Canada warned to stop dragging U.S. into election (U.S. ambassador)

In a pointed rebuke to campaigning politicians, U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Wilkins warned Tuesday that they risk hurting the relationship between the two countries when they use anti-American rhetoric to "score political points."

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"Just think about this. What if one of our best friends criticized you directly and incorrectly almost relentlessly? What if that friend's agenda was to highlight your perceived flaws while avoiding mentioning your successes? What if that friend demanded respect but offered little in return?" Wilkins asked in a speech to the Canadian Club at the historic Chateau Laurier Hotel, next door to Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

"Wouldn't that begin to sow the seeds of doubt in your mind about the strength of the friendship?"

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"It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and constantly criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner," Wilkins said.

"But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn't have a long-term impact on the relationship."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20051213/wilkins_canada_051213/20051213?s_name=election2006

or Chimpy will invade and make Canada the 51st state.

He won't be afraid to round you up.

Doesn't help US prestige

...if you think the Iraqi insurgency is bad, you really wouldn't want to see what Canadians would do.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Not to mention that we've -so- many friends around the world, America would find itself facing -all- of us. :grouphug:

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As I said in the GD discussion on this topic, it wouldn't be a Canadian election if Americans weren't meddling.

But we usually take it out on our conservatives: they keep wishing they were American Republicans. :evilgrin:

You'd think Bush would pick an ambassador who'd know this about us. :eyes:

a scrawled handwritten sign that simply said:

"Canada, please liberate us. We apologize for the moose jokes!"

My wife (Canadian) and I (American) still chuckle every time we remember that.

what a bunch of crap

OK, I guess you could call "serial abuse" a relationship.

• levies for softwood lumber in direct violation of NAFTA
  
• trying to drag us into the Iraq war
  
• trying to charge Canadian citizens for legal activities on Canadian soil
  
• trying to drag us into bone-headed Star Wars defence system
  

...strength of the friendship?

With friends like these, who needs enemies.

you'll be defenseless when we invade you.

:evilgrin:
:hide:

Meaning the country going by the acronym of USA. On the other hand, nearly everyone has serious problems with the current administration, the legitimacy of which is not even clearly established. These people behave like the king of the castle, hoping that it will validate their shaky and shady mandate. It doesn't.

Sadly, much of it has been well earned.

We are roughly 297 million people. About 52 million people voted for George Bush in 2004. And exactly 1 person IS George Bush (when you ignore the fact that his father is also named George Bush, I guess).

It's fine to hate the Bush administration. It's reasonable to scorn the meatheads that elected him. But please, try to remember the other 245 million of us.

...we know...

But, bear in mind that we can't afford to let down our guard as long as you cannot control your House, Senate, WH, and who sits on SCOTUS.

We're here to help, but you folk are the only ones who can provide the votes.

:grouphug:

I firmly believe the elections (2000 and 2004) were stolen.

We REALLY need to do something about the rigged machines and disenfranchisement.

Thanks for the support, though. We will keep fighting. :pals:

but although GWB is a problem, the policies of the US corporate government have long created suffering and hardship for people all over the world.

The World Bank, IMF and WTO existed long before GWB stole the reins of power. He may have accelerated the agression, but it doesn't begin with him.

To address the problems, one really needs to realize it is much more than GWB.

that we are a belligerent nation.

The US has been sending some idiot ambassadors to Ottawa lately. They only say the words Rove & Co. are writing for them.

I am sorry.

fell and hit his head in the tub and as a result lost half of his IQ. Then he morphed into a criminally insane killer practically overnight. "Wouldn't that begin to sow the seeds of doubt in your mind about the strength of the friendship?"

stole 6 billion dollars, from your own pockets, with no apology, beat up the ethnic kids in school with no provocation, let his parents drown in a flood, stole and lied about his popularity, then threatened you for caring.

Canadians despise bush not the American people and Canadians will not buy the faux conception that bush equals the American people.

I did not think bush could find anyone as bad as Celucci was for U.S. ambassador to Canada, I was wrong, he is Celucci's clone. Wilkins is the one causing harm to the Canadian/U.S. relationship.

Canadian friends were talking about this "exchange" between Ambassador A-hole and Prime Minister Martin. Every single one of them likes Americans, can't stand Bush and his administration and they were glad that Martin is telling the US Representative for the Bush Cabal where he can shove it.

