What is Digg?203 Comments
- mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -9/+76Because most Canadians have no desire to be part of the U.S. and often even resent the comparison. We like you Americans a lot, we really do, but we are Canadian, and that's not the same thing. The culture and history is rooted in entirely different places with significantly different legacies (slavery, for one).
Reminds me of Star Trek: TNG when the doctor mispronounces Data's name and she's all "whatever" and he's all, "Oh no you di'int! One's my name; the other's not!" Like that. - levilprivateer, on 10/12/2007, -7/+40"We have a culture up in Canada, as well as a history. One that is not full of the blood of Africans."
Sorry, but that is not true. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavery_in_Canada I'd also point out that as a British Colony, Canada was as guilty as anyone. It doesn't excuse anyone else, but I'm tired of the United States taking the entire blame for something that was the province of almost every European nation.
What's more, blaming people who were not even alive when it happened is just ridiculous.
"We were the ones who started up a country and successfully ran it. We were the ones who beat the Americans and burnt down the White House in 1812, remember?"
If we're comparing e-groins, I feel obligated to point out three things. One, the original White House is still standing. Two, British troops from Canada got massacred in New Orleans when they tried to fight hillbillies and militia, and that was the last major battle of that war. Most importantly, though, the -British- did all of those things. Canada did not exist as a nation.
"Some of, not all, but some of the American people are just becoming too arrogant. There are many who are reasonable, but then we have people who say that we have no culture. What culture do you guys have honestly? Its nothing special. Its just like ours really. We just have "Canada Day" and you have "Independence Day"."
With the exception of arrogance (which is the province of ALL nations who profess national pride), I will agree. Canada has as much culture as the United States, and deserves to have that culture respected. I might not like certain aspects of it, but then... that's why I do not live in Canada. Ditto for Canadians and the US culture, I imagine. - kidhero, on 10/12/2007, -3/+30Hey, newsflash, the US has contingency military invasion plans for nearly every single industrialized country in the world.
Plans to invade China? Yup.
Mexico? Check.
Iraq? Years and years prior to Saddam being president and even Cobra II was based on plans that the Pentagon had in the 80's.
Every country. Yay. - Wardvark, on 10/12/2007, -8/+34Last time Canada and the States went to war, it went poorly for the states.
- seanthebond, on 10/12/2007, -19/+45We have a culture up in Canada, as well as a history. One that is not full of the blood of Africans. We were the ones who gave them safe refuge up here, remember? We were the ones who started up a country and successfully ran it. We were the ones who beat the Americans and burnt down the White House in 1812, remember?
Some of, not all, but some of the American people are just becoming too arrogant. There are many who are reasonable, but then we have people who say that we have no culture. What culture do you guys have honestly? Its nothing special. Its just like ours really. We just have "Canada Day" and you have "Independence Day".
Plus we know who to elect and who will screw up the country. And we don't have a what.... 8.2 TRILLION DOLLAR DEFICIET?!
And we have oil :P - rtwolf, on 10/12/2007, -3/+27It's actually a common misconception that Canada has had no slavery. It's been overshadowed by our work helping the Underground Railroad and the such. There was a book that came out recently that explained Canada's history with slavery. Can't quite recall the name.
- gen0, on 10/12/2007, -2/+25Aww c'mon... is anyone reminded of that John Candy flick "Canadian Bacon?"
Just get the citizens to band together and take it to those Maple Leafs...
What's even funnier is the description of the movie on IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109370/
"The U.S. President, low in the opinion polls, gets talked into raising his popularity by trying to start a cold war against Canada." - dekkerd, on 10/12/2007, -6/+25Yeah twice we've invaded Canada, and twice we've lost. The second time, the captured Detroit (granted, not much of a loss today).
- DigiNinja, on 10/12/2007, -8/+26seanthebond: forgive me for saying this, but your post is a bit hypocritical... You call Americans (at least you pointed out it's only some of us) arrogant, but saying things like "we didn't ever have slaves, we burned down the white house in 1812, we don't have an $8.2 trillion deficit, and we have oil" just seems like name calling.
I know you aren't doing anything hundreds of thousands of Americans haven't done first, but I would like to remind you that not every American supported slavery, not all of us voted for the people that are stretching that deficit, and some of use even use alternative fuels.
