Canada going to War

[Regs]

This thread really should have been started last week...

So the WTO has given Canada and other countries the go-ahead to start taxing the shite out of various products imported from the US. It's about fcuking time though the list seems a little retarded - why the fcuk does Canada need to import maple syrup?

It seems that the feds are going to be asking the people of Canada what they want to do about the illegal trade activities by the US... what do you think? Should we start threatening pulling back some of our energy exports?

This week is going to be huge with Bush here starting tomorrow... too bad that one Liberal MP dimwit got the boot already - I'd have loved to seen her with that voodoo doll in Halifax

Cheers,

~Regs.

 

[Gurps]

I love how Americans push so hard for Free Trade, and the moment Free Trade puts one of there industries at a disadvantage, they ignore the agreement. Yeah I think Canada should start hitting the goods with tariffs.

It may be harmful for both economies in the short run, but in the long run, it will show the Americans that they cannot pull in and out of the free trade agreement whenever they choose.

 

[Regs]

Did anyone see the highlites on the news last night of what was being said on American Networks with Bush up here? Here's the transcript from the Wolf Blitzer program on CNN - it's pretty funny

President Bush is making his first official visit to Canada trying to thaw a relationship that's turned frosty over issues ranging from Iraq to timber. Our White House correspondent Suzanne Malveaux is traveling with the president in Ottawa. She's joining us now live -- Suzanne.

SUZANNE MALVEAUX, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Despite the efforts to mend fences between these two countries, these two leaders, this visit attracted thousands of protesters, essentially demonstrators protesting Iraq policy, the Iraq war. Also a number of other issues as well, including a U.S. ban on Canadian beef as well as the U.S. tariff imposed on softwood Canadian lumber. Now all of these disagreements, of course, the two leaders addressing them. They personally have a good relationship, but realize there are quite a few disagreements, but the two of them side by side decided to emphasize the positive. The president, instead of talking about the disagreement over Iraq, emphasized Canada's cooperation and its peacekeeping role in Afghanistan, its humanitarian aid that it has provided in Iraq and also its willingness to forgive some $450 million in Iraqi debt.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: Canada and United States share a history, a continent and a border. We also share a commitment to freedom and a willingness to defend it in times of peril. The United States and Canada fought side by side in two world wars, in Korea and the Persian Gulf and throughout the Cold War. Today, we're standing together against the forces of terror.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

MALVEAUX: Now while the leaders disagree on Iraq policy, both of them coming out very strongly, agreeing on Ukraine's elections, calling for the fact that they need -- it needs a peaceful resolution on the disputed election result, calling for both sides to come together. President Bush also acknowledging the Polish president, Kwasniewski, for his initiative in those negotiations -- Wolf.

BLITZER: Suzanne Malveaux in Ottawa, thank you, Suzanne, very much. The president will continue his talks in Canada tomorrow.

She made it clear she has opposed President Bush on the issue of missile defense.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) CAROLYN PARRISH, CANADIAN PARLIAMENT MEMBER: We are not joining the coalition of the idiots.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: Now this Canadian lawmaker is raising eyebrows again. She will join us live. Also, one of the deadliest months yet for U.S. forces in Iraq. Why the cost of American lives is surging.

And a life or death decision process beginning in the final phase of the Scott Peterson murder trial. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BLITZER: Will President Bush mend that long fence along the 49th Parallel?

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BUSH: I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave with all five fingers.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: He has his work cut out for him. Joining us now from Ottawa is the Canadian parliament member, Carolyn Paris. She was expelled from the Liberal Party for what Prime Minister Martin called "unacceptable behavior," which included a recent stomping of the George W. Bush doll. And here in Washington, Tucker Carlson, he is the Canada-baiting co-host of CNN's "CROSSFIRE." He has suggested that our northern neighbor, in his words, is a third-rate country. We'll get to Tucker in a moment. Let's begin with Carolyn Parrish.

Thanks very much for joining us. We're going to show our viewers that picture of you stomping that George W. Bush doll. What were you trying to prove?

PARRISH: Actually, I was making fun of myself. We have a program up here called "This Hour Has 22 Minutes." And they love to get politicians to do bizarre things, like put rollers in their hair and jump into bed with strange people. And they kept giving me direction and I kept following it.

BLITZER: So, you apologize for that?

PARRISH: Nope.

BLITZER: Why not?

PARRISH: Because I was making fun of myself. It was a parody on me and my anti-Bush position. And if you can't make fun of yourself in this business, then it's time to get out of it.

BLITZER: What about the sound bite that -- we'll play it right now. I want you to listen to what you said about this coalition the president has been trying to put together.

