A funny (or sad) thing about American poltics,

[Moonlight Graham]

Damn. I thought Canada had finally had a political ad that actually drew some attention.

But. one. more. time. It's not an "American ad," it's a MICHIGAN ad. By one candidate. Is it starting to sink in yet? And fyi, sorry to disappoint, but it wasn't taken seriously. Awww shucks, eh?

Do carry on, though, I realize now that this type of thing provides entertainment for you and yours - and some of you apparently don't experience much of that in your lives; so, as a Michigander, I'm pleased that one of my candidates has provided you with some entertainment. And you're welcome.

A sizable proportion of American politicians are, quite frankly, insane. We got some too, a lot of them live in Alberta. But you have more of them & they're crazier and make more ads like this.

You'll joke with your family/friends &/or mumble to yourself how nuts these ads and these people are, yet if a non-American mentions it on here you get your back up like porcupine.

[-TSS-]

I guess Canada has a similar little brother-complex to the US as we in Finland have to Sweden. Both countries mirror their achievements in comparison to the "big brother" who often does not take the slightest notice whatever the kid brother has been doing.

[kimmy]

Too bad they didn't hire the actress from the same talent agency that Canadian politicians use.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzrV9ORMeZU

Nothing funny or hilariously horrible about that - just "a sad reflection on Canadian politics."

Thanks, I almost peed my pants watching that.

(However, I had assumed that you knew that the subtitles weren't the real translation and were posting it to make a funny. )

-k

{release the mongoose!}

[waldo]

Damn. I thought Canada had finally had a political ad that actually drew some attention.

is this your way of saying that you made a mmmmmistake?

But. one. more. time. It's not an "American ad," it's a MICHIGAN ad. By one candidate. Is it starting to sink in yet? And fyi, sorry to disappoint, but it wasn't taken seriously. Awww shucks, eh?

Do carry on, though, I realize now that this type of thing provides entertainment for you and yours - and some of you apparently don't experience much of that in your lives; so, as a Michigander, I'm pleased that one of my candidates has provided you with some entertainment. And you're welcome.

given its profile it's most certainly become an "American ad"... it's not for your state level Senate; it's for one of your state's federal U.S. Senate positions. It's received a most significant response from national media and national political spokespersons. It's had the expected result of bringing forward scrutiny of Hoekstra's previous 17 year voting record in your federal House of Representatives; highlighting the hypocrisy of many of his national level votes in relation to the ad.

it wasn't taken seriously? Really?

[Guest American Woman]

Thanks, I almost peed my pants watching that.

I cracked up too. My first reaction was WTF?

(However, I had assumed that you knew that the subtitles weren't the real translation and were posting it to make a funny. )

My point, actually, is that it's difficult to tell what's real and what's not.

I knew the subtitles weren't the real translation, but I wondered if it had been 'doctored' as an "attack ad."

Still laughing .............

[Smallc]

Well said. This particular poster perfectly exemplifies the pseudo-superiority complex of a certain fringe of Canadians. I think it's a result of their immense insecurity. This is one of the ways they try to cope.

I have a question for you. Many Americans (and you) think that the United States of America is the greatest country on earth. There is probably no country (or very few) that are more nationalistic. Why then, do you seem to think it's such a bad thing that there would be nationalistic Canadians who think that their country is better than all or most others?

[kimmy]

Canada has had some terrible ads over the years. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any that are in quite as bad taste as having an actress of Asian descent standing in a rice paddy talking in "engrish" about how her country is taking over.

But certainly, it's not an "American" ad, it's an ad by a dumb-ass candidate. I think that for reasons relating to campaign finance and political party organization, dumb-ass candidates in Canada probably have less independence from the national party to run ads.

-k

[Smallc]

American political discourse is on a whole different level than Canadian or in general, Commonwealth political discourse.

[Moonlight Graham]

Well said. This particular poster perfectly exemplifies the pseudo-superiority complex of a certain fringe of Canadians. I think it's a result of their immense insecurity. This is one of the ways they try to cope.

