Feb. 4 - This is downright disheartening. Paul covers the story of some very sharp criticisms leveled by John Watson, head of CARE Canada, on Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) which languished in Canada for 10 days after the tsunamai hit Asian coasts until they finally arranged to rent a Russian transport for travel to Sri Lanka in I rest my case... and the criticisms cast doubt on even the value of the team's work after it arrived.

Truth is, I find it very awkward to post about Canada these days. There's a code of honour that dictates you don't kick somebody when they're down (don't remind me that some Canadians don't follow that code - I well know that!) and despite the smugness displayed by much of the media, a lot of people in Toronto and Canada are down. Just here in Toronto, today's paper tells about problems in the education system (even at the elementary level,) the transit systems and despite millions of dollars spent to fight homelessness people are still sleeping in parks and on the streets even though it's mid-winter. Nationally, the sorry tale of Canada's sub purchase reveals yet another stupid decision and the Adscam inquiry is still bogged down in conflicting testimony while questions remain unanswerable due to bookeeping that rivals that of the U.N. for careful incompetency.

The failure of the electorate to administer a sharp rebuke to the Liberal Party for corruption and mendacity is depressing. Some back home say the American press was too voracious in pursuing the Watergate story and the leads arising from the hearings, but up here I'm seeing the other side of the picture: too many in the media seem almost disinterested in learning the truth and complacently let the government investigate its own wrongdoing with the occasional plaintive bleat that the commission has uncovered little of substance.

Two main legs of Canadian identity are health care and hockey, and both are way past life-support systems.

I can't count how many times Canadians used to conclude a (usually friendly) comment about the USA with a grinning "but don't get sick there!" I never took offense (Americans are much more polite and forbearing than we're given credit for) but consider how many people died of SARS in the US and how many died here in the city of Toronto. Might it have something to do with the fact that medical personnel down there wore the proper face masks whereas they were deemed to be too uncomfortable up here? Or maybe the quaint notion of "quarantine" actually meant something in the US even when it inconvenienced people. What happened to the meme if it saves only one life, hmm? They only trot that out when it comes to coke, Twinkies and McDonald's but keep it tucked away when people are actually dying.

Today the despised American-style health system is the only resort for Canadians suffering and even dying on the waiting lists the treasured health care system offers in place of actual medical care, and some treatments are even being offered to Canadians at a discount by some enterprising American doctors.

As for hockey, Attention NHL owners, players, and assorted others: it's February, you morons, and yet you're pretending there might yet be a chance for a hockey season? This season is dead, defunct. It has passed on. Canada survived without NHL hockey and the CBC showed some pretty decent double-billed movies on Saturday nights. End of story.

So what's left when health care and hockey are out for the count? The U.N., peacekeeping forces, and moral superiority.

Exposure of the debasement of the U.N. Oil-for-Food Program remains sparse and although a story today speculates about possible Canadian connections to Hussein's oil, the conflict of interest of former PM Chretien due to his familial ties to Power Corp. and thus TotalFinaElf remains an unpublicized and unexplored factor in Canada's membership in the the Axis of Weasels.

Remember when the argument would be made that Canadians had consciously reduced their military in order to nationalize a world-class health system?

Then he who was then Finance Minister and is now the Prime Minister, Paul Martin, decided to reduce the national debt by withholding money from the provinces which should have gone into the health care system. Now there's neither accessible health care nor military strength up here, but cruel history provided events in Liberia, Haiti (including the devastation of last summer's hurricanes) Sudan and a tsunamai to accentuate the harsh reality that Canada can no longer respond to international crises nor provide peacekeeping to protect innocent people from genocide. crimes against humanity.

The only leg standing (as it were) is moral superiority. Above all, Canadians are compassionate. If you don't believe me, just ask them. They will expound at length as to how much more compassionate and caring and enlightened they are than Americans. (They've even got some Americans believing it.) Why, they're close to achieving a plane of compassionate existence that's almost European! Unfortunately, they spend so much time and money proclaiming it that they never get around to actually doing much that is compassionate, caring or enlightened but a cynicism has set in that allows that it's the appearance that matters, not the deeds.

Coming back full circle, as was pointed out in the opening link, if Canada's rapid response to disaster is delayed 10 days while waiting for a foreign power to transport that team, what will happen in the event of a disaster within Canada? How will aid reach Canadians in their own country?

You know the answer to that. You know you do. Despite the recent urging of outgoing U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci, don't count on Canada spending the necessary money to enable herself to become self-sufficient in the areas of self-defense at home or doing her fair part abroad.

But beware: if the day should come that they need our help, they'll hate us for it not because of what it says about us but because of what it says about them. Gratitude barely disguises resentment.

I do understand in part what lies under the surface in Canada. Canada's moral pose adopted a strikingly higher plane when the US was bitterly divided over Vietnam and demoralized over the Watergate hearings. After all, Canada was just coming out of the FLQ Crisis and needed a boost. The country was in danger of losing federal coherency so everyone rallied around a "we're better than the US" plank. And it worked.