I've never felt the Canadians dislike Americans....I do know that they are worried about what is happening south of the border though...

:hi:

Yep, I, too, am hearing only praise for Martin in his response to Wilkins with the rare exception of the odd Harper supporter, lol. We are very worried about what is happening south of the border for sure because we do like Americans and worry about the loss of rights, the power of the fundies, etc, and how it affecting the general public there. There is also some self-interest involved in our concern in that we DO NOT want the current 'environment' that exists in the U.S. traveling north of the border.

I hope you are enjoying your time here and I think it's wonderful you are sharing your Christmas with your Canadian friends!

We are enjoying ourselves as we always do when we visit you all up here! Honestly, if it wasn't for Pachapapa, I'd be living up here with the Pachababies tommorrow.

Yes, the things down south are very concerning indeed....can you believe Bush ordered spying without warrants on Americans?

I didn't even watch the criminals' primetime speech tonite...couldn't stomach it and didn't want to throw things at the TV (not to mention ruin the wonderful time I'm having here).

We are however still looking at Real Estate...I can't believe how expensive Whistler has gotten, although atleast California Real Estate prices have me somewhat conditioned. Even though we've been looking at other parts of BC (as you know) we are also thinking of Whistler as a place to invest. I think that even though prices have risen so crazily over the last 5+ years here (especially with the speculation for the Olympics coming, and now that they have been awarded), I still think that it could be a good place to invest. One benefit is that there is always a steady influx of skiers from Vancouver and surrounding areas and even the Seattle & Portland crowds, not to mention the international travelers. The Olympics will only help it and atleast we could rent the property out.

Anyway, I hope you and your family are well...thank you by the way for all the good advice you've given me previously on property... :hi:

What I doubt is that any of these "so-called leaders" represent the people anymore, anywhere. It's time to throw them all out.

time of war/terrorism isn't a great plan. Besides, Canada has the Alberta oil sands.

and most of the fresh water in NA that's not tied up in the Great Lakes.

One of these days we'll vote a government that really cares about Canadians first.

We need the NDP!

"Just think about this. What if one of our best friends criticized you directly and incorrectly almost relentlessly? What if that friend's agenda was to highlight your perceived flaws while avoiding mentioning your successes? What if that friend demanded respect but offered little in return?"

Canadians could well be asking this question about the US.

figure out for sure who was saying what to whom.

Could they be more petty and childish? Could they look for a smaller speck in Canada's eye while ignoring a bigger mote in their own?
What about all of our allies that this administration has dissed for political points. Un-freakin-believable - just UN_FREAKIN_BELIEVABLE! :banghead:

chickenhawks are in charge!
:sarcasm:

a complete copy of the neocon plan in the USA. So why shouldn't that be on the agenda? (By the way Mike Harris & Preston Manning were the early leaders of neocons in Canada and Harper's forebearers. So this PNAC shit is representative of American interference in Canadian Politics - so too has the leaders of industry in many Canadian corporations been parotting crap in some cases - and they have mounted a campaign to attack Liberal Prime Ministers through the conservative owned press - but nobody reads that in many cases).

Here is the plan for Canada by the neocons and Harper's "conservatives":

A Canada Strong and Free
Publication Date: April 2005
Publication Format: Books

Author(s):
The Hon. Mike Harris, Former Premier, Government of Ontario,


E. Preston Manning, Former Leader of the Opposition,
Email: info@fraserinstitute.ca


Executive Summary: In A Canada Strong and Free, Mike Harris and Preston Manning present a vision to make our country the best democratic federation in the world, offering its citizens the highest quality of life and economic performance, and setting a new standard of international citizenship and leadership. This vision expands freedom of choice and acceptance of personal responsibility in every area of national life and calls for a “rebalancing” of national priorities.

Critical Surgery for Health Care: Canada is currently under-performing virtually all industrialized nations offering universal health coverage. Harris and Manning propose eliminating the federal role in health care management and financing, strengthening health care financing by granting the provinces the tax room vacated by the federal government, eliminating barriers to private delivery and financing of health services, giving Canadians freedom to choose their health care providers, and giving those providers the freedom and incentive to provide faster access to better care at lower cost.

