NationStates Jolt Archive

What kind of people would countries nowadays act like? I think Iraq's the kind of person who talks too much smack and picking on little kids, and then soon enough get's taken down by the big boys.

I also think China is the spiteful nerd; competitive, and also hiding something.

The US is the big bully who takes everyone's lunch money. Japan is the nerdy person who makes the trends which go unnoticed until the trendy people find them.

The US is the big bully who takes everyone's lunch money. Japan is the nerdy person who makes the trends which go unnoticed until the trendy people find them.


Of course you are entitled to your opinion, which I respect, but come on!!!

The US is hardly a bully. More like the football linebacker older brother that doesn't take crap off anyone, and helps those in need.

America - The large bully on the playground. Expects everyone to act like him, beats on those who don't. Of massive size and strength, average to semibelow average intelligence and extreme wealth. Can also be protective of nations sufficiently similar and ingratiating, but prone to violence.

China - Younger kid, severly abused in the past. Some underlying issues. Rather intelligent, quiet, honorable yet not devoid of scheming. Has a long range plan for his place in the world. No real enemies, but few close freinds, the only person he has a serious beef with is Taiwan.

Korea - Sadly stricken with multiple personality disorder, but even more sad that America and China seem to enjoy messing with this kid.

Canada - America's more relaxed brother. Giving, funny, sensitive, intelligent and cultured. Smokes marijuanna from time to time. Not really physically powerful, more focused on mental and emotional development.

The UK - The former big kid on the block, he was eventually eclipsed in raw strength by America. This one is influential, wise and a bastion of culture, but he lost his position at the unquestioned head of the gang known on da street as the 32nd Street Commonwealths.

France - Proud and eccentric metrosexual. In his younger days he was a powerful and influential figure. He is often considered arrogant and sometimes downright offensive, a claim that is not always without merit. Fond of wine, poetry, history and the theatre, and adhors unneccisary conflict. He is often in ideological conflict with America.

Saudi Arabia - Stuck in a love hate relationship with America. Arabia is a misogynist, and proud of it. The misogyny is justified with Arabia's strong faith, which is the overriding factor in his life. This strong faith also makes Arabia severely intolerant of Jews and Christians. Arabia isn't aggressive, and probably doesn't need to be, as he is rather wealthy.

Israel - Stuck in a really rough neighbourhood. Fortunately the slightly built Israel knows some sort of wierd Jewish kung fu or something, as he can reliably kick the ass of all of his neighbours at once. Shares a flat with his bipolar roomate Palestine, who probably shouldn't be sharing a flat with Israel, but hey, what ya gonna do? They constantly bicker and fight over who controls which part of the flat. The police are frankly getting sick of having to respond to the domestic violence calls from this address.

Look, I do not think that America is anywhere close to a bully. A jerk maybe, but a bully goes around taking people's money and such. I have not heard of America imposing any special tax on the rest of the world. Really, America is probably closer to a hothead narcissist than a bully.(there is a distinct difference between the 2)

Great post, Kroisistan, but I take issue with your treatment of Canada. As a Canadian myself, I see Canada less like America's more relaxed brother and more like its younger, nerdier brother. Canada is always comparing itself to America, trying to make itself feel equal to America and trying to convince itself that it is highly respected around the world. If America is captain of the football team, Canada is captain of the lacrosse team: no where near being equal to America, except in its own eyes. America always looks cool, never gets nervous talking to girls, talks big, fights hard, and is the envy of all the other kids on the block, Canada especially. Canada would really, really love to be more like America, but it knows that it probably never will, so instead it makes fun of America behind its back and does its best to immitate America when the other kids are around. Of course, Canada is a pretty good country in its own right. It may never be "cool" per se, but that doesn't mean it can't have fun, hang out with friends, maybe even find a girl someday. Canada only needs to gain a little real confidence in itself, and stop constantly comparing itself to America.

I also think China is the spiteful nerd; competitive, and also hiding something.

We're also working out a lot, overheating, and try to slow down with a lot of water.

Oh oh! The UK!

One of those one-armed men with an eyepatch.

The kind of guy that you just KNOW he has a great story to tell about when he was younger and stronger.

-

Russia, one of those shifty and quiet guys who keeps running to the backroom suspiciously...>>

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Holy See, a midget priest...:D

*snip*

Israel - Stuck in a really rough neighbourhood. Fortunately the slightly built Israel knows some sort of wierd Jewish kung fu or something, as he can reliably kick the ass of all of his neighbours at once. Shares a flat with his bipolar roomate Palestine, who probably shouldn't be sharing a flat with Israel, but hey, what ya gonna do? They constantly bicker and fight over who controls which part of the flat. The police are frankly getting sick of having to respond to the domestic violence calls from this address.
Not ment to be a flame but I disagreed with most of your post and thought it to be rather one sided and slightly too vicious towards America... but this one was just funny. Excelent end. :D

Singapore - the rich little kid that keeps trying to bash Malaysia. But all Malaysia has to do is squeeze the water from Singapore and Singapore comes begging at its knees.

I think of America as a corpulent, alcoholic chain-smoker who suffers from a bipolar disorder, and keeps a house full to the rafters with guns, ammo, porn, and spent cans of aerosol cheese products. On the front lawn sits two burned-out and rusting vehicles, with a third, cobbled from the least-worn pieces of the other two, sits leaking oil in the driveway. An outbuilding fenced in with chickenwire houses a disused puppy-mill, while the forgotten gardens play home to broken glass, cigarette stubs, and spent shell-casings. Classic rock and country music play loudly on blown speakers set out under the rotting timbers of the decaying carport.

Albania -

Albania is like the woman at the bus stop sitting pensively waiting for a ride to a place that she's not sure she wants to go. As she waits, she nervously plucks at her sleeve wondering if all her arrangements will go for naught. As the bus arrives, she pretends to not notice it and therefore misses her ride. Distraught by her indecision, she wails plaintively at the passers-by in a nonsense sing-song of agony and frustration.

No wait, that's Norway.

I see America as the child of the UK. Right now, it's in its rebellious, teenage years, ready to take on the world no matter what. Very hotheaded and doesn't think far into the future.

The UK used to be that way (the feeling of being able to take on the world) but has seemed to have reached a more relaxed, mature look-out on the rest of the world. The same is true for almost all of Europe.

Moon - A vegitable who someday wants to destroy the earth for makeing so much noise during naptime :D

America is the big guy, obviously the toughest, fastest, richest guy in the room.

And hes also an asshole.

See, he likes to spout off his opinion to other nations, and doesnt like it when other nations tell him to shut up and mind his own business.
The trouble is, even though hes an overbearing prick, and thinks that hes the best at everything, and obviously respects his own opinions far more than others......

...he's usually right.

Also, he likes to beat the shit outta smaller, equally angry nations who arent palying by the rules set up by all the other nations, and when he does this..the other nations accuse him of being a bully...but didnt have the balls to do it themselves, even though they kinda wanted to.

So...America is the enormous powerful asshole little brother, that is nice to have around sometimes.

Look, I do not think that America is anywhere close to a bully. A jerk maybe, but a bully goes around taking people's money and such. I have not heard of America imposing any special tax on the rest of the world. Really, America is probably closer to a hothead narcissist than a bully.(there is a distinct difference between the 2)

I don't consider America a bully unless we are talking about government specifically. If so, then yes, America HAS partaken in economic sabatoge against other nations such as in Latin America.

Basicly, we offered to build projects to better their economic infastructure, but secretly added in very high intrests for the projects. Those that didn't pay attention are indebited to us. We didn't take their money, we just had them sign contracts that makes them our *****.

Our people however are all over the place. We are to mixed to be generalized. Our government officials sure aren't however. Those pricks are easy to figure out. Out to **** everyone.

Germany is on medication for its ADD, so he just sits in the corner and doesn't say or do much at all anymore...

So is America the Dumb Arse Jock that shoots their mouth off about stuff and gets proven wrong but wont admit it?

So is America the Dumb Arse Jock that shoots their mouth off about stuff and gets proven wrong but wont admit it?


Yes.

But dont call him on it, or he'll come to your house, and beat the dogsnot outta you.

Great post, Kroisistan, but I take issue with your treatment of Canada. As a Canadian myself, I see Canada less like America's more relaxed brother and more like its younger, nerdier brother. Canada is always comparing itself to America, trying to make itself feel equal to America and trying to convince itself that it is highly respected around the world. If America is captain of the football team, Canada is captain of the lacrosse team: no where near being equal to America, except in its own eyes. America always looks cool, never gets nervous talking to girls, talks big, fights hard, and is the envy of all the other kids on the block, Canada especially. Canada would really, really love to be more like America, but it knows that it probably never will, so instead it makes fun of America behind its back and does its best to immitate America when the other kids are around. Of course, Canada is a pretty good country in its own right. It may never be "cool" per se, but that doesn't mean it can't have fun, hang out with friends, maybe even find a girl someday. Canada only needs to gain a little real confidence in itself, and stop constantly comparing itself to America.That is by far the most retarded assessment of Canada I have ever read.

Russia used to slug it out in an all-out gang fight with Germany back in the days, but after they won and Germany disappeared for the mental hospital, things changed.
America and Russia fell out and both brought a knife to school. Everyone was scared there was gonna be blood but it turned out the teachers were always around.
But now Russia has been hit badly and has started to take drugs. So while he is still imposing physically, he sits around in the corner most of the time and yells something about "Chechens" sometimes, but no one takes that seriously.
But people are still wondering whether he may get back on his feet and vie for schoolyard dominance afterall...

France is America's brother. They never get on because they see the worst aspects of themselves in each other.

Yes.

But dont call him on it, or he'll come to your house, and beat the dogsnot outta you.
Yeah well thats where New Zealand comes in.
Always spouting off how we are so Green Loving and friendly and everyone says were really nice but dosent take our opinions seriously and when our friends ask us to play we never have our own toys and piggy back off them. :p

Krosistan: If you were a country you would be a literary genius, perhaps a writer or professor. One of those overly educated and cultured individuals who is a walking libary with a BBC accent!

Mexico and Canada are like the unfortunate neighbours living either side to the corpulent bipolar alcoholic with the weapons cache in his fish tank and box after box of mouldering take-away piled up against the front door to 'keep them commies at bay'.

Mexico and Canada are like the unfortunate neighbours living either side to the corpulent bipolar alcoholic with the weapons cache in his fish tank and box after box of mouldering take-away piled up against the front door to 'keep them commies at bay'.And if that wasn't bad enough, they've also got men like John Bolton.

That is by far the most retarded assessment of Canada I have ever read.

Have you got a better assessment?

Have you got a better assessment?To begin, I'll state that nobody in, at, with or from Canada wishes to be more like America.

To begin, I'll state that nobody in, at, with or from Canada wishes to be more like America.

You might not consciously wish it, but it is true. Canada is America lite, like a deformed twin, that just couldn't measure up to his brother. :p

You might not consciously wish it, but it is true. Canada is America lite, like a deformed twin, that just couldn't measure up to his brother. :p
Spoken like someone who takes his cues from the keen political insights of The Simpsons. :rolleyes:

Spoken like someone who takes his cues from the keen political insights of The Simpsons. :rolleyes:


Actually I pulled that one out of my behind. ;)

You might not consciously wish it, but it is true. Canada is America lite, like a deformed twin, that just couldn't measure up to his brother. :pExcuse me... The way things stand today Canada doesn't deserve the misstreatment of being mentioned in the same sentence with.[notice the period] America.

The United States have never been able to match Canada's standard of living. As far as America goes we have absolutely nothing to live up to. To say otherwise is to be in total ignorance of what being canadian means.

Excuse me... The way things stand today Canada doesn't deserve the misstreatment of being mentioned in the same sentence with.[notice the period] America.

The United States have never been able to match Canada's standard of living. As far as America goes we have absolutely nothing to live up to. To say otherwise is to be in total ignorance of what being canadian means.
Don't waste you breath. They're operating under all the old assumptions, all that BS we grew out of after they revealed their true selves to us. Like their precious "intel", their knowledge of us, their neighbours, is about twenty years out of date. Let them spew whatever drivel they want. It just serves to underscore for the entire NS community how far they've fallen down their pit. Don't let them drag you in along with them.

