Why our mindsets are so different

[Bonam]

Wait...it's gets even better. On Monday, there was a Canuck In Space CBC story wherein the CSA Director had to explain to Canadians that their CSA was "like NASA". ?????????

Sad but true. After having worked at the CSA, when I mentioned that I worked there to people they're like... "wait, Canada has a space agency? You mean like NASA? What do they do? Do we have astronauts?".

If there's one thing Canadians don't give a damn about, it's their space program, I can tell you that much.

For all the talk of ignorant Americans, I've overheard random people in restaurants, on the street, etc, talking about America's space program and its future. Never once had I heard that in Canada despite having lived in Canada 5 times as long.

Edited January 24, 2013 by Bonam

[dre]

Is it the outright loathing and disdain that causes such large 'Merkin consciousness in Canada ?

Would there be nothing else to do instead ?

No there is no loathing or disdain. In fact in a poll taken of opinions on the US Canadians had the most favorable opinions of the US in the world with the exception of one african country. As much as clowns like you try to drum up anti-american sentiment and pretend theres some kind of rift between Canadians and Americans the truth is that both Canadians and Americans have a very high opinion of each other. And Canada and the US have the most successful international relationship, and the most successful economic partnership in the history of the human race.

Is there a handfull of clowns like you and AW, on both sides of the border with this wacky obsession? Sure... But clowns will be clowns.

[bush_cheney2004]

No there is no loathing or disdain. In fact in a poll taken of opinions on the US Canadians had the most favorable opinions of the US in the world with the exception of one african country.

I doubt that...must have skipped Albania.

As much as clowns like you try to drum up anti-american sentiment and pretend theres some kind of rift between Canadians and Americans the truth is that both Canadians and Americans have a very high opinion of each other. And Canada and the US have the most successful international relationship, and the most successful economic partnership in the history of the human race.

So that would explain the very strong Canadian support for American foreign and domestic policies ? Yay America !

Is there a handfull of clowns like you and AW, on both sides of the border with this wacky obsession? Sure... But clowns will be clowns.

So now Americans are clowns? Do we amuse you ?

[bush_cheney2004]

If there's one thing Canadians don't give a damn about, it's their space program, I can tell you that much.

Yes...this sentiment is echoed in CBC reader comments. "Spend more on education, social programs, etc., etc."

For all the talk of ignorant Americans, I've overheard random people in restaurants, on the street, etc, talking about America's space program and its future. Never once had I heard that in Canada despite having lived in Canada 5 times as long.

The U.S. space program, whether it be NASA, privateers, or the military, literally garners some of the highest visibility and points of pride for Americans, despite recent funding cuts. A favorite way to insult an American is to claim that the lunar landings were faked hoaxes.

The CSA has partnered well with American and other international projects, and perhaps any attempt at proud nationalism because of successes brings some baggage and resentment.

[Guest American Woman]

And why did you care?

So we're damned if we do - and damned if we don't? One of the criticisms of Americans is that we are self centered and don't care about anything that goes on outside of our borders - as Canadians/the rest of the world know so much about us. Yet when we do "care," it's questioned and commented about as if there's something wrong with it. I, personally, would like to know more about Canada's space program; I think that would be quite interesting.

Edited January 24, 2013 by American Woman

[Guest American Woman]

Even after years of observation, I am not sure why America and Americans figure so prominently in the Canadian consciousness, but this surely contributes to just such an attitude. America is "full of itself" because it also defines the critical elements of what is "not-American". Even within the country there is conflict over Toronto, or Ontario, or Quebec being "full of themselves" vs. the curious term ROC...Rest of Canada.

It still surprises me sometimes, too; I was totally surprised by the comments to my status update because I posted my temp in *gasp* F, which evidently threw some for a complete loop. No idea what -11F and -30F means, which is difficult to believe in the first place, but if they cared so much, a conversion site would give them the info they are looking for with a simple Google search. Instead I was taken to task for not posting it in C and expecting it to mean something to Canadians. I actually didn't expect anything. I was simply posting my thoughts at the moment, which is what I thought the status update is for. But if the reverse were true, if a Canadian had casually mentioned the temp where he lives in C on an American board and received the response that I did, it would be evidence of the "ugly American." That some people care about such a small thing is difficult to understand - and it totally goes against the idea of a "tolerant of other cultures" multi-cultured Canada.

