Has Canada lost it's place in the world?

[hachiroku]

While on the plane over to Japan I was reading "While Canada Slept: How we lost our place in the world" by Andrew Cohen.

Cohen follows the careers of three very influential Canadians (Hume Wrong, Lester Pearson and Norman Robertson) what he calls the Renaissance Men. He basically makes the case (which is fairly obvious) that Canada has in fact lost it's way in the world and has absolutely zero clout in the world today but it was not always so.

Back 30, 40 years ago Canada was (as one US diplomat pointed out) "punching above it's weight". Whether through Peace Keeping (like the Suez Crisis, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Nigeria, Rwanda etc), acting as a mediator at the U.N., or just generally being a nice nation (giving generously in foreign aid), Canada was far more invloved on the world stage compared to it's size (population and economically).

But now our military forces are in shambles (in 1962 we had 123,430 battle ready troops in 2002 it was down to 50,684) , our troops are awesome but we don't have near enough of them and their equipment is garbage. Our few planes are grounded due to lack of spare parts, our ships are to few and far between, subs are in questionable shape, and don't even get me started on the helicopters!

Our foreign aid is shrinking every year and it seems as a nation we hardly have any backbone for anything anymore. We borrow bombs from the US when we do go to war and we have to rent planes to get move our troops when we want to go to war.

We depend on the U.S. for security and therefore have forfeited our voice in world affairs. What the heck happened and was I a part of it!?!

[electric_japan]

Canada Has Spent All It's Efforts On Making Itself Something Of A Multicultural Country Instead Of Spending Time On Other Matters.
The Country Itself Is Falling Apart It Has No Large Cities With Clout Unless You Buy Into Hype And Gimmicks.
While Other Countries We're Making Technology Advances Canada Was Snoozing Take It From Me I Know I Lived There For 40 Years Yeah That's Right The Big 4 0 .
There Are No Wordly Establishments There That Are Canadian Everything Is Done Less Expensively But Since 2000 Things Have Changed Only Little Such As In Toronto.
Politicians and others realized the cities are in shambles bridges and roads the economy there is no BIG attractions there most American's find the place boring except for shopping.
The Place Is Not World Class It's Just A Mixture Of People Whom Struggle Daily To Make Ends Meet I had yet to see harmony .
Most Whom Immigrate There Are Longing To Enter The Usa As Canada Has An Ample Supply Of American Programs On Television.
Most Major Cities That Have Historic Pasts Have Become Relics Atmosphere Is Dreadful Especially In Toronto And Places Such As Winnipeg And So On.
Most Cities Are Not Clean Nor Safe Unless You Go To The Outskirts Most Of The Time.
There Are Many Diffrent Ways To Say What Has Happened To The Military Simply They Rely On Usa Support.
What's The Matter With Canada?
As I Said They Missed All Opportunities In The 1970's To Expand And It Is Unfortunate.
Now those whom disagree go ahead but please remember I lived there 40 years and I traveled right across the country.

[Zap!You'reFrozen]

I think it depends on how you look at it. From a foreign policy perspective, I would definitely agree. Under Mulroney's Conservatives, Canada essentially forfeited its military independence and with it a great deal of its foreign policy clout. While Mulroney still came out as a strong voice in favour of economic sanctions against the Apartheid system in South Africa (unlike Maggie and Ronnie), the halcyon days of Pearsonian diplomacy were well over by this time. And in the 1990s under Chretien, Canada essentially became isolationist while its military hardware and morale crumbled.

As unbelievable as it may sound now, it was Canada who in the late-1950s developed what was then the world's most sophisticated fighter jet, the Avro Arrow. The project was scrapped by the Diefenbaker government (under pressure from Washington, it is rumoured) but technology stemming from the Arrow project was to have an enormous influence on the planes to come.

Most Canadians, I think, support the idea of revamping the military and returning to a starker role as a global policeman. However, most Canadians also opposed the US invasion of Iraq, and considering the powerful ties that bind Canada to its southern neighbour, reinvigourating the Canadian military while maintaining foreign policy autonomy will be a tall order. Paul Martin is looking all too keen to link arms with Washington in its development of a missile defense system that will not only cost a fortune and has never been proven to work, but will also provoke old Cold War rivalries once again while providing no protection from the sort of attack that shook the world on September 11, 2001. Most Canadians, I believe, oppose this, and the easy way out is to bury one's head in the sand, Jean Chretien-style, and ignore the issues. Canada needs Pearsonian leadership once again, but unfortunately it seems to be in short supply.

Having said this, I think Canada continues to lead the way in other areas, including aboriginal rights, gay rights, sensible drug laws, multiculturalism and language rights. Canada's performance in these areas has certainly not been perfect, but Pierre Trudeau's much-vaunted "Just Society" continues to serve as a guiding light for Canadian liberalism. Canada was only the third country in the world to recognize same-sex marriages (now recognized in almost all the provinces). Support for sovereignty in Quebec is as low as it has ever been since the 1960s - the bilingualism experiment has been, I would say, a great success - and Canada continues to distinguish itself as a humane society and a bastion of respect for human rights. In this sense, Canada continues to serve as a model for progressive governance.

One area in which Canada reputation considerably outstrips its performance, however, has been on the environmental front. Canada consumes fossil fuel and emits greenhouse gases at about the same rate as the United States (at a higher rate than Western Europe and Japan), and, in spite of all the protest, continues to fell its coastal rainforests at an alarming pace. The problems is that whereas in a country like Japan, where the high population density makes environmental damage made apparent to all, the enormity of Canada's geographical territory means that most of the clearcutting is invisible to all but the people engaged in it. It's merely kept out of sight.

Professional sports in Canada are of course in a lamentable state (Adieu, nos Expos! (sniff!)) but then again pro sports has become ridiculous worldwide.

Part of me wants to go back to Canada and get into politics - try to shake things up a la PET. Another part of me wants to buy a little shack on Galiano Island, weave hemp bracelets, write haikus and make the rest of the world go away.

[mcalpine]

Very interesting indeed.

I heard that Canada is becoming a bastion for aspiring Al Qaeda wanna be's.
I'm not sure it's true or not but when you consider how liberal and open Canada is to just about anyone then statements like what I just mentioned above sound pretty plausible.
Has anyone heard of such a story ?

[electric_japan]

YES IT IS VERY TRUE IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE IN THY WORDS OF WISDOM JUST CHECK FOR YOURSELF.
CANADA HAS RECENTLY AWOKEN THANKS TO THE USA MAKING NOISE AND STOMPING THEIR FEET.
CANADA HAS REALIZED IT WAS ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL FAR TO LONG.