PARRISH: I've heard it before.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PARRISH: We are not joining the coalition of the idiots.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BLITZER: All right. Give us the context of that.

PARRISH: Well, I was speaking to a large crowd on the steps of the House of Commons. There were a lot of people there protesting against Canada's joining missile defense and I happened to agree with them. General Gard (ph) came up from the States, representing 48 former military people, and I had spoken with him about it. We also had Professor Postal (ph) from MIT telling us this isn't going to work. And I think it is an increase to weaponization of space. I think it's a very bad idea. And the coalition of idiots I was referring to I think were mostly the politicians in my own government.

BLITZER: All right. So you don't consider President Bush an idiot?

PARRISH: No. How could he rise to the top job in the country by being an idiot?

BLITZER: Tucker Carlson, what do you think of this latest twist in the U.S.-Canadian relationship?

TUCKER CARLSON, CO-HOST, "CROSSFIRE": Oh, well, I mean, it's part of an ongoing sort of battle that the U.S. doesn't really participate in. I think you get the sense that Canadians think much more about the United States than the United States thinks about Canada.

I think, you know, Canadians are nice people, it's a nice country, but it's a country in the grip of a national insecurity complex. Canada needs the United States for trade, for a lot of reasons. Without the U.S., Canada is essentially Honduras, but colder and much less interesting. And I think that that makes Canadians -- the dependence that Canada has on the United States makes Canadians understandably resentful.

BLITZER: Carolyn Parrish, those are fighting words.

PARRISH: Oh Tucker, you're way out to lunch on this one, my friend. Most of the top six things you buy from us are raw materials: hydro, gas, oil. You need us more than we need you.

CARLSON: We exploit your natural resources, that's true. But in the end, Canadians with ambition move to the United States. That has been sort of the trend for decades. It says something not very good about Canada. And I think it makes Canadians feel bad about themselves and I understand that. PARRISH: No. I don't agree with you, Tucker. I think Canadians who have a good social conscience and are more European in their outlook live here quite happily.

CARLSON: I bet.

PARRISH: Those who want to make huge bucks and not worry about where they're coming from go to the States. And we're glad to be rid of them.

CARLSON: Well, with that attitude, no wonder they leave. I concede that.

PARRISH: No wonder.

BLITZER: What is the attitude now, Carolyn Parrish, in Canada, President Bush has been re-elected, there's a bigger Republican majority in the House as well as in the Senate, has there been an accommodation, if you will? Are Canadians ready to accept this American president?

PARRISH: Listen. We accept the democratic process. And that was why I was interviewed the day after the election. And I said the people of the United States have clearly spoken. I think this was a non-controverted result and I think as good neighbors, we will wait patiently for another four years.

BLITZER: I was in Ottawa 10 years ago or so, then-President Clinton spoke before the parliament.

PARRISH: Yes, he did.

BLITZER: He was pretty warmly received. You noticed this time, Tucker and Carolyn, the president of the United States is not speaking before the parliament in Ottawa. Carolyn Parrish, why is that?

PARRISH: I think Mr. Clinton shared a lot of our values. He talked about Medicare and he talked about banning weapons. He said that he envied us our gun laws. So he was more simpatico with the Canadian people. And he was very warmly received. He's a very terrific guy?

BLITZER: Would you have heckled President Bush had he come into the parliament?

PARRISH: Absolutely -- no, no, no. I'm not a heckler. I don't heckle anybody.

BLITZER: Would your colleagues have heckled him?

PARRISH: I don't think so either. I think the reason Mr. Bush didn't address the parliament is was they were having a hard time finding common ground that he could talk about. We do not support the war in Iraq. We are not impressed with 100,000 dead Iraqis. We're not impressed with 1,000 dead American soldiers. So, what would be the basis of the conversation? We couldn't solve softwood lumber in a speech in the House of Commons. We couldn't solve the beef problem. So there was no common ground for a speech.

(CROSSTALK)

BLITZER: What about -- Tucker, I was going to say to you, what does it say that the president of the United States on an official state visit to Canada, the first time in a decade, doesn't address the parliament?

CARLSON: Well, you know, he doesn't want to get heckled. That's right. I'm glad to hear Ms. Parrish is not a heckler, merely a person who stomps on dolls. You've got to have standards. And I appreciate yours. No, look. Just simply because the United States and Canada disagree about the war in Iraq and they do doesn't mean they can't have productive conversations. I mean, the United States and China talk about all sorts of things. We're major trading partners. And I think in the end, it only hurts Canada, these attacks on the United States. Again, just to restate a pretty obvious point that I know is foremost on your mind, Ms. Parrish, Canada needs the United States. The United States does not need Canada. But you need us. And so to alienate our administration is probably not such a good idea.

