National anthem should be sung in English: Bush

[PocketRocket]

O Canada! Land of our forefathers

Good thing we don't have some of the southern States as part of Canada, or they'd be singing "....land of our FOUR fathers...."

[Rue]

Since George Bush can not speak English what was his point in the first place?

What has happened in the last few weeks is pathetic. Bush has gone on an anti-Mexican/Latino crusade to appease the same Evangelical nut bars that put him in office.

This is nothing more then a cheap shot at Latinos. Its thinly veiled intolerance.

You go George. Send your already over stretched National Guard to the Mexican border "temporarily".

What a joke.

The fact is these same Spanish speaking people that this is a slap to, say the 12 million illegals from Mexico and Latin America...they are the same people working in jobs fat, lazy, "educated" Americans no longer want.

America has been built by the cheap labour and soldiers it has drawn in from other countries.

So excuse me its not as simple as simply saying speak English. That is no different then telling someone to shaddup and be tolerant my favourite expression.

You don't want these people speaking Spanish, its simple, don't dominate their economies and keeping their markets captive and uncompetitive forcing their people to come to the US to work.

Yah I love you rednecks in Canada that feel the same way about French. OOh the nerve of it all having to sing Oh Canada partly in French.

So don't. Remain myopic and afraid of anything that doesn't sound or smell the same as you. Be my guest. Me I love Europeans who can speak 3,4 languages. I am envious of them I can only speak 2.

[Wilber]

I can't get over the arrogance of those who tell the people of other countries how they should sing their national anthems. Whether you agree or not, it is for Americans to decide and non Americans should butt out.

[geoffrey]

I disagree Wilber, no reason to not comment on it.

I wouldn't TELL a yank what to do, but I sure will comment on it.

[Wilber]

I disagree Wilber, no reason to not comment on it.

I wouldn't TELL a yank what to do, but I sure will comment on it.

Rue was speaking directly to Americans. I'm sick of self righteous Canadians who think they are so morally superior that they can tell the citizens of other countries how to conduct themselves when it comes to things that are none of their business. It embarrasses me. When Americans do it, they are called "Ugly Americans". Sometimes we really do act like their retarded cousins.

If you wouldn't tell a Yank what to do, you do agree.

[Slavik44]

I belive the French would surrender to the Mexicans and ask if they can retain the midwest as a collabarative regime to be governed by themselves. But what the French would do is un-important. What would I do, well I sat down and asked myself if I would be offended if Oh Canada was sung in Chinese, and I would not. But that being said I am not too much more important then the French, I am not an American, I am not the President, and I do not sing the American national anthem all that often. While I may disagree with the wishes of the President, unless concrete evidence can be given that the wishes of the American people are different from that of their president, I may still disagree with it, but I do belive his request should be respected, especially seeing as how in this case the singing of the anthem will be used for commercial gain.

[Wilber]

Exactly. You would not be offended if Oh Canada were sung in Chinese but I"d bet most Canadians would be offended if an American told them it should be sung in Chinese. I wouldn't blame them if they were.

[Rue]

This is a forum to debate such issues. The notion that one can not say anything contrary to what George Bush says because its an internal domestic US matter is absolute b.s. I am not a Canadian MP voted to office or a diplomat. I am a citizen who has the right to free speech and I call them as I see them and will continue to do so, that is my absolute right.

[Wilber]

This is a forum to debate such issues. The notion that one can not say anything contrary to what George Bush says because its an internal domestic US matter is absolute b.s. I am not a Canadian MP voted to office or a diplomat. I am a citizen who has the right to free speech and I call them as I see them and will continue to do so, that is my absolute right.

No one has said it isn't your right to say what you wish. Just don't be surprised when someone else finds some of your opinions offensive and says so. That's their right.

[Rue]

This is a forum to debate such issues. The notion that one can not say anything contrary to what George Bush says because its an internal domestic US matter is absolute b.s. I am not a Canadian MP voted to office or a diplomat. I am a citizen who has the right to free speech and I call them as I see them and will continue to do so, that is my absolute right.

No one has said it isn't your right to say what you wish. Just don't be surprised when someone else finds some of your opinions offensive and says so. That's their right.

Whether someone disagrees with my opinion is one thing, whether they challenge my right to say it as youd id is another. I am suprised when someone does not find what I have to say offensive. I try to please.

[Wilber]

This is a forum to debate such issues. The notion that one can not say anything contrary to what George Bush says because its an internal domestic US matter is absolute b.s. I am not a Canadian MP voted to office or a diplomat. I am a citizen who has the right to free speech and I call them as I see them and will continue to do so, that is my absolute right.

No one has said it isn't your right to say what you wish. Just don't be surprised when someone else finds some of your opinions offensive and says so. That's their right.

Whether someone disagrees with my opinion is one thing, whether they challenge my right to say it as youd id is another. I am suprised when someone does not find what I have to say offensive. I try to please.

I didn't challenge your right to say it, I challenged the idea that you think you have some kind of right to butt into another country's business. If your idea of trying to please is to tell the citizens of another country what language they should use to sing their national anthem, you are guaranteed to offend someone. Leave the fact you are a Canadian out of it, you do not speak for me.

