To our Canadian friends

[Linflas]

In several recent threads you have alluded to the US invading Canada and Canada burning down our capital city in return. Is this really what they are teaching you up there these days? The Encyclopedia Britannica sees things a bit differently as you can see by reading this entry. All of this is rather pointless of course since our 2 countries share a vast amount of common history prior to and after the Revolution that seperated the US from Great Britain. In fact I assume some of this history is problematic for Canadians in that the thing the Quebecois remember (Je Me Souviens) on their license plate is their defeat at the hands of the British which at that time was english speaking Canada and the American colonies along with British regulars. It was disagreement about whom was responsible for paying for that war among other reasons that led to the American Revolution.
I would propose that we take a second to honor our common past and the fact that between our 2 countries is the worlds largest undefended border. When all is said and done Canada and the US are very dependent on one another for many more things than any of us realize. We may disagree over political matters and have the occasional protectionist outburst over one favored industry or another but I think one would be hard pressed to find 2 other nations that have had such a cordial relationship throughout the majority of their histories. If nothing else I am grateful that Canada produced the lovely woman that I have been privileged to be married to for 15 years. Ok now back to our regularly scheduled bickering.

 

[MrBond]

Funny you should bring this up. I was just thinking about my old roomate and how he claimed we should pave canada.

But he was a drunk and an idiot. So I wouldn't take much stock in anything he said.

 

[desy]

No problem here
Soon I think with globalization North America will become one contiguous block anyway. Then it will be our continent against your continent debates :b
Some just like to banter, troll etc. Our common historys create more similarities than not. I think lately there is rising Nationalism in the face of Quebec separatism and one of the easiest ways to try and create a identity to to try and point out how you are different than the other guy.
Personally other than the guys I've met from deep south I don't see much difference than the guys right across the border.

 

[Helpless]

All your Canuks are belong to us

 

[shiner]

Never trust a country that's primary delivery of milk is by bag. Unless of course they are natural milk bags.

 

[Atlantean]

What the hell are you talking about, we get our milk in milk jugs or glass milk containers that get delivered to our door.

 

[Helpless]

Maybe you have been "Americanized."

 

[Michael]

Hmmm, your link has the Americans invading what is now Canada (native Canadian militia supporting a small cadre of British regulars stopped the first invasion attempt, btw). Washington was burned. What's the problem with the history we're taught and the posts we've made?

I have three books on the War of 1812 and know much of the detail behind what was happening before, during and after the War.

I was taught the war was basically a draw. The US was prevented from seizing Canada or expelling the British troops. The US won some important naval battles on the Great Lakes (British Navy was basically forced from them and never returned) and on the high seas.

The War was unpopular in both countries and ended in a treaty that set everything back to where it was when it started.

Michael

ps - the US invaded Canada 2 or 3 times, depending on is you count the Fenian Raids as an invasion. Revolutionary War, War of 1812. Now Canadians invade the US every winter when it gets really cold (ask anyone from Florida or Arizona).

 

[chuckieland]

O canada

 

[Atlantean]

No, not americanized, why do americans think that everything comes from their country? And remember that each time that america tried to invade canada, they were defeated

 

[hopefloats]

"it was a war with two official victors"

 

[Squisher]

Hey, don't mess with Canada, we buy our best hockey teams from there.

 

[Sketchy]

<< Hey, don't mess with Canada, we buy our best hockey teams from there. >>



But, we also gave you our worst basketball team.

 

[Linflas]

<< I was taught the war was basically a draw. The US was prevented from seizing Canada or expelling the British troops. The US won some important naval battles on the Great Lakes (British Navy was basically forced from them and never returned) and on the high seas.

The War was unpopular in both countries and ended in a treaty that set everything back to where it was when it started. >>


Basically the same as we were taught here except the emphasis is more on the other issues (impressment, blockades, tariffs) rather than the invasion of Canada. I believe the territorial asperations were the pet cause of the &quot;War Hawks&quot; and not a stated goal of the US Government in the war. The war was not a popular one with the US population as a whole with New England threatening seccession over it. Sadly they seem to have dumbed down the information on Britannica recently or I have not yet figured out where they are hiding the formerly highly detailed entries. My understanding was that British regulars landed in Maryland and marched to Washington. I guess since Canada was still a Dominion(?) at that point you could stretch the point a bit and say Canada burned the Whitehouse but in reality it was British troops from what I was taught. I am aware there were some minor border skirmishes during the 1800's including one Confederate incursion during the US Civil War.

