Dion Turner Dual citizenship

[Argocock]

When I go to other countries and I see a group of Canadians with the back pack stickers and Canada baseball hats, pins and patches on their clothes etc., I have to admit it kind of reminds me of when I go to Jane and Finch and I see 12 hispanic men crammed into a rusted 1984 Ford Econoline work van with no muffler with a big "I love El Salvador" bumper sticker on it.

 

[RTRD]

Of course...there is "C"

People in other countries can't tell us from Americans because of our many external similarities but how many people in these foreign places really pay that much attention anyway? Assuming they even speak English, how many foreigners are likely to notice the subtle cultural differences, more neutral accent, manners, attitude etc? Let's face it - unless you make a friend in another country and get beyond the most perfunctory of interpersonal transactions, you're perceived as just another English speaking person who obviously isn't local, or from the UK, or from Australia. So you must be an American. Why should it be otherwise? There are about 10 times as many Americans as Canadians. Americans don't travel as much as Canadians but they have huge reach because of TV. Everybody watches American TV.

So I wouldn't be too hard on the poor Canadian tourist who feels more comfortable showing the Canadian flag. It isn't necessarily a lack of confidence in one's identity. Canadians know that most people in foreign lands don't lay awake at night memorizing the tiny telltale differences between Canadians and Americans. Canadian tourists wear the flag so the locals know they're not Americans. But why would we not want to be confused with Americans?

A) Because Canadians aren't ashamed of Canada or our flag and want to make sure everyone knows who we really are.

B) Because Canadians generally disapprove of American foreign policy and they realize that most of the world feels the same. So Canadians wear the flag to let the world know that we weren't the clueless bozos who released Dubya, the wannabe wartime president, onto the world stage. Canadians are much too proud to allow that.

...a further demonstration that an entire country can suffer from "dick too small syndrome".

You really want to be distingushed from Americans? Stop co-oping everything American. That would be a good start...

 

[slowpoke]

...a further demonstration that an entire country can suffer from "dick too small syndrome".

You really want to be distingushed from Americans? Stop co-oping everything American. That would be a good start...

IMHO, if a person is suffering from dick too small syndrome, it is unlikely that person would compensate for it by wearing the flag of a country with such modest power. We've all heard of dick too small syndrome sufferers buying the biggest, most powerful cars, heavy calibre (magnum) firearms etc to compensate for their genital insecurities. Canada and the Canadian flag don't fit this macho description. Far from it.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "Stop co-oping everything American." Please elaborate.

 

[LancsLad]

Thats why the Jack flag is recognized as the REAL Canadian flag. Harkens back to the days when we could kick any ass we wanted.

 

[RTRD]

Not the individual...

IMHO, if a person is suffering from dick too small syndrome, it is unlikely that person would compensate for it by wearing the flag of a country with such modest power. We've all heard of dick too small syndrome sufferers buying the biggest, most powerful cars, heavy calibre (magnum) firearms etc to compensate for their genital insecurities. Canada and the Canadian flag don't fit this macho description. Far from it.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean by "Stop co-oping everything American." Please elaborate.

...the country. As in "let's scream at the top of our lungs that we are not American, because we are so proud to be Canadian....can you pass my cup of Starbucks coffee please? I'd reach for it, but I don't want to spill it on my Gap T-shirt. BTW...aren't these American TV programs we are watching great? I'm glad my tax dollars help pay for the development of Canadian programing, but I'd never actually WATCH any."

Look...I understand the idea of not wanting to be mistaken as American during these current times when traveling.

But when you say things like "So Canadians wear the flag to let the world know that we weren't the clueless bozos who released Dubya" then I can only presume ones motivation for characterizing 300 million people as "clueless bozos" is envy...as in "dick too small".

Being Candian does NOT have to mean "Not American" by definiton. Its ok to actually secure a national identity of your own...the Queen might even allow it if you ask her nice...

 

[slowpoke]

...the country. As in "let's scream at the top of our lungs that we are not American, because we are so proud to be Canadian....can you pass my cup of Starbucks coffee please? I'd reach for it, but I don't want to spill it on my Gap T-shirt. BTW...aren't these American TV programs we are watching great? I'm glad my tax dollars help pay for the development of Canadian programing, but I'd never actually WATCH any."

Look...I understand the idea of not wanting to be mistaken as American during these current times when traveling.

But when you say things like "So Canadians wear the flag to let the world know that we weren't the clueless bozos who released Dubya" then I can only presume ones motivation for characterizing 300 million people as "clueless bozos" is envy...as in "dick too small".

Being Candian does NOT have to mean "Not American" by definiton. Its ok to actually secure a national identity of your own...the Queen might even allow it if you ask her nice...

When I say things like "So Canadians wear the flag to let the world know that we weren't the clueless bozos who released Dubya", I am referring to the fact that over 50% of American voters chose Dubya. Some of them even did it twice. Not very many Canadians want to be mistaken for those Americans. Seriously!!! Envy or penis envy has absolutely nothing to do with it. Quite the opposite in fact.

I have been a staunch supporter of the CBC and I regularly donate to Friends of Canadian Broadcasting http://www.friends.ca/ . I agree that we are far too heavily influenced by American culture. All that one can do is to support a unique Canadian identity and make as many Canadians as possible aware of what a special place Canada is.

 

[red]

I'm not the one who needs to get my story straight woolfy.

Remember how tough your buddy Martin was towards the U.S. during the last election? We now know he was blatently pandering to the Canadian anti-Bush sentiment. We know this because behind closed doors, he was taking it up the ass with regard to Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

so you are against the afghan mission?

 

[RTRD]

And...

