Bush Administration tells PMPM...

[Montgomery Burns]

Canadian Press

OTTAWA (CP) - The Bush administration issued a sharp, public rebuke Tuesday to Prime Minister Paul Martin for dragging the Canada-U.S. relationship into federal electoral politics.

Ambassador David Wilkins' unprecedented, mid-campaign sortie drew an immediate, flag-waving riposte from Martin, who came to office in 2003 promising a more mature relationship...

A more mature relationship?

...with Washington. "I will defend the Canadian position and I will defend our values and I will defend our interests against anybody," the prime minister said on the campaign trail in Surrey, B.C.

Wilkins' diplomatic message was about as subtle as a sledgehammer, suggesting maturity in cross-border relations remains in short supply two years after Martin became prime minister.

"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly," Wilkins said in a speech to the Canadian Club at the historic Chateau Laurier Hotel, next door to Parliament Hill.

Bashing America plays well for many in Canada, and it helped Germany's Gerhard Schroeder get elected a few years ago. Ideology overrides everything to the left, and they hate the US because every day they are reminded that capitalism whups socialism.

"But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn't have a long-term impact on the relationship."

"What if one of your best friends criticized you directly and indirectly almost relentlessly?" asked Wilkins.

"What if that friend demanded respect, but offered little in return?"

The United States may be an easy target for "political expediency," he said.

"But the last time I looked, the United States was not on the ballot for the Jan. 23 election," Wilkins added to scattered applause.

Mr. Wilkins obviously doesn't understand Canada's left.

The prime minister used Wilkins' rebuke Tuesday to insist that he hasn't made American relations an election issue - even as he repeated his criticisms of American policy on softwood lumber and global warming.

Martin lied? Noooo, never.

Less than a week after Martin raised hackles in Washington by specifically citing the United States for lacking a global conscience on climate change, Wilkins threw the words back at the prime minister.

He pointed out that the U.S. record is far superior to Canada's on curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience,' the United States is walking the walk," said the ambassador.

Wilkins also mentioned the softwood dispute, noting that the U.S. Commerce Department cut the contentious tariffs on Canadian lumber in half last week...."Those of us who've been watching the election know there aren't many issues out there, so you pull out the old anti-American card," said David Biette, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars.

"It always works."

Chris Sands, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said that in the 2004 federal election the Bush administration "ignored little snipes from Canada.

Grow up, PMPM. You are turning out to be as bad as Chretien. Quit embarrassing Canadians with your childish remarks.

[Biblio Bibuli]

"""Ambassador David Wilkins' unprecedented, mid-campaign sortie drew an immediate, flag-waving riposte from Martin..."""

By the time that the Americans are finished with him, he'll be waving a white flag .... and Stephen will be on the throne, snug as a bug in a rug.

[Shakeyhands]

where's shoop??? he/she is usually right where you two are.

Which one of you guys brought the lube this time? everyone in a circle now......

[PocketRocket]

And yet, for all our "bashing" of the USA, we were prepared to send aid to New Orleans, but it was turned down.

And for all our bashing, we sent aid immediately after 9/11.

And last year (year before???), we sent firefighters.

And we will continue to send or offer aid during any crisis in which America may need the help of a friend.

Friends CAN criticize each other, and yet still be friends, ready to stand and help each other in time of need.

As for PMPM using the USA in his campaign, it's called politics, people. You use the tools available to you.

Harper himself said the American ambassador was out of line with his comments, which impressed me, but then he took the opportunity to take a cheap shot at at Martin about "calling names, but not packing a punch" (talk about your schoolyard rhetoric), which immediately un-impressed me.

Too bad. I'd love to see Martin gone, but every time Harper says something that makes me think "maybe he's okay", he follows it within days, or sometimes even seconds, with something that makes him sound like a whiny kid, or, alternatively, a very angry man.

[canuckcat]

"""Ambassador David Wilkins' unprecedented, mid-campaign sortie drew an immediate, flag-waving riposte from Martin..."""

By the time that the Americans are finished with him, he'll be waving a white flag .... and Stephen will be on the throne, snug as a bug in a rug.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Paul Martin will be waving a big white flag alright...

one trimmed with red on each side and having a big red maple leaf in the centre...

in fact he'll be wrapped in it...

And Stephen will be on the throne for sure...after the election he won't leave the bathroom for weeks...

Actually Paul Martin is being very kind to the Americans...

he is only howling about trade and Kyoto...

he's saying nothing about secret prisons, torture, or any other of the eyebrow-raising horrors that filtre out of Washington lately...

[America1]

"""Ambassador David Wilkins' unprecedented, mid-campaign sortie drew an immediate, flag-waving riposte from Martin..."""

By the time that the Americans are finished with him, he'll be waving a white flag .... and Stephen will be on the throne, snug as a bug in a rug.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Paul Martin will be waving a big white flag alright...

one trimmed with red on each side and having a big red maple leaf in the centre...

in fact he'll be wrapped in it...