To begin, I'll state that nobody in, at, with or from Canada wishes to be more like America.

Yeah, I guess we don't all want to be EXACTLY like the States, but I think a lot of us do harbor some serious Yankee envy. I mean, look at them: they're huge, they play by their own rules, they've never had a leader who could only talk out of one side of his mouth . . . sure, they do things that they hate, but our relationship with them seems to be best summed up as a younger, nerdier brother looking up to a big, bad boy elder brother. A lot of the time we hate them while secretly envying them at the same time.

Also, its not fair to say that NO Canadians wish that Canada was more like the US. There are people in Alberta who would seriously consider having the province leave Canada and become the 51st state.

Excuse me... The way things stand today Canada doesn't deserve the misstreatment of being mentioned in the same sentence with.[notice the period] America.

The United States have never been able to match Canada's standard of living. As far as America goes we have absolutely nothing to live up to. To say otherwise is to be in total ignorance of what being canadian means.



What does being Canadian mean?

Yeah, I guess we don't all want to be EXACTLY like the States, but I think a lot of us do harbor some serious Yankee envy. I mean, look at them: they're huge, they play by their own rules, they've never had a leader who could only talk out of one side of his mouth . . . sure, they do things that they hate, but our relationship with them seems to be best summed up as a younger, nerdier brother looking up to a big, bad boy elder brother. A lot of the time we hate them while secretly envying them at the same time.

Also, its not fair to say that NO Canadians wish that Canada was more like the US. There are people in Alberta who would seriously consider having the province leave Canada and become the 51st state.Personally I feel it is more like the younger sibling who drives a volvo to give lectures at his University, while his older brother is a dirty politician and business man, that's into drug rackets, brothels, and hostile takeover's.
As a matter of fact the "should've been" president Al Gore's foreign policy plan was in fact an attempt to converge the US' with Canada's. I need not mention that the majority of voters were in favor of such a convergence.

What does being Canadian mean?

Basically, if you've ever been to Canada for more than about a week, you're a Canadian. That's why we can claim that Alexander Graham Bell was one of the greatest Canadians even though he was actually born in Scotland and spent most of his time in America.

What does being Canadian mean?http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_identity
Enjoy. It's a really broad question, with even broader answers. One answer could be... being simply superior to Americans when it comes to freedom, justice and morality.

Personally I feel it is more like the younger sibling who drives a volvo to give lectures at his University, while his older brother is a dirty politician and business man, that's into drug rackets, brothels, and hostile takeover's.
As a matter of fact the "should've been" president Al Gore's foreign policy plan was in fact an attempt to converge the US' with Canada's. Need I not mention that the majority of voters were in favor of such a convergence.

If you were a prof at a University and you had a brother who was living the wild life, wouldn't you occationally envy him, just a bit?

Don't waste you breath. They're operating under all the old assumptions, all that BS we grew out of after they revealed their true selves to us. Like their precious "intel", their knowledge of us, their neighbours, is about twenty years out of date. Let them spew whatever drivel they want. It just serves to underscore for the entire NS community how far they've fallen down their pit. Don't let them drag you in along with them.Agreed. :D

If you were a prof at a University and you had a brother who was living the wild life, wouldn't you occationally envy him, just a bit?Buda once said. To end craving is to end suffering. :D

Don't waste you breath. They're operating under all the old assumptions, all that BS we grew out of after they revealed their true selves to us. Like their precious "intel", their knowledge of us, their neighbours, is about twenty years out of date. Let them spew whatever drivel they want. It just serves to underscore for the entire NS community how far they've fallen down their pit. Don't let them drag you in along with them.

Who are "They"? The Americans? The people you're arguing with? Me? Try to be clearer.

If you think about it, America is actually basically one of the youngest sons of the great Heavenly Father and Mother Earth. It has only been around for about 230 years, compared to the many centuries which France, etc existed, but under much less turmoil than these older cousins. Then, one day, all the cousins of Europe decided to get togteher and have a big orgy. From this spawned the beginnings of America, but it was even further complemented when it decided to extend itself more by having a huge orgy, and consequently a lot of kids, with ALL its cousins from all around the world. Thus, the household of America was started.

Who are "They"? The Americans? The people you're arguing with? Me? Try to be clearer.
I was being perfectly clear. I see no need to repeat myself ad nauseam. Scroll up and read.

Buda once said. To end craving is to end suffering. :D

DON'T QUOTE YOUR RELIGION AT ME! I HATE RELIGION! I'M NOT GOING TO LET BUDDHA CONTROL MY LIFE! I . . . Oh wait, that's actually pretty darn good advice.

The great ambitions of America, first spurred by Woodrow Wilson, TR, and FDR in the early 20th century, are what have made America the greatest of all the nations, coupled with its extremely moralistic foundation, it has become the most dominant world power and also the most active.

You Canadians wish you could be as great as America deep down inside (because you envy its high status), but you can't be until you leave behind your wussy status quo and embrace a new vision of the world, the vision that America has of it.

And America is certainly no bully, it is simply a proud, independent, moralistic, ambitious man seeking to influence the world for what he sees as the better as much as he can. I would say that that is highly respectable.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_identity
Enjoy. It's a really broad question, with even broader answers. One answer could be... being simply superior to Americans when it comes to freedom, justice and morality.


Ah, I see. You base your national identity on being better then the US. Nice little inferiority complex you have.

From wiki:

Modern times

Canadians now usually define themselves by comparing their perceived differences with the United States. Though today much traditional cultural content consumed by Canadians, such as TV, movies, music, news, and literature, is American in origin, many Canadians believe a "unique" Canadian culture can still exist, even in an era of deep economic integration between the two nations.

It seems most of the nations mentioned so far are personified as male. Are there any nations that you can think of that have a distinctly feminine quality about them? How about India, or Spain, or Egypt? Great Britain might fit well into a woman's persona, seeing as how many of their most influential leaders have been female (Elizabeth I, Victoria, Thatcher).

I would say that there are definitely female countries. I consider Jamaica, India, Belgium, Oman, and Nepal to all be members of this "feminine" category, but often countries are who they are run by, and clearly many more men are in power than women, leading many more countries to be "masculine" than "feminine."

I wouldn't say Egypt is feminine, but I agree that Spain is now fairly feminine, but it used to be extremely masculine. France is like Spain in this respect, and I would say that England is either a man like John Kerry or a woman like Margaret Thatcher.

Anyone wanna try personifying America as a woman?

England is pretty sterile, but also active and very cerebral, as well as pretty powerful.

It doesn't work very well, but America is like a teenage girl who is smarter, more aggressive, much more self-confident, and much more moralistic than the other girls. She has liberal tendencies in that she likes to accept all sorts of all poeple, but only on the condition that they agree with her. She wants to be a politician when she grows up, and is not too interested in romance or love. Like it? It actually sounds a lot like one of my friends (except shes a total liberal, and much more logical than moralistic)

Canada: When Canada was a kid, he imitated Mom and Dad (The UK), as a teen, he tried to be like his older brother U.S., lately, he's found his own identity (Last 30 years or so), but he's got this imaginary friend (Quebec) who keeps causing him to fuck up right when he's almost got things figured out for himself.

Canada desperately wants to be as successful as his older brother, but he also wants to be accepted by the old neighbourhood (Europe). Canada is the geeky middle-child, and wears tweed jackets with leather elbow patches. Canada, naturally, drives a volvo.

Australia: the "Mascot" of this dysfunctional family, viewed by everyone as "Cute" and stuff, nobody takes Australia seriously except even-younger-brother New Zealand. Australia wears jean-jackets or suede, and drives a compact convertible. New Zealand rides his bicycle to school and usually wears a jacket with too many patches. When NZ grows up, he'll drive a Toyota Prius with Greenpeace stickers, or a VW Bug.


United States: The term "estranged older brother" works pretty well for this black-sheep. United States dropped out of high school and ran away from home. He's got anger-management issues, means well most of the time, but since he also doesn't give a rip what the "Old Neighbourhood" thinks, nobody wants him around unless they're in deep trouble. US is best when fighting, mediocre at nearly everything else, and has problems paying his bills as a result, in spite of having an often-thriving business.
United States wears Fatigue pants and a black leather jacket, rides a Motorcycle with no muffler, and drinks entirely too much. His belt is a chain, and the buckle is a pair of brass knuckles. His 'House" is a double-wide trailer on a huge plot of land that he can't bother to mow. Unlike his brothers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, U.S. doesn't live under Mom and Dad's (UK's) roof, and never calls home for a favour or advice.

Nobdy in the Old Neighbourhood (Europe) likes United States much-at least, in the better, more affluent neighbourhood. His insensitivity is legendary, and while U.S. was good for keeping Russia from foreclosing (mainly by beating up Russia's men when they moved into the neighbourhoods), nobody really wants to ask him to dinner, or date their daughters.
Except Poland, who knows she won't be invited to the Country Club(EU) as a member, but as wait-staff and room-maid. Poland lives on the wrong side of the trax, and really 'digs' US since he at least treats her like a person.

Probably going to be a dysfunctional relationship-US isn't a very good boyfriend.

Anyone wanna try personifying America as a woman?

Alternate take: US as a woman...

US is a tomboy-the girl who gets into fights and beats up smaller guys who piss her off. US has a bad case of PMS, drives a Hot Rod (not a show-car, we're talking more the spotty-primer, dented, big engined kind) instead of a new sports-car, dropped out of high-school in her freshman year to go do her own thing about the same time she told Mom and Dad (the UK and Europe) to stuff it. Honestly, she's not very feminine, and some of her emotional problems might stem from being a closet-lesbian-or from being taken as one. She dumps boyfriends the way that other people change their socks, and when she does this, she ain't the one hurt. This has given her a 'bad reputation'.

I think you're not including many other aspects of the US's personality, but yeah, you're kinda right, and definitely funny. :D

Canada: When Canada was a kid, he imitated Mom and Dad (The UK), as a teen, he tried to be like his older brother U.S., lately, he's found his own identity (Last 30 years or so), but he's got this imaginary friend (Quebec) who keeps causing him to fuck up right when he's almost got things figured out for himself.

(Laughing out Loud). Oh Quebec, where would we be without you?

Quebec is DEFINITELY a female. Probably looks and talks a lot like Celine Dion.

Canada: When Canada was a kid, he imitated Mom and Dad (The UK), as a teen, he tried to be like his older brother U.S., lately, he's found his own identity (Last 30 years or so), but he's got this imaginary friend (Quebec) who keeps causing him to fuck up right when he's almost got things figured out for himself.

Canada desperately wants to be as successful as his older brother, but he also wants to be accepted by the old neighbourhood (Europe). Canada is the geeky middle-child, and wears tweed jackets with leather elbow patches. Canada, naturally, drives a volvo.

Australia: the "Mascot" of this dysfunctional family, viewed by everyone as "Cute" and stuff, nobody takes Australia seriously except even-younger-brother New Zealand. Australia wears jean-jackets or suede, and drives a compact convertible. New Zealand rides his bicycle to school and usually wears a jacket with too many patches. When NZ grows up, he'll drive a Toyota Prius with Greenpeace stickers, or a VW Bug.


United States: The term "estranged older brother" works pretty well for this black-sheep. United States dropped out of high school and ran away from home. He's got anger-management issues, means well most of the time, but since he also doesn't give a rip what the "Old Neighbourhood" thinks, nobody wants him around unless they're in deep trouble. US is best when fighting, mediocre at nearly everything else, and has problems paying his bills as a result, in spite of having an often-thriving business.
United States wears Fatigue pants and a black leather jacket, rides a Motorcycle with no muffler, and drinks entirely too much. His belt is a chain, and the buckle is a pair of brass knuckles. His 'House" is a double-wide trailer on a huge plot of land that he can't bother to mow. Unlike his brothers Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, U.S. doesn't live under Mom and Dad's (UK's) roof, and never calls home for a favour or advice.

