Since
the late '60's I have had a love / mostly hate relationship with
Canada and Canadians.
My
friends think I am being hard, but most don't know the source of my
somewhat bitter feelings toward our northern neighbors.
It
all stems back to the Vietnam war when, for years, they lent refuge to draft
dodgers from the US. Those draft dodgers could have declared
themselves “contentious objectors” and could have served in a
non-combat role. Instead, they headed north, on-the-lamb deserters,
but accepted with open arms in Canada.
Then,
in Vietnam as a fighter pilot flying missions over North Vietnam as far north as Vihn, but hearing from my “F-105 Thud”
driving buds of seeing the Canadian Maple Leaf on ocean transports
supplying the North Vietnamese in Haiphong Harbor, my feelings toward
Canada solidified.
Over
the years, I have met many here in the US. Mostly here on a green
card, they were taking jobs that a citizen of the US should have had
and, almost to the person, criticizing the USA, our foreign policies,
what they thought was wrong with Bush and the Right, ad nauseum.
Also, when asked whether or not they were going to apply for US
citizenship, the answer was invariably, “Why would I want to do
that?”
Generally,
I would would reply by simply telling them that I always considered
Canadians as Brits without balls. I also reminded them that, if it
were not for the good old US of A, they would probably be speaking
Spanish and eating tortillas.
I
always had a way of endearing myself to the hapless blokes. Needless
to say, I really never got along with many Canadians.
I
have seen isolated incidents of brilliance. The morning of September
11, 2001, the Canadians of Northeast Canada, mostly Newfoundland,
places like Goosebay and Gander opened their small communities to the
passengers and crews of airliners that were forced to land. Some of
their guests stayed days in people's homes, gymnasiums, hospital
wards and police stations until it was deemed safe for them to
continue their journeys to the US. For that show of unlimited
compassion for fellow humans, I will always praise them.
Also,
some of the best fishing I have ever done has been in Canada.
However,
I see a glimmer of hope in their country.
Today
I read in the National Post that the Canadians are starting to get a spine.
Their conservative government is voting to eliminate the need to
register long-guns. It is not a done deal yet, but it is a start and
almost virtually assured to pass.
I
take my hat off to Canada. Now, maybe they can jump off their
fence-straddling posture and consider helping their buddies to the
south – when they need a little help.
Oh
well, a guy can always dream...
Shenandoah
Ah, well, they have oil so we'd better be nice to 'em. Oh, wait.
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