[Nonbe]

Please stop posting here, Electric Japan. For the love of God.

[Zap!You'reFrozen]

Very interesting indeed.

I heard that Canada is becoming a bastion for aspiring Al Qaeda wanna be's.
I'm not sure it's true or not but when you consider how liberal and open Canada is to just about anyone then statements like what I just mentioned above sound pretty plausible.
Has anyone heard of such a story ?

Where exactly did you hear this? I've heard people suggest this, but I have yet to hear anything to suggest that Canada is any more of a bastion for aspiring terrorists than anywhere else. The sense I get is that this notion has been spread by right-wingers in the United States (and to a certain extent in Canada) who wish to demonstrate the need to crack down on immigration.

True, Canada has had some disasters in its recent history related to terrorism. The 1985 Air India bombing, engineered by Canadian-based Sikh extremists, has invariably been the worst. More recently, the 2001 trial of Montreal resident Ahmed Ressam in Los Angeles on a charge of smuggling explosives into the United States proved to be an embarassment to the Canadian government. (Ressam had applied for asylum in Canada in 1994, claiming that he had been tortured in his native Algeria, and the Quebec authorities essentially lost track of him.) And another hig-profile case has involved Manickavasagam Suresh, a Sri Lankan national based in Toronto who has helped raise funds for the Tamil Tigers separatist organization. A recent Supreme Court of Canada judgement ruled 9-0 that refugees can be deported to countries where they could face torture when there is a serious risk to Canadian security - a ruling stemming from the Suresh case.

So in sum, Canada has certainly served as a base for terrorists in the past, but I think it is unreasonable to suggest that Canada is any more of a haven for terrorists than, say, the United States is. After all, the Ramzi Yousef, the main plotter of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, had established himself in New Jersey after being granted refugee status at JFK. Mohammed Atta and Marwan al-Shehi planned the 9-11 attacks from their base in Hollywood, Florida. And pro-Israel extremist groups such as Kach and Kahane Chai rely on support from sympathizers in the United States and Europe.

Canada is certainly a country that takes the threat of terrorism seriously. After all, Canada has its own history of domestic terrorism, with the FLQ Crisis in the late-1960s that culminated in the kidnapping of British attache James Cross and Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Laporte (and the murder of the latter) that led then-PM Trudeau to invoke the War Measures Act in 1970. It turned out to be a much smaller deal than many thought at the time, but during this very tense time many Canadians seriously thought their country was teetering on the edge of civil war. Memories of the "October Crisis" still run deep, especially in Quebec.

That being said, however, Canada prides itself on being a nation open to immigrants, and when one has an open society, one runs the risk of letting a few bad apples every now and then. Such is the case of all the western democracies. And in Canada's defense, it has actively pursued terrorists in a transparent fashion, whereas in much of the rest of the world, thanks to corrupt law enforcement and pliant judicial system, terrorists fall through the cracks much more easily than they do in a place like Canada.

[swordfishtrombone]

This is all based on the assumption that Canada mattered in the first place.

Sorry, Kurogane.

[hachiroku]

I think Canada falls down in the whole policing department. CSIS our equvalient to the FBI is not even as good as the RCMP and the RCMP as a national police force is under funded and under staffed.

The problem with Canada is it is just so big that many things go on that nobody knows about!

[hachiroku]

BTW Zap,

I think you should move back and run for office. You have the kind of grasp on history and politics that is sorely lacking in Ottawa these days.

There really isn't any party that truly represents Canadians. It's a shame because I think Canada has a lot to offer the world.

[Zap!You'reFrozen]

BTW Zap,

I think you should move back and run for office. You have the kind of grasp on history and politics that is sorely lacking in Ottawa these days.

There really isn't any party that truly represents Canadians. It's a shame because I think Canada has a lot to offer the world.

Thanks, Eight-Six! That's high praise. I don't plan on always being an armchair politician (or in this country a kotatsu politician), but like you say, the choice of parties leaves much to be desired. The Libs are bloated and ineffective, and the New Conservatives (Reform/Alliance/C-CRAP/whatever) and the federal NDP (Not Destined for Power) are simply too silly to vote for. But hey, it could be worse. We could be stuck with the Dems and the GOP. Or, for that matter, the LDP.

Wanna start a political party? There seem to be enough disgruntled, vaguely centre-left expat Canadians in this country to put one together.

[hachiroku]

I up for starting a new political party for Canada. We can call it the "Canucks Party" or the "Take Off to the Great White North Party" or the "North of the 39th Party"...

any other ideas for names?

BTW I don't mind being a "behind the scenes" guy who offs people who get to close...as long as I get free beer. And I am not talking sissy beer like that Molson crap that we export south, but real Canadian beer like Sleeman's!

[Zap!You'reFrozen]

Sleeman's? Pshaw, I say! In our political party we drink the strong brew from La Belle Province: La Maudite, La Fin du Monde (10% alcohol), Trois Pistoles. C'est de la bonne biere, tabarnouche!!!

As for a party name, we need something with a really catchy acronym, like the Socialist Progressive Alliance Movement, or the Allied Reform Socialist Enterprise. Something like that.

Your turn.

[mcalpine]

Good move for Canada. I hope this action precipitates into other positive actions for the sake of Canada and her people. Good move Martin !

[hachiroku]

Yeah I think opting out of the missle defense is a good idea. I love how the US Ambassador to Canada went off about it. That guy is always saying negative things about Canada...not really Ambassador material IMO.

I think Ottawa should send him home to Washington with a note that says "If and when Paul Cellucci can play nice...he is more than welcome to return to Canada...if not why not make him ambassador to Iraq!"

Canada is better off not bowing to pressure on things like Missle Defense and Star Wars. Although I think Ottawa should have made 25B committment to the forces and not 12.

[kurogane]

This is all based on the assumption that Canada mattered in the first place.
Sorry, Kurogane.

Look here you musical endangered species gimlick,　you, I don't give a crap about the comment, I am　just pissed off that you beat me to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ANyways, I was going to write in and be Ever So Clever, and ask in a dopey way, "Did we ever have a place??", but that fishy smelling horn boy beat me to it.
I have to catch the ferry home now, but keep up this thread. I will think deeply and hardly, and respond next time I get into the Big City. Remember, I am old enough to remember those events in real adult time. Ooh, Sensei!
Zap said it best.
Mcalpine, ummm, No. You have been misinformed. It is your own countrymen tramping around the world willy nilly that provided a haven and breeding ground for Al-Quaeda.
Electric, what that Nonbe boy said. He may be Girl Crazy, but he ain't all crazy.

