[Akhenaten]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Hard to believe but imo a lot of Canadian distrust of Americans still stems from the 'invasion' some, what...? 180 years ago?

Yes and no. That war, along with the fleeing of loaylists to Canada during the American Revolutionary War set the two nations on separate paths--the old Fire and Ice analogy/stereotype. But I don't think I've ever met anyone who distrusts the US directly because of the War of 1812, especially since we won it.

No, not directly but I've met (and read) many Canadians who figure an(other) invasion from the US is imminent or a threat. I believe the biggest reason for this is the previous one.

It is out of range of living memory this is true, but it's in ever history/social studies class Canadians ever took so the event is still in common consciousness.

[BartSimpson]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Perhaps becasue they know it's not the President who pulls the strings in the US.

If that were true then why was it that they hated the USA because Bush was President?

Seems to me, no matter what happens and no matter what the USA may or may not do, some people will hate us simply because of their own prejudices or simply because it is fashionable in some circles to hate the USA.

[ponygurl]

I'm prejudice against americans 'cause you all hide handguns and rifles under your pickup seats.

[2Cdo]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Perhaps becasue they know it's not the President who pulls the strings in the US.

If that were true then why was it that they hated the USA because Bush was President?

Seems to me, no matter what happens and no matter what the USA may or may not do, some people will hate us simply because of their own prejudices or simply because it is fashionable in some circles to hate the USA.

Well Bart, one can't be a good Liberal party member unless they profess their hatred for anything American.(Unless a Democrat is president and then we can be buddies again)

[BartSimpson]

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

No, not directly but I've met (and read) many Canadians who figure an(other) invasion from the US is imminent or a threat.

I've long been mystified by this particular paranoia amongst some Canadians.

As I've often said, most Americans are incapable of finding the United States on a map of the United States, let alone having any ideas (pro or con) about Canada.

It is a bit of that aforementioned 'smugness' with a dash of hubris tossed in that these Canadians are convinced that Americans care enough about Canada to invade it.

Paradoxically, these same people are insulted by the lack of awareness most Americans have of Canada and then they simultaneously believe that the same people who have no idea what TimBits are should be devoting their every waking moment to the military conquest of Canada.

[Zipperfish]

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Hard to believe but imo a lot of Canadian distrust of Americans still stems from the 'invasion' some, what...? 180 years ago?

Yes and no. That war, along with the fleeing of loaylists to Canada during the American Revolutionary War set the two nations on separate paths--the old Fire and Ice analogy/stereotype. But I don't think I've ever met anyone who distrusts the US directly because of the War of 1812, especially since we won it.

No, not directly but I've met (and read) many Canadians who figure an(other) invasion from the US is imminent or a threat. I believe the biggest reason for this is the previous one.

It is out of range of living memory this is true, but it's in ever history/social studies class Canadians ever took so the event is still in common consciousness.

Well, from my perspective, I fail to see what advantage the US would hope to gain by invading Canada. We're already a vassal state for all intents and purposes, and there's nothing they could not compel us to do with a little economic pressure, like closing the borders. Military pressure would be more hassle and probably not as effective.

As for "out of range of living memory"--if only that were an actual valid reason for not being pissed with another group it owuld be a happier world. You wouldn't have teh Protestants and Catholics still going at it!

[Akhenaten]

$1:

Paradoxically, these same people are insulted by the lack of awareness most Americans have of Canada and then they simultaneously believe that the same people who have no idea what TimBits are should be devoting their every waking moment to the military conquest of Canada

Not me. I see no benefit to being 'famous' in the same way America or Britian is.

$1:

I've long been mystified by this particular paranoia amongst some Canadians.

Paranoia about being invaded by the states wouldn't be so strong if it wasn't one of the smallest militaries in the world matched up against one of the biggest.

"54-40 or Fight!" still rings in the ears even if you guys have long forgotten it.

[Zipperfish]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

Perhaps becasue they know it's not the President who pulls the strings in the US.

If that were true then why was it that they hated the USA because Bush was President?