Nobdy in the Old Neighbourhood (Europe) likes United States much-at least, in the better, more affluent neighbourhood. His insensitivity is legendary, and while U.S. was good for keeping Russia from foreclosing (mainly by beating up Russia's men when they moved into the neighbourhoods), nobody really wants to ask him to dinner, or date their daughters.
Except Poland, who knows she won't be invited to the Country Club(EU) as a member, but as wait-staff and room-maid. Poland lives on the wrong side of the trax, and really 'digs' US since he at least treats her like a person.

Probably going to be a dysfunctional relationship-US isn't a very good boyfriend.

Cool.... that's a good description/characterisation
:D

i see he 'British' world has a family

Britan the old dad bin put in a home wasting away being qiut an helping his
children

The usa the rebelius on who showed his independence early and now looks after his dad britan and hi friends france, germany etc but they have arguments over things couse the usa is the yong wipper snapper

Canada is the good boy of the family being quite and not geting into much truble and looks up to his brother the usa

austrila i the bad boy of the family coming home drunk and has took to drugs and likes to prove the old man wrong

All countries would be suffering from multiple personalities!

The US would have two very dominant personalities, one being a bully that pushes everyone around, with a serious attitude problem, and a tendency to litter; the other being a guy desperately looking for friends, but too stuck up and also slightly bullyish. That one would also live in fear of the other personality.

China would claim he was a socialist while scheming of ways to get some of the other's lunch money. In all, all other personalities would be suppressed, possibly with Authoritarian pills.

France would be snobby and would hate the US, though they'd be in the same gang. She'd have one personality that was incredibly racist, that pops up when least expected.

Germany would be a wimp. Used to be a bully, but now is a wimp. Another personality would be less wimpy outwardly, but a serious ass kisser to the US. Germany would be taking strong medication against neo-Nazism.

Russia would be going through a personality crisis and lost some weight. Any other personalities are supressed with Authoritarian pills.

DON'T QUOTE YOUR RELIGION AT ME! I HATE RELIGION! I'M NOT GOING TO LET BUDDHA CONTROL MY LIFE! I . . . Oh wait, that's actually pretty darn good advice.I despise religion as much as the next guy but I have a profound respect for Budism. For starters, acording to Budism there is no God or supreme being. I like that.

I like religion. Especially those ones that have one or more god. I don't know much about Buddhism, but I can certainly agree with the quote you used. Very . . . enlightening . . .

The great ambitions of America, first spurred by Woodrow Wilson, TR, and FDR in the early 20th century, are what have made America the greatest of all the nations, coupled with its extremely moralistic foundation, it has become the most dominant world power and also the most active.

You Canadians wish you could be as great as America deep down inside (because you envy its high status), but you can't be until you leave behind your wussy status quo and embrace a new vision of the world, the vision that America has of it.I'm a huge fan of FDR's but please get real. The only thing that nations such as Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Australia wish for is for the US to remain friendly enough to avoid having to go to war with it, so we can live in peace, freedom and prosperity.
Ah, I see. You base your national identity on being better then the US. Nice little inferiority complex you have.

From wiki:

Modern times

Canadians now usually define themselves by comparing their perceived differences with the United States. Though today much traditional cultural content consumed by Canadians, such as TV, movies, music, news, and literature, is American in origin, many Canadians believe a "unique" Canadian culture can still exist, even in an era of deep economic integration between the two nations.I see no inferiority complex. We've never elected men like Bush for instance. The Conservative party in the 93 elections went from majority government to having only 2 members of parliament elected. Not even the party leader Kim Campbell won her seat in parliament.

I see no inferiority complex. We've never elected men like Bush for instance. The Conservative party in the 93 elections went from majority government to having only 2 members of parliament elected. Not even the party leader Kim Campbell won her seat in parliament.

No, I guess we've never had a leader like Bush, but we have had both Jean Chretien and Paul Martin and are only now finding out how much the two of them stole from us. I don't see how the Progressive Conservative defeat in 1993 has anything to do with making us less inferior to Americans. Unless voting against conservatives automatically makes a country good.

If you think about it, America is actually basically one of the youngest sons of the great Heavenly Father and Mother Earth. It has only been around for about 230 years, compared to the many centuries which France, etc existed, but under much less turmoil than these older cousins. Then, one day, all the cousins of Europe decided to get togteher and have a big orgy. From this spawned the beginnings of America, but it was even further complemented when it decided to extend itself more by having a huge orgy, and consequently a lot of kids, with ALL its cousins from all around the world. Thus, the household of America was started.

Wow, reading this is almost like reading the intro to a Greek tragedy.

The great ambitions of America, first spurred by Woodrow Wilson, TR, and FDR in the early 20th century, are what have made America the greatest of all the nations, coupled with its extremely moralistic foundation, it has become the most dominant world power and also the most active.

You Canadians wish you could be as great as America deep down inside (because you envy its high status), but you can't be until you leave behind your wussy status quo and embrace a new vision of the world, the vision that America has of it.

And America is certainly no bully, it is simply a proud, independent, moralistic, ambitious man seeking to influence the world for what he sees as the better as much as he can. I would say that that is highly respectable.

...or maybe comedy.

The US: obviously the school yard bully. Not very bright and relies on muscle to get his way.

The UK: The older brother who taught the US every thing he knows, but instead of being proud he is resentful of his younger brother’s success and watches from the sidelines ever since a fight with Germany left him with a limp.

Canada: The younger brother who emulates the actions of the US while publicly denouncing everything his older brother does because he’s tired of being compared and mistaken for him.

Vietnam: The little oriental kid that surprised the US with a kick to the balls.

Iraq: The not so little Arab kid that just might do the same.

China: The loner that would rather not have anything to do with anyone but is slowly realizing he has to be more sociable to get laid.

Japan: The sexually frustrated over achiever whose really into comic books.

Colombia: A begrudging friend of the US with a bit of grass in his hand. Begrudging because the US is constantly shortchanging him.

Cuba: Formerly the schoolyard slut, but then she discovered Communism.

Venezuela: Cuba’s cute friend. The US is after her but she thinks he’s a pig.

Australia: Too busy surfing to bother with the other kids.

France: Pretends to be too busy to associate with the others, but really he’s just afraid they’ll start talking about the time Germany kicked his ass.

Germany: Goes along to get along, but at night he’s lifting weights.

India: Used to date the UK but then she realized she was a lesbian. Now she just wants him out of her life.

Russia: Was training for the Olympics until the US pushed him down a flight of stairs. Now he’s sitting on the corner smoking crack.

-snip-
:D

No, I guess we've never had a leader like Bush, but we have had both Jean Chretien and Paul Martin and are only now finding out how much the two of them stole from us. I don't see how the Progressive Conservative defeat in 1993 has anything to do with making us less inferior to Americans. Unless voting against conservatives automatically makes a country good.It's not voting against conservatives but voting an awfull government that sent the nation on a downward spiral and into a huge foreign debt. The fact that they went from majority to practical non existance is worthy of an entry in the Guiness Book of records. The fact that the nation was together and unanimous in it's decision to flunk the Tories for their incompetence, shows a political maturity the Americans will never have.

Canada: The younger brother who emulates the actions of the US while publicly denouncing everything his older brother does because he’s tired of being compared and mistaken for him.Canada emulates the action of the US? Is that supposed to be funny?

I will try to give personalities to the countries I have lived in. admittedly they will be farces and mere shadows.. but here goes.

US: Very strong, attractive, and rich kid, Who lives in a semi-private community. Not a bully...just ego centric. Has a good heart overall just unaware of how his/her actions effect the other kids at school (at least most of the time) . Loves to play basketball, football,baseball and occassionally forays out into golf.Loves hanging out with friends and shooting the breeze. He or she has a very entrepeneural outlook. Always thinking about some new gadget or trend. Looks up to UK even though he/she won't admit it most of the time.Baffled by how some of the kids view him/her negatively when he/she is just trying to do the right thing.

UK. A teenager/young adult who is going through a little bit of a rough patch. Life use to be easy. Everything went his/her way. The perceived loss of social status has been quite a bothering topic. Though still very athletic he or she works out the aggression by playing football,rugby, cricket... if only that new kid in school Australia was not taking up some of that spotlight. Ah but UK comforts him/herself... I will prevail...no matter how long it takes. He/she likes to go on long walks with their pet bulldog... in the drizzly fog comtemplating loftier issues.

Germany. A young person who has a past. Got into somethings that got way out of hand.In general they are sick and tired of hearing about his/her wild child days and just wants to get on with life. He/she likes to dress nice and go out and drink with family and friends into the wee hours of the morning. Keeping a clean house and yard is in his or her blood. The life expectancy of a dust speck is a nanosecond.He or She likes to be orderly and arrive to appointments on the dot. His or her favorite activities are Fussball matches, hiking, bicycling, and working on a new design for his or her car engine.

Hardly all ecompassing but a start :).

It doesn't work very well, but America is like a teenage girl who is smarter, more aggressive, much more self-confident, and much more moralistic than the other girls. She has liberal tendencies in that she likes to accept all sorts of all poeple, but only on the condition that they agree with her. She wants to be a politician when she grows up, and is not too interested in romance or love. Like it? It actually sounds a lot like one of my friends (except shes a total liberal, and much more logical than moralistic)

The US is the teenage girl who acts religious in front of daddy but is a complete slut when their back is turned. She's a complete corker,and she likes to get the other countries in her debt with a little bit of TLC. When the time is right, she likes to call in the favour.

The problem is, she happens to control daddy.

I see no inferiority complex. We've never elected men like Bush for instance. The Conservative party in the 93 elections went from majority government to having only 2 members of parliament elected. Not even the party leader Kim Campbell won her seat in parliament.
Their impressions of Canada, and of who and what we are, stem from old cliches handed down from one comedy sketch to another throughout the last God-knows-how-many-years. I've heard the oft-repeated claims that we define ourselves via contrasting ourselves against the American people, and I just don't think it rings true. We went through a period of intense introspection in the years following the FLQ crisis, the advent of the Separatist movement, the big lie called Free Trade and the lingering death of the Progressive Party which led to the regionalization of federal political powers.
I think we possessed a bland, uncertain character in the post WWII era - and weren't at all distinguishable as a people. But times have changed. And so have we. We have our own Constitution now, a document fresh enough to reflect the needs of a country in the 21st century. We have found our niche in the world, and we have found ourselves. We stand for tolerance, we stand for compromise and for finding solutions that don't end in bloodshed. We stand for social and medical networks that help to enrich our society. We stand for reason, for truth, and for fairness. We stand against hatred. We stand against irrational fear. We stand against ignorance. We stand against inequality and inequity.

We are our own people. Now more so than at any time in our past, thanks due in no small part to the collapsed relationship between our two nations. See, having spent the last thirty years constantly questioning what it meant to even be Canadian has thickened our skins and made a number of us realize the old familiar bad habit our parents had of defining the Canadian character by what it wasn't about, i.e. smug, crass and American. It is less difficult now to describe my Canadian values, as the verbiage involved traditionally came into play usually only where such thoroughly un-Canadian values such as patriotism are concerned. I couldn't have written that previous paragraph twenty years ago - I'd've considered it far too "American-like" to be credible. The events of the last five years are doing more to crystallize the nascent Canadian identity than 130 years of living in proximity to any super-power has ever done. We are divergent, our nation and yours; for how long, to what extent - I don't know, but the more you polarize within your borders, the more pronounced the polarization between our borders.
Thing is, it's not really that we're changing drastically. It's that you are. I honestly look at what you were and what you're becoming and I feel badly for you. I really do.

Canadians now usually define themselves by comparing their perceived differences with the United States. Though today much traditional cultural content consumed by Canadians, such as TV, movies, music, news, and literature, is American in origin, many Canadians believe a "unique" Canadian culture can still exist, even in an era of deep economic integration between the two nations.
See what I mean about their information being laughably out of date? They think we're still worrying whether people will still tune into 'The Beach-Combers' if we allow pay-tv channels. Heads up: we know our culture can survive. In fact it's flourishing.

