Sorry Buddy, You’re Four Years Too Late

This past week, George W. Bush made his first visit ever to Canada as President of the United States. This is after canceling numerous planned visits to Canada, the country that pretty much all past US presidents made their first international visit to. I guess he is keeping to tradition though, as this is his first international visit after being legitimately elected.

The visit was supposedly to patch up Canada-US relations. Ha. We may be nice people, but we’re not morons. We aren’t going to shine your shoes as you’re walking all over us. Canada has been ignored and neglected by the USA for the past four years, and we aren’t very happy about it. To anyone who thinks Canadians our being ungrateful for all that the USA has done for them, name one reason from the past four years that you think that. From mad cow hypocrisy to SARS hysteria and, most notably, the ongoing softwood lumber dispute (NAFTA goes both ways jerks), we have been getting the shaft. It’s no wonder Canada-US relations are at a low of lows. One up side to the increasing distance between us and them is that our dollar is looking pretty good these days by comparison.

Bush thanked Canadians who welcomed him by waving “with all 5 fingers.” Apparently, that wasn’t too many. But hey, too all of those Americans who salute their Commander in Chief with less than all 5, come join us. We’re very nice people (if you don’t push us too hard), our economy isn’t falling as fast, we allow gay marriage, and best of all, George W. Bush hardly ever visits!

Comments

[RiscIt]

> Canada has been ignored and neglected
> by the USA for the past four years

You realize Canada is not our responsibility, right? I've always respected Canada for being self reliant, not causing any problems, and generally not bothering anyone.... Did I miss something?

[forty two]

You're right, Canada isn't the USA's responsibility (thankfully), but that isn't what I'm trying to say here. I'm not asking for another country to hold our hand; what I am advocating is respect. You cannot expect foreign relations to be peachy with your neighbour when you're either ignoring them or troubling them with tariffs on some of their main exports.

Sure we may not be causing problems or bothering anyone, but we shouldn't have to be a bother to get a nod from a neighbour. And we certainly shouldn't have to listen to veiled threats from the US Ambassador ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Cellucci ) when we choose to be independent make decisions on our own.

I'm not asking for a gift basket or a pat on the head, I'm simply pointing out that Canada-US relations are at a low right now for a reason.

[Nope]

"I'm simply pointing out that Canada-US relations are at a low right now for a reason."

And likewise from the American point of view. Regardless of the recent election in Canada installing a "right-leaning" government, the public attitude in the US will now take a generation to heal. If ever. Leave us alone, and I'll do my part to see the US leaves you alone.

[forty two]

I think you misunderstood.

"Canada-US relations" refers to political relations. If you have examples of how the Canadian government has been shafting the USA on international agreements, then by all means share them. But if you're simply stating a personal beef with the fact that some Canadians publicly express their opinions on your country (especially when they're doing something that affects us), then that was the wrong thing to quote.

The lack of respect and utter contempt your country's current administration has shown to nations that make their own policy decisions is the issue here.