I get so sick of people assuming all Americans are ignorant fools who just can wait to take a swim in Iraq's oil fields. - mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -1/+19I'm from Canada, and I've always wanted to drive a dogsled and chill in an igloo, if that means something. In fact, all stereotypes of Canadians seem pretty fun, except for the eating of blubber.
Let's see...good beer, cops on horses, toques, beaver, friendliness, flags on backpacks, hockey, comedians, flannel, Degrassi, lax marijuana laws, cannibalism, bilingualism, forests...seems to me like we should be working more to enforce our stereotypes!
I wanna start some new ones...like our Zambonis being able to convert to tanks for our military. That would send a chill through all the governments of the world... - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+21newevilmind: why does Canada not join the US and become another state?
Hmmm... why the hell would Canadians want to be part of USA, Canada is rated one of the top places to live in the world, why would we want to ruin that by joining USA. Canada will never be part of the states, and yes we have a military, and no we do not all live in Igloos and drive dog sleds. I do not think any Canadians would believe that becomming part of USA would benefit them. - mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -7/+23dnder: Canada's military is not intended to be a copy of the USA's. It doesn't need to be, especially with the USA being an incredibly powerful next-door ally. Our military has historically been deployed as peacekeepers, which should be the intention of all modern militaries these days. It makes a huge difference to the countries where the Canadian military has been stationed (and yes, we are invited).
The diplomatic effect of our relatively small military has had enormous positive consequences for our country (with a few exceptions, like Somalia). Our choices these days have further strengthened this. For example, we have been in Afghanistan all along, but not Iraq, and the rest of the world can see the difference between the two.
We are also a tenth of the U.S. population despite being the second-largest landmass in the world, and we don't spend even remotely the same kind of cash on defense. Again, we don't need to...and nobody really wants us dead anyway.
So rather than bragging about the size of your military's penis, take a step back and take a look at what it means to be the Canadian Armed Forces, and the cultural context to the country they "defend." We don't have the military might, but our Forces wield a surprising amount of global influence, and that can often go further in diplomacy. - capn_caveman, on 10/12/2007, -11/+27I submitted this story and wish I could unsubmit it.... given the first comments, this is just going to be a flame war. Doesn't really belong on digg. It's interesting, but mark as lame. Thanks.
- JasonPrini, on 10/12/2007, -13/+28Most Mexican seem to? Are you letting the 24hour news think for you? I highly doubt most Mexicans want to become Americans. There's more Mexicans in Mexico city than ALL of the US.
I know as a Canadian that we don't want to become American. We'd lose our fat trade surplus for one...
Besides, you don't want to learn French do you?
We have somethng like 2000 active soldiers {plus reserve}, and more generals than tanks. So when the US becomes a desert and I'm growing oranges in Ottawa... - malfunktion, on 10/12/2007, -5/+20If anything I'm glad our money is spent elsewhere and our military is used for aid instead of policing.
/Torontonian - szelij, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15Okay here's a serious answer to Newevilmind's question;
Mexico speaks spanish and America doesn't. They have wildly different cultures, so given that it's impossible for a peaceful union. A union under force is not likely, what does Mexico have anyway? Plus to take on 100million people who are living in lower standards than the US would be a huge strain to the US government.
Let's add canada to the equation. Canada has a history in which people from the US fled when they heard the declaration of independence. Not to mention that a huge majority of the canadian population whilst liking americans in general have no intention of being a 'state of the us'. Couple that with secessionist movements in canada who would violently assert themselves, it's a pretty moot point that peaceful union is impossible. On top of which, CONSTITUTIONALITY comes into play....and canada has a queen anyway.
So moral of the story? Not everyone wants to live under the umbrella of the US of A. - Porchman, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Not to nitpick but if you want a valid argument get your numbers correct. The 2000 census counted about 21.7 million Mexicans living in the U.S. The population of Mexico City using the larger numbers I've found is just over 18 million. The number of Mexicans coming to the U.S. has risen by 40% in just 3 years so that number is much higher now. They must like the higher profitability in the U.S. since they keep coming.
Also, many people don't understand that the majority of the oil the U.S. consumes comes from outside the Middle East. Iraq is truly not that important to the U.S. oil supply. Canada and Mexico are perhaps more important to that than Iraq. - mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -5/+17If by "prowd Canuck, a?" you mean "proud Canuck, eh?" then sure thing. Big-ups to my peacekeepin', maple syrup-eatin', cold-winterin', same-sex-marryin', comedian-exportin' compatriots! We're number...um, something! We're number something!
- mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -1/+13We have loads of it, and for some reason, Americans aren't exploiting it yet (though they should be). Maybe it will prevent some future wars.
- mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -14/+25Canada has most of the USA's future drinking water, lumber, and other natural resources (including oil), so y'all better be nice to our military.
Note to Americans: bragging about the size of your military is like driving a Porsche. It doesn't have the effect on others you intended it to have.
Hey, by the way, can we have Alaska? - sstidman, on 10/12/2007, -4/+15^^^ Good point. And I keep hearing that everything is Canada's fault (something about "blame Canada"), so they're probably up to no good up there.
Besides, Canadian girls are hot. We need to take their women!! - zombieball, on 10/12/2007, -5/+16Yes Canada is so weak and foolish for not blowing billions of dollars on their military and instead investing it in things like free public health care.
Maybe that is why people from the US wish to invade us - their chill pills are getting too pricy! - Billistic, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11I'll help the Americans on Digg understand Canada a bit.
First, food. All Americans will bow to canada when they finally discover Poutine. Poutine will rule you all. A friend of mine used to travel to the states on business all the time and he was surprised that no one had ever heard of poutine.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poutine - It may sound gross to some, but when you try it, you'll be a fan.
Secondly, yes it has been a while since Canada has fought the US in any kind of war, and yes technology has moved along and the rules of war have changed. But there's one thing technology cannot stop, a top secret weapon Canada has kept far away from the American border, a force that could ravage the states in 2 minutes flat:
Newfoundlanders.
Oh that's right, Newfies. During world war 2, anytime there was a battle that couldn't be won by American and British forces they'd go to a battalion of Newfoundlanders and go "hey guys we need you to go in and wipe out this area" and the newfies would walk in there and just go medievil on their asses, skinned heads, human hearts eaten, you name it, all forces would be totally decimated. Why? Because Newfies are crazy.
Are we worried about an attack? Maybe, but every Canadian knows, the Newfies could handle it. - serithchylde, on 10/12/2007, -0/+10the best part of the movie, most Canadians were played by Americans, and most Americans were played by Canadians.
- 7diesel, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11"In 1839, Americans and Canadians met in a deadly confrontation over a border dispute%u2026 it cost the life of one American cow and a Canadian pig."
worth a digg in my book! :)
"And if the Americans dare attempt to invade us, the United Nations as well as the rest of the world would stop them, so it doesn't matter."
yeah the U.N. is great at stopping war (rwanda, anyone?). - seanthebond, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15And if the Americans dare attempt to invade us, the United Nations as well as the rest of the world would stop them, so it doesn't matter.
- BloodJunkie, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10There's no need for the states to invade Canada. It has already been signed, sealed and delivered via NAFTA. It would be like invading your baby's crib.
Great digg though, very interesting read. - Arnos, on 10/12/2007, -3/+12Yeah if we invaded Canada the UN might send two or THREE letters politely asking us to stop.
Actions like that just chill the blood. - DDRSkata, on 10/12/2007, -2/+11Patriotism will inevitably generate a seemingly endless amount of ***** in any conversation involving two countries.
- Galaxion, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10The Queen would never stand for it.
Remember, she has a big red button too.... nuclear holocaust! yay! - coonzel, on 10/12/2007, -4/+13I'm sorry, but as a proud Canadian/Nova Scotian, I couldn't handle the fact of merging with the US of A. So far I've read, the main benefit I see is the idea of becoming a "superpower". Whoa, last time I checked, most Canadians liked how our country was at a "peace keeping" stance with the rest of the world. Wow, nice military guys, but with all the enemies you've made, your sure going to need it. Not to say our country wouldn't be a target to anybody, but I would feel a lot more comfortable with a Canadian flag on my backpack rather than American one on international soils.
Losing public health care would suck, and hooking up with a nation where half of their population despises their own leader... just doesn't add up folks. - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -5/+14We call them insurgents, but I get the feeling they call themselves freedom fighters. Lets just say, if another country attacked mine, I'd fight back too.
- mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10panhandle: The Americans invaded in 1812 and were unsuccessful and driven-out. That's a "stalemate"?!