And Stephen will be on the throne for sure...after the election he won't leave the bathroom for weeks...

Actually Paul Martin is being very kind to the Americans...

he is only howling about trade and Kyoto...

he's saying nothing about secret prisons, torture, or any other of the eyebrow-raising horrors that filtre out of Washington lately...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

"very Kind to Americans"? - Are you drunk? He went out of his way to insult us.

[PocketRocket]

"very Kind to Americans"? - Are you drunk? He went out of his way to insult us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And with the amount of attention MOST Americans pay to Canada and her affairs, I'm sure he hurt the feelings of a guy in Podunk, and some lady's cocker spaniel

[Montgomery Burns]

"very Kind to Americans"? - Are you drunk? He went out of his way to insult us.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

And with the amount of attention MOST Americans pay to Canada and her affairs, I'm sure he hurt the feelings of a guy in Podunk, and some lady's cocker spaniel

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Damn straight. Those Americans should be directing all their attention to us. Haven't they been listening to Paul Martin? WE LEAD THE WORLD!!

Sure, half the UN assembly leaves when PMPM gives a speech, but let's just ignore that.

WE LEAD THE WORLD...after all, we did sign Kyoto.

[Montgomery Burns]

where's shoop???  he/she is usually right where you two are.

Which one of you guys brought the lube this time?  everyone in a circle now......

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Classy response to Biblio. Too bad you weren't face to face. Then you could give him the middle-finger salute like the person in your signature liked to do to Canadians.

[Montgomery Burns]

PocketRocket:

Friends CAN criticize each other...

By criticize, do you mean the Liberals calling them bastards, morons, the coalition of idiots, and going on the state-run TV and stomping on a George Bush doll with your boot and then stabbing it in the eye like a psychotic kook?

Harper himself said the American ambassador was out of line with his comments, which impressed me...

Harper has to say that. He knows darn well that the media is itching to link him to Evil America.

...but then he took the opportunity to take a cheap shot at at Martin about "calling names, but not packing a punch" (talk about your schoolyard rhetoric), which immediately un-impressed me.

But Martin slamming the US is not "schoolyard rhetoric?" Harper is right. The Liberals call names (bastards, morons, coalition of the idiots, gloating about the possibility of selling oil to China--clearly to aggravate the US), and instead of Martin contacting Bush to discuss the softwood lumber dispute, he went to Wall Street and gave a whining speech.

If a politician is repeatedly insulted by the governing party of another country, then that politician would likely play hardball with them. Why? Because "it is politics", just like you said.

[PocketRocket]

PocketRocket: 

Friends CAN criticize each other...

By criticize, do you mean the Liberals calling them bastards, morons, the coalition of idiots......

.......retarded cousins, a country we could "roll over and crush...", yeah, that's right.

But look at the upside, at least with all the attention this is getting stateside, Bush is by now probably aware that our prime minister's name is not "Poutine".

, and going on the state-run TV and stomping on a George Bush doll with your boot and then stabbing it in the eye like a psychotic kook?

And the question we must ask ourselves is "Where is she now???"

I think the word "gone" describes Parish's situation quite well.

Harper himself said the American ambassador was out of line with his comments, which impressed me...

Harper has to say that. He knows darn well that the media is itching to link him to Evil America.

Lemme get this straight, PMPM makes these comments knowing it will play well with the media, and that's bad.

Harper makes his comments knowing it will play well to the media, and that's good.

So political expedience is okay for Harper, but not for PMPM???

...but then he took the opportunity to take a cheap shot at at Martin about "calling names, but not packing a punch" (talk about your schoolyard rhetoric), which immediately un-impressed me.

But Martin slamming the US is not "schoolyard rhetoric?" Harper is right. The Liberals call names (bastards, morons, coalition of the idiots, gloating about the possibility of selling oil to China--clearly to aggravate the US), and instead of Martin contacting Bush to discuss the softwood lumber dispute, he went to Wall Street and gave a whining speech.

When the normal political channels don't work, no matter how often or how hard you try, then sometimes the media can give it the kick-start it needs.

If a politician is repeatedly insulted by the governing party of another country, then that politician would likely play hardball with them.  Why?  Because "it is politics", just like you said.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

In that case, Bush must be getting to play "hardball" with over half the civilised coutries in the world.

[Montgomery Burns]

PocketRocket:

.......retarded cousins, a country we could "roll over and crush...", yeah, that's right.

Why do so many on this forum apply the same standard to a pundit as they do to a high-ranking member of the governing party?

Sure, a MP (and others) from the ruling party has insulted Bush and Americans numerous times.

Sure, a MP from the ruling party went on state-run TV and stomped all over a Geroge Bush doll...but but but...what about MSNBC's Tucker Carlson saying bad things about Canada?

