I have noticed a lot of tension between countries from comments. Express tension here.
31899
Internatiasional debate stuff here.
Use this post to argue.
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SivartM
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Not complaining, just stating the truth, but okay.31899 wrote:This isn't a place to just complain about other counties. It's a place to argue if you do not like a comment someone makes.
31899
I disagree with you that Canadians don't talk funny! I'm just sure that you must speak at least slightly differently than I do!
Well, we've had quite a few discussions on the whole American v. Canadian thing in the past, which is, I'm guessing, what this really boils down to.
I first should tell you my background: I'm a red, white, and blue-blooded American, but I have no intention whatsoever of living in America. I'm in love with Europe, have spent three summers abroad, and have sisters-in-law from 2 other cultures (Japanese and Kenyan).
I love my country but am no longer under any illusions that it is the best place in the world, or best country. Especially with our recent elections, I see that our democracy is in shatters and our way of life is beyond ridiculous. Common decency and polity are gone from every-day life. We are no longer hard-working, honest, or caring as a country. I'm thoroughly convinced that the American society is like a termite infest board: ready to disintegrate into absolutely nothing with the slightest tension. When it comes to international relations, we are generally ridiculously cocky, embarrassingly rude, and shockingly ignorant of other people's societies and standards of living. We are, as a nation, self-centered, egotistical, and much too individualistic. In relation to socialism, we are getting it because we are lazy and selfish, demanding that those better off than ourselves pay us for being lazy. This is in contrast to Canadian and European foundations for socialism that was founded on patriotism and sympathy for those less fortunate.
But to be fair, I think we have good intentions: we generally honestly want to do the "right thing", we just don't bother to take the time to figure out what the "right thing" is. Our sympathy for those less fortunate will be our undoing, as it is already proving to be the undoing of other civilized countries (Europe, for example). There's a lot of good and bad mixed together in this wonderful country of mine.
Canadians, on the other hand, actually do retain, in my very small sampling of their kind, some sense of humor (or should I say, "humour" in life). This is mostly because they have to since they are so unaware of what's going on around them. They have no national identity other than "the non-Americans", except for those Canadians silly enough to pretend that "American" can refer to the continent(s) instead of the United States. After all, what do you want us to call ourselves, "United-Staters?" Talk about cocky sounding. No, no, for over a hundred years we've been called "Americans" and our friends to the north have been referred to as "Canadians", but in the last 10-20 years there seems to be a movement toward re-defining terms. [/end rant]
Canadians are some of the most honest, funniest, and delightful people I have ever met. I have never met one that I didn't instantly like. I've also never met one (except for one fellow on this board years ago) who knew the first thing about Canadian politics. Canadians, I have come to understand, are divided into three camps in regard to their national government: 1) Those who think they are no longer under the queen, 2) Those who are ecstatic about the queen, or 3) Those who freely admit their ignorance and feel no remorse.
And before any Canadian tries to enlighten me as to Canadian politics: please don't. I have known more about it than every Canadian I have ever met (again, except for that one fellow here many years ago). I've researched and studied it and done comparative-government papers on the differences and the similarities between the Canadian and American governments (we have a better form of government though no one will admit it because we don't want to hurt the Canadians' feelings).
So I guess my conclusion is that I would probably much rather choose any random Canadian to form a friendship with spend large amounts of time with. But, of the two, I would only ever choose an American to be one of my countrymen (though I am big on the idea of annexing British Columbia and Alberta).
How's that for fodder to the debate?
I first should tell you my background: I'm a red, white, and blue-blooded American, but I have no intention whatsoever of living in America. I'm in love with Europe, have spent three summers abroad, and have sisters-in-law from 2 other cultures (Japanese and Kenyan).
I love my country but am no longer under any illusions that it is the best place in the world, or best country. Especially with our recent elections, I see that our democracy is in shatters and our way of life is beyond ridiculous. Common decency and polity are gone from every-day life. We are no longer hard-working, honest, or caring as a country. I'm thoroughly convinced that the American society is like a termite infest board: ready to disintegrate into absolutely nothing with the slightest tension. When it comes to international relations, we are generally ridiculously cocky, embarrassingly rude, and shockingly ignorant of other people's societies and standards of living. We are, as a nation, self-centered, egotistical, and much too individualistic. In relation to socialism, we are getting it because we are lazy and selfish, demanding that those better off than ourselves pay us for being lazy. This is in contrast to Canadian and European foundations for socialism that was founded on patriotism and sympathy for those less fortunate.
But to be fair, I think we have good intentions: we generally honestly want to do the "right thing", we just don't bother to take the time to figure out what the "right thing" is. Our sympathy for those less fortunate will be our undoing, as it is already proving to be the undoing of other civilized countries (Europe, for example). There's a lot of good and bad mixed together in this wonderful country of mine.
