What's he on about now?

In case the articles, essays and opinions throughtout this site just weren't enough for you, here's my online diary (a.k.a. 'blog'). It's as close as you'll come to the inside of my head, so don't say I didn't warn you
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   Sunday, October 13, 2002

THE MOUSE THAT ROARED

I hope there weren't too many Freedom-loving Americans on Church Street this evening, because they would have been rightly horrified by the behaviour I witnessed at the pub. In honour of our joint holiday weekend, American and Canadian flags were hung from the awning of the pub -- two Maple Leafs on either side, one Stars and Stripes right in front -- but a great number of people expressed disapproval, anger, even fear, at the US flag. "What is that doing up?" many would snap and, to me, "Columbus Day" seemed insufficient as an answer.

Obviously, North American relations are a bit tense right now, what with George Bush's attempts to drag us into World War III and all. Even Jean Chretien has openly challenged the American government for -- what? -- the first time ever? If Pierre Trudeau was right when he said that Canada's relationship with the US was like a mouse in bed with an elephant, tonight's reactions hint that we're getting a little tired of Dumbo hogging the covers.

But while I can understand how the old Red, White and Blue could annoy people, I can't share the opinion. I like Americans. I find them generally friendly and decidedly outspoken. If they like you, you'll definitely know it and, if they don't like you, you'll definitely know it -- a directness especially welcome in cool Toronto. Hating Americans is like hating the Chinese -- while their governments may be toxic, it's not necessarily the people's fault. Besides, didn't all the Americans vote for Gore, anyway? Let's focus our anger at the right people...

Labels: Canada, Trawna