Does anyone watch MSNBC or Tucker Carlson? The channel's ratings are low and Carlson is lame.

Btw, Carlson's remark was in response to Martin's attack on the US, and Coulter's remark was in response to Carolyn Parrish's boot stomp. The nerve of an American pundit striking back just because our governing party is insulting and disrespectful to America and its President. Don't they know that Canadians are morally superior and polite?

But look at the upside, at least with all the attention this is getting stateside, Bush is by now probably aware that our prime minister's name is not "Poutine".

At least no top aide in the Bush administration ever called Chretien a moron. (no rebuke from Chretien for his communication director's insult).

The PM's office might have replied better to Bush's gaffe instead of offering this in response: "Clearly, Canada is not in the Bush leagues."

And I hope that PMPM doesn't continue to praise Canadian D-Day vets for their heroism during the invasion of Norway--which he said twice during the ceremony last year.

And the question we must ask ourselves is "Where is she now???"

She was expelled from the caucas for criticizing PMPM.

Lemme get this straight, PMPM makes these comments knowing it will play well with the media, and that's bad.

Harper makes his comments knowing it will play well to the media, and that's good.

So political expedience is okay for Harper, but not for PMPM???

Is Stephen Harper the Prime Minister of Canada?

When the normal political channels don't work, no matter how often or how hard you try, then sometimes the media can give it the kick-start it needs.

Saying you will be joining the US plan for an anti-missile defence system, then changing your mind (despite personal appeals by Bush) didn't help...

In that case, Bush must be getting to play "hardball" with over half the civilised coutries in the world.

Got proof to back up your statement?

Sorry but I haven't figured out the double or triple quote thing.

[PocketRocket]

PocketRocket: 

.......retarded cousins, a country we could "roll over and crush...", yeah, that's right.

Why do so many on this forum apply the same standard to a pundit as they do to a high-ranking member of the governing party?

Parrish??? High-ranking??? A back bencher is high-ranking???

Parrish is simply a loud-mouthed twit, and her comments should have been taken as such.

The same way I personally took the comments of another loud-mouthed idiot; Coulter.

Sure, a MP (and others) from the ruling party has insulted Bush and Americans numerous times.

Yeah, and these insults are SO much worse than screwing Canada over on softwood lumber and who knows what else under what is supposed to be "free trade".

The same free trade that the USA worked so hard dot convince Canada to sign on to.

Sure, a MP from the ruling party went on state-run TV and stomped all over a Geroge Bush doll...but but but...what about MSNBC's Tucker Carlson saying bad things about Canada? 

OMG. Burns, you said "state run TV" without adding the descriptive "Soviet style".

Are you feeling okay???

The PM's office might have replied better to Bush's gaffe instead of offering this in response:  "Clearly, Canada is not in the Bush leagues."

In light of the fact that Bush had just shown the fact that he didn't even know the name of the leader of his country's "Closest friend to the north of us" (as if there are any other friends to the north of the USA), I thought that it was pretty funny, not to mention appropriate, coming from Chretien's mouth.

Lemme get this straight, PMPM makes these comments knowing it will play well with the media, and that's bad.

Harper makes his comments knowing it will play well to the media, and that's good.

So political expedience is okay for Harper, but not for PMPM???

Is Stephen Harper the Prime Minister of Canada?

No, but being that we are in the midst of an election campagin, anything Harper says must be taken as the words of a possible PM.

But by your reply, you seem to think it's okay for Harper to make the comment now.

Does that mean if he is elected, the comment will become wrong retrospectively???

Sorry, BURNSIE, can't have it both ways.

BTW, Harper, being leader of the opposition, is a FAR "higher ranking" politician that Parrish ever was, and so his comments must be held up to a microscope AT LEAST as intently as hers were.

In that case, Bush must be getting to play "hardball" with over half the civilised coutries in the world.

Got proof to back up your statement?

In light of the fact that in several other posts you have been provided sources showing that world-wide criticism of Bush is through the roof, and you have dismissed the opinions of these countries based on various premises all your own, I don't think more proof is necessary.

Sorry but I haven't figured out the double or triple quote thing. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No problem. Here we go. Use of quotes 101:

To make it easier, I use "Wordpad" and copy/paste my posts.

Then, I usually use the "Preview post" feature on this board.

But to have double or triple nested posts, you simply need to have the same number of "quote" (within square brackets, without quotations marks) before the post as you have "/quote" throughout the quoted area.

When I want to open another quote, I copy the "quote=Montgomery Burns,Dec 28 2005, 12:04 PM" (quotation marks replacing square brackets here) and paste it at the beginning of what I want quoted.

Try take this post, hit the "quote" button at the bottom of the post, then the "reply" button, then copy the whole thing to "Wordpad".

You'll see where all the "quote" or "/quote" things fall.

Use the "Preview post" and mess around a bit. You'll get the hang of it in no time.