Maybe someday you'll realize we've got things like indoor plumbing and horseless carriages and gramaphones, too, by jiminy.

Plus British canadians kicked your ass in the war of 1812. Take that, US.

wow people being harsh on the americans.... i am a full fledged canadian, but i've really disliked all these put downs on US. I don't know, when I were young we always had jokes about "dumb americans" and "smart canadians". also how we are constantly compareing how much better we are than americans, and putting them down (like the I am Joe, and I am Canadian beer commercials).

I will have to say, that haveing the US as our neighbours is now part of our identity... if we ever got into trouble who would take care of us? our army! that is a laugh in a half... but hey, who needs an army when we have military superpower as our friend next door hey?
Sure they shaped canada through our media and stores, but do i really see anybody complaining that much?

Canada is a multi cultural society... that means that every nation is pretty much part or our identitiy... including US.

And there is no way changing it either.... unless somone wants to pick up massive canada and move to Europe i think we are stuck in North America for good... so live with it. don't go complaining or putting down our permanent neighbours.... (unless they really diserve it .... like the iraq war wich i thought was pointless)

So ya canada... just cowboy up

we stand for compromise.

Are we willing to compromise this stance?

Canada emulates the action of the US? Is that supposed to be funny?

To quote the great Homer Simpson... "It's funny because it's true."

Wow this thread is swiftly becoming an "I am Canadian hear me roar" anthem. If such is the case I invite all Canadians present to honestly answer these questions.

1. Why did the Avro Arrow program shut down?

2. How many Canadians that you know have seen movies like Black Robe, Leolo and Jesus of Montreal? How many have seen movies like Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix and American Pie?

3. Why did Brian Mulroney agree to NAFTA?

4. If Canadians don't want to emulate the U.S. why don't they boycott franchises like the GAP, Starbucks and Home Depot?

Wow this thread is swiftly becoming an "I am Canadian hear me roar" anthem. If such is the case I invite all Canadians present to honestly answer these questions.

1. Why did the Avro Arrow program shut down?

2. How many Canadians that you know have seen movies like Black Robe, Leolo and Jesus of Montreal? How many have seen movies like Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix and American Pie?

3. Why did Brian Mulroney agree to NAFTA?

4. If Canadians don't want to emulate the U.S. why don't they boycott franchises like the GAP, Starbucks and Home Depot?

1. The Arrow program was canceled by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker because he believed that it was in Canada's best interests to persue a missile defence program with the Americans rather than make our own airplanes. After he canceled the program, the man in charge of Avro Arrow (can't remember his name at the moment . . . Gordon or something, wasn't it?) immediately fired all his workers and ordered the destruction of the Arrow prototypes because he wanted to make Dief look bad.

2. I've seen Air Bud. I also occationally watch Corner Gas.

3. Don't know. I'm all for free trade though.

4. Because we're not stupid. We know a good deal when we see it and we do business with people regardless of their country of origin. "Buy local" is an idiotic form of patriotism.

1. The Arrow program was canceled by Prime Minister John Diefenbaker because he believed that it was in Canada's best interests to persue a missile defence program with the Americans rather than make our own airplanes. After he canceled the program, the man in charge of Avro Arrow (can't remember his name at the moment . . . Gordon or something, wasn't it?) immediately fired all his workers and ordered the destruction of the Arrow prototypes because he wanted to make Dief look bad.

What happened to the workers? Did they find other jobs?

2. I've seen Air Bud. I also occationally watch Corner Gas.

Very patriotic of you, if these are Canadian movies. But you haven't answered the question.

3. Don't know. I'm all for free trade though.

Why?

4. Because we're not stupid. We know a good deal when we see it and we do business with people regardless of their country of origin. "Buy local" is an idiotic form of patriotism.

So you think it's better for the Canadian economy if shop owners become managers for U.S. franchises?

What happened to the workers? Did they find other jobs?

Presumably. Either that or just gave up and became bums. I remember hearing somewhere that many of the experts who worked on the Arrow later worked for the US Airforce

Very patriotic of you, if these are Canadian movies. But you haven't answered the question.

Airbud is a Canadian movie (I think). Corner Gas is a TV show (made right here in my home province of Saskatchewan, I may add). I doubt many Canadians have seen the Canadian movies you listed, but most of them probably have seen the Matrix et al. I hadn't even heard of most of the Canadian movies you listed.

Why?

On principle, mainly. Freedom is better than tyranny; free trade is better than tarrifs and quotas.

So you think it's better for the Canadian economy if shop owners become managers for U.S. franchises?

Sure, if the American managers do their job well. That's the beauty of free trade; if a country does a good job of producing a good or service, it can trade with a country that is good at producing a different good or service. Division of labor. Specialization and trade. I love Adam Smith!

That is by far the most retarded assessment of Canada I have ever read.

Agreed.

Wow this thread is swiftly becoming an "I am Canadian hear me roar" anthem. If such is the case I invite all Canadians present to honestly answer these questions.

1. Why did the Avro Arrow program shut down?

2. How many Canadians that you know have seen movies like Black Robe, Leolo and Jesus of Montreal? How many have seen movies like Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix and American Pie?

3. Why did Brian Mulroney agree to NAFTA?

4. If Canadians don't want to emulate the U.S. why don't they boycott franchises like the GAP, Starbucks and Home Depot?

1) The aircraft would not have been affordable on a large scale, it was too technologically advanced and costly to produce efficiently without a guaranteed export market.

2) I haven't seen Black Robe or Saving Private Ryan, I've seen all the others.

3) Because he expected the Americans to honour the agreements they signed.

4) Because clothes, coffee and paint have nothing to do with emulating the U.S.?

Presumably. Either that or just gave up and became bums. I remember hearing somewhere that many of the experts who worked on the Arrow later worked for the US Airforce

If the engineers from the Avro Arrow program went to work for the US Airforce (or NASA or Lockheed Martin as I've come to understand) could this not be considered Canadian technology/intellect being used to further U.S. military interests?

Airbud is a Canadian movie (I think). Corner Gas is a TV show (made right here in my home province of Saskatchewan, I may add). I doubt many Canadians have seen the Canadian movies you listed, but most of them probably have seen the Matrix et al. I hadn't even heard of most of the Canadian movies you listed.

Neither have most of the Canadians I've spoken with.

On principle, mainly. Freedom is better than tyranny; free trade is better than tarrifs and quotas.

This is getting off topic but seeing as we are already off topic; To what extent do you subscribe to this principle? Should multinational corporations be allowed to enter Canada and take over the nation's resources?

Sure, if the American managers do their job well. That's the beauty of free trade; if a country does a good job of producing a good or service, it can trade with a country that is good at producing a different good or service. Division of labor. Specialization and trade. I love Adam Smith![/QUOTE]

I think you misread my question. But I will move on and address your response by asking; What happens when two countries engaged in a free trade agreement produce similar products? Feel free to use the U.S. and Canada as a case study.

1) The aircraft would not have been affordable on a large scale, it was too technologically advanced and costly to produce efficiently without a guaranteed export market.

Perhaps I'm mistaken, I'm sure you would know better than I, but I was under the impression that Avro was involved in negotiations with the French to produce engines for the Mirage program.

2) I haven't seen Black Robe or Saving Private Ryan, I've seen all the others.

Do you think the majority of Canadians, when they go to the movie theatres, are more inclined to see a movie made in Canada or a movie made in the U.S.? Do movie theatres in Canada carry both Canadian and U.S. films and are tickets sold for the same price?

3) Because he expected the Americans to honour the agreements they signed.

Has the U.S. failed to honour the agreement? If so, how?

4) Because clothes, coffee and paint have nothing to do with emulating the U.S.?

Clothes have a great deal to do with emulating culture. With regards to the other franchises, the question was designed to discover if Canadians value their sovereignty enough to protect domestic businesses against much larger corporations.

China - Younger kid, severly abused in the past. Some underlying issues. Rather intelligent, quiet, honorable yet not devoid of scheming. Has a long range plan for his place in the world. No real enemies, but few close freinds, the only person he has a serious beef with is Taiwan.


...whom he keeps insisting is not a separate person, but really just a renegade part of himself.

I leave this thread overnight and I get this....what on earth?

I see no inferiority complex. We've never elected men like Bush for instance. The Conservative party in the 93 elections went from majority government to having only 2 members of parliament elected. Not even the party leader Kim Campbell won her seat in parliament.

I guess you don't understand what "inferiority complex" means. Just reread that little bolded section again. When you have to describe yourselves as a nation by comparing yourselves to another nation, that is inferiority. It has nothing to do with politics. What on earth would your political system being different then ours have to do with inferiority?

See what I mean about their information being laughably out of date? They think we're still worrying whether people will still tune into 'The Beach-Combers' if we allow pay-tv channels. Heads up: we know our culture can survive. In fact it's flourishing.

Maybe someday you'll realize we've got things like indoor plumbing and horseless carriages and gramaphones, too, by jiminy.

Did you not see where Canada6 directed me to wiki for a definition, I just quoted what was written there.

Plus British canadians kicked your ass in the war of 1812. Take that, US.

Not really. Remember that we burned York down before the British burned Washington. :)

*snip

Bravo to you sir.

Presumably. Either that or just gave up and became bums. I remember hearing somewhere that many of the experts who worked on the Arrow later worked for the US Airforce





Yes and a bunch went to work for US companies (boeing, MD, etc) and also some of the designers went to work for NASA.

I guess you don't understand what "inferiority complex" means. I guess you don't understand what being Canadian means.
Just reread that little bolded section again. When you have to describe yourselves as a nation by comparing yourselves to another nation, that is inferiority.Comparison is an invaluable device when evaluating anything. No matter what the subject matter is. However, the definition of being Canadian is a very broad subject as I have previously mentioned and you so kindfully ignored. I simply gave one possible definition in a jokingly and honest manner but there are many more possible definitions that aren't quite as hostile towards you.

It has nothing to do with politics. What on earth would your political system being different then ours have to do with inferiority?I wasn't talking about the political system. I was making a point that the political awareness of Canadian voters is far more evolved than Americans or most other nations.

If you wan't to compare political systems however feel free. The Canadian political system does not contemplate the possibility of electing a leader having lost the popular vote as easily as the American system does.

america is more of the guy who goes around trying to make sure everyone else is ok and to make sure that there is no trouble except the fights he gets into. america often finds the small jerks that other countries are trying to ignore and beats them up. but in the end america gets wary and pays off the guy to make sure he doesnt tell the teacher.

Yes and a bunch went to work for US companies (boeing, MD, etc) and also some of the designers went to work for NASA.

MD?

I guess you don't understand what being Canadian means.
Comparison is an invaluable device when evaluating anything. No matter what the subject matter is. However, the definition of being Canadian is a very broad subject as I have previously mentioned and you so kindfully ignored. I simply gave one possible definition in a jokingly and honest manner but there are many more possible definitions that aren't quite as hostile towards you.



As per bolded: You are not evaluating, you are defining. When it comes to who you are as a people, it shows you can't come up with a definition without involving another nation. The majority of Americans do not compare themselves to other nations when defining who they are. Last time I checked my definition of being American didn't include comparing us to say Brazil or Canada. Why would you have to? :headbang:

MD?

MD:McDonnell Douglas

What happened to all the funny characterizations of nations..? :(

Last time I checked my definition of being American didn't include comparing us to say Brazil or Canada. Why would you have to?Personally I believe that Americans would have absolutly nothing to gain from defining themselves in comparison with Canada, while we Canadians have plenty to be happy about despite who are neighbours are. The comparison works in our favour. That is why it can be used to define ourselves. For example, I would suspect someone from Jordan would use a comparison with it's radical neighbours to define themselves, from time to time. Again it works in their favour.