[mcalpine]

Vancouver Tries Free Heroin Program
Monday, March 14, 2005

PHOTOS VIDEO

Click image to enlarge
STORIES LINKS
•Clinic to Prescribe Heroin to Addicts•U.N.: Overdose Risk From Purer Heroin•Heroin-Related Deaths on the Rise in Austin•150 Teens Probed in Ariz. Heroin Ring•Is Afghanistan's Heroin Financing Terror?
VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Just over the United States northwest border, addicts will soon be able to get their fix from the Canadian government in the form of free heroin (search) administered by nurses and doctors on the taxpayer's dime.

"They're using heroin. They'll continue to use heroin. What we're trying to do is prevent them from getting something irreversible like HIV, hep [hepatitis] C and overdose death,” said Dr. Martin Schechter, the director of the heroin program.

Vancouver is the first city to take part in the North American Opiate Medication Initiative, which plans to enroll 470 participants at three sites in Canada. The Toronto and Montreal sites are expected to begin recruiting candidates this spring.

Vancouver Police Chief Jamie Graham (search) is among supporters who say the heroin giveaway will let junkies shoot up without having to resort to theft or prostitution to buy their drugs. Breaking that cycle of crime, they argue, is the first step toward turning an addict's life around.

“I’m not a medical expert, this is not my field. I'm an expert in public safety," Graham said. "And if this will help reduce the crime rate — I'm all for it."

[Guy Ginpot]

If any Canadian ever hits you with the high and mighty holier than thou routine, tell 'em to blow it out their fleshy Tim Horton arsehole. I live in East Vancouver, and although I'm in a relatively safe and trendy area, I'm only a stoned throw from Canada's poorest neighbourhood. We've got our own fair share of misery and there's nothing about it to be proud about.

This is unarguably a beautiful location, easily one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. But it's also the end of the road in this country, a port city, and the most mild climate. The end result is that we've got a whole lot of this nation's best and worst. When it comes to junkies and crackheads, and everything inbetween, we're a city of all-stars.

What most of us won't do, is listen to any representative of our friend and neighbour, who often journey here to attempt to convince us to stomp on the druggies, build more and bigger prisons, and enroll the druggies in Gangster U, the American solution.

Maybe free drugs will be an experiment gone wrong. But it will be no where near as wrong as the incarceration of more of your young people than anywhere else on this planet.

Now that's just plain wrong.

gg

[Tanuki]

Canada is as Dave Foley so amply stated "America without the guns". I am ambivalent towards Canada. What do they dooooo anyway?

[stillnosheep]

Canada is Dave Foley so amply stated "America without the guns". I am ambivalent towards Canada. What do they dooooo anyway?Well for a start they shoot themselves and each other much less frequently than USAnians. They murder a smaller proportion of their children, have less race riots, and rarely conduct foreign invasions, massacres, sexual and religous humiliation of POWs...

Shall I continue?

[kurogane]

Canada is Dave Foley so amply stated "America without the guns". I am ambivalent towards Canada. What do they dooooo anyway?

Well, since we like most of his work here, we tend to ignore jerkass remarks by pig-ignorant f'witted American shitlickers who adopt a fat Asian vermin as their handle and whose ambivalence would be welcome if it really were that, rather than just a statement of their bottomless ignorance and imperialist arrogance.

What we do is live in our space, and our place, in our way. What we don't do, unlike some fat gun-toting retards that live to the south of us, is stomp all over the world killing brown people and proclaiming the most hypocritical credo since Hitler liberated Eastern Europe and Tojo promoted East Asian Co-Prosperity.
Another thing we do, and certainly something you could learn to emulate, is use our native language with precision, and a minimum of retarded grammatical errors. We also know how to spell and measure.
Why, what do they do where you're from? (besides breed with their siblings)

[jonnyrobinson]

Ha ha ha! Classic Kurogane broadside. I'm just glad you're not in a Brit bashing mood today:-) You would probably be able to smash what little confidence and pride I had left in the land of my fathers and its sycophantic support for evil Mercans with a few keystrokes.

[Tanuki]

Well, since we like most of his work here, we tend to ignore jerkass remarks by pig-ignorant f'witted American shitlickers who adopt a fat Asian vermin as their handle and whose ambivalence would be welcome if it really were that, rather than just a statement of their bottomless ignorance and imperialist arrogance.

What we do is live in our space, and our place, in our way. What we don't do, unlike some fat gun-toting retards that live to the south of us, is stomp all over the world killing brown people and proclaiming the most hypocritical credo since Hitler liberated Eastern Europe and Tojo promoted East Asian Co-Prosperity.
Another thing we do, and certainly something you could learn to emulate, is use our native language with precision, and a minimum of retarded grammatical errors. We also know how to spell and measure.
Why, what do they do where you're from? (besides breed with their siblings)


I love this.

[arginjapan]

While on the plane over to Japan I was reading "While Canada Slept: How we lost our place in the world" by Andrew Cohen.

I think we've reached the nadir of worthless posts with this one. Where shall I begin...?

First of all, before I start, I will qualify my remarks by stating for the record that I am Canadian; born, raised, and educated there. Lived most of my life there, and have lived, worked in or visited the majority of the provinces. So I feel I am amply equipped to voice an opinion on this subject. One more thing: to any posters who wish to co-opt my post for their own ignorant, narrow-minded bigoted views (tanuki in particular) kindly don't; whatever problems Canada has they pale in comparison in scale or diversity to those in the U.S.


Canada has in fact lost it's way in the world and has absolutely zero clout in the world today but it was not always so.

Canada has never been a world player; it is a moderately-sized industrial nation-state that has the good fortune of being located in a place that is seldom visited by conflict. Period. All of this blathering about post-war diplomatic clout is belied by simple facts-we have a small population with limited economic and military potential. And it will remain that way for the forseeable future.


But now our military forces are in shambles (in 1962 we had 123,430 battle ready troops in 2002 it was down to 50,684) , our troops are awesome but we don't have near enough of them and their equipment is garbage. Our few planes are grounded due to lack of spare parts, our ships are to few and far between, subs are in questionable shape, and don't even get me started on the helicopters!

Our foreign aid is shrinking every year and it seems as a nation we hardly have any backbone for anything anymore. We borrow bombs from the US when we do go to war and we have to rent planes to get move our troops when we want to go to war.