Canadians, on the other hand, actually do retain, in my very small sampling of their kind, some sense of humor (or should I say, "humour" in life). This is mostly because they have to since they are so unaware of what's going on around them. They have no national identity other than "the non-Americans", except for those Canadians silly enough to pretend that "American" can refer to the continent(s) instead of the United States. After all, what do you want us to call ourselves, "United-Staters?" Talk about cocky sounding. No, no, for over a hundred years we've been called "Americans" and our friends to the north have been referred to as "Canadians", but in the last 10-20 years there seems to be a movement toward re-defining terms. [/end rant]
Canadians are some of the most honest, funniest, and delightful people I have ever met. I have never met one that I didn't instantly like. I've also never met one (except for one fellow on this board years ago) who knew the first thing about Canadian politics. Canadians, I have come to understand, are divided into three camps in regard to their national government: 1) Those who think they are no longer under the queen, 2) Those who are ecstatic about the queen, or 3) Those who freely admit their ignorance and feel no remorse.
And before any Canadian tries to enlighten me as to Canadian politics: please don't. I have known more about it than every Canadian I have ever met (again, except for that one fellow here many years ago). I've researched and studied it and done comparative-government papers on the differences and the similarities between the Canadian and American governments (we have a better form of government though no one will admit it because we don't want to hurt the Canadians' feelings).
So I guess my conclusion is that I would probably much rather choose any random Canadian to form a friendship with spend large amounts of time with. But, of the two, I would only ever choose an American to be one of my countrymen (though I am big on the idea of annexing British Columbia and Alberta).
How's that for fodder to the debate?
The border is too close to my country! We need to move the border farther away from both countries.
ToO siblings: Donna Blackbeard, Perron, Evil Chick, American Eagle, Stubborn, Shadowfax, and thelordismyshepherd (aka Anna), but StrongNChrist is my twin!
StrongNChrist, deceased 03-25-11, requiescat in pace
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Amethystic
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My friend called someone an American today. She got expelled. 
Okay, not really.
I think we Canadians just like being our own special 'clique'. I know that sounds awful, but we just like sticking together for some weird reason. Though... Pseudo and I do rib each other about the whole Quebec vs. the rest of Canada thing on occassion.
Okay, not really.I think we Canadians just like being our own special 'clique'. I know that sounds awful, but we just like sticking together for some weird reason. Though... Pseudo and I do rib each other about the whole Quebec vs. the rest of Canada thing on occassion.
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SivartM
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I think citizens of the United States should be called United Statesians.
Some people who live on an American continent are offended by the use of "America" exclusively referring to the United States...
I have a particular attachment to England, but only because I heard it's rainy/foggy there and C.S. Lewis lived there.
Some people who live on an American continent are offended by the use of "America" exclusively referring to the United States...
I have a particular attachment to England, but only because I heard it's rainy/foggy there and C.S. Lewis lived there.
I also share your particular attachment to England, and for the same reasons! (Plus others)Ty Borden wrote:I think citizens of the United States should be called United Statesians.
Some people who live on an American continent are offended by the use of "America" exclusively referring to the United States...
I have a particular attachment to England, but only because I heard it's rainy/foggy there and C.S. Lewis lived there.
Sorry about those people who are 'offended', but I've concluded once a person has decided to be offended over something as old and trivial as what "American" refers to, changing our vocabulary to please them is only going to be a temporary remedy. They'll find something bigger and better next to be offended by, which will demand even more inconvenience and trouble on our parts. We really don't do people any good by acquiescing to their nonsensical feelings of offense. To be honest, I'm rather offended that people think they can refer to themselves as American even though they aren't, even if they are from the Americas.
But on the other hand, perhaps it's a good thing that Canadians begin to identify themselves as "American", that way when we annex them it won't be such a shocker.
Qui est de Quebec? J'adore ce pays!
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Laura Ingalls
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I am amused that certain obvious jokes in various threads have been taken offense to. There's been some good natured ribbing about Canada vs. USA throughout the life of the ToO, and it shouldn't be taken so seriously, in my HUMBLE opinion. 
Carry on, the rest of you HH debaters!
There's been some good natured ribbing about Canada vs. USA throughout the life of the ToO, and it shouldn't be taken so seriously, in my HUMBLE opinion. Carry on, the rest of you HH debaters!
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish, but for all to come to repentance. ♡
Hillingdale Haven debates stimulate my meager life!
We will never annex Canada because it's too cold up there!
We will never annex Canada because it's too cold up there!
ToO siblings: Donna Blackbeard, Perron, Evil Chick, American Eagle, Stubborn, Shadowfax, and thelordismyshepherd (aka Anna), but StrongNChrist is my twin!
StrongNChrist, deceased 03-25-11, requiescat in pace
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Launa was so offended when she called her that!Maximum Ride wrote:My friend called someone an American today. She got expelled.
I think we Canadians just like being our own special 'clique'. I know that sounds awful, but we just like sticking together for some weird reason. Though... Pseudo and I do rib each other about the whole Quebec vs. the rest of Canada thing on occassion.
I am not as secret anymore. *Starts to cry*