And one more thing. Americans have a concept that's built in to the makeup of their society. It's their belief that they are the bastions of freedom and liberty and that they are the envy of the world, when quite frankly other nations are just as proud and confident of their own nations and quite frankly don't give a damn what americans think becuase they know better.
When Americans state that they are the freest of all nations, I consider it to be mildly insulting.

What happened to all the funny characterizations of nations..? :(

It ended when the Canucks took offence at being compared to the US's younger brother.

It ended when the Canucks took offence at being compared to the US's younger brother.No. It ended when this canuck disagreed whith another fellow canuck about canadians feeling envious of the older brother's lost ways.

Argentina is like the guy who entered alcoholic coma and now is returning to life.

Brazil is a average student who studies hard but keeps getting horrible grades mainly because of bad influence from older and stronger "friends"(1st world countries) and is trying to organize some study groups with his alikes like india and the nerdier china.

U.S is the big bully that intimidates everyone...

Guys this is just for fun, get easy on it...

No. It ended when this canuck disagreed whith another fellow canuck about canadians feeling envious of the older brother's lost ways.

Okay then, since you are such a well informed Canadian, maybe you can answer the questions from post 78?

1. Why did the Avro Arrow program shut down?It has been previously answered by another poster.

2. How many Canadians that you know have seen movies like Black Robe, Leolo and Jesus of Montreal? How many have seen movies like Saving Private Ryan, The Matrix and American Pie?I Love movies, I'm a moiveaholic big time. What does this have to do with Canada or the US? The US produces more filme than anyone else, but what is your point? American Pie is fucking awfull btw.

3. Why did Brian Mulroney agree to NAFTA?Because he politically believed in it, despite the fact that most canadians did not. In fact his party was politically anihillated going from a majority government to winning only two seats in parliament. Two seats. One and Two. But again I ask... how is this relevant?

4. If Canadians don't want to emulate the U.S. why don't they boycott franchises like the GAP, Starbucks and Home Depot?Spending on GAP, Starbucks or Home Depot has nothing to do with wanting to emulate America. In terms of comercial trends Americans and Canadians have always been similar, with Canadians being less likely to own seven credit cards than Americans.

There is no need to boycot any franchises whatsoever, no matter where they are from. So long as they respect the law. See... we Canadians aren't big fans of boycots and embargos. We enjoy our Cuban cigars as desired, along with several fine american products... :D

[QUOTE]It has been previously answered by another poster.

I'll take this to mean you agree with the response, in which case I have this follow up question; Do you think that Canadian technology/intellect is contributing to the U.S. military?

I Love movies, I'm a moiveaholic big time. What does this have to do with Canada or the US? The US produces more filme than anyone else, but what is your point? American Pie is fucking awfull btw.

Actually India produces more films than anyone else. What it has to do with is cultural identity. Do Canadians and people from the U.S. share the same values? You might note that of the films I mentioned, Canadians such as Barry Pepper, Keannu Reeves and Eugene Levy fit in effortlessly as American characters and, unlike Gary Oldman or Russel Crow, they don't have to cover up their accents. I realise this point is cosmetic but does this provide a bit of an insight as to why people from other countries might see little difference between Canadians and people from the U.S.?

Because he politically believed in it, despite the fact that most canadians did not. In fact his party was politically anihillated going from a majority government to winning only two seats in parliament. Two seats. One and Two. But again I ask... how is this relevant?

I will answer your question, but first I was hoping you could tell me why most Canadians did not agree with NAFTA.

Spending on GAP, Starbucks or Home Depot has nothing to do with wanting to emulate America. In terms of comercial trends Americans and Canadians have always been similar, with Canadians being less likely to own seven credit cards than Americans.

There is no need to boycot any franchises whatsoever, no matter where they are from. So long as they respect the law. See... we Canadians aren't big fans of boycots and embargos. We enjoy our Cuban cigars as desired, along with several fine american products... :D

It's clear that your government's don't always agree on everything, ie. the War in Iraq. But the annexation of a nation can be done economically and culturally as well as militarily.

America- the captain of the football team

UK- the head cheerleader :)

Just a thought

I'll take this to mean you agree with the response, in which case I have this follow up question; Do you think that Canadian technology/intellect is contributing to the U.S. military? Allthough I can't be certain but it's most likely that yes canadian minds are on an American payroll somewhere developing for the US military. They recruit all over the world.

Actually India produces more films than anyone else. What it has to do with is cultural identity. Do Canadians and people from the U.S. share the same values? You might note that of the films I mentioned, Canadians such as Barry Pepper, Keannu Reeves and Eugene Levy fit in effortlessly as American characters and, unlike Gary Oldman or Russel Crow, they don't have to cover up their accents. I realise this point is cosmetic but does this provide a bit of an insight as to why people from other countries might see little difference between Canadians and people from the U.S.?I totally agree that the rest of the world Europeans etc has some trouble distinguishing the two. It goes to show how the new world has somehow come together while other continents are still divided by their small mindedness. I have always felt that the ambiguity is a double edged sword. Living in Europe as I have been since 1996, I always find it annoying when something that is Canadian is mistaken as American.


I will answer your question, but first I was hoping you could tell me why most Canadians did not agree with NAFTA.Because Canadians earning 50 bucks/hour cannot compete with Mexicans earning 50 cents/hour doing the exact same job. Free trade between the US and Canada is excellent because it creates a larger market for both nations, but involving Mexico was the no-no.

It's clear that your government's don't always agree on everything, ie. the War in Iraq. But the annexation of a nation can be done economically and culturally as well as militarily.We're not into that, unless there is a strong humanitarian cause involved. Canadians had zero troops involved in the Invasion of Iraq and I'm very proud of that. We will be forever friendly to the US but we will have no part in fulfiling the emperialistic goals of the PNAC.

[QUOTE=Oye Oye]Allthough I can't be certain but it's most likely that yes canadian minds are on an American payroll somewhere developing for the US military. They recruit all over the world.

But it would not be inaccurate to say that Canadians contribute to the U.S. military?

I totally agree that the rest of the world Europeans etc has some trouble distinguishing the two. It goes to show how the new world has somehow come together while other continents are still divided by their small mindedness. I have always felt that the ambiguity is a double edged sword. Living in Europe as I have been since 1996, I always find it annoying when something that is Canadian is mistaken as American.

Does the new world not include Latin America? As far as the ambiguity of Canadian and U.S. culture, I know several people who can distinguish a Texan from a New Yorker much more readily than an Ontarian from someone from Conneticut. This includes a few Canadians.

Because Canadians earning 50 bucks/hour cannot compete with Mexicans earning 50 cents/hour doing the exact same job. Free trade between the US and Canada is excellent because it creates a larger market for both nations, but involving Mexico was the no-no.

Yet several Canadian businesses have gone under because they cannot compete with U.S. franchises that have more capital and marketing ability.

We're not into that, unless there is a strong humanitarian cause involved. Canadians had zero troops involved in the Invasion of Iraq and I'm very proud of that. We will be forever friendly to the US but we will have no part in fulfiling the emperialistic goals of the PNAC.

I think you misunderstood my statement, let me rephrase; The annexation of a nation (ie. Canada) can be done economically and culturally as well as militarily. In other words, do you think that the U.S. with it's larger media, buying and spending power can overwhelm Canada and make them into a protectorate?

[QUOTE=Canada6]But it would not be inaccurate to say that Canadians contribute to the U.S. military?Some Canadians do contribute to U.S. military. However they are well paid for it.

Does the new world not include Latin America? I was refering to the old british colonies.
As far as the ambiguity of Canadian and U.S. culture, I know several people who can distinguish a Texan from a New Yorker much more readily than an Ontarian from someone from Conneticut. This includes a few Canadians.OK. Now try telling the diference between someone from Red Deer, Alberta and someone from Nebraska. Then try telling the diference between someone from Kingston, Ontario and someone from Boston. For a European it is practically impossible.


I think you misunderstood my statement, let me rephrase; The annexation of a nation (ie. Canada) can be done economically and culturally as well as militarily. In other words, do you think that the U.S. with it's larger media, buying and spending power can overwhelm Canada and make them into a protectorate?No. A convergence of culture and to certain limits, a convergence of social patterns, is inevitable in today's world, but that's as far as it goes. Despite everything... there is a very clear political distinction between one and the other. Other nations are fully aware of this and duly respect the Canadian POV on worldly affairs. When it comes to that there is no ambiguity and there never has been. Americans could never create a protectorate out of Canada without a military force and denial of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech or the right to a democraticaly elected government.

America is a misguided War Veteran with the right intentions on setting everyone strait, but he's using the wrong methods and has forgotten to bathe.

[QUOTE=Oye Oye]Some Canadians do contribute to U.S. military. However they are well paid for it.

What about the Canadian government? Does it contribute to the U.S. military? ie. Missile Defence

OK. Now try telling the diference between someone from Red Deer, Alberta and someone from Nebraska. Then try telling the diference between someone from Kingston, Ontario and someone from Boston. For a European it is practically impossible.

Does this mean that you agree with me that culturally there is a strong resemblance?

No. A convergence of culture and to certain limits, a convergence of social patterns, is inevitable in today's world, but that's as far as it goes. Despite everything... there is a very clear political distinction between one and the other. Other nations are fully aware of this and duly respect the Canadian POV on worldly affairs. When it comes to that there is no ambiguity and there never has been. Americans could never create a protectorate out of Canada without a military force and denial of constitutional rights such as freedom of speech or the right to a democraticaly elected government.

Other than the war on Iraq, I canot think of any other occasion when the Canadian government did not support the U.S. foreign policy. If you can think of any examples I'm interested to find out what they are. When I think of Canadian foreign policy I think of NORAD and NATO. In addition, having political freedoms does not guarantee that you will have economic opportunities, and in this era of globalization what political options will you have in the future if the expansion of U.S. franchises causes the local population to become dependent on multinational corporations in order to survive?

USA: America is like a big, though, fairly smart and very rich football player. He sure is strong, and he looks good and has lots of money. He has average IQ, but, like Rodney Dangerfield, he gets no respect. Other nation's always ingore his pluses and ALWAYS look for his faults. Then they gang up on him and make fun of him. Sometimes he gets violent, but usually only after someone hurts his own or his friend's feelings. Whenever he is goaded into a fight, though, he always wins. He's never lost, he just had to back out once because of certain complications. Sure, he's had rough times, and he is kinda arrogant, but deep down, he's a pretty nice guy who has a sense of honor and justice. It may not be apparent at first, but that doesn't take away the fact that it's still there. He is greedy and vain, though. But overall, the pro's outweigh the con's. You can almost always count on him to bail you out of a tough spot, especially if there is personal gain for him. Take it or leave it, though...

FRANCE: France is America's dorky, nerdy cousin from out of state. He is snobby and fairly wealthy, and has a horrible accent. He isn't very smart, and is very small and weak. He has been beaten up by almost everyone. Even America has insinuated things to him. He's not mean, but he's not really nice either. Like his cousin America, he is greedy and vain, but leaning more towards vain, unlike America, who is more balanced.

Canada... Country that loves to go around and be friends with everybody, make peace, but when they get in trouble they hide behind their strong friend USA (i am canadain by the way)

USA... likes to be big and strong and tryes to go to other countrys aid, but ends up using to much muscle and pretty much destroys the other country instead

Britian... the old man, did a lot of stuff in his younger years, going around, conquering the world, but as it got old, just decided to leave those contries be. and now is just comfortable relaxing at home, but isn't afraid to show it muscle when needed

America- the captain of the football team

UK- the head cheerleader :)

Just a thought

What does that make Iraq? The fat kid that America is sitting on while the UK prances around chanting "Rah rah, sis-boom-bah"? ;)

i am canadain by the way

Oh great, another one.

USA... likes to be big and strong and tryes to go to other countrys aid, but ends up using to much muscle and pretty much destroys the other country instead

Bang on. America's heart is in the right place, but violence just isn't the answer.

Nah, I'm sticking with my earlier characterization of the US as "a corpulent, alcoholic chain-smoker who suffers from a bipolar disorder, and keeps a house full to the rafters with guns, ammo, porn, and spent cans of aerosol cheese products."