This is the part of the post that is really odious-an unbridled call towards nationalism. Of all of the destructive forces that plague humanity, nationalism has to rank as one of the worst, if not the worst. An inestimable amount of grief and destruction has been visited on every corner of the world in the name of nationalism, yet you would champion such a sentiment? To what end? How would Canada benefit from engaging in a military buildup, and what exactly would the purpose of that be?

Furthermore, as far as I'm concerned, nationalism is pretty narrow in terms of whatever benefits it provides. Ask the homeless guy on the streets of Toronto if he gives a f_ck if Canada has lost its supposed diplomatic clout. Ask a native in Davis Inlet if they give a sh_t if our military has been reduced. Ask yourself if such things really matter to such people, or to a lot of Canadians. I know it doesn't mean sh_t to me. Since when has having a military that numbered 123,000 being reduced to 50,000 has decreased or increased the quality of my life in Canada? It made no measureable difference, and all it would serve to do is encourage the government to embark on vainglorious military misadventures (a la the U.S. in Iraq) which would cause or increase the wrath and enmity of those we would invade. Whether we have 123,000 battle-ready soldiers or not is completely pointless; we live next to a country that has probably the largest nuclear arsenal on earth, hundreds of thousands more soldiers, and far greater quantities of sophisticated material than we could ever hope to muster. We have nothing to worry about in terms of foreign threats. Other than the Cold War (which was a threat to just about everyone on the planet), what direct security threats does Canada have to worry about? Put your flag away and give your head a shake; only a foolhardy idiot would advocate what you are.

I could go on and on, but prefer not to because its just going to upset me thinking about that (to borrow kurogane's style for a moment) Great White Land of Blinding Hypocrisy. Luckily I am not forced to endure it any longer since I no longer live there. I will end by saying I am never happier when I am away from it, and the wonderful life that Canadians seem bent on convincing themselves exists for everyone there I found only when I relocated to a place half a world away. That I was finally given the chance to become a contributing member of society in a place where I know no one, have never been before and know little about rather than in the land of my birth will remain my lasting indictment of the place.

Canada. If it went up in flames tomorrow, I'd die laughing.

[Tanuki]

Thank you arginjapan for your voice of reason. I have waiting for someone of your caliber to provide a fair look at this issue. Kudos to you arginjapan.

[kurogane]

Thank you arginjapan for your voice of reason. I have waiting for someone of your caliber to provide a fair look at this issue. Kudos to you arginjapan.

What about my reasonable response to your capitalist conspiratorial greedsucking imperialist post? You think that was bad? You should have seen it before I toned it down. :p

Arginjapan,
Beeyootiful, eh. I love the way you talk oot aboot such vital issues. Really, man. Spot on, eh!

Jonny,
Ta Luuv. Remember, I don't hate any peoples on principle, simply some people based on their principles.
Choo.

Tanuki,
What the H is that avatar? Is that a heavily armed Hasidim? Man, what a weird country you live in.
;)

[KG3000]

Tanuki's avatar looks familiar, I'm thinking Boondock Saints.

[kurogane]

Tanuki's avatar looks familiar, I'm thinking Boondock Saints.

Cool. Thanks mai wookie buddy. Or are you the guy with the bad hair?
;)

[sincity]

Canada. If it went up in flames tomorrow, I'd die laughing.

Bizarre post...Your rant on nationalism, passionate and well-argued as it was, rings somewhat hollow given Canada's multicultural milieu. A popular uprising that could unite Chinese, Hindu, Jamaican and soccer-loving communities etc.??? To say nothing of Newfoundland....never gonna happen. The only issue Canadians are nationalistic about is hockey and that's the way it should be.

But your hatred of "the land of your birth" (pompous A-hole) does help explain a lot of your other posts. I fear that a lack of "personal success" in Canada has left you a hateful and, sorry to say, odious human being.

If Canada went up in flames tomorrow, I'd cry for the loss of life and hockey sticks.

[KG3000]

Guess that depends on how much time passes between haircuts. 1 Month = Han Solo bad, 3 months = Chewie bad.

[arginjapan]

Bizarre post...Your rant on nationalism, passionate and well-argued as it was, rings somewhat hollow given Canada's multicultural milieu. A popular uprising that could unite Chinese, Hindu, Jamaican and soccer-loving communities etc.??? To say nothing of Newfoundland....never gonna happen. The only issue Canadians are nationalistic about is hockey and that's the way it should be.


Thank you arginjapan for your voice of reason. I have waiting for someone of your caliber to provide a fair look at this issue. Kudos to you arginjapan.
Normally I try not to respond to your posts, sincity, because they are usually bandwagoneering tripe. What exactly is the point you are trying to make? I'm arguing against nationalism (of which you apparently agree); where does a "popular uprising" enter into it? Where do I mention such a thing? I pointed out the flaws with nationalism; what I didn't do is voice any concern about the spectre of political fragmentation. Try explaining yourself a bit better.

But your hatred of "the land of your birth" (pompous A-hole) does help explain a lot of your other posts. I fear that a lack of "personal success" in Canada has left you a hateful and, sorry to say, odious human being.
Its nice to know that I'm p_ssing you off so much, because I care not one whit about you-apparently what I say matters more to you than what you say matters to me.

As for you tanuki; I'm guessing that as a fresh-faced university graduate from that festering cesspool south of the border, you have yet to learn how to read comprehensively. What part of "to any posters who wish to co-opt my post for their own ignorant, narrow-minded bigoted views (tanuki in particular) kindly don't; whatever problems Canada has they pale in comparison in scale or diversity to those in the U.S." didn't you understand? I have no desire to list all of the ills that plague the U.S (and as a result a large portion of the rest of humanity, especially those unfortunate enough to live in the Third World)-I simply don't have the time or energy to trot out that bloodstained laundry list of crimes and misdeeds. As much as I dislike Canada, I will also be one of the first to admit that if I had the choice between the U.S. and Canada, I'd choose Canada.

What I find particularly pathetic about you tanuki is that on the one hand, you write one post asking for advice on life on Japan and then in another denigrate some of the very people who could provide you with valuable information you seek? Do you take everyone here to be morons? No, tanuki, there isn't "Any hope for you" (to borrow your thread title) with an attitude such as this. I just hope that you do come to Japan; perhaps a year or two in this climate will crush that neo-imperialistic smugness you seem so content in indulging yourself in.

Kurogane: hard to tell if you were being sarcastic or not, but I'm sure you are sage enough to understand what I was getting at.

