McKenna attacks view that Canadians are anti-American on call-in show

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON (CP) - There are a few "loose cannons" in Canada who have disparaged the United States but that doesn't mean the country is anti-American, Ambassador Frank McKenna told a call-in television show Wednesday.

Appearing for a half-hour on C-SPAN, a political cable TV show, McKenna also attacked the "urban legend" that any terrorists involved in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks crossed into the U.S. from Canada and persistent views that the border is a major security problem.

snip

One caller from Arkansas listed a litany of grievances against Canada, from its refusal to participate in the Iraq war and the U.S. missile defence program to a former prime ministerial aide who called Bush a "moron" and an MP who called Americans "bastards."

"I don't really think Canada is too much without America," said the caller. "Without our trade and without our defence, you guys would be in a bad spot. It just disgusts me and makes me sick when I hear these things."

more

http://www.canada.com/national/story.html?id=574d45c9-9814-4f6d-9339-d6e390e1de85

(there was a caller as well complimenting Canada on not participating on missile defense which I would have posted as well to give balance but I must stick to the 4 paragraph max.)

[autorank]

1. The Canadian Ambassador was great; our callers were pathetic.

Canada is the very best neighbor any country could have (except in 1812, but that's a long time ago). I heard part of this call in show. The ambassador was articulate, sensitive, and persuasive. Callers, some of them, were a disgrace; rude, arrogant, and unintelligible.

Thanks Bush Administration for another great byproduct--chilling relations with our great neighbor to the North (and he's screwing up things with our great neighbor to the South too!).

[Kagemusha]

2. This ambassador may well be a future Prime Minister.

When I was younger he was a rare breed of politiican (to translate into US terms, he was a 'governor' of a 'neighboring state' to mine): fairly young and very competent. He still has his hair, which is good. He's older now, but nothing compared to the Prime Minister who stepped down last year. Sadly, he genuinely wants good relations, but there's a lot of people not sharing such views on both sides.

Mainly, I'm of the opinion that the US ambassador to Canada, like the US ambassadors to many countries under Bush, has been a complete ass.

[autorank]

3. Great, when our person wins in 2008, we can have a glorious relationship.

I was taken by his thoughtfulness and his diplomacy. When such an intelligent individual can tolerate "morans" with aplomb and dignity, it indicates a special temperament. Hope he gets a shot.

[oasis]

4. We have tons of Canadian visitors to our state each year. They love

America and Americans.

Their opinion of Bush is another story.

[Spazito]

5. Exactly!

It is the right-wing blowhards who equate anti-bush as being the same as anti-American and they do it to aid their agenda. Being anti-bush is being pro-American, imo!

[5thGenDemocrat]

6. Saginaw has an Ontario Hockey League team

And the best thing about attending the games is grabbing a smoke between periods and having a grand ol' Bush bash with our northern visitors. It sure doesn't take much prompting to get the Canadians going on the subject, either (but, yes, the vast majority love the United States -- just not this administration).
John
Noting that Windsor is actually south of here and Sarnia is to the southeast.

[Selteri]

7. Of course, Anti Bush Americans are Unamerican too

SCREAMING :sarcasm:

[screembloodymurder]

8. A litany of grievances

good show. I love to hear sane people describe our moron. Got any more?

[Dave Reynolds]

9. I've never thought Canadians hated us.

They may dislike our government at the moment, but the government certainly is not by or for the citizens.

I had a great time walking along the river in Windsor last year (I went there for LASIK) talking with the some of the people who were fishing. Nice folks.