Before you pack for Ottawa

[burnedout]

Comment of a Leftist who DID move to Canada

[Hat tip: Dr. John Ray of 'Dissecting Leftism']

Excerpts:

"Part of what's irksome about Canadian anti-Americanism and the obsession with the United States is that it seems so corrosive to Canada. Any country that defines itself through a negative ("Canada: We're not the United States") is doomed to an endless and repetitive cycle of hand-wringing and angst. For example, Canadians often point to their system of universal health care as the best example of what it means to be Canadian (because the United States doesn't provide it), but this means that any effort to adjust or reform that system (which is not perfect) precipitates a national identity crisis: To wit, instituting co-payments or private MRI clinics will make Canada too much like the United States. The rush to make comparisons sometimes prevents meaningful examination of the very real problems that Canada faces..... Many Canadians have American relatives or travel frequently to the United States, but a large number are pretty naive about their neighbors to the south. A university student confidently told me that there had been "no dissent" in the United States during the run-up to the Iraq war.... In "officially multicultural Canada," hostility toward Americans is the last socially acceptable expression of bigotry and xenophobia. It would be impossible to say the things about any other nationality that Canadians routinely say -- both publicly and privately -- about Americans".

In related news, Brian Boyko, a formerly obscure grad student at the University of Texas who became somewhat known for his remarks on a BBC message board, now has a contest named in his honor - "The Brian Boyko 'Canada, eh' Contest"

November 29th, 2004 Contact: Kevin Potter,
Director of Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
469.231.4327

AUSTIN, TX - The Young Conservatives of Texas - UT Austin chapter
announced today that they are taking submissions for "The Brian Boyko
'Canada, eh?' Contest." Essays should be 1,000 words on "Why I Plan to
Leave America" due by January 20th. They can be submitted to
CanadaContest@austin.rr.com. The prize for the winner is a one-way
ticket to Canada paid for, says YCT-UT, "according to Liberal Tradition
-with someone else's money!"

The essay topic is derived from a column of the same name by Daily Texan
columnist Brian Boyko, in which he encouraged conservatives to send him
money for his trip out of the United States. YCT maintains they are
prepared to actually give away a ticket. . . .

The Dallas Observer has further details.

Potter says the YCT contest essays should be 1,000 words on why you plan to leave America and can be submitted to CanadaContest@austin.rr.com by January 20. The winner has to promise to stay in Canada at least a year.

Heh.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Isn't that exactly what I said stage 2 is? As a matter a fact, I believe in many of the threads, stage 2 usually takes form of some Canadian bringing up some UN best place to live stats.

No, stage 2 is talking about the OP. I believe that you are referencing Stage 3, but you tried to make it look better for your 'side'. It does not necessarily involve bashing of the US as that does not matter.

Yep, as I predicted in my post, you managed to tell me that I have a massive inferiority complex when, in fact, all I was trying to point out was that because of a handful of members (both Canadian and American) there can never be a rational discussion of any length about anything Canada-related in these forums (which is kind of sad, really).

Again, you are lying. I never said that the US is better than Canada in every respect and I never said that you personally have an inferiority complex.

I am not interested in a flame war either. I would rather talk about these issues as well, but many Canadian hypernationalists here wish to prevent any discussion. When any facts or points are brought up, it usually results in a 'you are stupid you dont' know anything because you don't live in Canada' type remarks, as evidenced by this very thread. They typicall do not accept facts, their own sources, any data that is contrary to their views, and so on.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose
I would rather talk about these issues as well, but many Canadian hypernationalists here wish to prevent any discussion. When any facts or points are brought up, it usually results in a 'you are stupid you dont' know anything because you don't live in Canada' type remarks, as evidenced by this very thread. They typicall do not accept facts, their own sources, any data that is contrary to their views, and so on.

You realize, of course that you could substitute "American" and "US" into that paragraph and it would be equally applicable, right?

Again, you are lying. I never said that the US is better than Canada in every respect and I never said that you personally have an inferiority complex.

Not explicitly, no. Can you please tell me what is the correct way for me to interpret this statement, then?

While you try to come off as some sort of superior moral authority, it's clear what your true intentions are about.

As a side note, the "US is better than Canada in every measurable sense" comment is just an implication from the fact that I've yet to see you acknowledge that any facet of Canada is better than the US. Admittedly I don't hang out in P&N much, so if you have, I just haven't seen it. FWIW, I have no problem aditting that teh US is better than Canada in several very measurable senses.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Canadians should invade, and invade soon. kthanx

*radio static* "sending in the beaver" *radio static* repeat sending in the beaver. Over. *radio static*.

Well, gee Wally, didn't we get their white house burned down already?

 

[IAteYourMother]

Canadians invade with what?

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Originally posted by: IAteYourMother
Canadians invade with what?

Amphibious assault, Air Assault, Ground Assault, Psychological Assault
You have been warned.

edit: Holy bad linkage Batman, fixed now

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
You realize, of course that you could substitute "American" and "US" into that paragraph and it would be equally applicable, right?

Not really. There seems to be a large amount of discussion that actually works in regards to threads about the US. You have freely admitted that most threads about Canada result in failure.