[sincity]

[QUOTE=arginjapan]Normally I try not to respond to your posts, sincity, because they are usually bandwagoneering tripe. What exactly is the point you are trying to make?

"bandwagoneering tripe?" You must be referring to the time I championed the time-cost effectiveness of defecating and copulating at the same time. When I see a good cause, I just can't help myself..."Bandwagoneering tripe?" C'mon man, be honest: You just liked the way that sounded.

And my point was that you can talk all you want about the evils of nationalism, it has no relevance to Canada in the 21st century. Nor was the OP attempting to fan the flames of Canadian nationalism, rather just lamenting that Canada no longer commands as much international respect as in the past. You, however, launch a vicious personal attack against him, which is pretty much the only thing you do on this forum. (Not that I don't do it too...it's just that you're so cheerless about it that I worry for your mental health... as a fellow Canadian should.)

[Tanuki]

kurogane-a heavily armed Hasidim? HAHAHAHA! I like that one, it is from the Boondock Saints as KG3000 pointed out. That character was an errand boy for the Italian mafia in Boston in that movie. I'm sure I ticked you off with my post, that was the intention. I did like your response though. In many ways, I agree. I hate the greed and the imperialistic persuasions of this country (why do you think I'm leaving), but I love the land and the people. That is what pisses me off, when others criticize this country and make it sound like all Americans are like that. In fact, I love Canada (I just love pusin' your buttons too). Do you happen to hail from Quebec?

arginjapan-There's nothing that I love more than a self-deprecating Canadian. I like some of your ideas, but your proving to everyone that you're kind of a ____. People should be proud of their countries. It's your homeland for Christ's sake! People like you probably couldn't get a job, friends, find love, etc. so all you have to do with your time is be bitter and complain about everything. Of course " whatever problems Canada has they pale in comparison in scale or diversity to those in the U.S." any twit can understand that (even you arigin). I'll assimilate with ease in Japan while you're probably sittin' naked in a beanbag chair berating everyone.

[arginjapan]

I'll assimilate with ease in Japan while you're probably sittin' naked in a beanbag chair berating everyone.
Why don't you read what some of the others around here who have been here a lot longer than you and me put together say about that particular delusion. Not that you shouldn't try, but if you think you will ever fully assimilate into Japanese culture or society, or that you will somehow miraculously evade the glass ceiling in terms of acculturation that other foreigners encounter, you are sadly mistaken.

[arginjapan]

And my point was that you can talk all you want about the evils of nationalism, it has no relevance to Canada in the 21st century.
Precisely the point I was making when I said "Furthermore, as far as I'm concerned, nationalism is pretty narrow in terms of whatever benefits it provides. Ask the homeless guy on the streets of Toronto if he gives a f_ck if Canada has lost its supposed diplomatic clout. Ask a native in Davis Inlet if they give a sh_t if our military has been reduced. Ask yourself if such things really matter to such people, or to a lot of Canadians. I know it doesn't mean sh_t to me"-how is what you are saying now substantially different from what I said then?


Nor was the OP attempting to fan the flames of Canadian nationalism, rather just lamenting that Canada no longer commands as much international respect as in the past.
So, what exactly did the original poster mean when he said "it seems as a nation we hardly have any backbone for anything anymore. We borrow bombs from the US when we do go to war and we have to rent planes to get move our troops when we want to go to war."? "Backbone" for what exactly? It isn't made clear, so I inferred meaning based on the context; the words immediately following the first part of the statement directly addressed Canada's lack of military capability to involve itself in conflicts if it chooses to. Projection of power, based on military capabilities. Smacks of nationalism to me-or at the very least militarism. Perhaps if the original poster clarified his thoughts it would allow me to revise my interpretation, but until he does so I stand by my conclusion in that he is advocating a return to nationalism.

[Guy Ginpot]

I think we've reached the nadir of worthless posts with this one. Where shall I begin...?

First of all, before I start, I will qualify my remarks by stating for the record that I am Canadian; born, raised, and educated there. Lived most of my life there, and have lived, worked in or visited the majority of the provinces. So I feel I am amply equipped to voice an opinion on this subject. One more thing: to any posters who wish to co-opt my post for their own ignorant, narrow-minded bigoted views (tanuki in particular) kindly don't; whatever problems Canada has they pale in comparison in scale or diversity to those in the U.S.

Canada has never been a world player; it is a moderately-sized industrial nation-state that has the good fortune of being located in a place that is seldom visited by conflict. Period. All of this blathering about post-war diplomatic clout is belied by simple facts-we have a small population with limited economic and military potential. And it will remain that way for the forseeable future.



This is the part of the post that is really odious-an unbridled call towards nationalism. Of all of the destructive forces that plague humanity, nationalism has to rank as one of the worst, if not the worst. An inestimable amount of grief and destruction has been visited on every corner of the world in the name of nationalism, yet you would champion such a sentiment? To what end? How would Canada benefit from engaging in a military buildup, and what exactly would the purpose of that be?

Furthermore, as far as I'm concerned, nationalism is pretty narrow in terms of whatever benefits it provides. Ask the homeless guy on the streets of Toronto if he gives a f_ck if Canada has lost its supposed diplomatic clout. Ask a native in Davis Inlet if they give a sh_t if our military has been reduced. Ask yourself if such things really matter to such people, or to a lot of Canadians. I know it doesn't mean sh_t to me. Since when has having a military that numbered 123,000 being reduced to 50,000 has decreased or increased the quality of my life in Canada? It made no measureable difference, and all it would serve to do is encourage the government to embark on vainglorious military misadventures (a la the U.S. in Iraq) which would cause or increase the wrath and enmity of those we would invade. Whether we have 123,000 battle-ready soldiers or not is completely pointless; we live next to a country that has probably the largest nuclear arsenal on earth, hundreds of thousands more soldiers, and far greater quantities of sophisticated material than we could ever hope to muster. We have nothing to worry about in terms of foreign threats. Other than the Cold War (which was a threat to just about everyone on the planet), what direct security threats does Canada have to worry about? Put your flag away and give your head a shake; only a foolhardy idiot would advocate what you are.

I could go on and on, but prefer not to because its just going to upset me thinking about that (to borrow kurogane's style for a moment) Great White Land of Blinding Hypocrisy. Luckily I am not forced to endure it any longer since I no longer live there. I will end by saying I am never happier when I am away from it, and the wonderful life that Canadians seem bent on convincing themselves exists for everyone there I found only when I relocated to a place half a world away. That I was finally given the chance to become a contributing member of society in a place where I know no one, have never been before and know little about rather than in the land of my birth will remain my lasting indictment of the place.

