What does it mean to be Canadian?

[B. Max]

In 2001, on 911 the world sympathized with the US.

In 2003, the world watched with anger as the US invaded Iraq for no reason.

In 2005, the world looked at the US in disgust to it's reaction to Katrina.

From Envy to Disgust in such a short amount of time. Tsk Tsk.

I suspect you are a bully because -- The only thing that makes you proud of a country is it's ability to be "watched out for!"

As in... "WATCH OUT IRAN -- we're gonna getcha!"

I am proud to consider myself a "Lester Pearson" type Canadian -- that means (in case you don't know) ask questions first (diplomacy, negotiation, appeasement) and shoot later (and only when absolutely necessary).

The US position is shoot first ask questions later -- typical bully behaviour.

No the question was,

What does it mean to be Canadian?

You spewed what it means to be anti American.

[Leafless]

But on the flip side, if the Americans have a sense of Identity, why is it assumed we do not have one?

Now a trickier question....we can compromise, but to what extent?

This is what makes the Charter a joke.

It has left itself wide open to corrupt political manipulation and basically has been initially implemented in a corrupt undemocratic manner.

The Charter should be scrapped and Canada be made a republic, and only then, will a sense of Canadian nationalism will be formed, establishing a true single Canadian identity.

[Drea]

No the question was,

What does it mean to be Canadian?

You spewed what it means to be anti American.

Read back few posts... :rollleyes:

My post about what it means to be Canadian had nothing to do with any other country... just normal stuff like going to the lake on the weekend....

It was Mr. W.A.R.U.S.A (Scotty) who figures Canadians CAN'T be proud 'cause we are not a country to "WATCH OUT!" for.

And I called him on it. Tough titty.

[noahbody]

I would suggest Canada can best be defined as a nation of compromise. We were formed on compromise. Our acceptance of compromise is what has made us multicultural and influences how we approach daily issues.

Good answer. I like that....to an extent.

But on the flip side, if the Americans have a sense of Identity, why is it assumed we do not have one?

Now a trickier question....we can compromise, but to what extent?

Countries like companies have an image and identity. The identity is how they want to be perceived. The image is how they are perceived. Canada has trouble defining there identity for a numer of reasons including history, geography, its distinct groups and cultures and because it's next door to the USA who likely have the strongest brands as countries go. The States, not only were united from the beginning but they've reinforced this in many ways including their anthem, pledge of allegience, god bless america and American Dream. Call it good marketing material. It's also reinforced by their government. Most importanty their identity has been embraced by their people.

Canada tries to look for the lowest common denominator among its people in defining its identity. Not the best approach from a marketing perspective, unless you only want to be known for hockey and beer.

As far as to the exent of our ability to compromise, it's better to define yourself than have others define you. It's the difference between being known as accepting or being known as weak.

[jbg]

In 2001, on 911 the world sympathized with the US.

In 2003, the world watched with anger as the US invaded Iraq for no reason.

In 2005, the world looked at the US in disgust to it's reaction to Katrina.

From Envy to Disgust in such a short amount of time. Tsk Tsk.

I suspect you are a bully because -- The only thing that makes you proud of a country is it's ability to be "watched out for!"

As in... "WATCH OUT IRAN -- we're gonna getcha!"

I am proud to consider myself a "Lester Pearson" type Canadian -- that means (in case you don't know) ask questions first (diplomacy, negotiation, appeasement) and shoot later (and only when absolutely necessary).

The US position is shoot first ask questions later -- typical bully behaviour.

No the question was, What does it mean to be Canadian? You spewed what it means to be anti American.

Unintentionally, Drea is on to something. Canada was formed as the "not America" and very much still is. Canada has great people, great scenery, and, by world standards, great government and a great military history.

Given the geographical contiguity of its populated areas with the United States, and partial similarity of language and culture, it is impossible to define "Canadianism" without reference to the United States. Since the United States is perhaps the greatest or second greatest nation ever in world history (neck and neck with Britain) the similarity should be taken as a compliment rather than an insult. The US is a tough act to follow; Canada comes darn close.

[geoffrey]

It beens be subject to oppresively high taxes and limited choice in saving your own life if your ill. It means being part of a country with a gigantic ego, but unwilling to do much about it (Canada has the best health care, Canada is the peacekeeper of the world, Canada has the best education system... all lies, but your average person believes in all of these).

