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Originally posted by karim THE USA. The country us canadians love to hate. Why is that? Do we hate them because they're so ignorant to what makes us Canadians? Are we that much better because we know everything about them and they know jack shit about us? NO. We're not better, we're not worse. Most Canadians have a better understanding of american politics than they do of Canadian politics. Most Canadians are clueless about the tensions between the west coast and ottawa, and the east coast vs. ottawa. It seems the only thing we know about in Canadian politics is that Quebec wanted to seperate. We only know about it because everybody remembers that one Halloween where the referendum was taking place. Hell, I was young enough to trick or treat back then and remember EVERY HOUSE that I went to had it on. Now don't get me wrong, there are alot of well informed Canadians (Jayx1 et al.) but the majority of us are clueless. Those who do watch the news, simply choose CNN/ABC/NBC/CBS news over the CBC, Global News, or other Canadian based news channels. There may be an oversaturation of American news, and sure, alot of American news is important on a world scale, but choosing not to hear about Canadian news is a fucking shame. The choice is there, it's on you to make it. I'm sure many of you are reading this realizing that you don't know too much about what's going on in Canada. You prolly didn't hear about the extreme tension that was happening when Newfoundland was pissed off at Ottawa, or the Canadian cattle crisis that seems like will never end. Those who do know, good on you. Those who don't, research it. This stuff matters. If you're gonna rip on americans, be informed. A message to all the americans out there, I don't hate you, I just hate some of your populations very right wing bible humping views. Note: nothing on this board triggered my rant. I was actually overhearing some people yesterday bashing americans and they were completely clueless. Karim

So I shouldnt bash US if I dont know much about Canada?

Ridiculous.

That's like saying that if you're an alcoholic you shouldn't tell smokers that tobacco is bad for you health.

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Originally posted by dj_bas wow awesome!! that's way bigger than mine

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Originally posted by Cal So I shouldnt bash US if I dont know much about Canada? Ridiculous. That's like saying that if you're an alcoholic you shouldn't tell smokers that tobacco is bad for you health.

No, I'm saying we bash them because they're ignorant about us, when in reality, we're ignorant about ourselves. It's hipocritical in a way.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....

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Originally posted by karim Europeans for the most part are raised to be aware of what's happening in their government. Politics is a big thing in my househould between my dad, my mom, my grandma and I. My brother on the other hand simply doesn't and never did care. My Grandma who doesn't speak a word of english will watch english news programs in a desperate effort to be informed. Then she found the polish radio station, and when I'm home for the summers, I'd drive down to the polish store to grab her a polish news paper, and she'll talk my ear off for hours about political affairs. The typical Canadian family chooses not to discuss politics at the dinner table, or tune into the news when they're all watching TV. That is where the problem is. People here don't respect the impact politics has on us enough. And we can't say that our geographical differences really are a key difference between europe and canada. Sure they feel everything more cause they're closer, how the term 'hits closer to home' was prolly coined, but with the advent of technology, Canada's gotten alot smaller, what happens here does impact what happens in BC, NFLD, etc. What happens in Canadian politics does affect everybody, we feel it in our quality of healthcare, in our taxes, in our education. Now say I'm done school, and in the working world, and I hear about a teachers strike, etc. With the typical Canadian mindset, I'd prolly not care so much. It doesn't directly affect me. And that's another problem, we lack a sense of community. If we can't care for our social well being as a nation, why would we care about what's going on in Newfoundland, BC, etc.? BTW, I really liked that story about the man in Rotterdam. Props to the vets. Karim

I agree with you that all Canadians should be better informed. I doubt you will ever find a fellow Poli Sci geek that doesn't. All I'm trying to say is that I don't think it's as bad as we (the intelectual elite.... yeah I said it, and it's true, if you've completed a year of undergrad you're part of Canada's intellectual elite..... how I became an intelectual beats the hell out of me) think it is.

My reference to Canada being more a kin to the EU rather then the member states was not simply due to geographical size. What I meant was that much like someone in Sweden identifies themselves as a Swede first and a citizen of the EU second, most Canadians think the same way about their province. This is not the case in Ontario as Ontario is the power broker of confederation and we tend to see little difference between Ontario and Canada, however, the rest of the provinces have a much different view. Certainly citizens of Alberta think of themselves as Albertain first and Canadian second, Quebecois the same, and Nefoundlanders maybe the most (especially since it was only one generation ago they were an autonomous state). Just like a Swede, an Albertain will pay closer attention to Alberta politics then Federal politics, as a Quebecois will to Quebec politics. A more fair comparison to what Albertains know about Nova Scotia would be to ask a Spaniard about the latest news out of the Czech Republic.

