US and CANADA

[civiltech]

There has been much talk about the US's Head of State/Gov't visiting Canada recently, and His informal talks with our Prime Minister.

There are a few things I feel compelled to state since the point of his visit is being blown out of proportion, no matter what your political spectrum is!!

1) It is an informal tradition that the first foreign visit of the the new President of the US is Canada. The most recent exception was Bush in his first term with our Prime minister Jean Chretien. No doubt relations were strained. However, I believe that Bush's recent trip is an "olive branch" back to previous positivie relations between both countries.

2) The trip was not an official visit. It never is in the President's first trip to Canada. The fact that the popular media here is trying to make an issue of it is a little baffling. Again, it is an informal tradition that the President of the US's first trip is Canada.

3) There is an influence that seems somewhat violent against the US here in Canada. This is not a popular view!!! In fact the NDP (New Democractic Party) which stems most of this rhetoric barely holds any noticeable power. The squeaky wheel always gets the grease though in the media!!! You will find that the few protestors will get the media to make a story!!!

4) Most Canadians do not think Bush makes the best American president as compared to Kerry. In fact the last poll told us 14%. However, we are not American and our opinion in your foreign politics should mean as much as foreign input into our politics (Michael Moore's medling with our last election should be a point in turn!!!) The fact that Canadians would prefer the Democarat, certainly does not mean we are all up in arms about Bush!!! You voted him in, and we are still best friends with the States!!!

5)Canada's biggest trading partner is the US. And in turn the US's biggest trading partner is Canada. We have always been close allies economically, and militiarily. This hasn't changed!!

I always feel welcome in travelling to the US. People there are much like us and have always been friendly and willing to give a helping hand. I like to think we do the same as well to our neighbours to the south.

Whatever your political views and tastes I hope we all agree that there is a bright future betwen both our countries. There is a tight bond between the largest undefended border in the world!!!!

Best regards,


Civiltech

[HillBilly]

I'm moving to England...

[lochinvar]

Originally Posted by HillBilly

I'm moving to England...

Go now.
You'll be first in line.

[HillBilly]

i'm going for college

[HillBilly]

fingers crossed

[lochinvar]

Originally Posted by civiltech

(snip)I always feel welcome in travelling to the US. People there are much like us and have always been friendly and willing to give a helping hand.(snip)

I, too, have always felt welcomed in Canada--except in Quebec. But then, I gather most English-speaking Canadians aren't welcomed in Quebec, either...

[telkanuru]

Really? I particularly enjoyed Quebec. Espeically when there were Astrix and Oblix cartoons on the TV! I really need to brush up on my middle-school french

[jBirch]

Originally Posted by telkanuru

Really? I particularly enjoyed Quebec. Espeically when there were Astrix and Oblix cartoons on the TV! I really need to brush up on my middle-school french

You mean middle-fingered school French, right? *grin*

I love old Quebec City. Prettiest urban place in all North America, I'd wager (the buildings, not the people). As to the people, I've had mixed results in Quebec. I've been given a hard time in the shops and I've been treated really well by cute french girls interested in practicing their English (I was more interested in practicing my "French", but alas, it was not to be). Like anywhere else I guess, there are nice people and cranky ones.

To everyone else, if you haven't been, it's a great place to go.

Take it easy.

[telkanuru]

Also, if you ski, Mt. Tremblant (I think I got the spelling right) is the best ski area east of the rockies.

[Epee_Pox]

Heck yeah! Best skiing I had on this side of the continent was in Quebec. And the people were just wonderful. Down here in the states, east coast skiing stinks by comparison.

Still not quite the same as rubbing your shoulder down the back bowl at A-basin, but yeah, great skiing.

[civiltech]

All the public liquor stores in Quebec are on strike right now. They were the only good source of wines, beer, and spirits. (They do sell wine in the supermarkets but it is usually the "Spomante or Baby Duck level")

The Ontario /Quebec border is streaming with Quebecers coming over to find good wine. CTV reported yesterday that LCBO (Liquor stores) in Ontario everywhere along the border are seeing over 200% increase in the number of customers!

My hear goes out to them!

(And ya, most Quebec is really nice. If you attempt to speak in French, they usually will understand the problem and use English)

[HillBilly]

I love Quebec! We know the greatest coach there, and everything