any Canadians any favours by encouraging Americans to hate Canadians.

I doubt many americans are influenced by BC's anti-american rants. I have many Canadian friends and the mindless talking points of one person have no effect on my opinion of Canada or Canadians, I like 'em both.

[Ibrattnofich]

Many Canadians define themselves in terms of their differences from Americans. In fact, on many social issues and attitudes, Canada probably has as much or more in common with Europe, as with the United States.

Maybe Canada should join the EU instead. I sure as hell prefer Germany as my neighbor instead of the U.S, the Germans might be white but they are not white trash.

[Peapeuddedbaw]

Both the Mexicans and Canadians share a healthy disdain for the USA and would never agree to join. Americans who think this way are displaying a level of hubris that's quite frankly, well, very American!

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/Com..._8_06_RNJ.html

Obnoxious Americans like this create Canadian distrust and disdain for the US....http://mediamatters.org/items/email/200412010011

http://mediamatters.org/items/200512160012

We're a lot more comfortable in our own skin. The research indicates that one big reason for this is the extent to which Canada has created an open, tolerant, "small-l liberal" society, welcoming immigrants from all countries, and accommodating a wide range of attitudes and behaviours. 9 in 10 Canadians think "Canada is the best country in the world to live in," and 8 in 10 agree that "we do have our own identity; we just don't need to shout about it." (I DO, because I'm not a typical Canadian - I am dedicated to bringing Canada to the US's attention whether they like it or not - obviously on this forum they don't...which just increases my motivation)

The second trend, globalization, is connected to the first. The world is growing smaller, and the world's issues have become our issues — partly because of immigration; partly because of social, political and economic trends. Yet its dangers and downsides are recognized, as much as its attractions and benefits. In particular, many people feel that globalization means "American takeover."

And this brings me to the third trend I want to discuss, which is the strong and even growing divergence between Canada and the United States.

Throughout its existence, Canada has had to struggle against the economic and cultural dominance of its neighbour to the south. When public broadcasting was being created in this country in the 1930s, the rallying cry was "the State or the United States!" And the issue remains highly relevant today. Many Canadians define themselves in terms of their differences from Americans.

I want to stress that I am definitely not indulging in US-bashing here. Far from it. Like many Canadians, I have immediate family members living and working south of the border. There is an intricate web of ties connecting our two countries. And yet, there is a paradox in all of this.

Increasingly, our economic connections flow north-south. Yet our cultural connections remain strongly east-west.

One of Canada's leading social researchers, Michael Adams, recently published a book called Fire and Ice, in which he makes this point. It may appear that with talk of border harmonization, common currency and private health care clinics, Canada is drifting inevitably towards a closer political and philosophical alliance with the United States. And yet, Adams' research reveals that the two countries are actually diverging in significant ways, in terms of their attitudes, opinions and values.

Again, I stress that I'm generalizing, and opinion on these matters is divided in Canada. But I would suggest that many Canadians take quiet pride in our evolving stand on issues like gun control, same-sex marriage and decriminalization of marijuana, precisely because they are points of differentiation between us and the US. A headline in the Washington Post earlier this year made the same point. "Whoa Canada!" it exclaimed. "Legal Marijuana. Gay Marriage. Peace. What the Heck's Going On Up North, Eh?" In fact, on many social issues and attitudes, Canada probably has as much or more in common with Europe, as with the United States.



http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/speeches/20031006.shtml

http://www.intervac.ca/why_visit_canada.htm

http://www.macleans.ca/topstories/wo..._101541_101541

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/milestones/

If Canada is SSSsSSOOOOOO GGGRREEEEAAAATTTTT, then why in the hell did you allow your Canuk company to send you to Purgutory. It surely was not for your oustanding charm or your personality.

[TeemFilla]

You aren't really doing any Canadians any favours by encouraging Americans to hate Canadians.

I'm hardly encouraging Americans to hate Canadians. Judging from the responses on this forum, many Americans have disparaged Canadians long before I showed up. I'm encouraging them to deal with the problematic policies of their government; or to at least consider some of the problems the policies of their federal government are causing internationally. A worthy enterprise. If some don't like it, tough. How exactly do you see this as encouraging Americans to hate Canadians? Please elaborate.I call it dealing with the truth. If some can't handle criticism then perhaps they shouldn't be on this forum in the first place. How childish. If they have criticisms of Canada they should post them in the Canadian politics thread. I'm certainly not standing in the way.

[ropinirole]

If Canada is SSSsSSOOOOOO GGGRREEEEAAAATTTTT, then why in the hell did you allow your Canuk company to send you to Purgutory. It surely was not for your oustanding charm or your personality.

You should really read my posts more carefully my friend. Your superficial response is completely typical and off topic. You obviously couldn't form a reasonable response to the links I posted. You just can't handle any criticism whatsoever because "America's Number 1." If you hadn't started an illegal war based on false pretences maybe you wouldn't be in for all of the criticism you're now receiving internationally. Just a thought. Perhaps if your country would admit it screwed up we might forgive it and cut it some slack and increase cooperation. Until then.....