• winning the World Cup in hockey, and the "World" part of World Cup includes more than two countries
  
• Baseball is no longer the national sport.
  
• we're not ruled by fear -- we actually do leave our doors unlocked
  
• we're allowed to use p2p for song swapping
  
• real news and unbiased sports coverage during things like the olympics.
  
• no in-your-face patriotism, barring a few special events
  
• you can tell how much money you have in your wallet without pulling it all out to check the numbers.
  
• les jeune filles des Quebec!
  
• we can go to Cuba for vacation
  

• As if Quebec wasn't enough, we now have to listen to Alaska and Hawaii bitch and moan about seperating
  
• We thought we'd finally gotten rid of Celine Dione, and Bryan Adams.
  

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Here's what happens:

Higher taxes,

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Government arrogance

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and malaise

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a military that might be able to fend off an assault from Luxembourg,

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and one nice two-lane highway from coast to coast...

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however, it is safer to live here, what with that billion-dollar gun registry thingy...

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Heh. Actually much of it is four lanes, though the bits through the mountains in BC/Alberta are still two lanes, I believe.

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We thought we'd finally gotten rid of Celine Dione, and Bryan Adams.

Do we get Rush then?

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Heh. Actually much of it is four lanes, though the bits through the mountains in BC/Alberta are still two lanes, I believe.

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We thought we'd finally gotten rid of Celine Dione, and Bryan Adams.

Do we get Rush then?

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Heh. Actually much of it is four lanes, though the bits through the mountains in BC/Alberta are still two lanes, I believe.

Actually, I'm suprised you would state this fact given that you are not living in Canada right now... I was stationed in Victoria BC for three years and regularly drove from the West coast to Ontario and then on to Nova Scotia to visit family during my leave. Aside from the 401 in Southern Ontario/highway 20 in Quebec, the bulk of the Trans Canada highway is still two lanes.

I stated said fact based on my recollection of a road trip made several years ago. Seems my recollection isn't nearly as strong or correct as it ought to be.

Thank you for clarifying.

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I also don't agree with your opinion about the military. In my opinion, being the nice guy and diplomacy doesn't always garner any immediate favours to someone when the sh*t hits the fan.

My thinking on those lines is based somewhat on the legendary neutrality of the Swiss, plus my experience travelling in Costa Rica, another country without an army. Of course, my historical knowledge of both places is likely as lacking as my recollection of the Canadian highway system.

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Remember how unprepared both Canada and the US were at the beginning of both world wars...

True enough, but, I don't know enough of the history to say that the lack of preparation was a significant obstacle, particularly since (with the exception of Pearl Harbour), neither country was attacked.

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I spent 14 months of my military career on peacemaking ops (Yugoslavia).

In case you don't hear it enough, thank you.

I think this is really the crux of what I think the military should be for -- peacekeeping/making duties, and defense of the homeland. While we obviously want a highly trained and well-equipped military for that, I don't think that we need a gargantuan military. As we've seen, a large military isn't necessarily sufficient to stop a surprise attack.

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I believe that we in Canada enjoy our current autonomy in part thanks to big brother next door and the fact that we have a reputation as having highly-trained professional soldiers.

I totally agree with this. But then, why is the US an ally, rather than an enemy? I mean... we burned down their White House, remember? Because we play nice. Ultimately, I think that a large part of our autonomy is due to that, as well. Our reputation for peacekeeping is a combination of our kick-ass soldiers *and* the fact that we're a fairly neutral country more prone to diplomacy than to just shooting stuff up. It's about respect, as opposed to the ability to wield massive amounts of firepower.

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It's just really too bad that recent successive Governments have allowed our forces to atrophy and decay away to the point where if something were to occur on our soil, we couldn't do anything about it.

I'll agree that the level of upkeep provided our troops is rather appalling. I think we probably could be spending a bit more on our military, but I certainly don't think it needs to be proportionate to the way the US bleeds money on their military, which is what I was thinking when I wrote that we don't need to spend vast amounts. The US spends more money on their military than all of it's allies plus Russia, plus China, plus the axis of evil, combined. Quite frankly, it's stupid.

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Canada's reputation as a semi-power is diminishing daily because of this exact "we're nice people, don't worry, it will never happen to us " mindset...

I most certainly don't advocate a "it will never happen to us" mindset. I just believe that the first line of defence should be built on diplomacy and respect, rather than "fear my wrath". The latter only works for a little while, as the US has currently shown by the Iraq fiasco.

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I digress, however I do understand that it is difficult to appreciate something if you have not lived it.

Most certainly. I pondered a stint in the military, but eventually I realized that I'm not much of one for following (or giving) orders.

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I spent 14 months of my military career on peacemaking ops (Yugoslavia).

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I most certainly don't advocate a "it will never happen to us" mindset. I just believe that the first line of defence should be built on diplomacy and respect, rather than "fear my wrath". The latter only works for a little while, as the US has currently shown by the Iraq fiasco.

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Why, I never would have guessed this from your avatar or demeanor! Quite interesting to read about that, and my hat's off to you.

Thank you Jim, I appreciate that

And it may be no big secret about the basis for my nickname, I'll show you a picture of my fiance so you can make the connection...

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And it may be no big secret about the basis for my nickname,

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I'll show you a picture of my fiance

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Ah, beautiful. Congratulations!

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I'll show you a picture of my fiance

I'd hit it!

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I'm embarrassed that I didn't know quite what Heather was trying to say....lol

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You're fiancee is hot enough to make me wish I played for the other team. Simple. (How come they make so few men that look that good?)

They do. They're gay.

That said, I've always been amused by that particular usage of the word "wish"....