Seems to me, no matter what happens and no matter what the USA may or may not do, some people will hate us simply because of their own prejudices or simply because it is fashionable in some circles to hate the USA.

Granted.

[Akhenaten]

Zip Zip:

We're already a vassal state for all intents and purposes, and there's nothing they could not compel us to do with a little economic pressure, like closing the borders.

I disagree. They need our resources every bit as much (actually a wee bit more) than we need to sell it to them. Their manufacturing sector depends on it. They don't buy from us because they like us, and if they could be independent of imports from us they would endevour to do that.

$1:

As for "out of range of living memory"--if only that were an actual valid reason for not being pissed with another group it owuld be a happier world. You wouldn't have teh Protestants and Catholics still going at it!

'Sactly. That it was 'forever' ago doesn't really enter into it imo.

[BartSimpson]

ponygurl ponygurl:

I'm prejudice against americans 'cause you all hide handguns and rifles under your pickup seats.

Some of us even have shoulder holsters.

[Zipperfish]

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Zip Zip:

We're already a vassal state for all intents and purposes, and there's nothing they could not compel us to do with a little economic pressure, like closing the borders.

I disagree. They need our resources every bit as much (actually a wee bit more) than we need to sell it to them. Their manufacturing sector depends on it. They don't buy from us because they like us, and if they could be independent of imports from us they would endevour to do that.

If the US shut its borders with Canada, this would be a third-world country in weeks. Clearly, the US would be inconveneinced as well, but for them it would hardly be an existential threat.

[KorbenDeck]

Zipperfish Zipperfish:

KorbenDeck KorbenDeck:

If by some act of God the USA's military and economic might was removed over night, how long does anyone think peace on the planet would continue?

What peace?

No wars in Europe, North America, or Asia. There are unstable areas yes, there always will be unstable areas on the planet. Total peace is a fools dream.

[Akhenaten]

$1:

If the US shut its borders with Canada, this would be a third-world country in weeks. Clearly, the US would be inconveneinced as well, but for them it would hardly be an existential threat.

Respectfully, no sir. Much more complicated than that. For one thing (one of many many things) the energy we export powers the most populated areas of their eastern seaboard. Total black out is worth a trade war to them? I don't think so. 3rd world for us would mean near apocolypse for them and that's just electricity.

You can bet they'd be screaming for invasion then.

The US doesn't buy maple syrup and tourist items from us. they buy the very elements that keep their industry going. If the border 'closes' (completely) it's 'fubar' time for both of us.

At the end of the day they need what we sell, and while we could sooner or later find others to sell to, they will be waiting a LONG time to find a comparable trading partner so close and convienent. Most nations that have good trading status are simply partners. In the case of the US/Canada it's like conjoined twins. You can't just cut the two apart without causing life threatening problems for either.

[BartSimpson]

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Paranoia about being invaded by the states wouldn't be so strong if it wasn't one of the smallest militaries in the world matched up against one of the biggest.

Canada used to have the 3rd largest navy in the world and one of the most effective ground forces ever assembled. That your military is now woefully inadequate is an issue for you to address to your local MP.

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

"54-40 or Fight!" still rings in the ears even if you guys have long forgotten it.

Given the state of funding for the CF seems most Canadians have, too.

[Akhenaten]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

Paranoia about being invaded by the states wouldn't be so strong if it wasn't one of the smallest militaries in the world matched up against one of the biggest.

Canada used to have the 3rd largest navy in the world and one of the most effective ground forces ever assembled. That your military is now woefully inadequate is an issue for you to address to your local MP.

Um yes I know. What's your point? Because that one was mine.

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

Akhenaten Akhenaten:

"54-40 or Fight!" still rings in the ears even if you guys have long forgotten it.

Given the state of funding for the CF seems most Canadians have, too.

Sure if you say so. Our underfunded military has more to do with idealisim during the darrk cold war years than not thinking of the US as a subliminal threat in the back of our minds. It wasn't long ago we had bands named after that phrase. Kids still run out of school flabergasted when they learn about it. Do they bother to still teach that in High School down there? There are more people in the world than the under 30's you know?