That reminds me once of being at Epcot Center (centre) when I was younger and when we were in the Canada pavilion, the American tour guide was talking about how the U.S. won the War of 1812 and all the Canadians in the group started looking at each other with WTF faces. But, of course, being Canadian, nobody said anything as not to be impolite in front of the tourists. - ubpsanity, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11"The U.S. President, low in the opinion polls, gets talked into raising his popularity by trying to start a cold war against Canada."
Substitute some other countries name for Canada.......
sounds vaguely familiar, wonder if I've seen that movie - kalphegor, on 10/12/2007, -4/+12does canada have oil too?
- kkapoor, on 10/12/2007, -11/+19I believe in the last war fought, Canada kicked the US's butt. Canada even burnt down the White House if I'm not mistaken.
Additionally in War games between the two countries Canada always comes out on top. Their armed forces are small but extremely well trained. - gumby013, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11Growing up in Minnesota, we had a plan in case of canadian invasion. Just throw sand on all of the lakes and rivers to defeat the Canadian ice skates.
- justice7, on 10/12/2007, -3/+11I don't think it will be the UN defending canada.. but rather a "coalition" (hahahah bushy!) of much greater size than the US Military.
Wouldn't invading a peaceful country such as Canada be extremely evil? I mean, we're talking about to STEAL resources...
Since when is it ever okay to steal.. i guess it might be, since the americans actually allow their own government to directly lie to them and get away with it scott-free. - CBTF, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Not to agree with him, but if you're going to say the states won ww1 and 2, you may want to know the history.
WW1, the states stayed out as long as they could, joining at the very end of the war.
WW2, they did quite a bit but most Americans tend to forget how much more the Russians did. The British colonies did lots of work too, and again the USA were late comers to the battle. It was pearl harbour that forced them into combat.
Besides that, can a world war really be won by one single nation? - Micrastur, on 10/12/2007, -1/+9the US is too big already. The US constitution REQUIRES 1 congressional representative for every 30,000 citizens. This worked fine until the House became "full" at 430-something seats. So we made law that favors taxation over representation, and now I share my representative with over 200,000 people (I guess that's better than a congress with almost 10,000 seats). Can we say "leviathan"?
- lava, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Not just Alaska. You can have the red states.
- theradical, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Canada is regarded to have the second largest oil reserve in the world. The problem is, the oil is difficult to recover, and the process to do so is very damaging to the environment.
However, the economic gains outweigh, at least in the minds of the oil companies and the Alberta government, the environmental downside. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that "in 2004 Canada exported 1.62 million bbl/d of crude oil to the U.S., the single-largest component of U.S. crude oil imports." That sounds like a lot of money to me.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Athabasca_Tar_Sands
http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/cabs/canada.html - slack31337, on 10/12/2007, -15/+22That was damn interesting ....
- AuLKenny, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8@mark1372. Heh... our zamboni tanks advancing upon the enemy at a fearsome speed of 4 km/h.
[And yes, I did just use kilometers.] - matts0344, on 10/12/2007, -7/+14"Have the States actually ever won a war yet?"
Ever hear of the Revolutionary War? WWI? WWII? - cajunman4life, on 10/12/2007, -4/+11Let me start off by saying I am in no way saying one side is better than the other... that said...
I am a member of the US Military. Last summer we got the opportunity to train at Fort Bliss, TX with some Canadian Special Forces (for those of you who don't know, Fort Bliss is right in the middle of the desert, on the TX/NM border). They were severely beat down by the heat. They wore wool socks for *****'s sake. They were pretty cool to hang out with though, I'll give them that. - chrism1128, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8I have a Pre-emptive plan to buy all of my medicine for like five bucks if Canada takes us over.
Hmmmmm - mark1372, on 10/12/2007, -5/+12...and obviously a substandard school system.
- jpenn, on 10/12/2007, -6/+13yes, you can have Alaska.
- Arnos, on 10/12/2007, -8/+15It's funny how people say things went badly for a war that happened nearly 200 years ago and suggesting that a third try would be just as bad.
Yeah- you're right. We haven't made ANY technological or tactical advances that would allow us to invade countries in this day an age.
Oh wait...
And as for the UN- yes you're right. They'd stop us. I think it may take two or maybe THREE polite letters for us to back down.
Anyways, whatcha all worried about? It's not like you have natural resou......Hmmmmm. We'll get back to you.
Muahahahahahahahaha -
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