 

[desy]

Canada did not form as a country til 1867 so yes you are right we were still basically a British/French colonies called upper and lower Canada.
Does anybody remeber when they decided on the 49th parallel as the divider. Canada wanted it at the 40th and the US wanted the 54th and they compromised on the 49th.

 

[IJump]

I thought Canada was just our hunting reserve somewhere north of Minnesota. You mean to tell me it is its own country?

 

[urameatball]

<< But, we also gave you our worst basketball team. >>

what are you talking 'aboot'? Raptors are a great team. And Blue Jays are going to win the world series (once again) .

 

[Pyro]

<< Never trust a country that's primary delivery of milk is by bag. Unless of course they are natural milk bags. >>



similarly we should be wary of a country with no ketchup potato chips or one that hasn't been Tim Hortinized....yet

 

[sandorski]

Hmm, I think he's talking about the Grizzlies. Good ridance I say.

 

[lamplighter]

Yes, Americans were really fighting and whooped by the British in the War of 1812 although we like to say it was Canadians. And as far as I see it, the Americans lost the war because the Canadians stopped them in what they set out to do. Also, its been 4 years since I did a report on this war but I the Americans only one like 3 water battles of 30-40ish.

Pyro - I am afraid we are going to get Krispy Kremed before they get Tim Hortinized

Even though its fun to make fun of the other country, no one can deny that we are both great countries and great friends.

 

[lamplighter]

bleh dp

 

[ultravox]

So, what do Canadians have to be proud of? Let me tell you...

Smarties, Crispy Crunch &amp; Coffee Crisp.

Clamato juice.

The size of our football fields and one less Down.

Baseball is Canadian.

Lacrosse is Canadian.

Hockey is Canadian.

Basketball is Canadian.

Apple pie is Canadian.

Mr. Dress-up kicks Mr. Rogers ass.

Tim Hortons kicks Dunkin' Donuts ass (Tim certainly had more penalty
minutes)

In the war of 1812, started by America, Canadians pushed the Americans
back...past their 'White House'. Then we burned it... and most of
Washington, under the command of William Lyon McKenzie who was insane and
hammered all the time. We got bored because they ran away, so we came home
and partied ... Go figure...

Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to
Germany.

We have the largest English population that never ever surrendered or
withdrew during any war to anyone, anywhere.

Our civil war was a bar fight that lasted a little over an hour.

The only person who was arrested in our civil war was an American
mercenary, who slept in and missed the whole thing...but showed up just in
time to get caught.

We knew plaid was cool far before Seattle caught on.

The Hudsons Bay Company once owned over 10% of the earth's surface and is
still around as the worlds oldest company.

We still know what to do with all the parts of a buffalo.

We don't marry our kin-folk.

We invented ski-doos, jet-skis, velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin,
zambonis, the telephone and short wave radios that save countless lives
each year.

We ALL have frozen our tongues to something metal and lived to tell about
it.

BUT MOST IMPORTANT!

....the handles on our beer cases are big enough to fit your hands with
mitts on.

OOOOoohhhhh Canada!! Oh yeah... and our elections only take one day.

 

[Linflas]

<< Canada has the largest French population that never surrendered to
Germany. >>


LMAO that is great!
Not sure what all this is about ketchup potato chips, I used to buy them all the time from vending machines in DC and I believe they are sold here in some stores. I could only wish that Tim Hortons would open a few places down here but so far they seem to be restricted to a few places up north in the US. One other thing that Canada has that I envy or at least Montreal anyway is Smoked Meat sandwiches. My mother in law always brings me a couple along with a couple dozen bagels.

 

[Pyro]

<< OOOOoohhhhh Canada!! Oh yeah... and our elections only take one day. >>



One day???

the last election took less time than a newsreport about the american one

 

[shiner]

Here is a link for all you Canadians.