Comments on: Canadians too patriotic for sensitive Americans http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/ Joey deVilla's Personal Blog Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:15:38 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1-alpha-10188 hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2861 Anonymous Mon, 26 Sep 2005 00:30:03 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2861 It's just like the Americans to critisize Canadians for not being patriotic enough ("be more like us") and then turn around and whine and complain when we wear a Canadian flag or pin on a backpack. It’s just like the Americans to critisize Canadians for not being patriotic enough (”be more like us”) and then turn around and whine and complain when we wear a Canadian flag or pin on a backpack.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2860 Anonymous Thu, 25 Dec 2003 20:17:57 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2860 As a Minnesotan, I break bread w/ Canadians on a daily basis. Josh has no business apologizing for me. I am not ashamed of my country & don't expect Canadians to be, either. If Canadians wave the flag, more power to 'em. I'm more concerned w/ what I percieve as a lack of patriotism among my Canadian friends. Was reading an article in the Yomiuri Shinbun (will try to find a link) about how most Canadians have very little time for nationalism. My personal experience verifies this. Since Japan has formally renounced wars of aggression, it should be no surprise that the Japanese press portrayed Canadian cynicism as enlightened. On the other hand, nationalism is a very human tendancy. If you can't attach your sense of national identity to a modern, democratic, liberal Canada-what will you attach it to? Quebec nationalism, sure. Cosmopolitan metropolises like Toronto, NY, Vancouver & LA act like an oasis of global culture. What about the rest of Canada? Western, land locked Canada is increasingly becoming a haven for white supremacists, not unlike Idaho & Montana in the USA. Say what you will about my country, but white seperatists are on the fringe of American culture. Sick of multi-racial America, many of them are fleeing north, where there is no sense of being "Un-Canadian" & the racial diversity is relatively non-existant. You Canucks get stuck with the albatross of Neo-Nazis as representatives of the Canadian culture! Because of your laid back culture, these fascists aren't nearly as marginalized as they are in America. I'm not accusing Canadians of being closet white supremacists-that would be silly. But I do worry you are becoming more & more like Europe-where a tide of ultra-nationalists (Haider, Le-Pen, Fini, Seselj, etc) have snuck into mainstream politics through the back door of power sharing governments. Hope I'm wrong. As a Minnesotan, I break bread w/ Canadians on a daily basis. Josh has no business apologizing for me. I am not ashamed of my country & don’t expect Canadians to be, either. If Canadians wave the flag, more power to ‘em. I’m more concerned w/ what I percieve as a lack of patriotism among my Canadian friends. Was reading an article in the Yomiuri Shinbun (will try to find a link) about how most Canadians have very little time for nationalism. My personal experience verifies this. Since Japan has formally renounced wars of aggression, it should be no surprise that the Japanese press portrayed Canadian cynicism as enlightened.

On the other hand, nationalism is a very human tendancy. If you can’t attach your sense of national identity to a modern, democratic, liberal Canada-what will you attach it to? Quebec nationalism, sure. Cosmopolitan metropolises like Toronto, NY, Vancouver & LA act like an oasis of global culture. What about the rest of Canada?

Western, land locked Canada is increasingly becoming a haven for white supremacists, not unlike Idaho & Montana in the USA. Say what you will about my country, but white seperatists are on the fringe of American culture. Sick of multi-racial America, many of them are fleeing north, where there is no sense of being “Un-Canadian” & the racial diversity is relatively non-existant. You Canucks get stuck with the albatross of Neo-Nazis as representatives of the Canadian culture! Because of your laid back culture, these fascists aren’t nearly as marginalized as they are in America.

