So I ask, what is or defines a Canadian?

[dre]

I agree, but there are distinctions and I've lived in both.

Possibly the one major distinction being the "melting pot" philosophy there and the multi-cultural fiasco here.

I see this kicked around quite a bit but from my experience in the US for the most part I see the same kind of ethnic balkanization that we see in Canada. Latino neighborhoods, black neighborhoods, ethnic ghettos and slums, etc.

I think somebody forgot to plug in the melting pot.

Edited May 27, 2012 by dre

[g_bambino]

[Y]ou'll never get anyone to agree on anything besides the legal classification.

I'm not certain about that. I already raised the example of the Royal Family; all but four aren't Canadian citizens, there's no special law for them, and yet the government still regards them as Canadian.

[bleeding heart]

I'm not certain about that. I already raised the example of the Royal Family; all but four aren't Canadian citizens, there's no special law for them, and yet the government still regards them as Canadian.

Yes, but we're talking about our definitions of Canadians, here, on MLW. It's a nebulous issue, conflicting and weird...and legal matters are the only clear answer.

I'm not saying they're the only answer; I'm saying it's the only one that is (almost!!!) universally agreed upon.

[Michael Hardner]

And I AM Canadian, and Canada most definately WAS the current location of the vagina I came out of!

I'm not sure if this is an admission of citizenship as a function of biological geopolitical fixation, or a jingoistic board about Canadian vaginas. Oddly, I support either/both propositions.

[Michael Hardner]

They both seem to work quite well, on the whole.

Multiculturalism is effectively a melting-pot, with the addition of a national identity of accepting and welcoming difference. MP and MC are not either/or - no government policy can negate the melting pot effect, however a multicultural identity will create a bedrock of welcome for diversity - institutionally and non-institutionally.

[g_bambino]

I'm not saying they're the only answer; I'm saying it's the only one that is (almost!!!) universally agreed upon.

Ah, I see.

[bleeding heart]

Multiculturalism is effectively a melting-pot, with the addition of a national identity of accepting and welcoming difference. MP and MC are not either/or - no government policy can negate the melting pot effect, however a multicultural identity will create a bedrock of welcome for diversity - institutionally and non-institutionally.

Nicely said.

[Michael Hardner]

Nicely said.

Why thank you. I actually didn't SAY this, I posted it, but maybe I'll repeat it quietly to myself to validate your comment.

[bleeding heart]

Why thank you. I actually didn't SAY this, I posted it, but maybe I'll repeat it quietly to myself to validate your comment.

Nicely posted.

[BornAlbertan]

Except murder.

Put this in your pipe and smoke it.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/30/luka-rocco-magnotta-video-allegedly-shows-body-parts-suspect-dismembering-victim/

[Fletch 27]

What defines "Canadian"? Nothing anymore other than small words and niceties. Canada lost its direction and soul 20 years ago. Working with many other countries and asking many of my associates overseas the common theme is the "sheer inability to say "no"". We are a country of a vocal weak population in the minority but have a strong majority when push comes to shove. The weakness in the minority is making Canada look bad. What defines a canadian? There is no more "canadian".

[guyser]

Put this in your pipe and smoke it.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/05/30/luka-rocco-magnotta-video-allegedly-shows-body-parts-suspect-dismembering-victim/

Hmm....not sure of any point , or if one is made, you are trying to make.

Care to expand on this?

[-TSS-]

I'm sure it must mean to be comfortable with vast distances. I am going to spend the weekend in the northern-Finnish town of Oulu which is 600km away and takes six hours by train to travel to and that's the fast train. Everyone here considers Oulu to be terribly far away.

Surely hardly anyone in canada considers a distance of 600km being far away. However, am I right in assuming that it is not at all uncommon for Canadians not to have visited every corner of their country because of its vastness? I mean, if someone lives in toronto it is by no means strange that he may have never visited Vancouver, or vice versa?

[Guest Peeves]

I'm sure it must mean to be comfortable with vast distances. I am going to spend the weekend in the northern-Finnish town of Oulu which is 600km away and takes six hours by train to travel to and that's the fast train. Everyone here considers Oulu to be terribly far away.

Surely hardly anyone in canada considers a distance of 600km being far away. However, am I right in assuming that it is not at all uncommon for Canadians not to have visited every corner of their country because of its vastness? I mean, if someone lives in toronto it is by no means strange that he may have never visited Vancouver, or vice versa?

I admit a preference for traveling to the islands..Trinidad - Tobago, Bahamas, or the Southern USA. Te coasts of Canada have not drawn me as yet.

[Topaz]

After listeing to comments in the House and on TV, I just hope we all stay Canadians. There's too much West vs East going on and we don't need it as a country.

[Smallc]

That same thing has been going on since before 1867.

[Topaz]

That same thing has been going on since before 1867.

Well many things have been going on but we don't need talk about dividing, unless of course, one can prove the other is doing it,then its more than talk.

[BornAlbertan]

Hmm....not sure of any point , or if one is made, you are trying to make.

Care to expand on this?

You said murderers never videotape their crime...and within a couple days here later you have one right in your backyard. Admittedly it is merely a coincidence...and sure it is rare. But it is proof positive it does happen.

In case like this...death penalty absolutely. There is no way the guy can be deemed innocent. There is video he did it. There is no way he can be deemed "mentally unfit" as he knew damn well what he was doing.

For that....I suggest this advice:

(of coure meant to add humour to an otherwise grisly topic).

[guyser]

You said murderers never videotape their crime...and within a couple days here later you have one right in your backyard. Admittedly it is merely a coincidence...and sure it is rare. But it is proof positive it does happen.

Actuallly I mean Paul Bernardo never taped a murder but I went back and re-read and ....meh, not very clear.

So yes, obviously some sick idiots do in fact tape them.

In case like this...death penalty absolutely. There is no way the guy can be deemed innocent. There is video he did it. There is no way he can be deemed "mentally unfit" as he knew damn well what he was doing.

This early in the scenario unfolding about this Magnotta guy and we cannot really call this. I myself would think it rather normal to call him mentally sick which would means he is unfit but I suspect it may be his vanity that does him in.