However, as I said before, there are lots of hypernationalist Americans here. Strangely enough, not many Americans have gone insane by my saying that a good number of Americans have a superiority complex.

Not explicitly, no. Can you please tell me what is the correct way for me to interpret this statement, then?

Sure, that line was meant to say that you are trying to act as if you are impartial when you are clearly not.

As a side note, the "US is better than Canada in every measurable sense" comment is just an implication from the fact that I've yet to see you acknowledge that any facet of Canada is better than the US. Admittedly I don't hang out in P&N much, so if you have, I just haven't seen it. FWIW, I have no problem aditting that teh US is better than Canada in several very measurable senses.

If you don't hang out in P&N too much, then that doesn't really mean much. As I've said plenty of times before, Canada is a good country. However, the rabid nationalists do not care - if you criticize one portion of a country then these people take it as an insult towards the entire country and to themselves. And yes, I've always said that Canada is better than the US in regards to homosexual rights.

 

[RaynorWolfcastle]

Not really. There seems to be a large amount of discussion that actually works in regards to threads about the US. You have freely admitted that most threads about Canada result in failure.

I meant that th4e failure of threads about Canada is also attributable to a few Americans.

Sure, that line was meant to say that you are trying to act as if you are impartial when you are clearly not.

I never claimed to be an impartial, nor did I attempt to imply it. I am not impartial and neither are you for that matter, by definition. I don't know where you came up with that idea. I was just posting an observation.


BTW, try making the superiority complex into a separate thread and I'm sure you'll get your fair share of people going insane

 

[RabidMongoose]

I meant that th4e failure of threads about Canada is also attributable to a few Americans.

Possibly. However, it is mainly due to the hypernationalists, IMO. I admit that I should be less abrasive towards the hypernationalists that insult me, lie, and so on. However, the very topic of my posts which were very related to the OP ignited such rage among the hypernationalists.

I never claimed to be an impartial, nor did I attempt to imply it. I am not impartial and neither are you for that matter, by definition. I don't know where you came up with that idea. I was just posting an observation.

Yes, and I took your observation as one attempting to be without much bias. It seems that I may have been wrong.

BTW, try making the superiority complex into a separate thread and I'm sure you'll get your fair share of people going insane

It doesn't matter. I would not go insane in such a thread. There are literally tons of threads that are critical towards the United States concerning all sorts of matters and I hardly become a hypernationalist in these threads. You are very welcome to post such a thread and I would agree that many Americans have a superiority complex.

The bottom line is that a large share of the Canadian posters here have been acting like hypernationalists. Are there a good number of American hypernationalists? Absolutely. However, the key difference is that there is a much larger contingent of American posters here than Canadians and thus can easily outbalance their respective hypernationalists and facilitate discussion. I believe that this is the key difference to discussions concerning Canada and the US.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle

You have been warned.

But 'merica can strike back with our new technologies developed since our troops are out fetchin' some oil for pappy bush.
Armored assault, Mechanized Assult (Now with demo video to instill you commies with ph33r!), Ground Assault, Ambhibious Assault
to protect our great country and it's great Capitol hoo-rah! god bless 'murica (or ELSE!) we aint scared of no fancypants canadians.

 

[IAteYourMother]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

I meant that th4e failure of threads about Canada is also attributable to a few Americans.

Possibly. However, it is mainly due to the hypernationalists, IMO. I admit that I should be less abrasive towards the hypernationalists that insult me, lie, and so on. However, the very topic of my posts which were very related to the OP ignited such rage among the hypernationalists.

I never claimed to be an impartial, nor did I attempt to imply it. I am not impartial and neither are you for that matter, by definition. I don't know where you came up with that idea. I was just posting an observation.

Yes, and I took your observation as one attempting to be without much bias. It seems that I may have been wrong.

BTW, try making the superiority complex into a separate thread and I'm sure you'll get your fair share of people going insane

It doesn't matter. I would not go insane in such a thread. There are literally tons of threads that are critical towards the United States concerning all sorts of matters and I hardly become a hypernationalist in these threads. You are very welcome to post such a thread and I would agree that many Americans have a superiority complex.

The bottom line is that a large share of the Canadian posters here have been acting like hypernationalists. Are there a good number of American hypernationalists? Absolutely. However, the key difference is that there is a much larger contingent of American posters here than Canadians and thus can easily outbalance their respective hypernationalists and facilitate discussion. I believe that this is the key difference to discussions concerning Canada and the US.

Rabid infuriates many Canadians. haha.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Canadians should invade, and invade soon. kthanx

*radio static* "sending in the beaver" *radio static* repeat sending in the beaver. Over. *radio static*.

Well, gee Wally, didn't we get their white house burned down already?

Yeah but back in the day the Brits were here and they had a formidable army and navy.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Canadians should invade, and invade soon. kthanx

*radio static* "sending in the beaver" *radio static* repeat sending in the beaver. Over. *radio static*.

Well, gee Wally, didn't we get their white house burned down already?

Actually the Canadians never burned down the White House. There wasn't even a Canadian there at the time. The British burned down the White House with troops from Europe in retaliation for the Americans burning down parts of York (Toronto).

