What gives you the most pride about being canadian?

I don't "writhe in hatred" for Americans, but I do have a dislike for many Americans based on undeniable unfortunate character traits that are possessed by the majority of Americans to a certain degree. Your post is a typical example of what I mean--you seem so intent on proving that Americans are "better," a belief that can only be held by a person completely ignorant about other nations. I honestly think that you know next to nothing about Canada and Canadians; having grown up in Canada, but having been exposed to American "culture" nonetheless, I can honestly say that Canada is a better place to live, and that Canadians are in general better, more intelligent, honest, friendly and TOLLERANT people. Canada's political structure is much more diverse and progressive than that of the United States, and Canada has been much less tumultuous when it comes to social conditions. You say American cities are better? Now there's a JOKE. Yeah, there are beautiful cities in the United States, but there are also SLUMS and abject poverty. As for music and literature, well, I hardly think that you know what you're talking about. If you're idea of superior music is Green Day and Britney Spears, you've got to be kidding. I'll admit that there are some good American musicians, but so much of it is corrupting trash. And as for literature, you're painfully wrong. Canada has produced a number of exceptional writers, but I'll admit none have reached the heights of Stephen King and Daneille Steel--which I assume is what you're driving at. Well, big deal.

Incidently, many of Canada's best go to the US, because that's where the money is--everything from teachers, nurses and athletes, to scientists, actors, musicians and academics. Much of America's prosperity is due to Canadians--one can only wonder where the US would be without Canada.

 

I've never said The US was "better"than Canada, i just threw in a few jabs because YOU are being so competative about it. I don't really care that much about the reputation of America, mostly because I am an individual and only really worry about what I can control of affect directly. If you want to use your country to give you pride, by all means use it. I, for one, will see people as individuals, not only for whatever country they come from, unless they are nationalists, then i will walk on the other side of the street.
By the way, uyou made a lot of assumptions, i was talking more about Faulkner, Hemingway, Kerouac, TS Elliot, etc...classic literature, not modern best sellers.

 

Canada wasn't a nation in 1812... you really have a complex grip of history don't you?

The Soviet Union had a policy of expansion, and wanted to spread communism over North America, Asia, Europe, and South America. They threatened to nuke Toronto on several occasions. The Soviets wanted to expand and get a foothold on the US and Canada was the perfect target. Canada had a policy of you nuke us, the US will nuke you back. I'm not asking for any thanks or anything... just keep that in mind.

Racist... thats a pretty cheap way to try and win an argument. I have a half Thai girlfriend, when I was a kid I babysat for my friends Chinese adopted daughter, and I still love the hell out of the kid. I love Chinese food, cinema, and culture. I also wanna visit China sometime.

But that doesn't make me blind... China has a very large population and a policy of expansion... Canada has a very small population, a large country with lots of resources, and a farily large Chinese population. China has a very powerful military, and Canada would be the perfect target if they weren't allied with the US.... I'm not asking to be thanked for that either... just keep it in mind.

I've tried to keep this civil, but calling someone a racist is pretty low. Go fuck yourself, you simplistic fucking moron.

 

Well, I'm a history major, so it's safe to say I have a much more firm grasp of history than you do. The term Canada was used to refer to what is now Canada long, long before 1812. In the 1790s, the province of Canada was created, consisting of what is now southern Ontario and the southern portion of Quebec; these were refered to as Upper Canada and Lower Canada, respectively. In 1840, the Act of Union was passed, and the two were renamed Canada West and Canada East. This remained in effect until 1867, when Canada was "created" as you would have it. I guess technically, I should have said that Britsh North America was invaded in 1812, as that was the common term applied to the provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia, PEI, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and, for a time, Cape Breton prior to Confederation, but serious, it's perfectly acceptable to say Canada, and so when I say Canada was invaded in 1812, I'm right. It figures that an American would be ignorant enough to challenge me on this trivial matter.

I highly doubt that Canada would have been invaded by the Soviet Union, but it's possible it could have happened had the US started something. This whole concept of nuclear deterence is a two-sided affair, and who's to say where it started. You could just as easily say that the Soviet Union saved use from becoming embroiled in a nuclear war. It was Kennedy who in fact brought us closest, not the Soviets.