As much as I always dig a nice political discussion I have to go... need a nap before Lawler!

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

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Originally posted by karim THE USA. The country us canadians love to hate. Why is that? Do we hate them because they're so ignorant to what makes us Canadians? Are we that much better because we know everything about them and they know jack shit about us? NO. We're not better, we're not worse. Most Canadians have a better understanding of american politics than they do of Canadian politics. Most Canadians are clueless about the tensions between the west coast and ottawa, and the east coast vs. ottawa. It seems the only thing we know about in Canadian politics is that Quebec wanted to seperate. We only know about it because everybody remembers that one Halloween where the referendum was taking place. Hell, I was young enough to trick or treat back then and remember EVERY HOUSE that I went to had it on. Now don't get me wrong, there are alot of well informed Canadians (Jayx1 et al.) but the majority of us are clueless. Those who do watch the news, simply choose CNN/ABC/NBC/CBS news over the CBC, Global News, or other Canadian based news channels. There may be an oversaturation of American news, and sure, alot of American news is important on a world scale, but choosing not to hear about Canadian news is a fucking shame. The choice is there, it's on you to make it. I'm sure many of you are reading this realizing that you don't know too much about what's going on in Canada. You prolly didn't hear about the extreme tension that was happening when Newfoundland was pissed off at Ottawa, or the Canadian cattle crisis that seems like will never end. Those who do know, good on you. Those who don't, research it. This stuff matters. If you're gonna rip on americans, be informed. A message to all the americans out there, I don't hate you, I just hate some of your populations very right wing bible humping views. Note: nothing on this board triggered my rant. I was actually overhearing some people yesterday bashing americans and they were completely clueless. Karim

Hmmmm i'm European, been living in Canada for a couple months, and i know about everything you've mentionned...

Oh and i listen to CBC radio, and watch it on TV

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Whatever it may take I keep on trying.

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Originally posted by loca Hmmmm i'm European, been living in Canada for a couple months, and i know about everything you've mentionned... Oh and i listen to CBC radio, and watch it on TV

You may have played into his point. As a European you are (I don't actually believe this but I'm playing along) more inclined to want to be informed as to current events and political developments.

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Originally posted by RickyM you're just a shit version of Moral Hazard. At least he knows what he's talking about.

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Originally posted by pkcRAISTLIN lol, i love it when moral feels the need to lay the smack down

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard I must take umbridge with this last paragraph. While I appreciate that it may seem that way currently (largely because the present administration is an easy target) it goes much deeper then that. Being as you are a Poli Sci student you either have or will learn about political cultures (which I did my honours thesis on). The US has a political culture based in liberalism and constructed by a group of persons that feared authority. Their entire political system is designed to prevent anyone from having too much power. Additionally, their constitution is structured to keep the government as uninvolved in the day to day lives of citizens as possible. Conversely, Canada has its political culture founded in conservatism. The principle reason behind our confederation was to protect ourselves from an implied/imagined US threat (mobilized army at the end of the civil war). And our constitution reflect a people who's desire was for the government to ensure our safety and order. As you can see, there are two very divergant political cultures at work in our countries.... almost opposite really. More then anything else this is the cause of our political sniping back and forward. We have a different political culture which has shaped different values which has thereby shaped divergent moralities which is reflected in our opinions on policy and world events.

Fair enough. Their structure may be different, but they do have a large left population that has some very admirable political intentions. Hence why I feel that people who bash the USA are too quick to judge.

I live on a border town, mind you it's not bordering a good area of the USA. There's a large airforce base just by St. Catharines/Niagara Falls and that area has a strong military based mentality. However, I've been to California, I've been to Ohio, a bunch of other places and spent a good amount of time there. There are are ALOT of left wingers down in the states, who share many of the same political ideals when it comes to world issues that alot of Canada's left believe in. But like every nation, the right controls the power cause they control the money, the left can be very large in numbers but low on political influence. That is why in my original post I say I like americans in general, even the politically passive ones, no reason to hate on them, I'm just not fond of the right wingers who are overly influential and stuck in their realist views.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard As much as I always dig a nice political discussion I have to go... need a nap before Lawler!

Peace out. Have a good one. Wish I was going.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....

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Originally posted by karim There's a political forum now? But lemme get this straight, do you honestly thing that Canadians have the right to bash americans because we consider ourselves smarter, and better informed? I'm just saying we're not nearly as informed as a whole as we all think we are. When we talk about ignorance and ego, Canada's is pretty inflated.