Canada. If it went up in flames tomorrow, I'd die laughing.

I tend to agree with sincity in his responses to your ‘bizarre’ post. It seems that the fact that you couldn’t make it in Canada has left you a bitter and twisted person. It’s unfortunate that you couldn’t make a go of it here but face up to it, there’s a runt in every litter.

There is certainly some validity in your argument against nationalism, but nationalism itself takes many forms. Do you think that if Canada had 123, 000 troops or 321,000 troops that we as a nation would decide, in the spirit of nationalism, to “embark on vainglorious military adventures”? Say, maybe invade Greenland because we would then be tough enough to punch out those menacing Danes? Expanding our territory is a ridiculous concept. We already have more land than we know what to do with. However, we do have enormous wealth in the way of natural resources. Not knowing what the future may bring, it would be prudent to guard our assets.

Sixty years ago today, Nazi Germany officially surrendered to allied forces. At that time, Canada had some 425.000 people in uniform, including the 3rd largest navy and the 4th largest air force of the allied forces. Over the 6 year period of that war, almost one million Canadians served. During WW2, the Canadian population was 1/3 of what it is now. The large numbers were due to the Canadian response [as one of the allies] to extreme nationalism.

For almost 50 years, the focus of Canadian military activity has been peace keeping: a concept conceived by former Prime Minister Lester Pearson for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1957. I may be wrong, but I believe that it was the intent of Hachiroku to point out that with such a small number of troops now, it is nearly impossible to commit to any meaningful military adventure: either peace keeping, self defence, or combatting aggression. In a perfect world, there would be no need for any military. I doubt we’ll ever see that perfect world.

For me personally, I humbly thank Mother Nature for allowing me to come into being at such a time and in such a place that I have never been subject to the misery of war, either as a victim or a participant. But I’m no flag waver and the Canadians I have seen in my travels sporting their little flags on their backpacks make me want to puke. Nevertheless, I am damn proud to be what I am. Canada is far from perfect, but what place isn’t?

Like sincity says, about the only thing that gets Canadians in a nationalistic mood now is hockey. It’s quite something when there is an important international game against the Yanks or the Russians or one of the other hockey playing nations. You can hear the roar through the neighbourhood when we score, and I live in an area full of artists, lesbians, and other various assorted low-key nationalists and sports apathetics. But, I’m sure it is pretty much the same in the pubs and residential streets of say, Wellington or Manchester when the All-Blacks take on England in a rugby match. Is that kind of nationalism unacceptable as well?

Maybe I read you wrong, although you are well spoken, you do come across as humourless, and a total dickhead:


One more thing: to any posters who wish to co-opt my post for their own ignorant, narrow-minded bigoted views (tanuki in particular) kindly don't

Oh pardon me, are you beyond reproach? Fu<k you, dickhead.

But, it’s certainly your final statement, in the context of your post, that makes me question whether or not you should seek professional help. Certainly, it’s your right to hate Canada if you want to, but would you really die laughing to see your home and native land go up in flames? Are you a fan of the Columbine killers? Timothy McVeigh? Are you so full of spite at your failure at home that you would enjoy this? What happened to you? Did you get your hair rinsed in the boy’s shitter one too many times?

Honestly, I’m happy for you that you’ve finally found your niche, and I hope life treats you well. However, should you find that your services are no longer required in your present location and you have no choice but return to your native land with your tail between your legs, you’ll find the professional services that you need are covered. Just try to be a patient patient. There may be a bit of a wait.

gg

[kurogane]

I'll assimilate with ease in Japan while you're probably sittin' naked in a beanbag chair berating everyone.

So let me get this straight:
you are a heavily armed potbellied flagwaving jingoistic Hasidic Raccoon Dog that hates nudity AND beanbag chairs???
Tanuki, Tanuki, Tanuki, we are just never going to get along, my fiery friend. Why, I'll have you know that one of the finest experiences in my life was when I spent three hours naked in a beanbag chair being fellated by my now ex, The '62 Gotsu Tiger.

Oh. Hold On. You said "berating". Oops.
Never Mind.
:p

[arginjapan]

Sixty years ago today, Nazi Germany officially surrendered to allied forces.
Really? Jesus, I had no idea...

Nevertheless, I am damn proud to be what I am. Canada is far from perfect, but what place isn’t?
So be it. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions.

Is that kind of nationalism unacceptable as well?
No, but the kind of nationalism the orignal poster advocates by stating we don't have the requisite military resources to go to war when Canada to wishes is.

Maybe I read you wrong
No maybe about it-if you had bothered to read what tanuki had said earlier, I said this in a pre-emptive move because I knew full-well he would co-opt it for his own purposes.

Certainly, it’s your right to hate Canada if you want to
Yes, precisely-it is. Notice how I haven't disputed your opinion that you think its a great place and how you are proud to be a Canadian even though its obvious I would disagree? Why take issue with mine?

However, should you find that your services are no longer required in your present location and you have no choice but return to your native land
Yes, I do detect a hint of wistful hope in that statement, but rest assured-this isn't the first time I have lived abroad, nor will it be the last. Whatever happens in the future I have options other than Canada-and for that I am grateful. Maybe its a great place for you-thats fantastic, and you are free and welcome to voice your opinion as you see fit. But its not for everyone, and I too am free and welcome to voice my opinion on that. You disagree with it? Don't like it? I don't f_cking care. And there is nothing you can say or do that will convince me that my opinion is any less valid now after your sermon than before.

[kurogane]

The street philosopher, Rodney King proclaimed:
"Can't we all just get along?"

[hachiroku]

I guess it's my fault for not visting for a few weeks (I have been too busy working) that I was unable to reply to this thread and clarify my post as I am the OP!

Just to clarify, what I meant when I originally posted the thread was...I was lamenting Canada's ability to be a postive force in the world, as it has been in the past. I was thinking about this after reading the book "While Canada Slept: How we lost our place in the world" by Andrew Cohen.

I think it would be helpful for me to quote "Our foreign aid is shrinking every year and it seems as a nation we hardly have any backbone for anything anymore. We borrow bombs from the US when we do go to war and we have to rent planes to get move our troops when we want to go to war."

Okay I will admit that the way I worded that paragraph, might come out sounding a bit nationalistic (borrowing bombs etc) but that is not what I meant. Since arginjapan wanted to take my post and sort rant on it, I will tell you what I meant.