In fact it worked so well, they were reluctant to tone it down. The media and politicos have trumpeted Canada's superiority over their American neighbours increasingly louder since the mid-70's, but as so often happens, reality is slowing catching up and there is growing recognition that Canada has become too complacent and the legs of Canadian identity and culture have become eroded.

But that's not a crime, it's just life. No nation can live up completely to its ideals, but one of life's challenges is to square our shoulders and try again. The important part is to adhere to the truths of those ideals, nourish them, and keep trying.

The deaths of U.S. soldiers and personnel as well as Iraqis unfortunate enough to be near IEDs when they went off provided a kind of comfort zone for those Canadians who have had some niggling feelings that just maybe Canada should have been on board for Operation Iraqi Freedom if only to offer moral support.

But now something has changed, or rather, everything has changed. There were real elections in Iraq in which the people of Iraq defied both the terrorists and the expectations of those with compassionate, caring, and enlightened views and, in so doing, also defied France, Russia, Belguim and Canada.

And we know that the price our sons and daughters are paying can be laid on account against the weasels because we kept our troops in the desert for several months while they pretended to debate in good faith on the U.N.S.C. all the while buying time for Saddam to set up his underground thugs.

Although far too few, however, there are indeed Canadians who have been awe-inspiring rock-freaking-solid in supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom from the onset, and they have earned the right to feel proud of the remarkable events of Sunday because they were part of it. (If you don't know who they are, look at the blogroll and I admit that it's incomplete.) Their numbers include media such as the Toronto Sun and Western Standard. (It hasn't been uncritical support, of course, but that's what friends are for.)

As for some others up here ... If they're examining their souls and wondering how they could have so misjudged the situation in Iraq then I'd advise them not to waste too much time on guilt or shame but pledge only to open their minds to the possibilility that if a stopped clock can be right twice a day, then Americans too might occasionally be right.

Those, however, who are rapidly devising a posture that denies that the success of the elections in Iraq might require a re-evaluation of their world view may as well carry on as though nothing has changed. They no longer matter.

As I wrote earlier, gratitude equals resentment, and therein lies an additional reason as to why the elections in Iraq were so important. The Iraqis need no longer feel lessened by Operation Iraqi Freedom because when it came time for them to take a stand, they alone made the decisions and took the steps toward freedom, braving the threats of those who had proven their willingness to murder them and, in that defiance, asserting the dignity of the Iraqi people beyond all measure and for all time.

One result of that renewed confidence was indicated when the citizens of the Iraqi village of al-Mudhariya fought off an insurgent attack, killing 5 and wounding 8, and then burnt the insurgents' car! (link via Best of the Web Today)

It's become much more simple now. The mission in Iraq is far from over but we have a new member in the Coalition of the Willing: the Iraqis, and this coalition has something the Axis of Weasels could never have - a mandate from the Iraqi people.

The counter-offensive began yesterday, and there are once again families in the US and Iraq who are bereaved. Press advisories come into my inbox advising me of the names and heartbreakingly young ages of the Americans who have lost their lives. It's not fair. It's wrong. It hurts. But we won't be deterred.

You see, we Americans share a national dream that has returned to the fore with renewed vigor and energy. I look forward to that day when all the peoples of the world can join hands and bear witness to the stirring power of Dr. King's words as he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and echo his words saying, "Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, [insert deity or deities] we are free at last!"

Correction: Feb. 7 - Dr. King's speech was delivered in the steps of the Lincoln Memorial not the Washington Monument as I initially wrote.

Posted by: Debbye at 08:22 AM | Comments (16) | Add Comment
Post contains 1878 words, total size 13 kb.

1 Hey, you're finally back! This is excellent. Thanks for the link too, by the way.

Posted by: Paul Jané at February 04, 2005 04:00 PM (FOtPl)

2 Glad you're back too! And are you swift. I'm only now proof-reading the thing.

Posted by: Debbye at February 04, 2005 04:19 PM (o2Lzi)

3 It's unclear whether you're asserting that the American system is better. Is that the case, or just that our perceptions have changed? I ask because, as I'm sure you're aware, the US system works well for wealthy folks, but very poorly for the low-income folks. For example, 43.6 million Americans (in 2002, up from 39.8 in 2000) do not have any health insurance, and a further 24.5 million have only basic coverage from state-sponsored Medicaid. I'd also be curious to see some statistics on Canada's declining healthcare system. Your SARS example is negligible, as it depends upon a very small data set (all of 38 people died in Canada--almost all of them over 50) and offers a comparison of a tiny aspect of the healthcare systems (disease control). Canada's healthcare system isn't what it was, say, 25 years ago (what first world nation's is?), but it continues to rank amongst the top 20 in the world, and generally higher than the US.

