Canada-Your Retarded Cousin

[SJB]

From Canadian Press:

BETH GORHAM
Mon Dec 19, 3:40 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CP) - Canada has been described lately by a conservative U.S. television host as "a stalker" and a "retarded cousin."

Another pundit recently asked if Canadians weren't getting "a little too big for their britches." There's been a spate of Canada-bashing by right-wing media commentators in the United States ever since Prime Minister Paul Martin's complaints about lumber penalties and U.S. policy on climate change. His remarks prompted an unusual rebuke last week from the American ambassador.

The attacks on Canada have had web bloggers typing overtime and a non-profit group that's monitoring the trend, Media Matters for America, says it's disturbing.

Yet Paul Waldman, a senior fellow for the group, said Monday the criticism is confined to the usual faction that erupts whenever there's criticism of President George W. Bush's administration and it probably won't last past Canada's Jan. 23 election.

"There are always going to be occasions when it pops up. But Canada is never going to occupy an extraordinary amount of American thought," said Waldman.

"It's more like: 'Who can we beat on today?' It's never going to reach the heights of animosity toward France in the run-up to the Iraq war."

Last week, MSNBC host Tucker Carlson, a well-known conservative pundit, let loose with a string of anti-Canada rants.

"Anybody with any ambition at all, or intelligence, has left Canada and is now living in New York," he said.

"Canada is a sweet country. It is like your retarded cousin you see at Thanksgiving and sort of pat him on the head. You know, he's nice but you don't take him seriously. That's Canada."

Carlson also said it's pointless to tell Canada to stop criticizing the United States.

"It only eggs them on. Canada is essentially a stalker, stalking the United States, right? Canada has little pictures of us in its bedroom, right?"

"It's unrequited love between Canada and the United States. We, meanwhile, don't even know Canada's name. We pay no attention at all," he said.

The day before, Fox News host Neil Cavuto highlighted Martin's remark at a news conference that the United States is a "reticent nation" lacking a "global conscience" on climate change.

"So have the Canadians gotten a little too big for their britches?" Cavuto asked.

"Could our neighbours to the north soon be our enemies?"

Douglas MacKinnon, a press secretary to former Republican senator Bob Dole, also recently accused Canada of harbouring terrorists.

"Can Canada really be considered our friend anymore?" he asked in a recent commentary in the right-wing Washington Times newspaper.

"What other question can be asked when the Canadian government not only willingly allows Islamic terrorists into their country but does nothing to stop them from entering our nation?"

U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins warned Martin last week to tone down anti-American jabs or risk hurting bilateral relations. But Martin was unrepentant, saying he would "not be dictated to" by the United States and his hard line appears to be resonating with some voters.

While the offensive from American pundits isn't widespread, it still has the potential to affect cross-border ties, said Waldman.

"On Capitol Hill, the TVs are turned to Fox News. This kind of media environment is what the White House pays attention to," he said.

"That hostility is probably shared by a lot of people in the administration."

[ThatReallyHurt]

You know, I was actually finding myself slightly offended by that article until I realized there were two particular words side by side:

a) Tucker
b) Carlson

I used to watch that guy on CNN every once in a while... and I have no idea how he keeps getting jobs where he's allowed to give his opinions to more than three people at a time... he strikes me as someone who's more interested in stirring up the pot than providing useful political commentary.

All the same, those officials and commentators had better be careful - we've got a PLAN .

To be fair, though - it's not like Canadians haven't taken potshots at Americans occasionally.

[jeff]

Originally Posted by SJB

Last week, MSNBC host Tucker Carlson, a well-known conservative pundit, let loose with a string of anti-Canada rants.

"Anybody with any ambition at all, or intelligence, has left Canada and is now living in New York," he said.

What a dork he is, and to refer to New York that way is pathetic. When he was covering the Republican convention held in New York, he whined like a baby about how mean everybody in New York was to him. He made it sound like it was a regional personality trait, but I think it's because everyone recognised him and gave him what he deserved. A big mouth, and any time you see a person under 70 wearing a bow-tie (without a tux) it's because they want to be noticed, just a little too much.

[Inquartata]

I think most pundits are like that---the more people they upset or anger, the better for their employer's ratings or circulation. The danger is going so far that they make people quit listening or reading entirely. Better to keep them writing spluttering letters to the editors.

Myself, I always though of Canada as Fredo Corleone.

[jeff]

Well said, Inq. Article by Nicholas Kristof today with a challenge to O'Reilly ("you want to see real evil instea of the stuff you bank your shoe on the table from in the safety of your studio, come with me to Darfur!") says how O'Reilly is perfectly amiable until the camera comes on, when he starts on his tirades. That's how you keep the ratings up - theatre and pretended indignation

[Black Jeebus]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I think most pundits are like that---the more people they upset or anger, the better for their employer's ratings or circulation. The danger is going so far that they make people quit listening or reading entirely. Better to keep them writing spluttering letters to the editors.

Myself, I always though of Canada as Fredo Corleone.

We know it was you Canada. *kiss on the cheek*

[mrbiggs]

anyone still have the link to Jon Stewart going on Crossfire and owning the hosts (including Tucker)?

I doubt it, it was awhile ago.

[esskreemr]

Originally Posted by mrbiggs

anyone still have the link to Jon Stewart going on Crossfire and owning the hosts (including Tucker)?

I doubt it, it was awhile ago.

Oh yeah. That was freakin' brilliant. I love that piece:
http://www.ifilm.com/ifilmdetail/2652831?htv=12

I wish he would go on Hannity & Colmes. I'd love to hear Hannity try to bully him into shutting up and he tell Colmes that he needs to grow a set of balls or find another show.

[Epee_Pox]

Originally Posted by Inquartata

I think most pundits are like that---the more people they upset or anger, the better for their employer's ratings or circulation. The danger is going so far that they make people quit listening or reading entirely. Better to keep them writing spluttering letters to the editors.

Myself, I always though of Canada as Fredo Corleone.

Which aspect of Fredo? The whiny and bitter "I was passed over!" Fredo? The incompetent "it's okay, Pop, I'll drive you" Fredo? The turncoat "you don't talk to Moe Green like that" Fredo? The plotting traitor "Johnny Ola showed me this place" Fredo?

In terms of the Corleones' world, I'd think of Canada as more like Tessio. Relic of a bygone era, comfortable in his own self-interest. Valuable and trusted by Don Vito, but independent enough to have no loyalty to heir Michael.

Less of Fredo's jealous impotence, and more of Tessio's intelligently different path.

Of course, both got whacked by that psychotic weakling Michael, and there the Godfather analogy ends, because I don't see the USA as any of the characters in that tragedy.