I think it's right on the money.

Canada... Country that loves to go around and be friends with everybody, make peace, but when they get in trouble they hide behind their strong friend USA (i am canadain by the way)We don't get into trouble. There is a diference between getting into trouble and ocasionally agreeing with american foreign policy.

What about the Canadian government? Does it contribute to the U.S. military? ie. Missile DefenceNo. Norad is a joint project for the protection of North America. Canada does not have a one-way participation.

Does this mean that you agree with me that culturally there is a strong resemblance?As two separate nations, there is a very strong resemblance. Much stronger than say between two neighbouring European nations. But this has only two do with the common origins of both nations.

Other than the war on Iraq, I canot think of any other occasion when the Canadian government did not support the U.S. foreign policy. If you can think of any examples I'm interested to find out what they are. Oh please... there has been everything from border disputes in the NorthWest, the early stance on South African racism, lumber and steel tarifs, the policy on Cuba, Immigration policies, Lester B. Pearson's position on Vietnam, Deifenbaker's refusal to equip canadian forces with nuclear arms, Pierre Trudeau was a case in study on this subject all together as Nixon hated his guts... Then there is Canada's neutrality in basically every single mess the US gets into. Since Bush's rise to power, I can't think of one major issue where the two have been able to agree other than military intervention in Afghanistan.

In addition, having political freedoms does not guarantee that you will have economic opportunities, and in this era of globalization what political options will you have in the future if the expansion of U.S. franchises causes the local population to become dependent on multinational corporations in order to survive?Canada is well equiped with several successfull franchises some that are embedded into the very culture of the people. We are not a 3rd world nation that would be overwhelmed with an invasion of American corporations. Also I believe that an expansion of American corporations into the Canadian market is a plus. It creates more jobs for Canadians, and more importantly the American corporations in Canada are obliged by law to invest in Canada.

No. Norad is a joint project for the protection of North America. Canada does not have a one-way participation.

Protection against who? If Canada is an ambassador of peace and does not shadow the policies of the U.S. then what possible enemy could they have?

As two separate nations, there is a very strong resemblance. Much stronger than say between two neighbouring European nations. But this has only two do with the common origins of both nations.

Judging from a historical perspective I would say Canada has become more like the U.S. in recent years. Canada did not rebel against England nor did it rely on the slave trade to develope agriculturally.

Oh please... there has been everything from border disputes in the NorthWest, the early stance on South African racism, lumber and steel tarifs, the policy on Cuba, Immigration policies, Lester B. Pearson's position on Vietnam, Deifenbaker's refusal to equip canadian forces with nuclear arms, Pierre Trudeau was a case in study on this subject all together as Nixon hated his guts... Then there is Canada's neutrality in basically every single mess the US gets into. Since Bush's rise to power, I can't think of one major issue where the two have been able to agree other than military intervention in Afghanistan.

How early is the stance on South African Racism that you are reffering to? As I recall Canada participated in the Boer war. With regards to immigration policies, how are they different from the U.S.? With regards to Deifenbaker's refusal to equip Canadian forces with nuclear arms could you provide a link that supports this claim? With regards to Trudeau and Nixon, personal opinions about the other country's leaders do not affect policy.

With regards to your other examples I thank you for bringing them to my attention. Although many Canadians enlisted with the U.S. armed forces and did tours in Vietnam I believe you are correct in asserting that your government did not actively participate in that conflict.

Canada is well equiped with several successfull franchises some that are embedded into the very culture of the people. We are not a 3rd world nation that would be overwhelmed with an invasion of American corporations. Also I believe that an expansion of American corporations into the Canadian market is a plus. It creates more jobs for Canadians, and more importantly the American corporations in Canada are obliged by law to invest in Canada.

But what kind of jobs? As we have already established, entertainers, engineers and other technical opportunities must be found by moving to the U.S. If U.S. franchises continue to replace Canadian businesses than uppermanagement positions will inevitably follow suit. Also with Mexico being part of NAFTA, why would the U.S. invest capital in the Canadian economy, other than to gain control over natural resources, when it is much cheaper to build and sustain factories in Mexico?

Protection against who? If Canada is an ambassador of peace and does not shadow the policies of the U.S. then what possible enemy could they have?It is a remnant of the Cold War.

Judging from a historical perspective I would say Canada has become more like the U.S. in recent years. Canada did not rebel against England nor did it rely on the slave trade to develope agriculturally.There is still a common origin. European colonialists. And many american loyalists crossed the border. There has been convergence on several issues particularly economically, but not politically or socially. At least nothing that stands out of normal converging parameters all over the western world.

How early is the stance on South African Racism that you are reffering to?Not early enough. Canada was the first nation in the G7 (or G8 not sure) to make a public condemnation of the Apartheid in South Africa. Circa 1980, when most other nations US included, were hesitant to interfere.

With regards to immigration policies, how are they different from the U.S.?I'm not in on all the details but it is much easier to become a legal citizen in Canada than the US.

With regards to Deifenbaker's refusal to equip Canadian forces with nuclear arms could you provide a link that supports this claim?Defence was a difficult assignment in the early 1960s given the Cold War, Diefenbaker's poor relations with the U.S. and the recent cancellation of the Avro Arrow aircraft project. Diefenbaker was always against nuclear arms, but after the Cuban missile crisis most Canadians saw a need for nuclear protection. When Diefenbaker refused Harkness' recommendation to arm Canadian missiles with nuclear warheads, a leadership crisis emerged in cabinet. Ministers wavered in their support for Diefenbaker, and Harkness resigned from cabinet on February 4, 1963.
http://www.agr.gc.ca/bios/index_e.php?page=harkness


With regards to Trudeau and Nixon, personal opinions about the other country's leaders do not affect policy.Relations were strained between the two nations. In fact Nixon had called Trudeau a "Communist son of a bitch" several times in infamous recorded conversations.

With regards to your other examples I thank you for bringing them to my attention. Although many Canadians enlisted with the U.S. armed forces and did tours in Vietnam I believe you are correct in asserting that your government did not actively participate in that conflict.On the same token many Americans fled the draft to live in Canada.

But what kind of jobs? As we have already established, entertainers, engineers and other technical opportunities must be found by moving to the U.S. If U.S. franchises continue to replace Canadian businesses than uppermanagement positions will inevitably follow suit. Also with Mexico being part of NAFTA, why would the U.S. invest capital in the Canadian economy, other than to gain control over natural resources, when it is much cheaper to build and sustain factories in Mexico?Many resources in Canada are controlled by Americans but I fail to see how this is diferent with any nation on the globe with abundant resources. American companies will always get involved. It's just business or capitalism or whatever you'd like to call it. Deciding where to set up a factory or plant of some sort is never as linear as figuring out where would we have to pay less wages. The example of Aluminum. Aluminum comes from Bauxite and Canada is one of the worlds leading producers of Aluminum if not the largest. Despite the fact that there is no Bauxite in Canada, and that the Bauxite comes from half way around the world. :D.

I liver in Canada. The Rivers smell wierd.

[QUOTE]It is a remnant of the Cold War.

Does Canada still contribute to missile defence? (I appreciate the link to the Douglas Harkness site and will give it a more thorough read. If you could direct me to a site that might provide information on the Canadian defence budget I would appreciate it.)

There is still a common origin. European colonialists. And many american loyalists crossed the border. There has been convergence on several issues particularly economically, but not politically or socially. At least nothing that stands out of normal converging parameters all over the western world.

Political convergence can be debated (as we are currently doing), but culturally I would have to say that the U.S. has already assimilated Central Canada. This is evident from the cultural references made by Canadians in this forum on subjects such as music, movies, history etc. (Althought the Canucks seam more familiar with Monty Python than the Yanks)

Not early enough. Canada was the first nation in the G7 (or G8 not sure) to make a public condemnation of the Apartheid in South Africa. Circa 1980, when most other nations US included, were hesitant to interfere.

But you are aware that Canada contributed troops to participate in the Boer War and has a statue in downtown Toronto commerating Canada's participation "in defence of the Empire"?

Relations were strained between the two nations. In fact Nixon had called Trudeau a "Communist son of a bitch" several times in infamous recorded conversations.

Yeah, I thought Trudeau was pretty cool too.

On the same token many Americans fled the draft to live in Canada.

I wonder if any reserves have done the same in the past couple of years.

Many resources in Canada are controlled by Americans but I fail to see how this is diferent with any nation on the globe with abundant resources. American companies will always get involved. It's just business or capitalism or whatever you'd like to call it. Deciding where to set up a factory or plant of some sort is never as linear as figuring out where would we have to pay less wages.

Of course, there is land tax, transportation of resources, political stability. For the U.S. Canada is a wet dream of natural resources. Lucky for them Canada's Liberal party has shifted away from the socialist ideology of the Trudeau era.

The example of Aluminum. Aluminum comes from Bauxite and Canada is one of the worlds leading producers of Aluminum if not the largest. Despite the fact that there is no Bauxite in Canada, and that the Bauxite comes from half way around the world. :D.

Are these privately run Canadian companies that process the Aluminum, government controlled, foreign owned or a combination of all three? The reason why I ask is that Colombia is a major producer of gold, silver, platinum, emeralds, etc... but the people are poor, because none of the profits made from these resources are recirculated back into the general population.

FRANCE: France is America's dorky, nerdy cousin from out of state. He is snobby and fairly wealthy, and has a horrible accent. He isn't very smart, and is very small and weak. He has been beaten up by almost everyone. Even America has insinuated things to him. He's not mean, but he's not really nice either. Like his cousin America, he is greedy and vain, but leaning more towards vain, unlike America, who is more balanced.

Whats with you Americans beating up on france all the time? France and America are pretty similar when it comes down to it. Oh and for all you redneck BUsh loving Frenchie hating nuts suck on this... if it wasn't for France you would still be in the British Commonwealth. The American civil war was one by the French as much as it was by the American colonialists. The French gave the Americans weapons and supplies... they assisted them in battle and most importantly blockaded British ports and towns depriving the British army of vital supplies and re-enforcements. Why is it that in some battles the British surreneded to the French and it was the French who then handed the British generals swords to the Americans. HUH SUCK ON IT! Futhermore the Statue of LIberty.... one of your great monuments is a French Present and a lot of your constitution is based on the French revolutionary ideals. Seriously America... deal with it you just can't hack someone telling you to piss off.

On another note...
France: The snooty aloof kid who likes to pretend he is better than everyone and constantly wastes all his money on toys (like nukes) he cant afford just to pretend he is as strong and as cool as the big boys. Has a good mind but is to busy ignoring reality to apply it to anything useful.

American: The good natured selfsih buffon. He has massive strength and an extremely sharp mind but spends far to much time getting high on conservativism and arrogance. He generally wants to help but assumes that becuase he is strong everyone wants to be like him and ends up being a complete dick. Hes normally a good freind but when it comes down to it he always put himself first and likes to pretend he is above everyone else becuase he has the biggest toys.

China: The geek no one pissed off becuase he could punch your teeth through the back of your head. Normally very quiet and withdrawn he spends most of time with himself. He is very devious and extremely good at getting what he wants but always prefers to do things quietly. China likes to be safe and spends a lot of time putting up defences against the rest of the kids, which is lucky becuase if he did it offensively a lot more kids would be visiting the nurses office.

Japan: Japans the confused cool kid. Hes a bit like the white kid who tries to pretend he is black becuase he thinks its cool and ends up looking like a bit of a fool. However he is amazingly self dependant and normally beats the rest of the class in tests. His major drawbacks are the many mental issues he has and his odd arrogance which gives the impression he is waiting for another shot to be the kingpin of the class after failing once.

Germany: Germany is fat cool kid. Normally placid and a hardworker he occasionally goes insane and tries to kill everyone and was until recently being mointered by two peers, the US and USSR. Now on unemployment and multiple personality drugs (east and west) he is much calmer but the doctors arent sure what the side effects will be.