Edited January 24, 2013 by American Woman

[Smallc]

So we're damned if we do - and damned if we don't?

You know what, if you can't understand even the point I was trying to make there, I'm pretty sure this is a useless discussion.

[jbg]

....the truth is that both Canadians and Americans have a very high opinion of each other. And Canada and the US have the most successful international relationship, and the most successful economic partnership in the history of the human race.

Amen to that.

Is there a handfull of clowns like you and AW, on both sides of the border with this wacky obsession? Sure... But clowns will be clowns.

Not sure AW belongs there but I agree. However there are some Canadians on this Board in that category at well, who I shall not name. However, politically during elections many PM candidates drum up that sentiment.

[bush_cheney2004]

.... if a Canadian had casually mentioned the temp where he lives in C on an American board and received the response that I did, it would be evidence of the "ugly American." That some people care about such a small thing is difficult to understand - and it totally goes against the idea of a "tolerant of other cultures" multi-cultured Canada.

True...and one of the reasons I had metric tonnes of fun on the "Canada is metric" thread a while back. Some of them are just stuck in a netherworld that is defined by either what the U.S. is or is not, and they can't break out of that neurosis.

[Guest American Woman]

You know what, if you can't understand even the point I was trying to make there, I'm pretty sure this is a useless discussion.

As far as I can tell, you have no point; which is why I asked for examples and clarification of your comment and how it applies to our inauguration, especially since the coronation of your head of state is quite the affair. It hardly takes a backseat to the swearing in of our head of state, eh? Anyway, this response tells me that you are unable to explain...

[Smallc]

The point (both of them actually) was obviously missed. Both were rather straightforward.

[Guest American Woman]

And neither has a leg to stand on. You sure are spending a lot of time insisting that you made straightforward points - as you devote no time to giving any examples or explanations. Again. You are aware of what the coronation of your heads of state involve, right? Surely you don't think it's any less a "circus" than the swearing in of ours? Any point you think you've made is groundless in light of the reality.

[Smallc]

I never once said the word circus. You should try to keep up. I was pointing out that again, BC was paying attention to a country he cares nothing about.

American folklore, mythology, whatever you want to call it, is quite well understood by most, as is America's nationalism. America is more full of itself. You can't see it? Too bad.

[guyser]

. You are aware of what the coronation of your heads of state involve, right?

I recall vaguely but I wasn't born yet and likely very very few here who would have been.

It was afterall 1952. None since. How many have you had?

[Guest American Woman]

I recall vaguely but I wasn't born yet and likely very very few here who would have been.

Really, guyser, you're better than this. I'm an American who wasn't born yet either, but I am aware of the pomp and circumstance that the coronation of your head of state involves; and if I were so sheltered as to not be aware, I do recall a royal wedding or two, as well as the funeral for Princess Di, and I would guess a coronation would be at least as much of a "circus" as those events, wouldn't you?

It was afterall 1952. None since. How many have you had?

So having a head of state for life makes that head of state somehow more important than the next? Sorry, but I think our head of state is as deserving of a circus as yours - and if you think otherwise, methinks you're the one who's full of himself.

[Guest American Woman]

I never once said the word circus. You should try to keep up.

You responded to my questioning a post that referred to the inauguration as a "circus," commenting on what you think it meant, and I've been asking you to further explain your comment since then. You should try to keep up with what you responded to.

[bush_cheney2004]

I never once said the word circus. You should try to keep up. I was pointing out that again, BC was paying attention to a country he cares nothing about.

I do my best, as getting some attention from the U.S. seems to be very important to some Canadians.

Cue crazy Glenn Close scene..."I will not be ignored......"

[guyser]

Really, guyser, you're better than this. I'm an American who wasn't born yet either, but I am aware of the pomp and circumstance that the coronation of your head of state involves; and if I were so sheltered as to not be aware, I do recall a royal wedding or two, as well as the funeral for Princess Di, and I would guess a coronation would be at least as much of a "circus" as those events, wouldn't you?