PARRISH: Tucker, that's a really bad attitude, my friend...

CARLSON: It's true.

PARRISH: I think we need each other. I think we have got a long-term trade partnership. I think both countries benefit from that partnership. And when you say to us, we don't need you, that's not a way to make friends...

CARLSON: In fact, it's not even a value judgment, it's simply a recognition of economic reality. Of course it's good for the United States to trade with Canada, but it's vital for Canada to trade with the United States. So you gain nothing by alienating the administration.

PARRISH: It's pretty vital for California to take our hydro-oil (ph). I think it would be dark the next day. I think this is not a productive conversation. I think we're long-term friends, we are long-term trade partners. And we will weather this recent storm. We are fundamentally opposed to might is right and brute force and preemptive attacks on other countries. That's fundamental in Canada.

CARLSON: Well, you have the benefit of being protected by the United States and you can say that. But I think if Canada were responsible for its own security -- you would be invaded by Norway if it weren't for the United States and so you...

PARRISH: We're a very secure nation because we haven't ticked off the rest of the world. We march with the world. We're not out of step.

BLITZER: Tucker, don't you believe that this 3,000-mile border that the United States shares with Canada that it's imperative that the U.S. has a friendly ally on the other side?

CARLSON: Oh, of course. In the end, the countries are friendly. There are some French politicians who get something out of...

BLITZER: But when you say the United States doesn't need Canada, the United States has a 3,000-mile border with Canada.

CARLSON: My only point is as a matter of trade, Canada is far more dependent on the U.S. than the U.S. is on Canada. That's simply a fact, again, not even a value judgment. But of course the United States needs a good relationship with Canada and I suspect it will always have one unless some separatist government comes to power and the country splits into two, which is always possible. But short of that, no, absolutely the countries will remain allies and there will always be politicians who see it to their benefit to stomp on Bush dolls. But no, I don't think the average Canadian feels -- the average Canadian is busy dogsledding. You know that.

PARRISH: That is such -- that's such a caricature and you have to understand from this lowly backbencher that shouldn't even be on your show, I am of total insignificance within my own party and within the country, you're sure putting up a lot of fuss and putting a lot of attention on this. It shows a very weak ego, in my opinion. I think if you're as strong as you say you are, anything I have got to say can't hurt you.

BLITZER: I will point out to our viewers as well as to Carolyn Parrish that Tucker Carlson often speaks with tongue in cheek. Is that a fair assessment, Tucker? Just want to make sure our viewers don't literally believe that every word that you're saying.

CARLSON: I don't think every Canadian is dogsledding at all times but I do think there's a lot of dogsledding in Canada. Yes, I do think that's true.

PARRISH: Very little, my friend.

CARLSON: You know that's true, Carolyn. (UNINTELLIGIBLE). But there's a lot of dogsledding.

PARRISH: No, there's not a lot of dogsledding. There's a lot of dog walking, my friend. Not a lot of dogsledding.

CARLSON: Welcome to our century.

BLITZER: There's some dogsledding in the United States as well, including the beautiful state of Alaska. Tucker Carlson speaking tongue in cheek sometimes, not always. Sometimes.

Carolyn Parrish, you're an important guest. All of our guests are important. Thanks very much for joining us.

PARRISH: Thank you, Wolf. I've enjoyed it. Thank you, Tucker.

CARLSON: Thanks. Thanks a lot, Carolyn. See you in Canada.

PARRISH: Yep.

BLITZER: U.S.-Canadian relations, a very, very important subject to all of our viewers, both south and north of the U.S. border.

There's some good piss-taking going on in there by Tucker Carlson, bow-tie and all. Well for a Yank, it's pretty good anyways

~Regs.

 

[Dude]

I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave with all five fingers.

Too funny.

Carolyn Parrish, though, does nothing to help us. Thank God she's no longer representing the Libs. Disagreement, disputes, and tough negotiation are all part of politics, and any business for that matter. Granted, this is on the biggest stage. But, behaving childish an enflaming the situation unnecessarily is just plain stupid.

The best thing Martin can do right now is get Bush out on the golf course as much as possible. Patch up the strained relationship, then break down the issues.

Taxing / tariffs may not be necessary, but the threat of it may be.

 

[Dapotayto]

True, Parrish does nothing to help up but the line, "we are not joining the coalition of the idiots" makes me laugh and for that reason alone I'm glad she was around.