I’m not accusing Canadians of being closet white supremacists-that would be silly. But I do worry you are becoming more & more like Europe-where a tide of ultra-nationalists (Haider, Le-Pen, Fini, Seselj, etc) have snuck into mainstream politics through the back door of power sharing governments. Hope I’m wrong.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2859 Anonymous Fri, 12 Dec 2003 08:12:29 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2859 Joey, aside from this false assumption that either Canada or America can say much that's good about their beer (ahem, Eng./Ire. really win this battle, and the Belgians aren't far behind), I can't say I'd have much of a problem with Canadian patriotism (and this coming from the most hubristic section of America, the NYC region, where everyone believes that, by virtue of living in or near the City, one achieves demigod status). German patriotism might give me the willies, but I'm Eastern European. Every time a German gets patriotic, my family does the 3,000 mile dash. Joey, aside from this false assumption that either Canada or America can say much that’s good about their beer (ahem, Eng./Ire. really win this battle, and the Belgians aren’t far behind), I can’t say I’d have much of a problem with Canadian patriotism (and this coming from the most hubristic section of America, the NYC region, where everyone believes that, by virtue of living in or near the City, one achieves demigod status). German patriotism might give me the willies, but I’m Eastern European. Every time a German gets patriotic, my family does the 3,000 mile dash.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2851 Anonymous Fri, 12 Dec 2003 08:07:00 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2851 Celine F'ing Dion. You really want to start this one? ;-) Celine F’ing Dion. You really want to start this one? ;-)

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2853 Anonymous Thu, 11 Dec 2003 16:10:15 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2853 You're forgetting the Midwest, which beats the egotistical and rude Northeast any day. Visit the greater St. Louis area (nobody lives in downtown St. Louis) and you'll see what I mean. Also, we have all four seasons, unlike the majority of the country. You’re forgetting the Midwest, which beats the egotistical and rude Northeast any day. Visit the greater St. Louis area (nobody lives in downtown St. Louis) and you’ll see what I mean. Also, we have all four seasons, unlike the majority of the country.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2858 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2003 20:14:07 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2858 Sorry for the egregious spelling/grammar mistakes - I'm at work and hustled through that reply. Sorry for the egregious spelling/grammar mistakes - I’m at work and hustled through that reply.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2857 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2003 19:46:12 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2857 Weed?? What's that? IMO, this article is quite humorous. It seems plausible that these "focus groups" did thier best to find the most ignorant individuals for quotations. As an American, I have never experienced this supposed US vs. THEM mentality. I have lived with and currently work with Canadians. They like it here just fine and no one gives anyone grief regarding the Maple Leaf. Hey, Josh Landau? Regarding your comment that the President is supported by a minority or citizens, you may want to get your facts straight. The Republicans won landslide victories during the mid-term elections. Regarding your apology for our 'bad' behavior, spare me. My upstairs neighbor lost her 34 year old NYFF brother on 9/11. He had two kids - one with juvenile M.S., the other afflicted with autism. No trace of his body was ever found. Our downstairs neighbors lost their good friend - a pastry chef at Windows on the World - she was from Hawaii and had resigned during August of 2001 so that she could return home. She was begged to stay on until someone of her calibre could be found to replace her. She agreed - her decision resulted in her death. No trace of her body was found. Regarding the posting warning how we should view our Saudi "friends", I couldn't agree more. Weed?? What’s that?

IMO, this article is quite humorous. It seems plausible that these “focus groups” did thier best to find the most ignorant individuals for quotations. As an American, I have never experienced this supposed US vs. THEM mentality. I have lived with and currently work with Canadians. They like it here just fine and no one gives anyone grief regarding the Maple Leaf.

Hey, Josh Landau? Regarding your comment that the President is supported by a minority or citizens, you may want to get your facts straight. The Republicans won landslide victories during the mid-term elections.

Regarding your apology for our ‘bad’ behavior, spare me. My upstairs neighbor lost her 34 year old NYFF brother on 9/11. He had two kids - one with juvenile M.S., the other afflicted with autism. No trace of his body was ever found. Our downstairs neighbors lost their good friend - a pastry chef at Windows on the World - she was from Hawaii and had resigned during August of 2001 so that she could return home. She was begged to stay on until someone of her calibre could be found to replace her. She agreed - her decision resulted in her death. No trace of her body was found.

