My friend said something that really pissed me off yesterday....

[HEyHEY]

I was saying that with Shrub in again Canada should make it really easy for skilled americans to come here to live. SHe said "no". I asked why and she said "I don't want Americans here."

Now, hearing this from a girl I consider to be more liberal than myself was a bit of a shock. So I used the chance to really nuke her "You fucking racist" I said. "They're liberal americans, they're the same as us."

There was no swaying her opinion.

I'm very dissapointed with her.

[Cerridwen]

1. I was born and bred here. I don't blame her. Though it hurts

to hear it.

[Goldom]

2. I don't want Americans here either.

Unfortunately, that's a bit hard being in America.

[tjdee]

3. Well, we're still loud and fat and conceited!

I've heard a great deal of things said about Americans, and not all of them have to do with our politics.

[GingerSnaps]

4. Hey HEyHEY

She is worried about the American girls taking her man.

We have so much to work on with our image and with * in another 4 years it might never happen.

:hug: :loveya:

[HEyHEY]

7. I'm sure I could sway her if she hung out on DU for a bit

[VivaKerry]

10. Well, we liberal american women are irresistable.

I know I am. Your friend has a good point. And I need a canadian male to marry! Ack!

[eataTREE]

5. She's an idiot.

Sorry to be blunt and all, but she is.

Every country, including Canada, has had a problem with "brain drain" for decades -- highly-educated professionals leaving to chase big bucks in the USA. This has been really good for the USA and really bad for everyone else.

Now the trend is reversing itself, educated professional Americans are trying to emigrate into Canada, and she doesn't want to let them in?? Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

[HEyHEY]

8. Oh, I know, I tried to tell her

[FreshAir]

6. ..

Until recently, most Europeans and Canadians could differentiate between Americans in general and American policy.

The re-election of "President" Bush makes it much harder to see that distinction.

[VivaKerry]

9. oh, we are not the same as liberal canadians.

I sorely wish we were.

Americans -- by and far -- are loud, loutish, rude, and in your face. And that's just when we seriously have trouble finding the exact right cake mix in the grocery store and need someone to show us where! (No offense to us, but compared to canadians, we are barbaric).

Just because the USA had previously had a policy of 'anyone wanting to come for our dream life, can come" does not mean any other nation should open their borders. Not unless it's to accept refugees. and that day will come, I think.

Canada is a decent and peaceful place, and I think an influx of 2 million americans (no matter how decent and liberal we are) would be a huge burden with many unintended consequences. She isn't racist; she is practical.

[ithacan]

13. you're right

Canada should not want an influx of americans, even liberal ones...

It's also in Canada's interest for us to stay home and fight the good fight, after all, the worst thing that could happen to them would be the cementing in power of a crazy right=wing theocratic militaristic nationalistic cabal running their powerful neighbo(u)r to the south.

[underseasurveyor]

11. Maybe give her time for her disappointment to cool off

Sounds like she's as disappointed and disgusted as we are. If she is as Liberal as you say, her common sense and misdirected anger will (hopefully) come around.

And if not? Poop on her:evilgrin:

[EstimatedProphet]

12. Sorry to say it doesn't surprise me

I lived in Canada for a few years, and felt like a large part of the population thought me less of a person because I am American. I did have friends there, and they were able to get past nationality, but I also ran into a lot of people that simply hated me for being an American.
I'm not stupid. I know the Ugly American is the typical view around the world of americans, and I understand why. However, in the past when I have gone to other countries and people took the time to find out that I am not a bigoted lout that expects to be sucked up to, they will let it go and accept me as an individual. Unfortunately in Canada I ran into a lot of people that resented me anyway, and most of them I thought were trying to get into a "which country is better" pissing contest.

[haele]

14. When I used to travel abroad more often...

Everyone would think I was Canadian - because of my manners and the interest I took in the local cultures. (Also, growing up in Seattle and spending lots of time in Victoria and Vancouver helped the accent) I even found myself avoiding other Americans whenever I could - especially in Victoria and Vancouver. It tended to make the dealings with the locals much more friendly.
There's a certain loudness and "certitude" about most Americans - especially the younger ones, I'm sorry to say - that can be unappealing when they're traveling.
As an American living on the Southern boarders, I can't blame her too much for her prejudice. I see it here all the time, even amongst the liberals and those working with immigration. The sheer volume of boarder transients (and refugees) and the community security issues that come with them can be daunting. If I were her, I'd probably be a bit upset about the prospect of millions of suddenly bereft, angry and depressed Americans filling up the cities and countryside - not to mention possible political implications of LEO's from the US coming up looking for possible terrorists amongst the refugees.
Having two/three to perhaps five million Americans streaming in is much more immediate and potentially politically dangerous than having, say, half a million Sudanese suddenly showing up on Canadian boarders looking for refuge.

Haele

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

15. It hurts but I can't say as I blame her

Americans don't have the best of reputations, after all.

Sigh....

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

16. Some of us Americans are or were related to Canadians.

We're not that different. I know my great grandparents (my father's grandparents) lived in Quebec. They only spoke French. I never got to meet them because they died before I was born. Either my great grandparents, or my grandfather immigrated to this country. I'd have to ask my dad. I might have some distant relatives left over there. I wouldn't know. My dad's extended family doesn't stay very connected, especially since his parents died back in the 80's.

[Deja Q]

17. I don't blame her at all. Indeed,

Now for political asylum, I'm hoping Canada will allow we GLBT folks in, should things get too 'theocritical' (yes, I just made that word)...

But all things considered, and with NAFTA and other insults, Canada should be able to do what it wants instead of bending over backwards for every arrogant American whim that they're told to sign for.

Besides, until any of us is persecuted, we should stay the fuck where we're at and try to make things better.

If Ashcroft finds little faggot me to be more of a threat than his brown-skinned buddies, then I sure as hell will flee faster than you can say "Scooby doobie-doo", and I pray that Canada would be nice enough to let me in. I almost qualify as it stands, but I will not cower out until I am threatened. That should be the same way for us all.