As for making a racist statement--how else could it have been interpreted. Personally, I don't care was association you have with Asians. Just because you're on good terms with a few, doesn't exclude the possibility of being racist, just like you can have gay friends and still be a homophobe.

Your fear-mongering is laughable. Yeah, China has a large population, and yes, there are many Chinese people in Canada, but so what? It only seems natural that China would want to become a global power. Why can't it, if that's exactly what the US is doing? Why are you so frightened about Chinese expansionism, when you reside in the most imperialistic nation on the planet. It would seem to me that the problem boils down to a matter of race. That's the impression you are giving, if you don't want that to be the case, then do something about it--but I really suggest that you don't start getting vulgar with me, understand?

 

Morphy, the only thing remotly biased I've heard is your jab at americans there.

I don't see how my comparison of Chinas expansionsim to the Soviets expansionism is racist at all. I have a tremendous appreciation for chinese culture, and for you to make that accusation without anything to back it up shows either mental disease or a long term bias you're trying to impose on me. Its a twisted game I'm not going to play.

You're ignorant, and have no sense of perspective, and I refuse to have a rational debate with someone who tosses around the word 'racist' so frivolously. Maybe you should stop trying to comprehend socio-political issues that are obviously beyond your grasp and work on that personality of yours.

Later.

 

Oh, I guess your idea of having a rational debate includes calling someone a "simplistic fucking moron"? I mean, seriously, where do you get off getting all righteous? Calling me simplistic when you're so ignorant you claim Canada didn't exist in 1812.

Sorry, but where there's smoke, there's fire--a few xenophobic quips about "Chinese expansionism" clearly indicates that there is something much darker deep down inside. If it offends you being accused of being some that you are, that's your problem.

 

Well I said I was done with this, but i'll point out

A. I called you a simplistic fucking moron after you called me racist

b. What I said about China was no different then what I said about the Soviet Union... you assumed there was some difference in my head, and I pitty your ignorance.

c. What is today canada has existed since it was part of Pangea, but it wasn't a nation in 1812.

D. You don't have enough sway here to effect my karma, just idle stereotyping in my CP...but now the little dot beside your name warns everyone in advance that you're a simple minded twit. I consider it a service to these forums.

Once again, try working on that personality.

Later.

 

as far as I'm concerned your both being simplistic fucking morons, and I use the term lightly only because shameless vulgar language and low blows seem to be the norm here

seriously folks, has anyone bothered to read the title of this topic?

My 2 cents:

Canadians, quit taking cheap shots at Americans. If you're proud of being Canadian simply because you're not an American then you obviously do not have a profound understanding and valid apreciation of your nationality and have some serious nationalistic insecurities

Americans, many Canadians have nationalistic insecurities and lack a profound understanding and valid apreciation of thier nationality, so quit throwing gas on the fire by making remarks which simply reinforce thier pre-concieved notions of ignorant Americans.

As for myself, I'm proud, or perhaps greatful is more apropriate term, to be Canadian simply for our social institutions and short but extraordinarily progressive history.

Just a little recomendation to all, pick up a copy of Will Furguson's Why I Hate Canadians. It's a rediculously good read on the subject of Canadian nationalism, writtin by Canadian who has spent a better part of his life in situations where the subject was of pertinance.

 

Well put man, I'm proud of our progressive government, although its far from perfect. We have gay marriages, moving towards decriminilisation of pot, our health care. Theres plenty about canada to be proud of...

 

I'm still not quite sure how you can't consider your saying "you'd be looking pretty Chinese" as not being racist. Certainly looks like it to me. If you want to be racist, that's up to you; but if you don't like the label, then do do something about it.

The whole thing about Canada... you just clearly just don't get it. Obviously you're too arrogant to admit that I'm right, so I don't see any point in debating it further. The whole point of the matter was, anyway, that the United States has invaded Canada, and that for a long, long time, Canada and the United States didn't get along all that well. This has to do with the fact that the United States seems to think that everything that happens on the continent has to be agreeable to it. The United States went to war with Great Britain in order to secure Canada for itself; thereafter, it supported "republican" agitation in Canada, and nearly invaded Canada again during the Civil War. Aside from this, the United States prefered to remain neutral for much of WWI and the first two years of WWII instead of side with Canada and the other nations fighting tyranny. Geez, thanks. No surprise that everyone is reluctant to side with the U.S., especially now that they are the one's who are starting the wars.