Regarding the posting warning how we should view our Saudi “friends”, I couldn’t agree more.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2856 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:21:35 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2856 You are correct -- many American microbreweries are producing some pretty fine stuff these days. We still reserve the right to make fun of your <em>weed</em>. You are correct — many American microbreweries are producing some pretty fine stuff these days.

We still reserve the right to make fun of your weed.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2855 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2003 14:10:45 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2855 You guys really need to drop the watery beer jokes. The Northeast coast of America is the bastion of craft beer brewing. If you have the opportunity, sample anything from Victory Brewing, Stoudts, High Point Wheat Beer aka Ramstein, Otter Creek,�the list is endless. Canadian Lager has (IMO) made the unfortunate desicion to emulate the big (crap) three American brewing giants. You guys really need to drop the watery beer jokes. The Northeast coast of America is the bastion of craft beer brewing. If you have the opportunity, sample anything from Victory Brewing, Stoudts, High Point Wheat Beer aka Ramstein, Otter Creek,�the list is endless.

Canadian Lager has (IMO) made the unfortunate desicion to emulate the big (crap) three American brewing giants.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2854 Anonymous Wed, 10 Dec 2003 03:12:32 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2854 Friends? America has no friends. Manifest Destiny, Monroe Doctrine, blah blah blah... Friends? America has no friends. Manifest Destiny, Monroe Doctrine, blah blah blah…

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2850 Anonymous Tue, 09 Dec 2003 17:37:50 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2850 Two other words: Ryan Adams...just as bad. Two other words: Ryan Adams…just as bad.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2852 Anonymous Tue, 09 Dec 2003 16:25:30 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2852 Yeah, well in defence of Americans, look at the cities they did the study in. San Diego? Insert joke about California Governer Here. Raleigh? Insert joke about how ass backwards the south is. Denver? Insert joke about ski bunnies and rich folk. Houston? When will people learn that Texas is not America. I heart Northeast U.S. Interesting article though. Yeah, well in defence of Americans, look at the cities they did the study in. San Diego? Insert joke about California Governer Here. Raleigh? Insert joke about how ass backwards the south is. Denver? Insert joke about ski bunnies and rich folk. Houston? When will people learn that Texas is not America. I heart Northeast U.S.

Interesting article though.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2849 Anonymous Tue, 09 Dec 2003 16:23:26 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2849 Two words: Bryan Adams. Two words:

Bryan Adams.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2845 Anonymous Tue, 09 Dec 2003 02:42:17 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2845 I thought there were an awful lot of canadian flags about when I visited Toronto last summer. Then my native guide helpfully pointed out that it was only a few days after Canada Day. I thought there were an awful lot of canadian flags about when I visited Toronto last summer. Then my native guide helpfully pointed out that it was only a few days after Canada Day.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2848 Anonymous Tue, 09 Dec 2003 02:40:16 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2848 I think it's more like 'ok, ok, you're better than us. We get that. Now would you stop rubbing it in?' I think it’s more like ‘ok, ok, you’re better than us. We get that. Now would you stop rubbing it in?’

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2847 Anonymous Mon, 08 Dec 2003 22:24:14 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2847 Just for the record, I am ashamed of my country. I am American and I am proud of American ideals. It would be nice if America would live up to them. I'm with the Canadians on the issue of the War, and would like to personally apologize for the stupidity of our present President, who represents only a minority of the population in this country, yet acts like he has a mandate from them and Providence itself. I am ashamed, and I apologize. Joshua Day Roanoke, VA USA who went and forgot his login password and is therefore technically anonymous Just for the record, I am ashamed of my country. I am American and I am proud of American ideals. It would be nice if America would live up to them. I’m with the Canadians on the issue of the War, and would like to personally apologize for the stupidity of our present President, who represents only a minority of the population in this country, yet acts like he has a mandate from them and Providence itself. I am ashamed, and I apologize.