More Wealth in the Hands of Canadians: Canada’s productivity and standard of living are in decline relative to many other industrialized countries. Harris and Manning propose a shift of $80 billion in national income over the next six years from the hands of politicians and bureaucrats into the hands of citizens, families, businesses, and civil society. This shift – aimed at increasing the incomes and opportunities of Canadians – is to be achieved through constraining growth in total government spending to 3.1% per year and passing the tax savings on to Canadians.

Strengthening Democratic Governance: Harris and Manning contend that smaller governments, closer to the people they serve, can be held more democratically accountable than large, distant, and centralized governments. While supporting institutional and electoral system reform, they insist that such measures will succeed in reducing Canada’s democratic deficit only if the size of government itself is constrained and the functions of government are decentralized and localized as much as possible.

Trade and Security Through a Canada-US Customs Union: After examining the decline in Canada’s international influence and relationship with the United States, Harris and Manning propose advancing Canada’s interests in continental trade and security via a new Customs Union with the US. They propose the creation of a common tariff and quota system, elimination of rules of origin, mutual administration of common tariffs and trade regulations, and mutual acceptance of responsibilities for border security.

... Snip"

http://www.fraserinstitute.ca/shared/readmore.asp?sNav=pb&id=746

These are what Harper has up his sleeve. Why doesn't he talk about this shit during the election? Why doesn't he tell the truth about Conservative Plans for the country instead of speaking in euphamism. Tell the truth you asshole.

The American Ambassador should shut the fuck up and stay out of the election.

Brilliant :sarcasm:

As if we're not already tied too closely to America, Frick and Frack want us to tie the apron strings even tighter: around our necks.

Trudeau had it right all along: strengthen our ties to the Pacific Rim and Europe. it's the only way to assure our economic independence and thus our political independence.

That's why he switched us to metric.

Let's get on with it: end NAFTA, nationalize the oil industry, develop our relationships with the rest of the world, jam F*X News!

important. And it ties public school to science at a younger age.

I was a kid when it switched. And I still have trouble because the basis of my perception of measure was the old way. USA is just plain dumb to be ignoring metric. Waste of money. Waste of possible science students.

Perhaps they saw it as too french.

That being said - we do have a trade deal with the US. And it is not going well in areas where it should be smooth sailing. Why on earth would we get "closer". Most of the middle class will be in China, Russia, India & Brazil in 30 years. Time to focus elsewhere. And get great prices for the stuff we do sell.

.
.
.

Big differemce - "need" and "want"

We have, at the moment, enough resources to last Canada for a millenium -

The US can't last a decade without resources from other countries - well, unless they keep moving their population into the hurricane belt and letting them die . . .

Previous Canadian Governments have prostituted our resources so we could "progress" - keep up to the American capitalism standard . . .

"Freindship" has long been a guise between our two governments - I'd rather call it wary self-interest -

The US is quick to penalize, either by economic penalties, or just plain invasion, occupation and other methods including genocide - to achieve their selfish goals

I disapprove of the muckraking techiques used by our present politicians - but we are not of the same caliber of the American electorate - and we CAN get rid of an unacceptable leader without having to catch him lying about an indiscreet blowjob -

And any Canadain Prime Minister would be unable - yes UNABLE to get this country into an illegal war and keep us there . . .

Gimme back leaders like Chretien - no complaints on Martin as yet - sure he's not perfect, and I'd rather see the NDP in there - but that's not realistic -

Just keep that Harper warmonger out of there - I'll be content

But gimme Chretien, Trudeau amd a few more Canuks that won't cowtow to the US insanity - then I'll be more than content

It's only financial interests that are stopping Canada from cutting off the USA - not a good reason

If Canada dared to cut off the USA from gas/oil/hydro/lumber etc until the US got out of Iraq and compensated Iraq for their illegal invasion - the US would have to get out pretty quickly - or freeze and starve - -

I'm sure Hugo would help us out with such "sanctions" if you would want to call them that -

Betcha Canada could pull up a REAL coalition for such an effort

But just like the US, we have too many rich people up here that are into self-interest

(sigh)

I've seen on this forum. This is nothing more than inflammatory anti-US rhetoric, so characteristic of the average Canuck who seems to walk around with a big chip on his shoulder when it comes to how they measure up with the US. I am of the opinion that this fissure in relations extends far past governments. I believe the average Canadian has a sense of resentment against Americans. It is reflected in your media in everything from your textbooks to your newscasts and whatever programming the pitiful CBC manages to air. Take it from an American who knows Canada and has spent a lot of time on the ground talking with the man on the street..."IT AIN'T FUNNY NO MORE". I am a lifelong Democrat and a social liberal to moderate but am somewhat moderate on my views in defense and foreign policy. My view of Canada is that they are not a good partner in defense of the continent. The question is not whether you'd be drawn into an "illegal war", or any war for that matter. It is more a question as to how you'd get there without us giving you a ride. There is a fine line between being prudent and being irresponsible.

