Even Canada hates the US, huh?

[Guest Kahran Ramsus]

Don't forget Canada. We had one of the largest armies in the world at that point, and we lost less men then we did in World War I. For about a year, we kept Britain in the war until Pearl Harbour occurred.

 

Ask the Dutch if our contribution was insignificant.

 

The US did not win World War II. The Allies did, of which the US was a large part, but not the only factor.

[Guest DrTom]

"Just take World War II, alot of Americans feel they won the war all by themselves and the world would be ran by the Germans if it wasn't for America."

 

Well, the French would probably be speaking German today if we didn't get their country back for them after they rolled over and died.

 

"It's the same with the terroist thing, USA doesn't do anything until they are attacked."

 

This is where we can do no right. If we get ourselves involved in things around the world, then we're accused of just extending our imperialist agenda. If we don't do something, then we're a bunch of heartless bastards. The rest of the world can't have it both ways.

 

Personally, I agree with the John Adams school of thought: Americans are friends of liberty and democracy everywhere, but defenders only of their own.

[Guest brokentusk16]

Tom's got a point, the US is basically screwed either way, no matter WHAT we do!

 

AM raises another good point. When I was in elementary school, I thought that the US won WWII. It wasn't until 8th grade that I finally understood the full deal. Hell, when teaching about WWII, my history teachers rarely EVER mentioned the involvment of countries like Canada and Australia. Blame it on the education system if you will (and we all probably should), but you've got to remember that the majority of young people in the US haven't been exposed to all the facts. So BEFORE you pass judgment, just remind yourselves of our underdeveloped educational system (WE get reminded of it enough). I'm not making up excuses, I'm just telling you how it is.

 

Personally, I think that if some other country thinks they can do a better job, give them the "#1" position or whatever it's called. Every country who's EVER been in the drivers seat has screwed up, it didn't all start with the US, people.

[Guest Some Guy]

I'd be willing to bet that every country has a an ethno-centric (if that's the right word) version of history. We didn't learn about Canada and Australia's involvment because it was negligible in comparison to our own. Canaidians learn about their involvment because it's their country. The French probably sugar coat their cowardess in their schools adn the Brit and Russians probably take more credit than they deserve as well. I seriously doubt that it's only America.

[Guest Anorak]

It wasn't that long ago that the Germans finally started to face up to their actions in WW1 & 2 in terms of how history was taught in their educational system. I'm unsure as to exactly how events like the holocaust are generally talked about but there has been strides made to at least start acknowledging the horrors which occured. For many years the war was never talked about or acknowledged at all and as a result many German people have experienced great upset and shame when confronted with the awful facts of their nation's actions because for so long they were never fully aware of what went on. For many it was a case of asking 'did this really happen? 'did we really do these things? However painful it may be the horrors of the war need to be faced up to and learned from to avoid it ever happening again.

 

America took from WW2 its status as the dominant hegemonic power of the world, that much is a fact but how was this achieved? Stepping into the conflict when the European powers were on their knees from full years of conflict gave them the opportunity to swing the balance of military and economic power in their direction. The opportunity at stake to become the world's leading power by way of economic debt and dependency was worth giving up isolationism for. Pearl Harbour, whether or not the theories about American intelligence knowing well in advance about the attack or not, still turned out to be a perfect justification for entering the war with an alltogether bigger motive in mind than avenging a few deaths. 'Why did America drop the atomic bomb when Japan was ready to surrender anyway'? Is this true or not you ask, maybe it is, maybe it isn't. 'Was it to simply send a message that the world's new dominant superpower meant buisness'? These are just more theories that hold no definate truth but it is important to remember that history isn't as black and white as we are led to believe sometimes.

 

While its true America (and Russia) was instrumental in swinging the momentum of the war towards the allies the fact remains that the war would have been long over if it were not for key British victories in strategic battles prior to America's involvement. Men from all over the world were in the 'national' armies which fought the Germans and Japanese, that is why we refer to it as a 'World war' and not an 'American war'. What was achieved was down to millions of people from dozens and dozens of different countries, nothing does more to belittle the bravery or sacrifices of a good percentage of those people (including millions and millions of civilians who had to 'live' through the war) than to claim it as a purely American victory and patronise the other nations who fought and died alongside them. Its things like this that understandably cause resentment when ignorantly shouted by people, jingoism or nationalistic banter can be fine in the right place but not when addressing a complex and emotive topic like world wars. Just spare a thought for the bigger picture before deciding how to speak about certain events.