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Canadians should invade, and invade soon. kthanx

*radio static* "sending in the beaver" *radio static* repeat sending in the beaver. Over. *radio static*.

Well, gee Wally, didn't we get their white house burned down already?

Actually the Canadians never burned down the White House. There wasn't even a Canadian there at the time. The British burned down the White House with troops from Europe in retaliation for the Americans burning down parts of York (Toronto).

we get their -I know the british did it for them after major American losses and humilitating defeats *snicker* to the Canadians.
What war has america won they haven't come last minute into? (Rev. War doesen't count -It seems a loss to both sides of the same country to me. IMO)
War of Independence was won by attrition of the British (Terrorism) and threat of French action bailing us out and giving us our freedom... (Even though Canada was chill and got theirs bloodlessly) Which comes back to the point of the War of Independence..was it the US wanting to expand into indian lands (which the british colonial leaders did not want to agitate any further) or was it taxation without representation? (which is obviously a farce now.)
I seriously can not think of a single war we won that wasent a totally one-sided war with a badly beaten down opponent. (spanish-american was a disgrace to the militarys honor and carried out terribly and for obvious expansionism against a far lesser country -a rout and territory land grab)
Anyone? A decisive victory?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: Steeplerot

Originally posted by: Aelius

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
Canadians should invade, and invade soon. kthanx

*radio static* "sending in the beaver" *radio static* repeat sending in the beaver. Over. *radio static*.

Well, gee Wally, didn't we get their white house burned down already?

Actually the Canadians never burned down the White House. There wasn't even a Canadian there at the time. The British burned down the White House with troops from Europe in retaliation for the Americans burning down parts of York (Toronto).

Yes, the Brits had our backs covered, and the US got PWNED in the war of 1812. The white house probably needed some re-modeling anyways.

 

[SickBeast]

Anyone else think RabidMongoose should change his nick to RabidNationalist? Every time he accuses us Canadian posters in such a way, it's really just the pot calling the kettle black.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Yes, the Brits had our backs covered, and the US got PWNED in the war of 1812. The white house probably needed some re-modeling anyways.

Actually the War of 1812 basically resulted in a draw.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Anyone else think RabidMongoose should change his nick to RabidNationalist? Every time he accuses us Canadian posters in such a way, it's really just the pot calling the kettle black.

Not really. I welcome criticism of the United States - in fact I did it in this very thread. A rabid nationalist does not welcome criticism of his or her own country as any criticism is taken as a personal insult.

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
we get their -I know the british did it for them after major American losses and humilitating defeats *snicker* to the Canadians.
What war has america won they haven't come last minute into? (Rev. War doesen't count -It seems a loss to both sides of the same country to me. IMO)
War of Independence was won by attrition of the British (Terrorism) and threat of French action bailing us out and giving us our freedom... (Even though Canada was chill and got theirs bloodlessly)

You must not know very much about history. I really hope that you're joking around. If you're not, then that's pretty embarassing.

But yeah the burning of the White House was probably a really embarassing event.

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: RabidMongoose

Originally posted by: SickBeast
Yes, the Brits had our backs covered, and the US got PWNED in the war of 1812. The white house probably needed some re-modeling anyways.

Actually the War of 1812 basically resulted in a draw.

I must have read a Canadian textbook. It said you guys got PWNED.

 

[Steeplerot]

I think the general consensus of history says US invaded Canada for a land grab= US pwnage by Canadians then a beat down from UK who put US in it's place and it chilled out for awhile and concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians)
Cannucks/UK 1 USA 0 :laugh:

 

[RabidMongoose]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
I think the general consensus of history says US invaded Canada for a land grab= US pwnage by Canadians then a beat down from UK who put US in it's place and it chilled out for awhile and concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians)

Well given your previous statement, I am not going to take too much confidence in your word in regards to history.

But sure, you could say that the US got spanked around by the British if you wanted to...I mean they did burn the White House.

 

[Steeplerot]

Well, what war have the USA actually decisively won? instead of discrediting it name one.

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
I think the general consensus of history says US invaded Canada for a land grab= US pwnage by Canadians then a beat down from UK who put US in it's place and it chilled out for awhile and concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians)

There might have been a land grab, but the war wasn't started for it. You can probably say the same about UK/Canada attempting to grab American land. They did capture Detroit. Most historians say that it was a draw, and I guess the UK/Canada then chilled out and then concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians (india) and all other colonies) and killed off a couple hundred million people.

 

[Steeplerot]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: Steeplerot
I think the general consensus of history says US invaded Canada for a land grab= US pwnage by Canadians then a beat down from UK who put US in it's place and it chilled out for awhile and concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians)

There might have been a land grab, but the war wasn't started for it. You can probably say the same about UK/Canada attempting to grab American land. They did capture Detroit. Most historians say that it was a draw, and I guess the UK/Canada then chilled out and then concentrated on peoples with less guns (indians (india) and all other colonies) and killed off a couple hundred million

History is a nasty place...... Sad thing is not much has changed in such a supposedly different more enlightened world.