Joshua Day

Roanoke, VA USA

who went and forgot his login password and is therefore technically anonymous

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2846 Anonymous Mon, 08 Dec 2003 21:43:57 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2846 I was going to say talk about a self-centred, hypocritical bunch, but that's generalizing too far, and really it would only refer to the people quoted - to get better readership/ratings. However I'd like to bitchslap the guy who said "they're just like us". Well then buddy, I supposed you could have stayed British and not bothered with the Independence thing. For those who don't know, many Canadians wear the patch when traveling abroad to avoid the presumption of being American. I've heard that some Americans have taken to this practice too. Why? Because internationally Canadians have a better reputation than the Americans. No traveler wants to be a target of anti-American sentiment. I do find it terribly hypocritical that those surveyed are 'annoyed' at seeing another country's emblem sported around. I suppose they corner that market. I was going to say talk about a self-centred, hypocritical bunch, but that’s generalizing too far, and really it would only refer to the people quoted - to get better readership/ratings. However I’d like to bitchslap the guy who said “they’re just like us”. Well then buddy, I supposed you could have stayed British and not bothered with the Independence thing.

For those who don’t know, many Canadians wear the patch when traveling abroad to avoid the presumption of being American. I’ve heard that some Americans have taken to this practice too. Why? Because internationally Canadians have a better reputation than the Americans. No traveler wants to be a target of anti-American sentiment.

I do find it terribly hypocritical that those surveyed are ‘annoyed’ at seeing another country’s emblem sported around. I suppose they corner that market.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2844 Anonymous Mon, 08 Dec 2003 20:34:38 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2844 I heard about this on the radio this morning I find it funny that "THEY" think "WE" are too patriotic. I thought the reason behind our patriotism was so that we weren't confused as Americans. I bet anyone that more americans have a USA flag hanging in a window or outside their homes than Canadians with Canada flags. I heard about this on the radio this morning

I find it funny that “THEY” think “WE” are too patriotic.

I thought the reason behind our patriotism was so that we weren’t confused as Americans.

I bet anyone that more americans have a USA flag hanging in a window or outside their homes than Canadians with Canada flags.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2843 Anonymous Mon, 08 Dec 2003 19:43:27 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2843 As a non-Canadian, I can see where they are coming from with the overuse of the maple leaf. I've actually written an essay on it last spring that I keep meaning to repost to the blog, but I'm too lazy to see if it's owned by me or by the contest I entered it in. Anyway, I get the leaf part. I have never seen any other country wear their flag's symbol EVERYWHERE, but I don't see why it makes them ANGRY... To me it's just slightly silly. I'll have to dig out my flag patch essay, it's somewhere on a UofT website as a PDF, but I don't know where... <a href="http://www.easternblot.net/blog" target="bla" rel="nofollow">Eva</a> As a non-Canadian, I can see where they are coming from with the overuse of the maple leaf. I’ve actually written an essay on it last spring that I keep meaning to repost to the blog, but I’m too lazy to see if it’s owned by me or by the contest I entered it in.

Anyway, I get the leaf part. I have never seen any other country wear their flag’s symbol EVERYWHERE, but I don’t see why it makes them ANGRY… To me it’s just slightly silly.

I’ll have to dig out my flag patch essay, it’s somewhere on a UofT website as a PDF, but I don’t know where…

Eva

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-2842 Anonymous Mon, 08 Dec 2003 19:38:10 +0000 http://www.joeydevilla.com/2003/12/08/canadians-too-patriotic-for-sensitive-americans/#comment-2842 An article in the National Post tells Canadians that we should bow our heads, censor ourselves, and govern our behaviour based on meek (but sharp) attention to what Americans think? Quick, the smelling salts, I feel faint with surprise. An article in the National Post tells Canadians that we should bow our heads, censor ourselves, and govern our behaviour based on meek (but sharp) attention to what Americans think? Quick, the smelling salts, I feel faint with surprise.

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