I don't identify with being a Canadian very much. Personally, I don't have any love for a cold hearted institution that won't think twice when you die. I'm a Canadian because I live here and am subject to it's laws. If I became American, Irish or Japanese tomorrow, I wouldn't feel upset. I'll live wherever I really feel like its best for me that day, right now that happens to be Calgary, tomorrow it could be somewhere else.

The name of the country or the colour of the flag doesn't really play into the situation. Just standard of living. If my life is better elsewhere, there I go.

The passport is nice, I'd rather have a Canadian one than an American one... but I'd take a British one over either.

One poster above made the comment that it's quite silly to be proud of where your born, as if you had some choice in picking your parents. I agree. Stop caring about that flag down the street. It won't do anything for you, ever, unless your the repressed minority of the day and the government is trying to win your ethnic bloc at the polls.

[Army Guy]

I think the below quote describes best describes how a majority of Canadians feel.

We began answering our question by comparing Canadians with their southern neighbors. We should continue answering by saying what Canadians aren't. They don't consider themselves to be very patriotic, they aren't Canadian citizens first and foremost, they aren't (except some individuals) ready to fight for their ideals, they don't like to see scenes of violence on their TV screens coming from around the world and most of all, they don't like to be called Americans.

So what is a Canadian? Canadians are a peace-loving congregation of people with no clear feeling of nationhood, living in democracy and prosperity only because nobody from outside tried to steal these precious gifts while they are sleeping. So on July 1st we will celebrate our freedoms and secretly we'll hope that our southern friends continue to celebrate their July 4th. Without the US Independence Day there wouldn't be a reason for us to celebrate either.

How i feel, is another matter being in the military i've traveled alot, not just the shit holes of the world, but most Europe, and some of africa...To me what it means to be Canadian, it means living in a nation that has more freedom, more basic human rights than most nations. It means i have access to oportunities that most do not, it means raising a family in a diverse enviroment, It means i can walk any where in the world with my head held up high and never having to say sorry. It means hearing our national athem at a hockey game and feeling my chest swell with pride. it means alot of things....

But it also means being part of a nation that has a proud and colorful history, It means i have the chance to wear our countries flag on my shoulder everyday, and be respected for doing it every where i go... Like i said i've seen alot of differnet countries and i'm always glad to come home to Canada.

[Liam]

Army Guy: I'm not even Canadian, but think that was a really good post!

[marcinmoka]

Personally, I don't have any love for a cold hearted institution that won't think twice when you die

Perhaps you don't, but I do. This institution goes to fairly great lengths to ensure we don't die and that we can live our lives in liberty and security, and that is rather amazing when you think about it from a global perspective.

[Catchme]

When you think:

"This is the only place on earth for me"!

[Liam]

I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay...

[geoffrey]

I eat blubber and ride a snowmobile to work.

Actually, I'd love to do the later. Probably not impossible with Calgary's poor snow removal.

[BubberMiley]

The name of the country or the colour of the flag doesn't really play into the situation. Just standard of living. If my life is better elsewhere, there I go.

You once claimed to be an Alberta nationalist, but it sounds like you have no allegiances at all. You'll just whore yourself to whoever provides you with the most cash. Good luck with that.

[Borg]

The name of the country or the colour of the flag doesn't really play into the situation. Just standard of living. If my life is better elsewhere, there I go.

You once claimed to be an Alberta nationalist, but it sounds like you have no allegiances at all. You'll just whore yourself to whoever provides you with the most cash. Good luck with that.

Actually that is why "imi and emi" grations take place. People whoring themselves to whomever will provide the most cash.

We are all accidents of birth - nothing more and nothing less. If we do not like it one place we have the right and the freedom to leave. Mind you some whores die trying because the country they live in does not allow them to leave.

I suspect if a person had the opportunity to double / triple / quadruple / or more his standard of living there would be many, many more whores out there. I bet there would be whores right here on this board.

In fact there may very well be whores on this board as I write.

Judging from the number of people coming here to Canada and the number of people attempting to come here - legally and illegally - there are even more whores out there than I can imagine.

I suppose the U.S. is being overrun with wet back whores as well.

Let's not forget the whores of islam who are taking over Europe - bu then again that is likely nothing more than an attempt to take over by assimilation.

So do the whores in your background believe you are correct, or were the whores in your background like all of the other whores out there - simply looking for a better lifestyle - which of course could be translated into "more cash".