[Guest bob_barron]

Canadians hate the US??? Shit- I'm moving to Canada in August... I gotta perfect my Canadian accent

[Guest redbaron51]

but then there is also some other things that Canadians get pissed off.

 

Like when Canada took over Italy, and when it was done, USA claimed to defeat them not giving credit to Canada (I read this in a british book wasn't talked about in my history class).

[Guest treble charged]

Bob, don't go around trying to talk in a "Canadian accent". That will get your ass kicked.

[Guest Nezbyte]

Canadian's have accents? I thought that was how people talk when they were drunk ... silly me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just kidding, just kidding

[Guest redbaron51]

simple guide lines in Canada.

 

Bring lots of American money. We Canadians love that green stuff.

 

don't say eh on purpose, it'll come naturally.

 

get ready for free health care, unless you live in Alberta.

 

drinking age is 19

 

go to tim hortans every day for a large double double and a maple glazed donut.

 

Hockey is religion, don't diss it.

 

We drive on the right side of the road.

 

Get ready for km not miles.

 

Avoid going back to America at all costs.

[Guest bob_barron]

simple guide lines in Canada.

 

Bring lots of American money. We Canadians love that green stuff.

 

don't say eh on purpose, it'll come naturally.

 

get ready for free health care, unless you live in Alberta.

 

drinking age is 19

 

go to tim hortans every day for a large double double and a maple glazed donut.

 

Hockey is religion, don't diss it.

 

We drive on the right side of the road.

 

Get ready for km not miles.

 

Avoid going back to America at all costs.

Okay... I have American money.

 

No eh- check.

 

Free health care- bonus

 

Damn- two more years

 

I'm a Hortons fan so cool.

 

Don't drive so no problem there.

 

I LOVE Hockey.

 

I dig the Metric System.

 

I don't think I'd want to go back to America.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

Some WW2 points:

 

1. The USA did not go to Europe "out of the goodness of their hearts" they went there because the Germans declared war on them. After Japan engaged the USA Hitler stupidly gave an official declaration of war against America, before anyone there had decided to intervene in Europe. Suffice to say having war declared against them brought the USA there quickly.

 

2. This crap about the French being cowards and so on is just that, crap. The French army at the time was a joke compared to the Wehrmacht and it's panzer-blitzkrieg strategy. The Germans had at one time the best land army in the world, and there was nothing the continental Europeans could do to stop it. In fact, Britain was lucky there was no efficient way for Germany to attack it on the ground. The only real reason the Red Army was able to beat them was their willingness to send 20 million lambs to the slaughter.

 

3. Continuing with that subject, in Canada at school we are (like everywhere else) taught a somewhat skewed view of WW2 history, which basically overemphasises the importance of the Canadian/British/USA/French armies and the battles they won (D-Day, Bulge, etc.). Studying the war in detail on one's own rapidly leads to the realisation that the truly great, war turning battles were fought on the Eastern front (Stalingrad, Kursk, etc.).

 

4. The USA would have won the war regardless of what else happened for one reason only: the Manhattan Project. Once they had nuclear bombs, one flight over Berlin would have meant the end of the Nazi empire.

[Guest Some Guy]

Yeah but Germany surrendered before we had the bomb and it is considered poor form to Nuke a country that surrendered. Now when about 1/3 of your army destroys a country and they refuse to give up, then it is an acceptable means of finishing a war.

 

And the governmetn wanted in the war in Europe because they were really the only ones who knew what was really going on in Germany. The average American knew there was a war but it was all the way over in Europe so who gives a shit? Pearl Harbor gave us the excuse to go over and help out out allies, Hitler declaring war was just a bonus.

And the French are cowards, they had the same ammount of time as the Brits after WWI to recoup their military and they didn't do it well enough and then waved the white flag. What bothers me is that they were treated as equals with the countries who actually won the war after it was over.

[Guest Ram]

I hate individuals, and whoever follow them if by choice.

 

The only time I would give a flying fuck if you hated my country or me is if you act on it.

 

Then I'd kick your ass. Or at least try and run.

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

And the French are cowards, they had the same ammount of time as the Brits after WWI to recoup their military and they didn't do it well enough and then waved the white flag. What bothers me is that they were treated as equals with the countries who actually won the war after it was over.

Damn right!

 

 

I'm not anti-French or anti-American, but Britain avoided invasion by winning the battle of Britain, which was before US involvement in the war.

 

It may be fair to say that the USA saved France, but to say that the USA saved Britain is wrong. To say that the USA helped Britain and the allies win is very correct, but Britain was safe from invasion before US involvement (Nazi records say so).