In the past, Canada, through it's various efforts, whether Peace Keeping, or through foreign aid, the U.N. etc has been able to project more influence than our GDP and population would indicate. Canada has been able to be a force for good in the world, and had a lot more respect than it should have. I don't see any reason why Canada could not be like that in the future.

In order to do Peace Keeping you need to have troops. Have you seen the latest CBC news item that reads "Canada may send 150 troops to the Sudan"? I think 150 troops is hardy enough to stop genocide of any scale, and would hardly make any one think twice about doing anything. So unless we are going to just ignore the world around us, we need to have the tools to be helpful.

More importantly, on the aid front, the situation is worse! In order to influence other countries through aid you actaully have to give it, and Canada has been decreasing aid for several years and continues to. We have budget surpluses but it's at our and other's expense.

The plain fact of the matter is, the world is a messed up place and Canada needs to look to it's own interests, whether in self defence, search and rescue, foreign aid, peace keeping etc and not leave it up to the US.

Now I am not sure why arginjapan got all twisted in a not, but I hope this post helps to clear the air of any confusion as I am not advocating a military build up so we can act like the US. I assumed that would be understood as I am Canadian....but I guess it wasn't.

Anyways, back to NHL reruns!

[sincity]

Hachiroku and Guy will be pleased to know that Canada was well-represented at the Japan Beer Festival held this past weekend in Ebisu. 100 different types of local brew from throughout the country were on offer and yours truly and a posse of four Canucks, three Aussies and my JGF were on hand to drink in Japanese culture non-stop from 2:30 to 7:00 for the low, low all-you-can-drink price of 3,400 yen.

The first 1,000 people to enter the gates received commemorative glasses so I made darn sure to arrive an hour early and claim the 997th position in line. Result! Unfortunately, a few members of the crew had to settle for those plastic medicine cups. In retrospect, we shouldn't have tried to score the herb in Shibuya...that cost us at least 15 minutes and we couldn't even get a connection. Yeah, a real ____in' gash about the lost glasses but I got mine. Same rules apply and all that rubbish...

Nobody likes to wait in line but in the ensuing hour we demonstrated Canadian fortitude and... how you say... Arginjapan's joie de vivre by making 3 beer runs even though the closest conbini was a considerable distance away (at least that's what my GF told me, God bless her). I was amused by the incredulous stares of the locals. Haha! The brilliance of the Canadian who brings his own beer to a beer festival! But I've gotta give the Aussie lads their due- they drink with more enthusiasm than the Canads though it's true they talk funny...

Inside finally and we're dancing & hugging as we all seem to intituitively understand that there is enough beer in this hall to drown us all and this knowledge is awe-inspiring, humbling...But before I can lead us in prayer one of my mates clocks this a gaggle of shapely fannies ready to be filled and then re-filled and why oh why did I think bringing my GF was a good idea?

More regrets as I quaff beer No. 54 (each shot is only about 50 ml but you can double up if you're Canadian), a smokey concoction that I favor but which is physically rejected by my Canadian friend onto an innocent baby bystander. I try to placate the kid's parents but they aren't impressed with my "puke on a baby's shirt is as natural as honey on toast" analogy. It might have lost something in translation.

By six o'clock there are roughly 2,000 drunk-to-hell, sticky-shoed people in the same room and I'm looking for the organizers to convince them that this festival needs to be held more frequently, perhaps on a weekly or daily basis. I also have some comments regarding the "Beer Junkies Band", whom I feel let the accordian player take far too many solos.

On the way out we hook up with a band of Japanese revellers who take us to a Canadian bar, the Maple Leaf, in Shibuya. It's all good, Argie.

[Guy Ginpot]

I really hate to belabour this little debate, but I just can’t help myself, dammit. I’ll try to keep this as short and sweet as I can.


Notice how I haven't disputed your opinion that you think its a great place and how you are proud to be a Canadian even though its obvious I would disagree? Why take issue with mine?

Dispute me if you wish. Don’t dispute me if you wish. Ignore me if you wish… This is a public forum: ya says yer piece, ya takes yer chances.


Yes, I do detect a hint of wistful hope in that statement, but rest assured-this isn't the first time I have lived abroad, nor will it be the last. Whatever happens in the future I have options other than Canada-and for that I am grateful. Maybe its a great place for you-thats fantastic, and you are free and welcome to voice your opinion as you see fit. But its not for everyone, and I too am free and welcome to voice my opinion on that.

Believe me, there is nary a hint of wistful hope in my statement. By all means, if you don’t want to be in Canada, don’t be in Canada, there are plenty enough who do want to be. I was merely suggesting that if you did befall the great misfortune of having to return here, that perhaps you seek some helpful advice upon your return to help you cope with your situational misery.


You disagree with it? Don't like it? I don't f_cking care. And there is nothing you can say or do that will convince me that my opinion is any less valid now after your sermon than before.

As far as the validity of your opinion, I simply find a curious juxtaposition that perhaps you could sort out, if you are so inclined.

How do you balance arginjapan the passionate humanitarian,


Of all of the destructive forces that plague humanity, nationalism has to rank as one of the worst, if not the worst. An inestimable amount of grief and destruction has been visited on every corner of the world in the name of nationalism, yet you would champion such a sentiment?

with arginjapan the spiteful?


Canada. If it went up in flames tomorrow, I'd die laughing.

That you would both endorse and receive the ultimate pleasure from an event that would surely cause “an inestimable amount of grief and destruction” to a great many people is so disturbing and hypocritical to me, that it utterly devaluates the basis of your opinion.

But that’s just my opinion.

gg

[Guy Ginpot]

Hachiroku and Guy will be pleased to know that Canada was well-represented at the Japan Beer Festival held this past weekend in Ebisu. 100 different types of local brew from throughout the country were on offer and yours truly and a posse of four Canucks, three Aussies and my JGF were on hand to drink in Japanese culture non-stop from 2:30 to 7:00 for the low, low all-you-can-drink price of 3,400 yen.

The first 1,000 people to enter the gates received commemorative glasses so I made darn sure to arrive an hour early and claim the 997th position in line. Result! Unfortunately, a few members of the crew had to settle for those plastic medicine cups. In retrospect, we shouldn't have tried to score the herb in Shibuya...that cost us at least 15 minutes and we couldn't even get a connection. Yeah, a real ____in' gash about the lost glasses but I got mine. Same rules apply and all that rubbish...

