Canada's Choice.

FastNed · August 29, 2003

You know, folks, a very real question exists about Canada. Do the people of Canada want to be part of the problem or part of the solution. Do the anti-American statements and actions of your politicians over these last dozen years or so reflect the true opinion of Canadians? I do not mean to be an alarmist but Canadians are going to have to decide if they mean to fish, cut bait or stand on the dock as the boat pulls out. There will not and can not be any neutrals in the battle against terrorists. That option does not exist, like it or lump it!

More than most, perhaps even better than the British, Canadians understand Americans and what motivates us. There is no delusion in Canada, unlike other parts of the world, that our war against the terrorists is generated by our domestic politics. We have a great deal of domestic fermentation on this but it's clear that it's war first, domestic politics second. Do Canadians really believe they can continue as our next door neighbor, continue to enjoy fairly free trade and good relations with us while watching our War like uninvolved spectators at a tennis match?

On another thread, KrazyKid posited a scenario (#8) that in response to multiple cross border terrorists attacks, 50,000 American troops invaded to pursue the terrorists. I have some doubts about that response because our professional military are well trained to examine the legality of orders received and I doubt they would accept such orders to invade Canada from any Commander-in-Chief on so little provocation. I don't doubt you might find that many posted at the border ready to selectively back up a few thousand Special Forces types quite busy in downtown Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto killing snakes but a substantial invasion is doubtful.

And what would be the initial Canadian reaction and response? If the RCMP attempt to act, they would be told to go make love to their horses, or else and I doubt the ability of your government to convince units of the Princess Pat's to respond - that is if the government could find the funds to rent enough cars to get them to the scene of the action. Canadian military logistics are truly clusterfugged! But let's not get distracted about a momentary response to this exact scenario, my question is directed at the long term Canadian decision: can Canada sit out the War against Terrorism?

Can Canada continue as a Nation with its present (lack of) Defense Policy? With the events of the World and the people you have been admitting, Canada is starting to look like a fat rich tourist who has wandered into a bad area of New Orleans completely oblivious to the fact he looks like a fat rich sheep. Sheep get sheered, skinned, barbecued and served at a feast, is that Canada's intention?

Neal.F. · August 29, 2003

Canada must rid itself of this arroagnt corrupt Liberal government.

As long as they are in power, they'll sneer at the US, looking down the slopes of their pseudo-intellectual noses.

That will not change.

However, throw them out, and replace them with the Ca or the PCs or any combination thereof, you will see canada make the RIGHT choice, with respect to its relations with the United states and our mutaul concern which cannot be wished away by Liberal academics. Of that I am confident.

tyke1290 · August 30, 2003

Just because we are trading partners with the United States does not have to mean that as a Nation it therefore follows that we are at the beck and call of the United States.

It does seem to me that those who are upset that Jean Chretien made the decision not to join the United States in its uncalled for war in Iraq - which by now is pretty clear on the subject of WMD's NOT there, that far too many Canadians are responding with a false "indignity" and are solely interested only in the trading aspect of where Canada is concerned.

Not to stand up for Canada and its right not to invade a foreign country is the plain cowardice of those who are involved in the Big Business end of the relationship between our two countries.

Would someone care to tell me, as a Canadian, just when was the last time the United States did something really good for Canada.

Sounds to me like Canadians are deathly afraid of the United States, something that I find absolutely abhorrent to say the least. Where on earth did our pride in our own country go that we should cower before the United States?

Shame, shame on Canadians who would have wanted us to join the debacle that has become Iraq.

FastNed · August 30, 2003

Welcome to the Forum, Tyke.

You express an opinion held by some Canadians but the question is, How many? I'm not knocking you or your opinion, rather I am questioning exactly how wide spread is that view?

But to be blunt, the invasion of Iraq was but a battle in our War, think of D-Day and a beachhead on enemy soil. Despite media attempts to make it so, the WMD issue is merely part of the terrorist problem - does it make any difference if a terrorist kills with a knife, a gun, anthrax or a nuke? The problem, as we see it, is religious terrorists who have elected to attack us and who make it plain that only one of us will be standing when it's over. Excuse my bias (or not, as you wish) but I intend that it be us, not them.

Let's not narrow the focus to Iraq, that is not the major question posted! Can Canada continue without a defense policy and continue to wander around like a fat rich tourist, a sheep ready for slaughter - if you believe it can, please pass the B-B-Q sauce!

nova_satori · September 9, 2003

Neal.F.: Does every country that disagrees with America need to be invaded?

Americans love to disagree. Yet, when another country disagrees they instantly throw insults, condemnations, threats...whatnot. You can disagree, but they can't? how does that work? Drop the double standard, it's only going earn you more hate.