When I say things like "So Canadians wear the flag to let the world know that we weren't the clueless bozos who released Dubya", I am referring to the fact that over 50% of American voters chose Dubya.

...damn near 50% did not. I know I didn't, though I would not have had an opportunity either way.

BTW...what percentage of Canadians voted for Stephen Harper? A bunch apparently, but I wouldn't be so arrogant as to call all of them "clueless bozos"....and to be frank, I would have cast my vote for a version 2000 of GWB WAY before I'd ever vote for Stephen Harper. Stephen scares the shit outta me....he even LOOKS like a member of the "superior Aryan race"....

And yet, I'm intelligent enough to know his views don't represent those of ALL Canaidans, and hence I don't slag ALL Canadians for his being elected into office.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

so you are against the afghan mission?

No. I support the mission in Afghanistan.

I do not however, support politicians whose ineptitude is the reason our troops are carrying the brunt of the fight.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

And yet, I'm intelligent enough to know his views don't represent those of ALL Canaidans, and hence I don't slag ALL Canadians for has being elected into office.

You can slag me anytime you want.

You can do it again after the next election too.

 

[slowpoke]

...damn near 50% did not. I know I didn't, though I would not have had an opportunity either way.

BTW...what percentage of Canadians voted for Stephen Harper? A bunch apparently, but i wouldn't be so arrogant as to call all of them "clueless bozos"....and to be frank, I would have cast my vote for a version 2000 of GWB WAY before I'd ever vote for Stephen Harper. Stephen scres the shit outta me....he even LOOKS like a member of the "superior Aryan race"....

And yet, I'm intelligent enough to know his views don't represent those of ALL Canaidans, and hence I don't slag ALL Canadians for has being elected into office.

I can give the benefit of the doubt to those who voted for that little puke the first time but anyone who voted for him after his first term deserves the clueless bozo label. And a swift kick up the ass. Just MHO.

BTW, why are you so concerned about my arrogance? Whether I call the Bush voters clueless bozos or merely "democratically challenged and misguided" doesn't have any real bearing on why Canadian tourists don't want to be mistaken for Americans. Let's stick to the issues. This isn't a book review.

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

I can give the benefit of the doubt to those who voted for that little puke the first time but anyone who voted for him after his first term deserves the clueless bozo label. And a swift kick up the ass. Just MHO.

The "clueless bozos" are the ones who voted to return a corrupt government to power.

 

[red]

No. I support the mission in Afghanistan.

I do not however, support politicians whose ineptitude is the reason our troops are carrying the brunt of the fight.

so Harper was wrong to extend the mission to 2009 without any assurances of help from our allies?

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

so Harper was wrong to extend the mission to 2009 without any assurances of help from our allies?

As I understand it, the mission extension is in conjunction with NATO's policy regarding Afghanistan. I don't believe we would be going it alone.

 

[red]

As I understand it, the mission extension is in conjunction with NATO's policy regarding Afghanistan. I don't believe we would be going it alone.

I am just trying to figure out which politician you think is to blame for our troops getting the brunt of the action?

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

I am just trying to figure out which politician you think is to blame for our troops getting the brunt of the action?

Chretien and Martin.

While they were acting tough against the U.S. for political gain, they were kissing Dubya's ass behind closed doors. When Dubya got bored of Aghanistan and went into Iraq, Chretien promised to take up the fight in southern Aghanistan where the Taliban is strongest.

 

[red]

Chretien and Martin.

While they were acting tough against the U.S. for political gain, they were kissing Dubya's ass behind closed doors. When Dubya got bored of Aghanistan and went into Iraq, Chretien promised to take up the fight in southern Aghanistan where the Taliban is strongest.

so no blame attaches to Harper for extending the mission?

 

[lookingforitallthetime]

so no blame attaches to Harper for extending the mission?

I believe the mission is an honorable one. The political ineptitude of the past Liberal governments is done, we're there now, the damage is done. I doubt the French and German forces in the north would be quick to trade places.

Yes Harper has agreed to extend Canada's involvement in the mission, but he has also been making efforts to get more involvement from other NATO countries in the Taliban strong south.

 

[solitaria]

What a bunch of crap. I'm always amazed at how the Liberals get away with portraying Harper as an American puppet. Chretien and Martin only talked tough about the U.S. when there was an election. Behind closed doors, they were kising major U.S. ass. That makes them opportunistic cowards in my books. Your kind of people I guess.

Come on!! Harper is getting blasted up the ass by George Bush. Just fuckin' reamed. Name one major issue that Harper doesn't agree with George Bush on. He's the same on the war, environment (kyoto accord), abortion, gay marriage etc ...

The trouble with conservatives from my point of view is that they are such pandering cocksuckers to the religious right. Selling out for a tax cut isn't worth it. I take it that is what you did?

Personally I wish we'd legalize all drugs/prostitution and tax it, maintain an isolationistic foreign policy, invest more in education, sign the Kyoto accord, and pay down the debt instead of having politicians sell out future generations for votes.

 

[solitaria]

Seems to me that if you did not like the country you were born in enough to stay there. You should adopt citizenship of the country you choose to live in.

Before the "MY PARENTS MOVED ME HERE" arguement begins. Ask yourself if it was so good there why did they leave and not go back.

People are just so brainwashed. Who the fuck cares where a person is from or whether or not they have dual citizenship? Countries are like corporations you have to run them in the interest of your stakeholders so the person most qualified should be the consideration not whether or not they hold dual citizenship. You could even see the situation of dual citizenship as being an indication of a better global perspective which is what a leader needs and the fact that a dual citizen is running for a leadership position here and not in the country where they also have citizenship illustrates where their interests reside.