CANADA'S NEW PRIME-MINISTER TELLS U.S. "TO BUTT OUT"

Canadians are a fine bunch of folk, but thy spend too much time defining themselves not by what they are, but by what they aren't : Americans.

Even before the passage becomes ice-free, other developments are expected to create a host of new security and law-enforcement issues. Among those trends: the world's increasing thirst for oil and gas, exploration for precious metals and diamonds, growing demands on the northern fishery and a steady rise in ecotourism and adventure travel.

Canada has at least four territorial disputes with its Arctic neighbors -- two with the United States, one with Russia and one with Denmark -- that could flare up with the receding ice.

Considering the length of Canada's international borders, there are very few disputes keeping diplomats busy these days.

The adroit ambassador can always be counted on to say something that lets Canadian prime ministers stand up and pound their nationalist breasts. In December, he gave Liberal Leader Paul Martin a boost in the polls by attacking him for criticizing George W. Bush. This week, it was Harper's turn to get a helping hand.

"The United States defends its sovereignty; the Canadian government will defend our sovereignty," the Conservative leader warned sternly on Thursday. "It is the Canadian people that we get our mandate from, not the ambassador of the United States."

Huzzah. Take that, George W.

Finn d'Abuzz wrote:

Canadians are a fine bunch of folk, but thy spend too much time defining themselves not by what they are, but by what they aren't : Americans.

Ah, the voice of the Generalizer....You meet up with a lot of Canadians down there in Dallas, Finn?

The thing that is encouraging is that something as small as a micro-organism can kill an elephant!! And when the elephant has gone rogue, the best thing that can happen is that it is killed!!

Anon

hamburger wrote:

i don't think this disagreement is just going to fade away. u.s. ambassador wilkins probably didn't receive much instruction in the fine art of diplomacy.
he would have done well to take a few lessons from henry kissinger before starting his assignment. henry knew how "to talk to the enemy". hbg

Trust me, to the extent that this issue resonates, it does so only in Canada.

Canadians are a fine bunch of folk, but thy spend too much time defining themselves not by what they are, but by what they aren't : Americans.

The Canadian relationship with America approaches that of a group of mice with an elephant. The elephant hardly acknowledges that the mice exist and will from time to time step on one without thinking. The mice muster all sorts of righteous attacks against the elephant but never manage to do more than cutting a cuticle.

Nationalistic pride is, I believe, a good thing (within reason) and if I were Canadian, I probably would have a few choice words to say about America, but Canadians need to develop a national identity that has nothing to do with America.

This issue of who owns the Northwest Passage is meaningless. If it ever becomes a matter of crucial national interest to America, Canada will not be able to thwart the desires of the US. Hopefully such a level of disagreement will never be necessary, but at some point the mice have to realize that there is not a whole lot they can do to direct the elephant.

Finn d'Abuzz wrote:

hamburger wrote:

i don't think this disagreement is just going to fade away. u.s. ambassador wilkins probably didn't receive much instruction in the fine art of diplomacy.
he would have done well to take a few lessons from henry kissinger before starting his assignment. henry knew how "to talk to the enemy". hbg

Trust me, to the extent that this issue resonates, it does so only in Canada.

Canadians are a fine bunch of folk, but thy spend too much time defining themselves not by what they are, but by what they aren't : Americans.

The Canadian relationship with America approaches that of a group of mice with an elephant. The elephant hardly acknowledges that the mice exist and will from time to time step on one without thinking. The mice muster all sorts of righteous attacks against the elephant but never manage to do more than cutting a cuticle.

Nationalistic pride is, I believe, a good thing (within reason) and if I were Canadian, I probably would have a few choice words to say about America, but Canadians need to develop a national identity that has nothing to do with America.

This issue of who owns the Northwest Passage is meaningless. If it ever becomes a matter of crucial national interest to America, Canada will not be able to thwart the desires of the US. Hopefully such a level of disagreement will never be necessary, but at some point the mice have to realize that there is not a whole lot they can do to direct the elephant.

Your arrogance never fails to amaze me! Are you all like that in Texas? I can see where Bush gets it.

Yes, and in New York as well. Since I am originally from New York and currently reside in Texas, I have double dose of arrogance. Of course one would expect Canadians to feel that a rag-picker in Bumf*ck Arkansas is arrogant as well given their national inferiority complex.

The issue of who owns the NW Passage is meaningless? Then why are so many Americans interested in it?

So many? What, seven? As an issue, this one is on the end of page 16,245 of single spaced issues Americans care about.

You know nothing of Canada and how its citizens feel about their identity.

And yet you know so much about Americans in general and Texans in particular.

Sure, like the rest of the world, we're very glad to NOT be Americans, but we certainly know our heritage and are quite proud of it.

See? The need to type "NOT" in capital letters is yet another manifestation of the inferiority complex of Canadians. If your heritage is so central to the Canadian identity, why did it's conflict with America figure so prominently in your most recent national election? The notion that any national election in the US might turn upon the public's perception of whether or not a candidate is in lock step with Canada is laughable.

You should stay with what you know rather than make a fool of yourself by spouting off silly threats that "Canada will not be able to thwart the desires of the US". As I said before, Cuba is much smaller and has been able to "thwart the US" much to the Americans chagrin.

Really? The only way that Cuba has thwarted the will of the US, is in the continued subjugation of its people by Fidel Castro. Quite an accomplishment. If Cuba stood between the US and a vital resource like water, Cuba would not thwart our will; nor will Canada.

America, much as it likes to thump it's chest, or trumpet its elephant trunk, is not above the law. We have every right to protect the sovereignty of our waters and will do so. It's happening as we speak.

I'm sure something can be worked out that will allow Canadians to save national face while accommodating the strategic interests of the US. If it means Canadians earn a few more toonies, so be it.

You see, we aren't a country with an over 700 BILLION trade deficit, like the US. We can afford to protect what is ours.

And how will you do that if we decide to take what is yours?

If you want to use the NW Passage, register your American ships, pay a fee, like they do in the Panama Canal, and you are allowed through. Simple. It's more than the Americans would do, were the tables turned.

I've no problem with Canada reaping a few sheckles from the NW Passage. It's the least we can do after stealing hockey from you.

Agreed, Intrepid. Interesting that a few of the Americans on board here keep saying such nonsense as:

"it's a non issue" or 'the issue of who owns the NW Passage is meaningless'.

The US, being opportunistic, does see it as a possible economic boon. They will deny it, of course. Perhaps their 'free speech' press is not releasing the full story and they are kept ignorant as usual.

Ironic that so many Americans are on this thread denying that it's an issue.