In truth I was tempted to start this off with a statement about Wilkins itty-bitty feelings being hurt, then I reread the entire article (twice) and couldn’t find the word “hurtful” anywhere except the title. Maybe he said it, maybe he didn’t, but while I did include the phrase I have managed to but resist going any further down that road.
Frank McKenna said the the US government is dysfunctional, from what I understand of their form and process, and from what has been explained to me by Americans who understand their form and process far better, I would call it dysfunctional as well - McKenna, who has as as close to a front row view of the stage as is probably possible for a foreigner like myself, and just possibly many Americans, probably knows of what he speaks…. at least from a Canadian point of view.
– but I digress. What is more than a little ironic is Wilkins saying that Canadians do not need to put down the United States to feel good about themselves and
I simply don’t think you have to tear one country down to build the other up…
It’s all definitely true, but coming from where it did certainly gave me a chuckle, isn’t he the source for the Canadian “temper tantrum” regarding our response to their refusal to honour trade commitments? If they are feeling hurt over McKennas’ statements my GaFF is pretty low.
Wilkins did however make one very important statement that I think all voters should pay some attention to
“It is sometimes politically popular to criticize the United States, for whatever reason,” Mr. Wilkins said. “I’m not accusing anyone of any motives, but it’s not lost on me that Canada is in an election year mode now.
It is important (in relation to the big fella next door) that our leadership promotes our place on the continent, and our concerns as a nation, 365 days a year - and not just during an election year when empty political rhetoric might gain votes.
Wilkins also said that he believes that Canadian anti-Americanism is
“blown way out of proportion.”
He’s right, it is, but who is responsible for that? The American right wing for sure, and the American government to a degree, however the Canadian right wing has played a large role in this by trotting out the “your just an anti-American Bush hater” argument every time they run out of rebuttals for a criticism of the US and/or its policies….. tell me it isn’t so?
>>”Wilkins also said that he believes that Canadian anti-Americanism is
“blown way out of proportion.â€
He’s right, it is, but who is responsible for that?”
Let’s place that in the proper context, Stageleft. Wilkins states that,
“From a personal standpoint, I don’t detect the negativism that I read about and hear about.”
The ” personal standpoint ” qualification Wilkins makes is very relevant. I wouldn’t expect someone occupying a position of prominence equivalent to that occupied by Wilkins, to be confronted by individuals, prominent or otherwise, telling him to his face that they don’t like his country. That just isn’t going to happen.
In any event, the good ambassador contradicts himself. On one hand, he claims anti-Americanism among Canadians is blown out of proportion. In the same interview, he states,
“It is sometimes politically popular to criticize the United States, for whatever reason,” Mr. Wilkins said. “I’m not accusing anyone of any motives, but it’s not lost on me that Canada is in an election year mode now. So it’s not lost on me that it is sometimes well-received to do that.”
If it’s ” politically popular ” for a party to express anti-American sentiment, then anti-Americanism among Canadians must not be ” overblown.” Otherwise, the party that has had a stranglehold on power for the last 12 years, in spite of its scandals and screw-ups, wouldn’t be engaging in it, which is exactly what Wilkins is insinuating.
McKenna’s comments are extremely inappropriate. It’s one thing for an ambassador to be critical of the host nation in relation to specific issues. There are examples of that on both sides. Calling the government to which he is ambassador ” dysfunctional,” with his counterpart at the same table, is outrageous. If Paul Celluci had made a similar comment, most Canadians would be furious, and with good cause. Why the double standard on your part, Stageleft?
>> …..however the Canadian right wing has played a large role in this by trotting out the “your just an anti-American Bush hater†argument every time they run out of rebuttals for a criticism of the US and/or its policies….. tell me it isn’t so?”
Stageleft, you’re a self-confessed Bush hater. I’m halfway home before we bother to engage in the question of whether you’re also anti-American. Tell me it isn’t so?
And I take exception to your claim that anti-Americanism is the refuge of those on the right who ” run out of rebuttals.” I don’t trot out the accusation without backing it up, nor do the prominent right wing bloggers and columnists that I’ve read. The last time we debated this, I sure as hell didn’t run out of rebuttals.