Switzerland: Switzerland is the quiet kid who everyone forgets about when anything happens. He is the kid who always seems to benefit from any sitatuation mainly becuase he is always looking out for oppurtunities and has a black belt in stay the fuck away. In retrospect probably the wisest if not most idealistic kid in the class who everyone secretely wants to be like.

Australia: Australias like the little guy who hangs around with the cool kids for protection becuase he thinks he is to weak to defence himself and because he thinks the kids that live near him want to bash him. Hes normally pretty chilled out but tends to make stupid decisions becuase of his friends.

New Zealand: A bit like Switzerland but he never gets in any trouble mainly becuase no one cares about him and he lives miles from any where, not to mention his wierd fetting for sheep.

Singapore: Singapores the disabled kid. He has a strong mind and will but is limited by his physical handicaps.

The Middle East: This is the group of kids who like to pretend they are really cool and strong but who everyone else hates becuase they are such dorks. When they aren't beating each other up they are either sucking up to the cool kids or trying to fight them and getting their heads kicked in.

Russia: Russias one of the cool group although he normally is getting himself at odds with some of the others in the group. Recently he has hit the drugs hard (mainly corruption and crime) and is beggining to worry everyone a bit, mainly becuase he still has all his dangerous toys.

Britian: Britian is the refined classy cool kid who always sucks up to the teachers when they group gets in trouble. He used to be the head of the group but now accepts Americas position.

Norway, Sweeden and Finland: The alternative group who are very health conciouss and easy going. They like to think if they are nice to everyone everyone will be nice to them but are constantly being dissapointed. Always worried about Russia who seems to take a swing at theme everytime he gets annoyed they can only hope that peopoe follow thier good example.

India and Pakistan: These are the twin brothers who are always fighting. They dont really have many differences when it comes down to it but they like to exageratte the ones they do. Recently they have got some big toys and the teacher now puts mroe effort into keeping them calm.

Africa: This is the kid from the abusive family who always comes to school looking worse for wear. IN the past the cool kids did a number on him and he still hasnt really recovered from that.

Not really. Remember that we burned York down before the British burned Washington. :)

But think about it, one of the major symbols of the US government was shaped by a good old British ass...I mean arse kicking.

Does Canada still contribute to missile defence? If you could direct me to a site that might provide information on the Canadian defence budget I would appreciate it.Interesting topic. Here are a few interesting links.

http://www.thebulletin.org/article.php?art_ofn=ja05pugliese
http://www.stratnet.ucalgary.ca/publications/pdf/cooper-moens_missile_jan05.pdf

And for the official ministry of foreign affairs policy...
http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/foreign_policy/missile-defence-en.asp

Political convergence can be debated (as we are currently doing), but culturally I would have to say that the U.S. has already assimilated Central Canada. This is evident from the cultural references made by Canadians in this forum on subjects such as music, movies, history etc. (Althought the Canucks seam more familiar with Monty Python than the Yanks)Monty rules, but I think Europeans also share many of the same cultural references.

But you are aware that Canada contributed troops to participate in the Boer War and has a statue in downtown Toronto commerating Canada's participation "in defence of the Empire"?Yeah. Canada had very close ties to the crown back then.

Yeah, I thought Trudeau was pretty cool too.Actually I'm a huge fan of Trudeau. He did leave the economy in shambles but he is the man most responsible for shaping the nation on so many levels.

I wonder if any reserves have done the same in the past couple of years.It's possible, but since there is no cumpulsory draft in the states it's not the same thing.

Of course, there is land tax, transportation of resources, political stability. For the U.S. Canada is a wet dream of natural resources. Lucky for them Canada's Liberal party has shifted away from the socialist ideology of the Trudeau era.Chretien was of course known as a centrist or perhaps even slightly right-wing liberal, and despite the scandals recently uncovered his, leadership was remarkable in turning around the economy and making suprluss budgets the norm.

Are these privately run Canadian companies that process the Aluminum, government controlled, foreign owned or a combination of all three? The reason why I ask is that Colombia is a major producer of gold, silver, platinum, emeralds, etc... but the people are poor, because none of the profits made from these resources are recirculated back into the general population.To be honest I haven't the slightest idea. I wouldn't be surprised if there was american money invested there, but I would be surprised to learn that it is under full American control.

Interesting topic. Here are a few interesting links.

Thanks for the links. I learned quite a bit, however there were some aspects to the articles that refute your argument that Canada is not linked with U.S. Missile Defence, especially the article by Moens and Cooper.

Monty rules, but I think Europeans also share many of the same cultural references.

Not as much as Canada and the U.S., mainly because of language, but even England has a culture I can distinguish with more ease than Canada and the U.S. For example, I have cousins who were born and raised in Toronto and cousins who were born and raised in California, and other than the fact that my California cousins will ocasionally call me "dude" I see very little difference.

Yeah. Canada had very close ties to the crown back then.

Which is why in my original charicature of nations (and a charicature is all it was intended to be) I described the UK as being older brother to both U.S. and Canada. See the U.S. is the middle child. (probably why he is so troublesome.)

Actually I'm a huge fan of Trudeau. He did leave the economy in shambles but he is the man most responsible for shaping the nation on so many levels.

How?

Chretien was of course known as a centrist or perhaps even slightly right-wing liberal, and despite the scandals recently uncovered his, leadership was remarkable in turning around the economy and making suprluss budgets the norm.

In your opinion, how does Paul Martin compare with Trudeau and Chretien?

To be honest I haven't the slightest idea. I wouldn't be surprised if there was american money invested there, but I would be surprised to learn that it is under full American control.

For the most part it is, the only thing that's still controlled by the locals are the coca fields, but it won't be long before the CIA controls that too. ;)

What links?

How?Where do I start. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the canadian constitution, full independence from the crown. Those were all his doing. Also he sowed the seeds of Canada's liberal and tolerant views on many subjects, such as gay rights and multiculturalism. He was also a staunch defender of Canada's bilingualism, and a fierce opponent of Quebec separatism.
Then of course there's the whole Trudeaumania thing. He is nothing short of a Canadian legend, no matter how he is looked back upon, as a political friend or foe.

In your opinion, how does Paul Martin compare with Trudeau and Chretien?He's only started on his own despite his long career as minister of Finance. He is obviously a brilliant number cruncher, but his popularity has taken a bashing due to recent scandals. In the long run I think he'll do just fine and possibly even surpass Chretien's effectiveness. Both are very similar politically. Trudeau was a different kind of liberal though.

For the most part it is, the only thing that's still controlled by the locals are the coca fields, but it won't be long before the CIA controls that too. ;) :eek:

[QUOTE]Where do I start. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the canadian constitution, full independence from the crown. Those were all his doing. Also he sowed the seeds of Canada's liberal and tolerant views on many subjects, such as gay rights and multiculturalism. He was also a staunch defender of Canada's bilingualism, and a fierce opponent of Quebec separatism.
Then of course there's the whole Trudeaumania thing. He is nothing short of a Canadian legend, no matter how he is looked back upon, as a political friend or foe.

Truly liberal.

He's only started on his own despite his long career as minister of Finance. He is obviously a brilliant number cruncher, but his popularity has taken a bashing due to recent scandals. In the long run I think he'll do just fine and possibly even surpass Chretien's effectiveness. Both are very similar politically. Trudeau was a different kind of liberal though.

For some reason I see Martin as being more right wing than Cretien, but then the entire international political system seems to have become more right wing since Sept 2001.

With regards to missile defence one of the articles you provided mentioned this...

“Failure to sign on, they predicted, could mean economic retaliation by America, Canada's biggest trading partner.”

It also stated this...

“Canada's vested interests in keeping Earth's orbit a demilitarized zone were summed up in 2002 by James R. Wright, the assistant deputy minister for global and security policy: "All told, the space sector in Canada amounts to a $1.8 billion a year industry. The placement of weapons in outer space, and the ensuing antisatellite response, could put all artificial satellites upon which we rely in jeopardy."”

Conceding the fact that Canada’s intentions may be peaceful, where does this money go? Does Canada have its own space program? I know they built a large mechanical arm that helped to build the space station, but this arm would be useless without NASA’s space shuttle to carry it into space. Essentially what I’m wondering is; How closely is Canada’s space program tied to the U.S. and will Canada fold if the U.S. starts using “economic retaliation” to pressure them to come aboard?

With regards to missile defence one of the articles you provided mentioned this...

“Failure to sign on, they predicted, could mean economic retaliation by America, Canada's biggest trading partner.”

It also stated this...

“Canada's vested interests in keeping Earth's orbit a demilitarized zone were summed up in 2002 by James R. Wright, the assistant deputy minister for global and security policy: "All told, the space sector in Canada amounts to a $1.8 billion a year industry. The placement of weapons in outer space, and the ensuing antisatellite response, could put all artificial satellites upon which we rely in jeopardy."”

[QUOTE=Oye Oye]Conceding the fact that Canada’s intentions may be peaceful, where does this money go? Does Canada have its own space program? I know they built a large mechanical arm that helped to build the space station, but this arm would be useless without NASA’s space shuttle to carry it into space. Essentially what I’m wondering is; How closely is Canada’s space program tied to the U.S. and will Canada fold if the U.S. starts using “economic retaliation” to pressure them to come aboard?
I'm guessing that the $1.8 billion is spent on the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) I'm sure they can find somewhere to spend $1.8 billion without breaking too much of a sweat. I'm not exactly sure how to spend money to keep orbit zones demilitarized though.

As far as economic retaliation goes I can't see Canada folding due to economic retaliation. That would take a full scale "economic war" if there is such a thing. By economic retaliation I'm sure they mean minor adjustments. Like a poke to the ribs of a good friend and trading partner. If Canada was forever liberal and the US forever Republican then I have no doubt that sooner or later the pot would boil between the two nations. It wouldn't come to war but it would probably get very nasty. It might take half a century but, if both parties would keep true to their principles it would be inevitable. But thanks to a thing called democracy, Canada will not be forever liberal nor the US forever Republican.

[QUOTE=Oye Oye]With regards to missile defence one of the articles you provided mentioned this...

“Failure to sign on, they predicted, could mean economic retaliation by America, Canada's biggest trading partner.”

It also stated this...

“Canada's vested interests in keeping Earth's orbit a demilitarized zone were summed up in 2002 by James R. Wright, the assistant deputy minister for global and security policy: "All told, the space sector in Canada amounts to a $1.8 billion a year industry. The placement of weapons in outer space, and the ensuing antisatellite response, could put all artificial satellites upon which we rely in jeopardy."”


I'm guessing that the $1.8 billion is spent on the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) I'm sure they can find somewhere to spend $1.8 billion without breaking too much of a sweat. I'm not exactly sure how to spend money to keep orbit zones demilitarized though.

As far as economic retaliation goes I can't see Canada folding due to economic retaliation. That would take a full scale "economic war" if there is such a thing. By economic retaliation I'm sure they mean minor adjustments. Like a poke to the ribs of a good friend and trading partner. If Canada was forever liberal and the US forever Republican then I have no doubt that sooner or later the pot would boil between the two nations. It wouldn't come to war but it would probably get very nasty. It might take half a century but, if both parties would keep true to their principles it would be inevitable. But thanks to a thing called democracy, Canada will not be forever liberal nor the US forever Republican.

So is Canada just going along to get along? Publicly claiming to be a peacekeeper while shadowing U.S. policy to reap the benefits of U.S. Imperialism?

[QUOTE=Canada6]So is Canada just going along to get along? Publicly claiming to be a peacekeeper while shadowing U.S. policy to reap the benefits of U.S. Imperialism?I don't think so. The recent decision involving missile defence is a clear example that they aren't going along at all. While on the other hand the US itself has yet to reap any benefits of it's Imperialistic policies, despite the blind belief of the PNAC that "American global leadership is good for America and the world".

Meanwhile Canada will probably continue to reap the benefits of having great governments and voters that have and use a brain. :D

[QUOTE=Oye Oye]I don't think so. The recent decision involving missile defence is a clear example that they aren't going along at all. While on the other hand the US itself has yet to reap any benefits of it's Imperialistic policies, despite the blind belief of the PNAC that "American global leadership is good for America and the world".

