Bush extends olive branch to Canada in runup to meeting with Harper

[tuvor]

WASHINGTON (CP) - President George W. Bush is showing his soft side. In the runup to his first official meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, he's been using the G-word: Genuine.

Bush, in interviews before the Cancun meeting Thursday, said he wants to prove to Canadians that the United States "genuinely cares" by working to resolve tough issues like softwood lumber and plans to require new security cards at the border.

And while it's unclear exactly what he'll propose, analysts say all the goodwill boosts chances for some breakthroughs in the coming months.

"I honestly think he wants to renew the relationship with Canada and he sees the Harper government as the vehicle to do that," said Scotty Greenwood, executive director of the Canadian American Business Council.

"You've got to suspend cynicism and take him at his word. It's an enormously positive step."

http://www.cbc.ca/cp/world/060328/w032870.html

Don't know whether to :rofl: or to :puke:

[Fridays Child]

1. Look out, Canada. Any sort of attention from George is bad.

Clear Skies? Air pollution free-for-all. Healthy Forests? Clear cutting old growth forests. So, all I'm saying is, if he says nice stuff about you, just be very careful. That's all.

[cliss]

6. I think I know what's behind the Charm:

Canada has O-I-L. Lots of it. In fact, they have the world's #3 supply (?) of tar-oil-sand.

George Bush is no fool.

[Fridays Child]

8. Ruh roh! Canada may be on the Axis of Evil short list!

:scared:

[Minnesota Libra]

2. After the idiot boy's appearance on Canadian TV all......

.....Canadians will be convinced that Americans are liars and blooming idiots. OMG, who thought of putting idiot boy on Canadian TV anyway?? :grr: :wow: :cry:

[eppur_se_muova]

3. Olive branch?? Oh, $#!%, when did we go to war with Canada? nt

[tabasco]

4. When I read that I thought it said -

"Bush extends olive branch to Canada in rump"

Probably a more accurate headline.

[LynnTheDem]

5. This Canadian (and every Cdn I've spoken to since being here) says

FUCK YOU, bush.

:)

[Lisa]

7. the only time * ever extends an olive branch is to poke you in the eye!

I suppose he will be saying that he peered into Stephen Harper's eyes and saw his soul. (The very thought of what such a meeting would look like sends me into convulsions of laughter ... the short-sighted looking for the undetectable?)

This is creepy, folks. Imagine the lout who married the nice lady next door (and whom you know has stolen her savings, and beats her when he thinks nobody is looking) -- suddenly coming over to your house. Wouldn't your first thought be, "What does he want?"

[tuvor]

9. Socky still doesn't know who our prime minister is.

From the same link:

"He very much looks forward to this trip," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan, who mistakenly referred to Harper as Martin a couple of times during Tuesday's daily briefing.