Nobody likes to wait in line but in the ensuing hour we demonstrated Canadian fortitude and... how you say... Arginjapan's joie de vivre by making 3 beer runs even though the closest conbini was a considerable distance away (at least that's what my GF told me, God bless her). I was amused by the incredulous stares of the locals. Haha! The brilliance of the Canadian who brings his own beer to a beer festival! But I've gotta give the Aussie lads their due- they drink with more enthusiasm than the Canads though it's true they talk funny...

Inside finally and we're dancing & hugging as we all seem to intituitively understand that there is enough beer in this hall to drown us all and this knowledge is awe-inspiring, humbling...But before I can lead us in prayer one of my mates clocks this a gaggle of shapely fannies ready to be filled and then re-filled and why oh why did I think bringing my GF was a good idea?

More regrets as I quaff beer No. 54 (each shot is only about 50 ml but you can double up if you're Canadian), a smokey concoction that I favor but which is physically rejected by my Canadian friend onto an innocent baby bystander. I try to placate the kid's parents but they aren't impressed with my "puke on a baby's shirt is as natural as honey on toast" analogy. It might have lost something in translation.

By six o'clock there are roughly 2,000 drunk-to-hell, sticky-shoed people in the same room and I'm looking for the organizers to convince them that this festival needs to be held more frequently, perhaps on a weekly or daily basis. I also have some comments regarding the "Beer Junkies Band", whom I feel let the accordian player take far too many solos.

On the way out we hook up with a band of Japanese revellers who take us to a Canadian bar, the Maple Leaf, in Shibuya. It's all good, Argie.

Now you certainly deserve a commendation for your nationalistic spirit and I’ll see to it that news of your exploits is sent off to Adrian the Pompous, poste haste. There could be an award of some kind for you and the opportunity to meet Adrian the Pompous in a new and entirely silly hat. But I caution you: you may die laughing.

In my opinion, you did the right thing in inviting your girlfriend. At such an event, with such copious beer consumption [and for the sake of economy, I trust you got your numbers well up into the 70’s and beyond], the prospect of you ‘meating’ a new acquaintance with a rubbery beer coq, in addition to the pointless story you may have had to later concoct for said girlfriend, were totally averted. Smart choice. But that’s just my opinion.

Also, a dangerous combination - the cold colonials in company with the hot colonial cousins - seems to up the quench factor greatly, I know. It’s great fun, even though they do talk funny, but I find when they start the ‘Aussie Aussie Aussie - Oy Oy Oy’ thing, that I have to go hide behind a pillar until they stop.

Very well, carry on then, I’ll have my assistant draft up something for Adrian the Pompous as soon as I can find her. I find that I have a sudden craving for toast and honey.

chimo

gg

[User Name Deleted]

Canada is a boring, politically correct, irrelevant country. Who cares about this thread?

[Kumachan]

Canada is a boring, politically correct, irrelevant country. Who cares about this thread?Have you ever noticed that Americans have this need to put everybody else down in order to make themselves feel good?

I'm wondering if it's a genetic thing or if just the propaganda they've been weaned on.

[User Name Deleted]

Have you ever noticed that Americans have this need to put everybody else down in order to make themselves feel good?

I'm wondering if it's a genetic thing or if just the propaganda they've been weaned on.

I agree with you. I hope you're not implying that I am American. Let me assure you that I am delighted that I am not one.

[california84]

As an American my knowledge of Candia is limited. I have enjoyed visiting Canadian a lot. I think Canadians are the nice people in the world. I also find myself live abroad with most of my foreign friend being Canada. As much as I hate to say this. I find that Canadians living abroad are far better people then the often dirty Americans I have meet in China and Japan. As for Canada loosing it place in the world I think in fact for its first time in it history it is distinguishing itself from the U.S. and make itself not know as Americas 51 state. Looking at resent differences in Canada verses the U.S. Politics.

U.S.
Limited Immigration and Visa
Melting Pot (All immigrate become American)
Anti Gay Marriage
Pro-War in Iraq
Anti-Cuban Trade

Canada
Almost open immigration and easy visas.
Mosaic (All immigrant add to a great Canada)
Pro-gay marriage
Anti-War in Iraq
Pro-Cuba trade
Sprawling movie and T.V. Industry.
Increase in Canada export outside of North American (i.e. Japan, China, South Korea)

I think Canada is still over depended on the U.S.. This is in part due to treaties such as Military treated that limited the size of the Canada Armed Force. In addition about 80% of Canadian live on the Boarder with the U.S.. Canada has many leading scientist and business leaders, but most of them work in the U.S.. Canada need to stop the brain drain from Canada to the U.S. intern this will create more sciences and technologies and increase Canada role in the world. I think now more then ever Canada is breaking away from the U.S. and intern this will lead it to its own identity.

Cali

[kurogane]

Has Canada lost it's place in the world? !

I can't believe this thread. You younguns these days. Don't they teach youze nuttin at schoolin' no more?

Canada is right above the Great Satan. Just take a look at the State of Calisodomandgomorrah on any map, hang a left, drive for about a day and a half, and the friendly angels of Evermore will greet you, arms open, hands unarmed.
Not like those overarmed babyeating devil worshippers at the south bound crossing. They breathe fire and brimstone.
Good grub, mind ya. Cheap milk, too. So they say.

[Midon]

Canada is no longer a major player in the World because it doesn't need to be. If needed Canada can build it's military in a short amount of time. We have the educated population, the natural resources and the money.

As for the people saying there is nothing to do in Canada. I don't know what your used to but we have pretty much everything. Big game hunting/ fishing, skiing, surfing, theme parks, movies , bars, strip clubs, I actually don't know any form of entertainment that isn't available in Canada.

As for barely scraping by in Canada, it depends where you work. If you want a easy job you get paid almost nothing. But if your a hard worker capable of physical labor you can work in the oil sands or diamond mines and make $9,000 + a month, there is no shortage of these types of jobs if you can hack the work.

[OnceWritten]

isn't too few in the military, too little influence in the world, too much nationalism, or even too much/little sports on tv; it's too few jobs, probably why I and maybe you are here.

I'll join your party if you get us jobs back home.

How about the JEPP (Job for Every Person Party)?

:)

[electric_japan]

To the person above I give you two big thumbs up you really got a handle on what's the genuine reality in that bore of a place.
All talk and more talk in strictly 100 multicultural languages,jeeze.

[electric_japan]

What I will say today about Canada this year, they have more live concert action than Japan.
I really don't understand why all of a sudden Canada is getting more live concerts as it use to be a dead end when that subject came up.