Firstly I grew up in USA and in Canada, so I think I can give a valid opinion for both intended partners.
Canadians don't bash Americans. American's bash American. Once you understand that...then you've understood the basic foundation of politics today.
Only recently have I heard Canadians speaking up about America...and it's with good reason. America has been making it very clear about how they feel about Canada and Canada has finally started to say something rather than keep their civil tongue.
Secondly...do we consider ourselves smarter or better informed than Americans?...Well that is neither here nor there. Both sides have something valuable to contribute. There is a lot of ignorant egos in USA and perhaps even more than there are here.

EXAMPLE...A friend of mine was once asked by a Texan how we managed to live in our igloos....this was said to him while standing next to his rental car in Aspen, with skis mounted on top.
Please tell me, how is that an intelligent American? Canada's Ego is no where near as inflated as you think.

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I'll be honest when i say I don't read alot of what Jay says. only his one liner political comments like "privatize the lcbo" etc. I deal with enough politics as it is at school to care so much about discussing alot on tranceaddict, but this is something I wanted to address and I thought I'd bring it up. Karim

Well my young Karim...just take into consideration that posting political threads (like propaganda) does not make you a political whiz.

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Peace, Unity, Luv and Havin Fun!!

"People seem not to see that their opinion of the world is also a confession of their character."- Ralph Waldo Emerson, US essayist & poet (1803 - 1882)

Europe has gone though so much change since forever in the politics department. The fall of communism was a major change for the face of europe. Even if you lived in a neutral country like switzerland, you still would watch to see what's going to happen to your neighbour with great interest. Poland, where my mother and grandmother are from, has had alot of political changes in the past 25 years. Things that decide whether your are rich today or poor tomorrow.

Canadian politics, although influential on our daily lives, are for lack of a better term, less exciting than european politics. Since so much has changed in europe, that's what makes europeans far more accustomed to the news being a part of their daily lives. I'm not 100% certain but I'm confident that in many european schools, they discuss the daily events openly.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....

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Originally posted by b4k-oz Firstly I grew up in USA and in Canada, so I think I can give a valid opinion for both intended partners. Canadians don't bash Americans. American's bash American. Once you understand that...then you've understood the basic foundation of politics today. Only recently have I heard Canadians speaking up about America...and it's with good reason. America has been making it very clear about how they feel about Canada and Canada has finally started to say something rather than keep their civil tongue. Secondly...do we consider ourselves smarter or better informed than Americans?...Well that is neither here nor there. Both sides have something valuable to contribute. There is a lot of ignorant egos in USA and perhaps even more than there are here. EXAMPLE...A friend of mine was once asked by a Texan how we managed to live in our igloos....this was said to him while standing next to his rental car in Aspen, with skis mounted on top. Please tell me, how is that an intelligent American? Canada's Ego is no where near as inflated as you think. Well my young Karim...just take into consideration that posting political threads (like propaganda) does not make you a political whiz.

Fair enough. But I'm actually surprised that you have not heard too many Canadians talk negatively about the USA. I've been hearing anti-US trash talking virtually my entire life. Everybody has an "americans think we live in igloo's" story. But these few case's don't sum up the american population and/or warrant Canadians trash talking them.

You're very right. The US is taking a shit on Canada lately and the frequency of American bashing has gone up, but it has been around even before. Most of the anti-canada propaganda coming out of the USA is the bullshit you see on fox news. Right wingers like Ann Coulter who say shit for shock value and publicity stunts. Once again, she doesn't sum up the american population.

After that whole rant she had about rolling over on us and crushing us, many left wing americans published articles going against what she said. Of course none of them recieved nearly the same amount of publicity as hers, and many fell under the radar, it was still a a good thing on the americans for publishing these rather than let her words roll over. I read one article "reminding americans that canada is a great ally to have, stating that our resources (power, oil, etc.) are very important."

I'm very confident that the majority of americans don't dislike Canada at all. Infact, I'm sure many of them have a favorable impression of us. Many canadians I know don't have a favourable view of americans at all. And like I said, they base these opinions on american right wing political policies, and not on the population as a whole.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....

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Originally posted by Moral Hazard You may have played into his point. As a European you are (I don't actually believe this but I'm playing along) more inclined to want to be informed as to current events and political developments.

Ah lol i didn't read further than the first post... oops!
I just thought that if i knew, Canadians must surely know too

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Whatever it may take I keep on trying.

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Originally posted by loca Canadians must surely know too

The older generation does, the younger does not. You'd be surprised.


Karim

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a baby seal walks into a club....