Meanwhile Canada will probably continue to reap the benefits of having great governments and voters that have and use a brain. :D

Has a final decision on missile defence been made? Based on the articles you provided I was left with the impression that the government is simply postponing any public commitment due to the recent unpopularity of the war in Iraq.

From the Moens and Cooper article...

“Canada is already in partnership with the United States and in NATO in several theatre missile defence plans that include protection of Canadian personnel, including peacekeepers, abroad. Participation in continental missile defence would therefore entail a continuation of long-established practice.”

According to wiki, on February 24th this year it was announced in parliament that Canada would not participate in the American National Missile Defense Program.

According to wiki, on February 24th this year it was announced in parliament that Canada would not participate in the American National Missile Defense Program.

So what will happen to the billions of dollars it has already spent? Will the Canadian government and Canadians view this new policy as "cutting losses"?

Switzerland: The kid who sits in the corner between two of the ex-bullies and does everthing perfectly whilst staying just out of the way so nobody seems to notice them, will stand up for religios kids and even protect them if he needs to... and even then he does that perfectly.

Isreal- That annoying Jew nobody really likes but that guy named the USA. Likes to complain and BS a lot and doesnt do any real work without its buddy the USA.

USA- The big guy, but nice guy, who lets people take advantage of it.

France- Snobby rich kid who loves itself and hates everyone around it

China- That jerk who you cant take down because you arent sure if your gonna get beat up or he is.

Cuba ia governed by a psychotic dictator personality,
without fear or favor, who deny's his brothers and sisters
all the rights he bestows on foreigners, while treating his
brothers and sisters as his little play things, and while
helping other nations with educators and doctors at the
expense of his own brothers and sisters, to fullfill his own ego.
La Habana Cuba

But think about it, one of the major symbols of the US government was shaped by a good old British ass...I mean arse kicking.

Yeah, but it was repainted and whatnaught. Wasn't it?

Cool.... that's a good description/characterisation
:D

Thanks. I tried to keep the "Humour" portion going instead of getting into the rant-fests going on between some of the posters (who're taking the whole thing entirely too seriously) on this thread.

I've got a couple more:

China: Owns the laundry. He also owns the general store, could be the richest guy in town, but he's got a couple hundered kids and grandkids. He's been quietly taking over every business in town for a while, but he's still seen by the rich-kids as that poor kid from outside the county. China wears dockers and a Polo shirt, and works 18 hours a day.

Japan. Japan owns the car dealership, scrapyard, most of the machine-shops, and the local ISP. Japan wears her hair up, coveralls or an evening dress, and works 20 hours a day. She also saves about 70% of what she makes and lives in a tiny apartment converted from a broom closet in one of her machine-shops.

India: owns the 7-eleven, the sandwich shop, does the tech support for Japan's ISP and computer store. India wants respect, but doesn't usually get it. He's in competition with China because his family is almost as large. (lots of mouths to feed and feet to shoe.)

France: France is more popular with the 'good' neighbourhood than US is, this is probably because while France is a ripoff artist and con-man, he doesn't beat people up, and even the wimpiest rich-kids know they can pound him into mincemeat. France drives a sports-car, and wears "Gangsta" clothes.
France will sell anything, to anyone, for any price. France is the gangsta running for county Sherriff. France has sired children:

Haiti: hopelessly insane and poverty-stricken, Haiti has a cardboard box just outside US's Property. Several times, people (including US) have tried to help him, but he's basically impossible to help.

Vietnam: Vietnam had a messy breakup with US. Her bipolar disorder (caused by the horrid treatment she recieved while living under France's care) was, however, cured by the breakup, and she's feeling much better now. Her sisters Laos and Cambodia are still having some issues. Laos is horribly self-repressed, while Cambodia has a number of personalities, including "Kampuchea", the suicidal, dangerous, and self-mutilating personality. Vietnam has had to pull an 'intervention' on Cambodia more than once to stop her from self-destructing spectacularly.
Recently, Vietnam and U.S. are talking again, but there is no chance whatsoever of them dating.

Thailand is the neighbourhood slut. Like France, she'll sell anything to anyone, for almost any price. She doesn't like Laos, and didn't get along with Cambodia's alternate personality (Kampuchea). She barely speaks to Vietnam.
She did, however, take self-defense classes from U.S., and can take care of her self.

Lol Funny!

More:

Middle-East:

Israel: Israel is the new kid in the ME neighbourhood. He's Geeky, but don't let that fool you. Unlke most of his neighbours, Israel didn't join the local gang. This is not to say he's the wimp, though. He's the guy who doesn't fight fair, because he can't afford to lose (literally). U.S. tends to get his back pretty often. They're friends. Israel rides a dirt-bike and carries a gun. and a chain. and brass knuckles. and a shiv. and another gun...

Syria: Wants to be a tough guy, wears the tough-guy clothes, carries the shiv, but... Israel kicked his ass three times. Syria drives a "Lifted" datsun pickup with bad valves and a funny noise coming from the transmission. last time he got in a fight with Israel, he left his bullets in the glove box. Syria moved into Lebanon's house and the relationship is classic spouseal abuse/rape.

Egypt: Former leader of the local gang, ass-kicked and humiliated by the Jewish kid badly enough to renounce his 'colours' and affiliation with the gang to follow US and Israel around the area. Egypt drives a Toyota Landcruiser with a broken passenger-side window. Last time he rumbled with Israel, he left the door open, and Israel stole his wallet after putting him in the hospital.

Jordan: Israel's next-door neighbour, knows better than to fuck with the Jewish kid now that he's no longer got a parking space. Jordan parks his car on the street now.

Lebanon: The nice, wholesome girl whose house and yard were the site of the last rumble. Made the mistake of accepting "Protection" from Syria and is now having a hard time getting his fratboy gangsta ass out of her life. Problem is, she's weak and afraid. She used to own a Vespa, but it's trashed and she doesn't get out much anymore.

Saudi Arabia: the Preacher in this neighbourhood is richer than everyone else, and seems to think what Syria's doing in Lebanon's house is just fine, "Boys will be boys..." US owes him money, and SA has just about outright told US to stay out of that 'domestic spat'. SA drives a Rolls Royce.

Kuwait: Nice girl, goes to S.A.'s church, when Iraq home-invaded her apartment and bent her over, U.S. went in and saved her from a fate like Lebanon's. Kuwait drives a Chevy Lumina.

Iraq... Iraq had some issues, still does. U.S. is sitting on him.

Iran-another of U.S.'s ex-Girlfriends. The breakup was messy, lots of "I Hate You" and even a little blood. Iran is just now getting her life back together. Iran drives a Mercedes Unimog.

Afghanistan: Iran and Iraq's multiple-personality neighbour. Afghanistan has more problems than most in the neighbourhood, self-dstructive and codependent. U.S. pulled an 'intervention' when one of her problems became one of his. They're not dating, though.
U.S. may be attracted to messed-up chicks, but he's no dummy-Afghanistan is one scary broad.

What kind of people would countries nowadays act like? I think Iraq's the kind of person who talks too much smack and picking on little kids, and then soon enough get's taken down by the big boys.

I also think China is the spiteful nerd; competitive, and also hiding something.

Iraq's got multiple personality disorder:

80% of them want freedom;

20% of them want to be the warlords.

The US is the big nice kid who tries to help everyone but is often misunderstood -- or worse, disapproved of -- for trying to help others. This kid is nice to you if you are nice to him, but as soon as you start acting out of line, he takes it upon himself to set you straight. Some don't like such willingness to act.

The U.S.A would be the sort of semi- friendly redneck, who is prejudiced and stuff.

Interesting view on teh Middle East CC.

Iraq's got multiple personality disorder:

80% of them want freedom;

20% of them want to be the warlords.

The US is the big nice kid who tries to help everyone but is often misunderstood -- or worse, disapproved of -- for trying to help others. This kid is nice to you if you are nice to him, but as soon as you start acting out of line, he takes it upon himself to set you straight. Some don't like such willingness to act.
It's easy to misunderstand the US when you are being shot at and massacred by militas armed with american weapons. e.g. East Timor. There was never any willingness to act despite that Indonesia was clearly out of line.

[QUOTE=Brantor]
Australia: Australias like the little guy who hangs around with the cool kids for protection becuase he thinks he is to weak to defence himself and because he thinks the kids that live near him want to bash him. Hes normally pretty chilled out but tends to make stupid decisions becuase of his friends.

New Zealand: A bit like Switzerland but he never gets in any trouble mainly becuase no one cares about him and he lives miles from any where, not to mention his wierd fetting for sheep.QUOTE]

finally someone who understands Australia

Isreal- That annoying Jew nobody really likes but that guy named the USA. Likes to complain and BS a lot and doesnt do any real work without its buddy the USA.

USA- The big guy, but nice guy, who lets people take advantage of it.

France- Snobby rich kid who loves itself and hates everyone around it

China- That jerk who you cant take down because you arent sure if your gonna get beat up or he is.
Typical blind patriot....

Japan: the craftsman who can take anything wood/metal/Plastic/Etc and turn it into a useful product that he can sell for a large profit but can never find any material's unless someone gives them to him

Japan: the craftsman who can take anything wood/metal/Plastic/Etc and turn it into a useful product that he can sell for a large profit but can never find any material's unless someone gives them to him

Actually, that makes kinda sense.

Japan: the craftsman who can take anything wood/metal/Plastic/Etc and turn it into a useful product that he can sell for a large profit but can never find any material's unless someone gives them to him

And also the kid who doesn't feel guilty (only shame) about being beaten up by the goodies and aspire one day to beat the crap out of its neighbours again.

And also the kid who doesn't feel guilty (only shame) about being beaten up by the goodies and aspire one day to beat the crap out of its neighbours again. Your nationality is showing… :)

Nationality to what? China?

Your nationality is showing… :)
Great! Is my religious affiliation showing too? :D

Nationality to what? China?

Yes. But I'm sure I have a little Britain and a lot of Hong Kong hidden inside too.

[QUOTE=MoparRocks]USA: Whenever he is goaded into a fight, though, he always wins. He's never lost, he just had to back out once because of certain complications.


That is called losing, and America was in no way goaded.

Denmark, a brief biography:

When Denmark was young, he was one of three gangleaders in the violent gang known as the Vikings. The co-captains were Sweden, his paternal twin and Norway, their little brother. Denmark and Sweden vied for dominance in the gang for many years, Norway being coerced into helping first one, then the other. In the early days the Vikings expanded into other gangs territories. Denmarks crew especially fought hard with the Saxon gang, a gang from the South Side which had som time before taken over the Brittons turf. Denmark eventually was chasen out by the Saxons, only for them to be overrun by the Normans, a renegade Viking gang, but I digress.

Denmark started to have interests on the South Side and made fierce war with the Vends. With their turf established, Denmark and Sweden began to battle for control internally and in the end the Viking gang fell apart.

Being from a family of mariners, Denmark now started an enterprise in shipping and soon beca´me a maritime power. Denmark was in this part of his life quick to anger and meddle. This resulted in numerous fights with Sweden and Germany and misplaced support to France, as he made his bid for power in the guise of Napoleon. This made England destroy Denmarks shipping enterprise, as he did not want his arch rival at the times, France, get any support.

This seemed to break Denmark. He still tried to act with bravado, but his influence and power was taken from him piece by piece by his brother Sweden and Germany from next door. Norway was the only one to still support his brother, but he was forced to cut the connection by Sweden, as Denmark was becoming so powerless that it was becoming an embarresment to the family.

Now a days, Denmark is a sad sight to behold. He sits muttering and looks suspiciously at strangers. Only USA can get Denmark to straighten his back and march in step, while trying to ingratiate himself. When alone, Denmark spends a lot of time worring wether the economy is good enough that he'll able to get a pension when he has to retire.

Nice biography. I don't know much about Denmark, but if that's true, then oh my.