I figured you knew, such that my point was one since 1952, and once every four years. If you equate them , fine. I am not one of those who suggested the inauguration was anything to be concerned about.

Thems be your rules.

As for the royal wedding, pomp all the way.

PR Di was just large due to her huge popularity. Remember the Queen wanted nothing to do with it save attendance.

So having a head of state for life makes that head of state somehow more important than the next? Sorry, but I think our head of state is as deserving of a circus as yours - and if you think otherwise, methinks you're the one who's full of himself.

I never said , thought or opined otherwise. Appreciate the compliment.

[Canuckistani]

Separating head of state with head of govt seems like a good idea. Head of govt is a politician who's going to get mud on his shoes. Head of state should be above that. Look at the mindless veneration of the US pres at times, willing to follow him into useless wars, support my pres, right or wrong, etc (because pres = country). Only with Obama has his race lessened that crap a bit, because is usually flows from the right, where the racists seem to hang out. The white ones,. anyway.

[bush_cheney2004]

.... Only with Obama has his race lessened that crap a bit, because is usually flows from the right, where the racists seem to hang out. The white ones,. anyway.

Huh? If you mean criticism of US wars and presidents from so many "white" Canadians, then OK. Just be consistent.

[Guest American Woman]

I figured you knew, such that my point was one since 1952, and once every four years. If you equate them , fine. I am not one of those who suggested the inauguration was anything to be concerned about.

Nor am I. I never suggested such a thing, either. You, however, responded as if the frequency were somewhat more important than the position.

Thems be your rules.

Have you read the thread? Not 'my rules' by any means. I think our pomp and circumstance is just fine - and no different from others, in spite of the claim that we are the only ones to engage in such ceremonies and quite full of ourselves because of it. That has been my point all along.

As for the royal wedding, pomp all the way.

Yep. We aren't standing alone, as claimed.

PR Di was just large due to her huge popularity. Remember the Queen wanted nothing to do with it save attendance.

Still, that speaks for the Brits, just as comments were made about "Americans." We are supposedly in a league of our own - except for the fact that we're not.

I never said , thought or opined otherwise. Appreciate the compliment.

It pretty much sounded as if you both thought and opined otherwise; I can't quite understand why you would bring up the frequency in which we swear in new heads of state otherwise. At any rate, both countries celebrate the occasion with a lot of fanfare. Apparently we're all full of ourselves.

[bush_cheney2004]

....It pretty much sounded as if you both thought and opined otherwise; I can't quite understand why you would bring up the frequency in which we swear in new heads of state otherwise. At any rate, both countries celebrate the occasion with a lot of fanfare. Apparently we're all full of ourselves.

This is to be expected....I don't know if it was this forum or the former Politics Canada site, but when President Reagan died, the seven day state funeral and well choreographed events on two coasts ending in internment precisely at sunset in California invited these kind of comments and criticism from a few Canadians. Essentially, they felt it was an ostentatious display of power and ritual, and more significantly, reminded them that Great Britain (U.K.) no longer occupied the top rung on the ladder.

[guyser]

This is to be expected....I don't know if it was this forum or the former Politics Canada site, but when President Reagan died, the seven day state funeral and well choreographed events on two coasts ending in internment precisely at sunset in California invited these kind of comments and criticism from a few Canadians. .

This one? Nothing bad in there.

http://www.mapleleafweb.com/forums//index.php?showtopic=1728&hl=+reagan's +funeral&st=15

[guyser]

You, however, responded as if the frequency were somewhat more important than the position.

Only makes sense.

Have you read the thread? Not 'my rules' by any means. I think our pomp and circumstance is just fine -

Thus you being American, thems your rules.

It pretty much sounded as if you both thought and opined otherwise;

You read that in, I didnt opine or think so.

[bush_cheney2004]

This one? Nothing bad in there.

No....that thread just devolved into cheap shots at Reagan and Bush. It must have been Politics Canada, as I was not a member of this (MLW) forum in 2004. Some Canadians remarked about the cost and display of power just for a dead head of state.