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A friend shared this with me and I thought it was funny.
Canadian press practically vomits on itself in excitement over Pres. Obama's visit
The comments are hilarious LOLOTTAWA—Twice in less than a decade we have all been Americans. Once was on 9/11, the other is today.
There's more to our conversion than Canadian rapture over a new U.S. president. Barack Obama's visit is a second transformational moment steeped in crisis. By endorsing shared solutions to common threats, he is recreating the opportunity George W. Bush missed.
Eight years ago in September, Al Qaeda made a sympathetic victim of the superpower much of the world demonizes. In downing the twin symbols of global financial dominance, Osama bin Laden handed Bush moral authority and plausible justification for the muscular export of U.S. values and interests.
Current reality measures how horribly that went wrong. Toppling the Taliban morphed into overthrowing Saddam Hussein. The War on Terror became an assault on fundamental rights that framed American independence. Fear thickened our famously unguarded border. Finally, greed and blind faith in unfettered markets did to the world economic order what Al Qaeda couldn't.
Obama has chosen Canada as a fitting place to press the reset button. This country remains a global model – multicultural, internationally collegial, fiscally prudent, politically stable.
So this close, comfortable corner of the international stage is a safe and sound choice for an initial foreign trip a mere month after an historic inauguration.
What better place than Canada to publicly consider the communal effort required to rescue symbiotic economies, the linkages between energy security and climate change or a renewed NATO response to the deteriorating Afghanistan mission? Who better to talk to first than Canadians who feel U.S. pain personally, who have been made Americans by America's financial collapse?
Whether or not the world overhears, conversations are always important when they're between neighbours who share a continent, a $600 billion annual trading partnership and a troubled military mission.
But it's essential to remember that what's changing is the U.S. approach to Canada, the appealing tone and familiar thinking, not the relationship. Our capillary cross-border connections are still configured by what America wants – energy now, water later and always security – and what Canada needs – sustaining economic access and a little sovereign respect.
As it was with Bush, it will be with Obama. Washington pursues its hegemony with admirably relentless vigour; Ottawa reacts to the best of its limited ability.
That dynamic is reinforced by the urgency and complexity of the U.S. predicament. How this federal government copes with that pressure is the subtext of this fly-by summit.
Obama isn't just more popular here than the Prime Minister; he's also more focused than any recent president. In 10 informed, graceful pre-visit minutes with the CBC, Obama presented an agenda with profound Canadian implications. Protectionist conditions attached to the $800 billion U.S. stimulus are subject to the same trade rules that made softwood lumber a losing Canadian battle. Alberta's dirty oil can be accommodated in a continental energy and environment policy that includes dirty American coal. Afghanistan is a work in progress that creates time for Parliament to reconsider its 2011 end-combat deadline.
For better or for worse, willingly or by necessity, all of that makes Americans of us all. Obama's ambiguous gift is making the metamorphosis seem so innocuous, so sensibly obvious, so, well, Canadian.
James Travers' column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
TheStar.com Toronto Edition - Breaking News, Sports, Entertainment, Business, Classifieds, Local and National News - GTA, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Reason has left the room
Comparing Canada's reaction to Obama's stop-over today to our reaction to Sept 11, 2001 is absolutely ridiculous. I know, I know, love is blind, but the smitten Mr. Travers speaks only for himself.
Mr. Travers
That makes us all North Americans, nothing more. My Canadian identity is something I enjoy and cherish. I like Americans but if I wanted to be one I would apply for my green card and move south.
Americans of Us Alll?
I was shocked by 9/11 and mourned for those killed and their families,some of them were Canadians, but if you remember Bush failed to thank Chretien for allowing US bound planes to land here, and Canadians for opening their homes and hearts to Americans, stranded here. CNN and other US media stated the terrorists came from Canada which was completely untrue. James; 9/11 didn't make an American of me... It made me proud to be CANADIAN
Was it good for you too?
Obama's election, inauguration, and now coming to Canada has been a seminal event in many Canadian's small lives. The strip tease by the adoring media has set the stage. Please, enough, enough. You've had your political orgasm. Please sit back. Light a cigar. Pour yourself a brandy. You deserve it. You're tired after all that cheerleading. Then, please, get on with reality, and your life.
<LOL>
I am from the American CIA and I have a radio in my head. I am going to kill you.
A friend shared this with me and I thought it was funny.
too bad the spelling is off
I am from the American CIA and I have a radio in my head. I am going to kill you.
Obama supporters love a winner.Originally Posted by Sweetie
A friend shared this with me and I thought it was funny.
the bad spelling just reminds me of..
I am from the American CIA and I have a radio in my head. I am going to kill you.
Canada would be bored without us.
Whatsover.....especially about brains!
I didn't start out to collect diamonds, but somehow they just kept piling up.-Mae West
Haha, b/c McCain/Palin supporters were so interested in brains. HENHHH?? That makes no sense whatsover, lol.
.i would seriously faint and wet myself at the same time if i got to meet him!
the bad spelling just reminds me of..
You all need to get a sense of humor. It's just a joke, it's not a college thesis.
Learn how to let loose a little.
King, I would pay good money to see that.
don't tell that to alice, she'll let loose all over the carpet
I am from the American CIA and I have a radio in my head. I am going to kill you.
Sweetie, 'Obama' is Jesus spelled backwards. He is our savior. Don't hate, appreciate.You all need to get a sense of humor. It's just a joke, it's not a college thesis.
Learn how to let loose a little.
King, I would pay good money to see that.
I Met Obama
..........and I jizzed in my pants!
eww.. snatchcrusties
I am from the American CIA and I have a radio in my head. I am going to kill you.
FF would not approve!
how do you know about those Grimm?! apparantly you are not as gay as one would assume...
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