 

[Dial 9-1-1]

Dude...according to the transcript...I actually thought Parrish did a good job! I like the California would be in the dark comment and her reasoning that we don't need a military because we don't go pissing other nations off. But, do we sell hydro-oil? Maybe I read that wrong. Maybe she meant hydro electricity and natural gas.

Also, she should have noted that more Americans move to Canada annually than Canadians move to America. I wonder what Tucker's response would have been.

Even the voodoo doll. Considering it was on a parody show, I think it's clever. Maybe not a wise political decision, but hey...I think I would vote for her! She's got some jam, and that separates her from all the other "yes-men (and women)" in Canadian politics.

 

[Reccos]

Bush got off some good lines today also. He said how he was dissappointed that he could not meet the great Canadian, Jean Poutine who had endorsed him in the 2000 election. This was when "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" baited him and he took it. Al Gore didn't.

The five finger wave was great too.

I thought our Prime Minister was looking uncomfy every time the missile defence idea arose.

Bush quoting our dead PM MacKenzie King was a classic. King said in defence of entering World War 2 despite not being attacked that we shouldn't wait until they hit us first before we fight. Although he was a successful prime minister for a long, long time, he also contacted his dead mom and dog for advice while they were over in the 'after life' somewhere. Canada's decision to fight then while the Americans waited was right, but this was a vastly different set of circumstances than going into Iraq where the longer you are there, the more dead innocent citizens there are along with dead American troops who probably wonder now why they are there fighting the largely invisible but deadly enemy who have no army but attack without fear.

 

[Dude]

9-1-1,

No issues with the banter...good fun. But, our politician's need to use their heads once in a while. Whatever you think of Bush, a person in her position should not reduce herself to the levels of the immature masses...like us.

Diplomacy is important, and you can still have some "jam" while being diplomatic.

 

[Jinky]

Right or wrong, Parrish kicked Carlson's big fat bow tie-wearing ass.

A dogsledding slag as a piss-take? Why didn't he just tell her to go back to her igloo while he was at it? If he had asked an Arab leader how his camel was doing, would Tucker No Mates still have a job?

 

[Keeper]

For those interested you can listen to the interview in CKNW's audio vault.

http://www.cknw.com/dynamic/dynamic_audiovault_process.asp?dt=20041201_10

Fast forward to 20:00.

The Hydro-Oil was just a stumble over some words as you'll hear.

I though she held up really well, considering the baiting that fcuker Tucker was trying to do. Mind you, if you'd really like to see that guy eat some, try downloading his interview with political-comedian Jon Stewart. Funny stuff.

 

[Dial 9-1-1]

http://mediamatters.org/static/video/cc-200412010011.wmv

 

[Reccos]

That was a great video clip of the morons at Fox news (Bill O'Reilly's people, Bill being the complete and total liar about sexually harassing his staff member over the phone.

I love that stupid broad attacking Canada and so arrogantly stating that they "allow them to be on the same continent" as the good old USA.

I just attended the Gold Show last Sunday and Monday in Vancouver and I was shocked that the mining and investment analysts there, some were Americans, attacked the US completely and repetitively. One person, ONE.. in the audience booed one speaker while the rest said nothing and applauded him at the end.

The US is so fcuking arrogant and stupid with that crack addict in the White House for four more years. They are running a huge budget deficit, a huge trade deficit and personal savings deficits with the average US household net wealth some $16,000 US (excluding equity in their homes). At the same time they are running around the world starting unnecessary wars and threatening to do likewise with others.

The US are heading for an economic disaster if they don't get their sh#t together fast and I mean stop fighting and work with other countries cooperatively. Check what is happening with the purchasing of US Treasury bills (the deficit) by Japan and China. They have virtually stopped the increase in buying the Treasury bills which could force the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates at home. This would be curtains for the average US homeowner as bankruptcies are still high right now.

Smiles how much do you like that clown now what with the US economy all fcuked, the cost of the Iraq war rising dramatically, and the thousands of dead and wounded US military personnel. Kind of reminescent of Viet Nam with the exception of the body bags that are coming home are better hidden from the public than during the bad days of Viet Nam.

That video is a must see as is the CBC Marketplace show that shows these clips and more. Oh yeah, Bill O'Reilly calls the CBC communists. Idiot.

 

[Keeper]

CBC's Fifth Estate had a great piece this past Wednesday night on the U.S. right-wing media; specifically, FOX news, Ann Coulter (that annoying blond), and Bill O'Reilly. I could not believe the sensationalism with which they "report" their version of the news and express their opinions.

Anybody else see it?