"How Canada Stole the American Dream"

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Hehehe, well there you have it, Charles, there is another good reason why you are an honourary member of the Canada Forum!

Since you are obviously well-versed in Canadian history, I'm curious if you've read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Brief-History-Canada/dp/0816031576 and, if so, how you feel about it. I bought it a while ago so I could be a little less stupid about Canada's history, but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Him, actually, I haven't read this one but it looks like an interesting read. It looks like one worth having. Here is the information from Amazon about it:

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

All too often Americans dismiss Canadians as a nondescript people living above the 49th parallel with a boring history. On the contrary, as Riendeau (Univ. of Toronto) demonstrates in his credible analysis of the Canadian past, Canada has a history as vibrant as any in the world. The book covers a wide range of topics--geographical features, the Norse discovery, the fall of New France, nationhood, and finally, the modern era. Riendeau has written a good text enriched by photos, maps, and a bibliography for further reading. This is a worthy addition for public and academic libraries.

-Larry R. Little, Penticton P.L., British Columbia

Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Card catalog description

"Canada's history has been a long, fascinating, and very independent evolution, in marked contrast to the violence that typifies the United States's story. Most Americans know embarrassingly little about their northern neighbor's unique history, from its first sighting by the Norse to its full confederation in 1922 to today's social democracy. Now, in the wake of NAFTA and the Quebec crisis, an understanding of the forces that have driven Canada's development over the last 400 years is more important than ever. A Brief History of Canada fills the gap with an authoritative narrative history that combines solid reference value with helpful analysis."--BOOK JACKET. "With more than 20 photographs and eight maps. A Brief History of Canada is an enlightening introduction to the nation and its people."--BOOK JACKET.

Sounds like something DeadPoolX might want to read!!

These two books (volumes 1 and 2) are good ones to have in any Library of Canadian history - and quite readable too:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0771033249

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0771033362

The video series that goes along with it is also excellent. A lot of re-enactors are included in many of the scenes - unfortunately, I am not one of them but many friends are.

Edited July 6, 2008 by Kathryn41

[derekkj 0]

As an aside, a quick story about the "have a beer" way of doing things. I'm involved in a dog sport which spans the border. Sometimes a team travels with a skeleton crew, and needs to enlist the help of other participants during the tournament. Down here in the US, folks usually offer to reciprocate help ("if you can help our team, we'll help yours" sort of thing). Well, we drove from NC up to Ontario for a tournament, and a Canadian team asked us if we could help them out with the offer "We'll give you a six-pack!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! My US teammates were shocked, but I just said "That's how we roll in Canada!"

Yeap, my US friends just don't understand when I offer to "pay" them with beer. Back home if my plumbing needs fixed, I call my brother in law and say "James, my tap is leaking. Bring your tools, I have beer". Or if I need help moving I call a friend with a pick-up truck "hey dude, I'm moving again, bring your truck, I've got beer". Or when a friend of mine was re-decorating her home. She'd call up and say "ok, I've got paint and wallpaper and a case of beer, be here by noon!"

The paying with beer thing is sooooooooo true! The heartwarming thing is that it is more than just paying with beer. It's the camaraderie and the bonding and the sense of "doing unto others". I'm really lucky in that I have found that exact same outlook on life here in my new neighbourhood. Everyone pitches in and helps each other out, as well as watching out for one another. It's soooooooo nice. I have the best neighbours ever.

Well, it's not beer, but in my Mom's home town of Waterbury, VT, they pay one another with Ben and Jerry's. And I can't tell you how wonderful all of her neighbors have been and pitched in for her in her times of need since she lives by herself and my brother and I live so far away. From driving her to chemotherapy to plowing her driveway when it's literally snowed for months on end, they have been great.

In short, I don't think of that as a Canadian/American thing, but more of a rural vs. city thing. That being said, Derek and I also have good neighbors here in Metro DC from ones who have helped us move - paid in beer and pizza - to taking care of the cat when we have been away - paid in Vermont maple syrup. But in turn we try and be good neighbors ourselves. And will gratefully take beer as payment!

[Reba 2]

Perhaps one of the more significant - and illustrative - events in the settlement of Canada was the coming of the United Empire Loyalists (UEL). Notwithstanding the UEL 'myth', these were individuals who, for one reason or another, did not wish to become involved in the disputes of the American Revolution. Some of them were indeed 'loyal' to the British crown; many more of them were basically 'not interested' in the conflict and just wished to continue on with their daily lives without getting politically involved, but they were literally forced to flee for their lives when their property was confiscated by US supporters who declared 'If you are not for us, you're against us'. There was no room for neutrality.

My maternal Great-Grandmother's parents were UELs and left Pennsylvania for Ontario. I actually have quite a lot of American history in my family. Even as far back as the witch-hunts of the 17th Century in New England.

[DeadPoolX 9]

. . . and any Canadian who truly believes that Canada is superior to the U.S. in every way is gravely mistaken.

What a very interesting statement! So, you expect Canadians are to think the opposite? That if Canada isn't superior than the US, than the US is superior? Why does it have to be a competition?! Why not just recognize that there are differences and accept that? Why do you have such a problem with allowing Canadians to be Canadians and to love their country? Why do you feel the need to keep trying to tell us we are wrong for valuing our country, our heritage , our identity and say we are supposed to prefer the US? (Hmmm, were you the speech writer for General Hull back in 1812 in one of your previous incarnations trying to 'save us' from our delusions? ).

You don't read very carefully, do you? Look again. I said "superior in every way." What does that mean? If you think I'm stating that Canada is inherently inferior to the United States, you've misread me.