This is about crazy people. The US just happens to have an unusually sizeable portion of their population, including a good # of politicians, that are freaking crazy. It's not about "superiority". We have our crazies too. Stockwell Day believes the world is 6000 years old or whatever and humans walked with dinos. He's crazy, and missing some logic receptors in his brain. The US just happens to have a higher % of this population than most other western countries. My many American friends (part of the nice, non-crazy majority in the US) readily admit the disturbing # of crazies in their country.

To compare, Canada and much of western Europe has, over the past several decades, had a higher number of naive utopian politicians instituting many policies that sound nice but just don't work properly. Politically, we/they rank high in naivety, US ranks high in crazy. I'm not anti-American, I'm anti-crazy.

[GostHacked]

My point, actually, is that it's difficult to tell what's real and what's not.

I knew the subtitles weren't the real translation, but I wondered if it had been 'doctored' as an "attack ad."

That is also part of the problem. You will have a hard time discerning what actually is real or not. Part of the process they use to confuse the masses as to what their real intentions are.

We know all these politicians lie. But people shrug it off in a way indicating that it's not real important. IF this is how they act in attack ads, how will they do with the top spot of the country?

Some would take those ads as serious. And that is a scary thing because people are not capable of some critical thought.

[bush_cheney2004]

American political discourse is on a whole different level than Canadian or in general, Commonwealth political discourse.

This is true...the Americans had to get "crazy" to rid themselves of Commonwealth bondage. Still "crazy" after all these years.

[Guest American Woman]

This is true...the Americans had to get "crazy" to rid themselves of Commonwealth bondage. Still "crazy" after all these years.

Yep.

The way I see it, American politicians don't hide their "crazy" behind a prim-and-proper facade - what you see is what you get, and if "crazy" is part of it, I'm glad it's out in the open for all to see - it's good to know ahead of time.

Edited February 11, 2012 by American Woman

[-TSS-]

Yep.

The way I see it, American politicians don't hide their "crazy" behind a prim-and-proper facade - what you see is what you get, and if "crazy" is part of it, I'm glad it's out in the open for all to see - it's good to know ahead of time.

Even though I don't agree with you I must admit that I respect the way you rise up when your country is being mocked. And yes, a lot of people's perception of America is very stereotypical. Many people who have never even visited the country think they know everything about it.

The reason why I made the point about Michigan must not have a lot of Asians was because the ad had an Asian woman making silly remarks about spending everything right away and after that a wise white man comes saying that spending is not a wise idea. I thought that a lot of Asians must find that ad very distasteful and offensive.

Edited February 11, 2012 by -TSS-

[Moonlight Graham]

Yep.

The way I see it, American politicians don't hide their "crazy" behind a prim-and-proper facade - what you see is what you get, and if "crazy" is part of it, I'm glad it's out in the open for all to see - it's good to know ahead of time.

Crazy is as crazy does.

[bush_cheney2004]

Even though I don't agree with you I must admit that I respect the way you rise up when your country is being mocked. And yes, a lot of people's perception of America is very stereotypical. Many people who have never even visited the country think they know everything about it.

True...they consume so much American media they believe they know everything about it.

The reason why I made the point about Michigan must not have a lot of Asians was because the ad had an Asian woman making silly remarks about spending everything right away and after that a wise white man comes saying that spending is not a wise idea. I thought that a lot of Asians must find that ad very distasteful and offensive.

Some will...some won't. Most would prefer to be Americans first, of Asian descent second.

[Shady]

I have a question for you. Many Americans (and you) think that the United States of America is the greatest country on earth. There is probably no country (or very few) that are more nationalistic. Why then, do you seem to think it's such a bad thing that there would be nationalistic Canadians who think that their country is better than all or most others?

I have no problem with nationalistic Canadians. But I don't believe that this type of behavior is pro-Canadian. It's the usual knee-jerk anti-Americanism wrapped in the usual pseudo-superiority complex practiced by the usual left-leaning suspects. I've seen it a thousand times.

