The signs of Canada Day
Here's how to tell it's the day before Canada Day:
- Half of Ottawa is off work; the rest of us are in our offices listening to the rehearsals of the Canada Day stage show. I'm actually looking forward to Blue Rodeo's rehearsal, if the rain holds off.
- It's time for the annual reflection on "what is a Canadian?"
The Dominion Institute has some ideas, based on a survey it released today and discussed yesterday on CBC Radio's Cross-Country Checkup program.
And south of the border, the Washington Times has its own quirky answer to "what is a Canadian?"
Answer: Barack Obama.
"What kind of "change" does Barack Obama want? He seeks to transform America into Canada. Mr. Obama is not proposing "new politics," but is a champion of the well-known, already enacted policies in the Great White North. His proposals are more reflective of Canadian values than American national ideals," The Times writes.
That is truly frightening. It is one thing for Canda to be Canada. But, please, speaking as a Canadian who respects and admires what is good in the United States, let the United States remain a beacon of hope for the rest of us.
Even though the USA has gone through bad times and George Bush has made a mess of his time in power, nevertheless, the United States still stands for excellence and individualism. The flame of freedom should not be extinguished in the name of mushy Canadian socialism.
Posted by: Brian Smith | June 30, 2008 at 04:11 PM
US a beacon of hope for the rest of us? Good grief.
My country is Canada - the US is only a neighbour. They don't own us, make our laws, decide our politics - well, politics? Hmmm....how much influence did the Republicans have in getting Harper in?
I don't hate Americans (my great grandfather was American and came to Canada in the mid 1850's for a better life and he was glad he did). I just like being Canadian better.
That article was from a right wing group - obviously.
Posted by: Sandi | June 30, 2008 at 05:48 PM
Susan, The Washington Times does not actually like Obama, not do they support his proposals. I think youmanaged to quote the only sentence that was not either negative or disparaging about Obama and Canada.
Posted by: jad | June 30, 2008 at 08:15 PM
I have a feeling that Obama in power will be a lot like Paul Martin. All these expectations to "fix" the doings of Bush and the expectation of multilateral decisions will not be realized through his presidency. He has a vision, and I expect that he wants people to see and support his vision, and if they do not, in the end they will be left out, but with Obama telling them that he did listen to them.
Posted by: Jonathan | July 01, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Hmmm... What interesting times it could be...
Barack Obama in the White House wanting to transform America into Canada and Stephen Harper in Ottawa wanting to transform Canada into America.
Maybe we should just make a trade.
Posted by: Glenn Hubbers | July 01, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Americans would be so jolly lucky if they did turn into us. And so would we, I think.
Posted by: Sara-Anne Peterson | July 02, 2008 at 03:56 PM