All I'm saying is that Canada isn't "superior" in every way which is something that shouldn't have to be spoken or written. Unfortunately, it seems that such commentary needs to be made here, as the pro-Canadian rhetoric says otherwise. There are some things that Canada does better than the U.S. and there are others that the U.S. does better than Canada.

You might want to read a little more carefully next time before jumping to conclusions.

Edited July 7, 2008 by DeadPoolX

[Marilyn. 340]

again no one here is saying that Canada is better then the US in every way

I think you might be misreading stuff too..

[Emancipation 2]

http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/new...7b672d3&p=1

Heard a documentary on this when in Canada this past weekend.. FAB bit of Canadian History.. I was SO proud to be CDN when I heard the premier knocking down the KKK!!

[DeadPoolX 9]

again no one here is saying that Canada is better then the US in every way

I think you might be misreading stuff too..

Perhaps I am. It's certainly possible on the Internet, where vocal tone, emotion and body language are all absent in conversation.

[Marilyn. 340]

we know Canada isn't perfect but we grew up there so we are partial to the country... *shrugs*

[Sprailenes 47]

I think Canada is better.

But thats just my personal opinion.

Of course I am going to think its better, its where I am from, it's where my family and friends are.

My husband and I used to get into HUGE "debates" about this all the time. Now, we just don't talk about it. We're both proud of our homes and I accept his love for his as he accepts my love for mine.

Edited July 7, 2008 by Sprailenes

[Flames9_RN 358]

I dont see whats wrong with SOMEONES personal opinion a certain country is 100% better, thats their right. I love canada/usa. but hope to live down in S.America for a few years.

[thetreble 19]

I dont see whats wrong with SOMEONES personal opinion a certain country is 100% better, thats their right.

I don't see what is wrong with it either. I guess we are missing something.

Edited July 7, 2008 by thetreble

[Kathryn41 3,205]

. . . and any Canadian who truly believes that Canada is superior to the U.S. in every way is gravely mistaken.

What a very interesting statement! So, you expect Canadians are to think the opposite? That if Canada isn't superior than the US, than the US is superior? Why does it have to be a competition?! Why not just recognize that there are differences and accept that? Why do you have such a problem with allowing Canadians to be Canadians and to love their country? Why do you feel the need to keep trying to tell us we are wrong for valuing our country, our heritage , our identity and say we are supposed to prefer the US? (Hmmm, were you the speech writer for General Hull back in 1812 in one of your previous incarnations trying to 'save us' from our delusions? ).

You don't read very carefully, do you? Look again. I said "superior in every way." What does that mean? If you think I'm stating that Canada is inherently inferior to the United States, you've misread me.

All I'm saying is that Canada isn't "superior" in every way which is something that shouldn't have to be spoken or written. Unfortunately, it seems that such commentary needs to be made here, as the pro-Canadian rhetoric says otherwise. There are some things that Canada does better than the U.S. and there are others that the U.S. does better than Canada.

You might want to read a little more carefully next time before jumping to conclusions.

Please show where in any of the previous posts anyone - other than you - used the words 'Canada is superior in every way'. You were the first to bring up that point and by using that phrase, you implied the absolutism. I think I read more carefully than you anticipated, and you are now trying to defend your own statement by back peddling.

Edited July 8, 2008 by Kathryn41

[thetreble 19]

I gave this to Kathryn, but I might as well paste it in here as well. I think at the end of the day, this is what we are trying to say in the most beautiful and real way possible.

"...My hair's mostly wind,

My eyes filled with grit

My skin's white then brown

My lips chapped and split

I've lain on the prairie and heard grasses sigh

I've stared at the vast open bowl of the sky

I've seen all the castles and faces in clouds

My home is the prairie and for that I am proud…

If You're not from the Prairie, you can't know my soul

You don't know our blizzards; you've not fought our cold

You can't know my mind, nor ever my heart

Unless deep within you there's somehow a part…

A part of these things that I've said that I know,

The wind, sky and earth, the storms and the snow.

Best say that you have - and then we'll be one,

For we will have shared that same blazing sun."

- David Bouchard

[PlatyPius 5]

I think Canada is better.

But thats just my personal opinion.

Of course I am going to think its better, its where I am from, it's where my family and friends are.

My husband and I used to get into HUGE "debates" about this all the time. Now, we just don't talk about it. We're both proud of our homes and I accept his love for his as he accepts my love for mine.

In many ways I think Canada is better, too. But of course, I'm from the US so I like things about it as well.

I think some people are just more sensitive to comments about the US than others. I have no problem with comments about the government, comments such as "Americans are fat" (because it's true), or anything like that. Some things do offend me, but they aren't things I can define. I think maybe it's a disdain of the US itself that offends me. Or making comparisons between your country and the US and pointing out in what ways the US fails to meet the high standards of your home country.

This, by the way, is a general comment - not a comment for the Canada forum. The most obvious example I can think of...the type of comment that makes me want to beat someone.... is Booyah and his raging hard-on for Australia and his air of superiority. I don't disagree with many of the things that he's said, but the way he says them makes me want to kick him in the face. Repeatedly. With steel-toe boots.

I haven't seen any of that in the Canada forum. Not from the Canadians, at least. I HAVE seen it from a few Americans in here over the years. I think it's perfectly natural to prefer your own country and to think that the way things are done there are the "correct" ways. Just like the way that Mags thinks that putting a pile of beans on a piece of toast, sprinkling with cheese and then eating it is perfectly normal. Just like the way I think that it ISN'T normal, or in any way palatable. (Don't get me started on poutine!) Cultures are different....that's the beauty of life on this spinning blue-green orb....there's enough non-uniformity to keep things interesting.

[Krikit 1,164]

Bless you, Platy.