[Guest Some Guy]

I never said that we were the only reason that the allies won, in previous posts I gave credit to England, Russia, and America which is where almost all of the credit deserves to go.

[Guest brokentusk16]

We drive on the right side of the road.

 

Avoid going back to America at all costs.

1. Define the "right" side of road. Literal "right"?

 

2. Don't come back to the US? Ok, more of the green stuff of us then. You know you want it.

[Guest Some Guy]

He means right side of the road like we drive on in America. Canada is certainly on the left side of the political sprectrum, Socialist health care, huge taxation, weak economy, etc...

[Guest brokentusk16]

He means right side of the road like we drive on in America.

Fill me in on this, it's basically just North America that drives on the right side of the road, correct? I know Europe and Australia both drive on the left, what about Southern America and the Asian countries?

[Guest bob_barron]

Those countries drive on the right side.

 

Anyone else have any tips for a soon to be Canadian

[Guest brokentusk16]

Bob, I'm not Canadian, but I do suggest that you listen to the LAW on AM 640 on Sunday nights. They're always entertaining to listen to regarding wrestling and what not.

[Guest MrRant]

Well... living next to British Columbia I notice if they miss an exit they go in reverse and back up to the exit they missed to take it. You may want to practice that.

[Guest treble charged]

Those countries drive on the right side.

 

Anyone else have any tips for a soon to be Canadian

Just go to downtown Canada. You can get anything you want down there.

[Guest Some Guy]

Well... living next to British Columbia I notice if they miss an exit they go in reverse and back up to the exit they missed to take it. You may want to practice that.

People do that shit here in Boston too, but I think the differnce is that there are actually other cars in the highway here, which makes it quite dangerous.

 

I drove to Nova Scotia and went miles upon miles without seeing another car. You can;t do that here.

[Guest treble charged]

He means right side of the road like we drive on in America. Canada is certainly on the left side of the political sprectrum, Socialist health care, huge taxation, weak economy, etc...

I wouldn't say we are that far to the left. Right now we have a Liberal government, and they more or less sit on the fence for most issues, and prior to that, the Conservatives ran the show. Basically, it's been the PCs and the Liberals as far a governing parties in Canada.

 

Sure, the NDP (most socialist of the major parties) are kicking around, but they have done basically nothing on the national stage.

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

Fill me in on this, it's basically just North America that drives on the right side of the road, correct? I know Europe and Australia  both drive on the left, what about Southern America and the Asian countries?

Boring but true:

UK (England, Scotland, Wales, Channel Islands, The Artificial Statelet of Northern Ireland), Republic of Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and a few other assorted countries drive on the left. Most countries drive on the right. Neither is necessarily correct, it's just the way it is. ( reply specially designed for non-jingoistic purposes.[apart from the bit about NI])

[Guest treble charged]

I didn't know that Austraila/New Zealand drove on the left.

 

I thought it was just basically the UK/British Isles area.

[Guest The Metal Maniac]

I drove to Nova Scotia and went miles upon miles without seeing another car.

 

True dat. As a Nova Scotian, I think I'm qualified to point out how sad it is that a "Traffic Jam" here is essentially 4 cars waiting to pass a tractor on the highway.

 

But hey, at least the other people in the cars are decent. Some guy got me to pull over the other day, and where in the States this could be cause for someone to die as a result of serious road rage, he gave us a lecture and we went on our merry way.

 

Of course, the fact of the matter is, you will ALWAYS see other cars at the exact wrong time.

 

For example, the car in front of you doing 50 in a 70 zone, and the other car that ALWAYS appears once you reach a passing lane. Bastards.

[Guest Dr. Wrestlingphysics]

I didn't know that Austraila/New Zealand drove on the left.

 

I thought it was just basically the UK/British Isles area.

They do!

It's probably a hangover from colonial days.

I have no idea why Japan drives on the left though!

[Guest Vyce]

I DOn't feel that America as a whole is ignorant and I don't think that America 'had it coming'. My comment was meant for ppl who think that everything revovles around America. FOr example, I got inot a arguement with anglesault becasue he said that the only country in the world that matters is America. That kinda pissed me off. Thats all my comment meant, if you were commenting on my post, Vyce/

No, I understand what you were trying to say and I got your point. I don't believe that you feel at all that we "had it coming".

 

My post was just to express my anger at someone who I once thought of as a friend using the greatest tragedy in this country's history (in the past 50 years or so) to further some petty grievances with America. It just pissed me off at the time. And I've never quite gotten over it.