The Senator has spoken..

anti-Canada garbage is just that. Congratulation on aligning yourself with a rabid right fringe. That's the kind of rhetoric you expect to hear from the likes of Tucker Carlson (known for his small penis and childish snipes at Canada) and Fred Barnes, NOT Barack Obama. What do you want from Canada? Join us in wasting billions in a useless ABL shield, or join us in developing bunker-busting nuclear weapons (when both are banned under international treaties). Our problem is not the lack of defense capabilities - everyone knows the US military's power. It's out policies. Hopefully Canada standing up to us will give the world a signal that we're all alone on our continent, and maybe, just maybe the electorate will be smart enough to elect a President who will work to change that.

For a 'lifelong Democrat and a social liberal to moderate', there seems to be little to differentiate this post from any that might be found on a right-wing forum, imo, which is sad to see. The telling point in this post, above many others, is this: "It is more a question as to how you'd get there without us giving you a ride." History, actual history not re-made history, would have taught a 'lifelong Democrat' something very different than what is espoused in this O'Reilly-like statement but I suspect history is not a priority when casting aspersions as are being done in this post.

We just got rid of one (Cellucci). Now Wilkins wants to start telling us what to do?

And we aren't "constantly criticizing" ordinary Americans, just the select few who are currently ruining their own nation and exporting their message of hatred to the rest of the world.

A perfectly valid topic of political discourse, if you ask me.

? he's GOT to be kidding. thats an exact description of how the us treats canada. asshat.

down with us.

I wonder if that includes the vote tampering conducted from the US Congress?

Please ignore the ranting of fools like Wilkins. He dishonors us all, but most particularly the memory of those who were at

Dieppe
Juno Beach
The Scheldt
Kapelsche Veer
and the Reichswald.

Maple Leaf Up

BH

...we fought Hitler for years while American businesses were -still- profiting from his contracts.

If not for Roosevelt, America would have helped Hitler win the war.

There's a thought to keep you awake at night.

And thanks for remembering, Blackhorse. We don't forget our friends.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5330849
"In memoriam: In Flander's Fields..."

...before * appointed him amabassador. He's from South Carolina for Christ sakes. I was stationed in that state while in the Army and it seems the average intelligence there is pretty low.

I live and grew up in Washington State so I'm probably a lot more familiar with your country than Wilkens is.

What if one friend owed another friend a great deal of money and yet refused to pay the debt?

Stop griping and pay Canada the money that is owed them, like any good American (North,South.Central) should!

Amb. Wilkens' antics are an embarrassment to this U.S. citizen.

while now. That is perfect. So Mafia; so Nazi; so Bush Administration. Like I said: perfect.

as shoddy and transparent as that pretense is for the rest of them.

:sarcasm:

Should also go over real swell :thumbsup:


http://www.screenselect.co.uk/visitor/product_detail.html?product_id=20559

has been issuing so many "friendly warnings" that we've come to expect it. we mostly don't give a crap.

in a radio interviw?

1. You'd better run your elections the way we tell you to.

2. Please stop dragging the US into your elections, we have nothing to do with them.


Love,

The White House

We're going to have to start eating "freedom bacon" and drinking "Freedom Club" whiskey? (Mixed with large quantities of Victory Gin, naturally...)

them critters heading south up in the air are "Freedom Geese".

Seriously, this is the most puerile, bullying, moronic, frat-boy Administration ever. Do they ALL think in 7th-grade language?

but what am I?

:dunce:

They interfered in our elections last year, so it's no surprise they're at it again...

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1149849.htm

Violet...

Bush ruined our relationship with Canada years ago.

And who the hell are WE to tell Canadians what to discuss and what not to discuss in THEIR own campaigns?

My gosh.

Je desole, Canada. *shaking head*