Canada has had some terrible ads over the years. Off the top of my head, I can't recall any that are in quite as bad taste as having an actress of Asian descent standing in a rice paddy talking in "engrish" about how her country is taking over.

Overall I'd agree with your assertion. Although I can think of at least a couple of ads that are arguably as bad.

And of course, I'm sure we're still all waiting for the troops in the streets of our cities!

[Shady]

This is the ad that that particular candidate should have been running.

[Guest American Woman]

Even though I don't agree with you I must admit that I respect the way you rise up when your country is being mocked.

As I keep pointing out, though - it's not "my country," it's one state; and the ad wasn't even well received - by Democrats and some Republicans. In fact, it's been pulled - “Hoekstra Backs off Super Bowl Ad”. So again, it's hardly representative of America or indicative of the direction of American politics in headed - so those doing "the mocking" are the ones with the problem, as is generally the case in situations such as this.

And yes, a lot of people's perception of America is very stereotypical. Many people who have never even visited the country think they know everything about it.

You got that right.

The reason why I made the point about Michigan must not have a lot of Asians was because the ad had an Asian woman making silly remarks about spending everything right away and after that a wise white man comes saying that spending is not a wise idea. I thought that a lot of Asians must find that ad very distasteful and offensive.

Thank you for your clarification, I appreciate it - it makes sense now that you've explained it, so I take back what I said earlier - with my apologies for jumping the gun before giving you a chance to explain where you were coming from.

[Smallc]

I have no problem with nationalistic Canadians. But I don't believe that this type of behavior is pro-Canadian. It's the usual knee-jerk anti-Americanism wrapped in the usual pseudo-superiority complex practiced by the usual left-leaning suspects. I've seen it a thousand times.

If you think it's okay for someone to believe their country is the best (it's pretty close, if not), then you shouldn't have a problem with a superiority complex. Compared to Canadian politics, or the politics of other parliamentary countries, US politics often borders on the rediculous. That actually, I suppose, is the answer to my earlier question. In many ways, that makes it more exciting, and more reportable. Actually, come to think of it, UK politics can border on rediculous sometimes to. That doesn't happen very often here.

That said, senators fighting over where they're going to sit in committee.....

Edited February 11, 2012 by Smallc

[WWWTT]

The reason why I made the point about Michigan must not have a lot of Asians was because the ad had an Asian woman making silly remarks about spending everything right away and after that a wise white man comes saying that spending is not a wise idea. I thought that a lot of Asians must find that ad very distasteful and offensive.

How do you know she is Asian?

Maybe she has native status?

Did you see her passport or birth certificate?

Its funny that you are making many assumptions,I believe this add was made to target people who automatically assume without questioning.

From time to time I am guilty of this too.

WWWTT

[bush_cheney2004]

...Compared to Canadian politics, or the politics of other parliamentary countries, US politics often borders on the rediculous. That actually, I suppose, is the answer to my earlier question. In many ways, that makes it more exciting, and more reportable....

Agreed...Canadian politics is boring. The international "community" hardly pays any attention to the petty bickering or outcome of Canadian elections. It will still be the same in the end...boring. Boring can be good, but not very exciting.

[WWWTT]

Agreed...Canadian politics is boring. The international "community" hardly pays any attention to the petty bickering or outcome of Canadian elections. It will still be the same in the end...boring. Boring can be good, but not very exciting.

Haaa!

But somehow you are on MLW

Haaa!

WWWTT

[Guest American Woman]

How do you know she is Asian?

Maybe she has native status?

I don't think he was making any assumptions about her citizenship; as an American citizen she would still be Asian, just as I am German, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Edited February 11, 2012 by American Woman

[bush_cheney2004]

Haaa!

But somehow you are on MLW

Haaa!

MLW is hosted in America, uses an American forum engine, and is riddled with American content.

Even the spammers are American.

[bush_cheney2004]

I don't think he was making any assumptions about her citizenship; as an American citizen she would still be Asian, just as I am German, Swedish, and Norwegian.

Yea...I don't think he understands that, or that the United States is more diverse than Canada.