[Guest Warwick Green]

I originated this thread and I realize that it should be in "US Politics" not "Canada/US Relations". But the fact that it is an internal US matter, so what? Does that mean we can't discuss it? Of course not. This is a discussion group. We can discuss whatever we want (and what the moderator doesn't take exception to. ) If we couldn't discuss US internal matters there wouldn't be a section called "US Politics".

[Wilber]

I originated this thread and I realize that it should be in "US Politics" not "Canada/US Relations". But the fact that it is an internal US matter, so what? Does that mean we can't discuss it? Of course not. This is a discussion group. We can discuss whatever we want (and what the moderator doesn't take exception to. ) If we couldn't discuss US internal matters there wouldn't be a section called "US Politics".

We are discussing it. I am discussing it. I am giving my opinion of people who tell those from other countries how they should sing their national anthem. You have a problem with that?

[Guest Warwick Green]

I originated this thread and I realize that it should be in "US Politics" not "Canada/US Relations". But the fact that it is an internal US matter, so what? Does that mean we can't discuss it? Of course not. This is a discussion group. We can discuss whatever we want (and what the moderator doesn't take exception to. ) If we couldn't discuss US internal matters there wouldn't be a section called "US Politics".

We are discussing it. I am discussing it. I am giving my opinion of people who tell those from other countries how they should sing their national anthem. You have a problem with that?

No. Why should I? You are free to express your opinion, as I am mine. That's what a discussion group is all about.

[SaintLucifer]

What does this have to with Canada/US Relations? It's the American's national anthem. Canadians should keep their opinions to themselves.

Do you not see the title of this particular forum on your screen? Does it not say 'CANADA/US RELATIONS?' The very title DEMANDS that Canadians state their opinions otherwise why bother posting within this forum at all? Try to think before you leap next time.

[SaintLucifer]

This is a forum to debate such issues. The notion that one can not say anything contrary to what George Bush says because its an internal domestic US matter is absolute b.s. I am not a Canadian MP voted to office or a diplomat. I am a citizen who has the right to free speech and I call them as I see them and will continue to do so, that is my absolute right.

No one has said it isn't your right to say what you wish. Just don't be surprised when someone else finds some of your opinions offensive and says so. That's their right.

Whether someone disagrees with my opinion is one thing, whether they challenge my right to say it as youd id is another. I am suprised when someone does not find what I have to say offensive. I try to please.

I didn't challenge your right to say it, I challenged the idea that you think you have some kind of right to butt into another country's business. If your idea of trying to please is to tell the citizens of another country what language they should use to sing their national anthem, you are guaranteed to offend someone. Leave the fact you are a Canadian out of it, you do not speak for me.

I abhor the obtuse. Who said anything about 'butting in'? They merely state their feelings and opinions on the subject. As everyone knows, it is a very touchy subject since it involves two languages in a single nation. Does not Canada have difficulties with the English/French question? We share similarities with the U.S.A. in this respect. As such, the denizens of this site have EVERY RIGHT to state their opinions.

As a fascist Canadian, were it up to me the French version of 'Oh Canada' would cease to exist as would the French language. It is divisive. Look at what the English/Spanish issue is doing to the U.S.A. We need Canada under ONE GOVERNMENT and ONE LANGUAGE. We need order, not chaos which the left loves so very much. It is time to abolish the left.

[Charles Anthony]

Most of the distinctions between the French and English version of Canada's anthem is poetic fluff. However, the final lines are very different.

From the French version, translated into English:

"Will protect our homes and our rights."

This is very different from our official English version final line:

"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

One may infer, that the French call to their nation to respect their property rights whereas the English call the opposite: citizens are to submit themselves to their nation.

This difference is great. Nevertheless, I doubt either composer was deliberately trying to state a political opinion.

[Leafless]

Charles Anthony

You wrote:

"This difference is great. Nevertheless, I doubt either composer was deliberately trying to state a political opinion."

Last line of French version= " Will protect our homes and our rights."

Last line of English version= " Oh Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

The last line of the French version could be interpreted as an insult, as Canada being meaningless in comparison to Quebec with the emphasis being on 'Quebec homes' and rights focused soley on 'Quebec rights'.

Changing Canada's national anthem makes no sense and shows to this day the unwillingness of mean spirited Quebec to be part of Canada.

I to think we have politically over accommodated Quebec and it should be time to call a spade a spade.

[Charles Anthony]

"O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

How does that compare to the two different final lines of the Canadian anthem?

It sounds like it combines both themes of our English and French final lines.

[Leafless]

Charles Anthony

You wrote:

"O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?"

"How does that compare to the two different final lines of the Canadian anthem?

It sounds like it combines both themes of our English and French final lines."

Our national anthem makes no mention of a Canadian flag like the the U.S national anthem.

To use the line you suggested you would have to include:

"O say, does that maple leaf banner yet wave,

O'er the land of the free and home of the brave."

And you'll never see that version either as a single flag for our divided country wouldn't go over to well.