 

Wow, that was pretty fucking weak. You know what, for being such a douche bag lame-o, I'm giving you a negative rep. point myself.
Feel free to do the same. Do I care about this stupid fucking karma thing? Fuck no, but I know you do.

 

If China took over Canada it would look pretty Chinese... if I said If The Soviets took over Canada it would look pretty russian tommorow... you wouldn't think anything about it... But Asian people and Canadians do look different, brining that up to illustrate a point isn't racist in the least, and I can ask around, but I'm sure that wouldn't bother any of my chinese friends. Obviously any point I'd make would be lost on you, but pointing out differences isn't racist... you know why... because there are physical and cultural differences in races.

The rest of your post was bringing up hundreds of years of US history without even trying to relate them to any point you might have... the US may have a troubled history, but Canadas isn't painted in roses either. If you're trying to make a point, clarify it so its not obscured by your blatent sentiment.

Wanna know something else.... many Asian people have slanty eyes... that may sound racist to you, but your refusal to accept differences and hide behind a PC smoke screen sounds at best elitest to me. I find racial distinctions charming, and I've only dated one or two white girls in my life, I don't care if that means anything to you, because it doesn't really mean that much to me... I just tend to be more attracted to ethnic women. I bet you find that racist too. If you refuse to put my quote in context and call me a racist because you get offended on behalf of another people when any difference is brought up, I can't really be too mad... I just pitty you. I'll try not to use imagery in the future.

 

Well you didn't affect me either, but I'm not going to waste my time on giving you negative CP.

Yovo, psilonaut and monster are the only people who've shown the slightest amount of maturity in the past couple pages *including me* but I've at least recognised its time to move on from this thread.

In closing I'd like to tell everyone that I've meet several Canadians and they were all really great people, and this thread hasn't changed my mind about you folk.

Take it easy everyone.

 

But China wasn't and isn't trying to take over Canada. China is a fairly insular nation, and clearly doesn't have imperialistic tendancies like the United States. That could change I guess as the U.S. becomes inevitably weaker, but I'm not going to get paranoid about it, like you.

It's quite telling that you can't or won't understand the purpose of my little explanations of Canadian history; I'm not sure whether trying to clarify it any further will do any good, so I won't. But as for you saying that Canada's history "isn't rosey" as well is not exactly a revelation. There are a number of unfortunate incidents in Canada's history, first and foremost the unjust treaties that the First Nations people were forced to agree to.

 

not going to waste your time, huh? how many seconds does it take to make three clicks, haha. you cared enough to take this reputation thingie serious. and i'm sure it's going to affect you, if you keep giving negative rep. points for silly reason.

haha, if you say so. actually, my point was that dropping Paul a negative rep. point, simply for disagreeing with him and then trying to (poorly) disguise it as something "altruistic" and noble like: "hey, ppl this is not about me but I've to warn you about this guy", was pretty fucking stupid and immature of you. not that member Paul actually cares about it.

 

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I pride being Canadian because we don't jump on the American bandwagon.

 

wow, thank you, we are a better nation because of people like avril lavigne and pamela anderson, thank you, america couldnt have achieved all it achieved without them or jim carrey or lets not forget the real canadian genius: brian adams.

So please, educate me and the other stupid uneducated americans on how "Much of america's prosperity is due to Canadians."

 

Please explain to me why we were duty bound to fight european wars? Particularly ww1. Furthermore, care to deny that you declared war on germany both times to side with GB, not to be any righteous fighters against tyranny.

Remember, your duty to the queen brought you into such great conflicts as the Anglo Boer war, really splendid job helping to install the precursor to the apartheid government of south africa. Canada the great the fighter of tyrants! You have no more credit in saying that than an american.

we all have mdae mistakes in war, make no mistake, canada's blunders and mistakes in war is just as long as americas. Just check the number of imperial ventures they fought in for mother england.

 

LOL! you forgot your most important contribution to the US: POWER(electricity)! As much as we are dependent on you, you are dependent on us. Care to compare % of exports you send to us to exports we send to you? Without each other, our countries crash and burn. Lets keep the best friendship between countries alive. Your american hate(and yes it is hate) does nothing but divide good people.