Ah yes - the whores of world travel - what would we do without the whores of boat, plane, train and automobile travel - all trying to buy their way into or out of a country - simply to get more cash.

Borg

[jbg]

The name of the country or the colour of the flag doesn't really play into the situation. Just standard of living. If my life is better elsewhere, there I go.

The poster above made the comment that it's quite silly to be proud of where your born, as if you had some choice in picking your parents. I agree. Stop caring about that flag down the street. It won't do anything for you, ever, unless your the repressed minority of the day and the government is trying to win your ethnic bloc at the polls.

You'll meet few Americans that say that. And frankly, countries that have a heritage of providing freedom and relative good government are few and far between. Us 400 million Anglosphere North Americans are a lucky group.

[stazy]

Being Canadian means being as close to an American as possible, without actually being American.

[jbg]

Being Canadian means being as close to an American as possible, without actually being American.

I think Canada's as much like the US as Syria is like Israel.

[stazy]

I think Canada's as much like the US as Syria is like Israel.

Well obviously you're entitled to your opinion, but I clearly disagree. At any rate, I think one's perception of what it means to be Canadian is directly related to how you view the United States. You're either trying to prove that being Canadian is entirely different than being American, or you're trying to prove how similar Canadians are to Americans.

[marcinmoka]

At any rate, I think one's perception of what it means to be Canadian is directly related to how you view the United States.

I would suggest more so the entire developed West. Rather then a Bottom up approach, we should focus on a top down method. In terms of our beliefs, we have just as much in common with the Brits and the French as we do the Americans.

Most Europeans/ Americans/ Canadians (and Aussies) generally embrace liberal, secular, democratic values. We value progress. We are capitalistic. We all have a common religious background (in terms of the development) in our nations, over lapping history, respect for science/intellectualism, etc. From that point on, we can focus on the specifics i.e protestant individualism or catholic communitarianism, militaristic or pacifist tendancies, etc.

[Leafless]

I think Canada's as much like the US as Syria is like Israel.

Well obviously you're entitled to your opinion, but I clearly disagree. At any rate, I think one's perception of what it means to be Canadian is directly related to how you view the United States. You're either trying to prove that being Canadian is entirely different than being American, or you're trying to prove how similar Canadians are to Americans.

No matter how you interpret it, has to be one of the dumbest things jbg has ever said.

[BC_chick]

IMO a Canadian is someone who feels more at home in Canada than in their ancestral land. Now that doesn't mean that if a fifth-generation Irish goes to Ireland, falls in love with the country and decides to move there, he or she wasn't really a Canadian. The same thing can happen with a country that wasn't your ancestral land.

I'm talking about letting go of your "roots." It can happen for some in two years, or for others they could spend a lifetime here and still hold on to the nostalgia of their former land.

For me though, it's the letting go which makes someone a Canadian. Or maybe I'm just projecting.... who knows, but that's what being Canadian means to me.

[BC_chick]

To be a truly patriotic Canadian you must feel an inferiority complex vis-a-vis the USA.

I think what you meant to say was to be American you must feel a superiority complex vis-a-vis the rest of the world.

Sorry, as hard this is for you to fathom, some of us truly prefer a Canadian lifestyle and it has nothing to do with feeling inferior.

[BC_chick]

I think Canada's as much like the US as Syria is like Israel.

Is Canada Syria or Israel?

[BC_chick]

I think Canada's as much like the US as Syria is like Israel.

Well obviously you're entitled to your opinion, but I clearly disagree. At any rate, I think one's perception of what it means to be Canadian is directly related to how you view the United States. You're either trying to prove that being Canadian is entirely different than being American, or you're trying to prove how similar Canadians are to Americans.

No matter how you interpret it, has to be one of the dumbest things jbg has ever said.

The point was that the similarities end at close geographical proximity. Except that unlike Syria and Israel, Canada and the US have the same ancestors, the same language, both are democracies, and don't fear travelling to each other's countries. Other than those trivial little similarities, he's right, we are just like Israel and Syria. LOL

[bush_cheney2004]

I think what you meant to say was to be American you must feel a superiority complex vis-a-vis the rest of the world.

Sorry, as hard this is for you to fathom, some of us truly prefer a Canadian lifestyle and it has nothing to do with feeling inferior.

In either case, what we have here is an excellent example of Canadians not being able to define themselves without Americans as a foil. Canada...the UnCola.