Posted by: Darren at February 04, 2005 06:21 PM (9aklK)

4 I was curious about the foreign aid point as well, and found these stats: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_eco_aid_don_cap Unfortuntately, there are only 24 countries listed, so it's incomplete. Canada ranks somewhere in the middle of the developed world, better than the US but much worse than the average European nation. Here's another data set, not great, but it seems to cast Canada as relatively generous: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake On an anecdotal basis, I'd point you to "Hotel Rwanda" and "Shake Hands with the Devil", two films that discuss Canada's mission in Rwanda. They certainly impressed me. Lastly, I found this article on the DART in the Toronto Star. While it's heavily weighted toward disparaging Canada's relief efforts, it does feature this quote at the end: "Canada has pledged $425 million in relief and reconstruction assistance, the seventh-largest pledge of any government."

Posted by: Darren at February 04, 2005 06:35 PM (9aklK)

5 Whew! Debbye is back in full force. Well done. Darren seems not to get around much or he might be aware that the figures for foreign aid, which seem to put Canada ahead of the U.S., do not take into account such contributions as aircraft carriers that bring medicine, fresh water and other aid to tsunami victims, or billions upon billions spent to liberate Iraq, and I could go on. Debbye, your point about the U.S. providing aid in the case of, oh, I don't know, a tsunami in Newf or a major earthquake in Van, is well taken. I swear upon my copy of Treason, when the U.S. sends helicopters and heavy transport planes and an aircraft carrier, and oh, let's say DOCTORS to help out with a disaster in Canada, there will be Canadians who will scream blue murder at the loss of sovereinty and at the presence of U.S. troops on our soil. Oh yes, they will.

Posted by: keith at February 04, 2005 08:40 PM (HRjgG)

6 Hey Deb be careful, to many idiots up this way.

Posted by: Dex at February 04, 2005 10:17 PM (kO17P)

7 Girl,I can tell that your time off was well spent. You might want to pass on to Darren that the average take home pay for a Canadian is now below the lowest rate in the U.S. That's right, the average Canadian wage is now below the that of the poorest state (ie Mississippi). There is something seriously wrong with this country and your analysis is accurate and painful. I hope there comes a time when Canadians will once again stand up on their own two feet. Keep kicking, we need the help!

Posted by: bobthebellbuoy at February 04, 2005 11:33 PM (nV5cR)

8 Thanks for the responses--where can I find sources on those facts (in particular, the comparative analysis on take-home pay that Bob mentioned)? Keith: As you'll see, I didn't claim that my sources were thorough and complete, just that they seemed to be evidence that Canadians were, in fact, compassionate. Also, citing the invasion of Iraq as foreign aid is highly subjective, isn't it? For example, would you quantify the Vietnam War as foreign aid?

Posted by: Darren at February 05, 2005 01:15 AM (9aklK)

9 I have only one thing to say to this: http://www.thefriendsociety.com/animation/puppywhirl.swf PUPPY WHIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(might not be NSFW depending on where you work)

Posted by: Blackglasses at February 05, 2005 04:18 AM (Ojo2r)

10 Whoa. I just read this screed sober. Wow. How do you function in society? Do you have a helper?

Posted by: Blackglasses at February 05, 2005 12:29 PM (Ojo2r)

11 I really didn't mean this to be about which system is better. Systems can be judged only by how well they work, how resilient they are during down cycles, and how well they capable of self-correction. I think the issue is what will it take to bring reforms to correct problems in Canada? Common sense indicates that what will work best are made-in-Canada solutions to Canadian problems, and those solutions will only come about when the body politic focuses on Canadian problems without being diverted by comparisons to the USA. Nevertheless, I think it's fair to say that the demand for honest government is fairly universal.

Posted by: Debbye at February 05, 2005 11:52 PM (4iSk+)

12 Enjoyed your post. All too true, I'm afraid. When the US and coalition forces invaded Iraq, I put an American flag on my lapel. When asked by astounded colleagues at work why I was doing that, I replied that I was flying the flag I was proud of thast day. You should have seen the looks. I like Americans as a rule, and I think George Bush is a good man an a fine president. God bless the US and coalition forces in Iraq. That does not mean I want to be an American. I consider myself a Canadian patriot. I've served Canada in uniform and understand that sometimes military force is required. If we don't do something soon to rectify the dilapidated condition of our military, the next generation won't be able to make the claim of having served. I'll post a link to your site, if that's okay.

Posted by: John the Mad at February 06, 2005 04:40 PM (mN51Y)

13 Debbie you were gone so long that I thought you'd left. I'm really glad to see you back. I like your take on things in generaL. I hope your work load decreases soon. Now! about this Darren guy! what he doesn't understand is that too many Canadians define their national identy by intimating that being a Canadian is not being an American. Of course indicating that this makes them a better person! They know that our Healthcare system is the best expression of our compassion and caring nature. Most Canadians of Darren's sort I find to be in such a state of denial that they almost intellectually crippled. Someone said "you can't fight blind ignorance." What makes me angry with the Dattens of Canada is they don't recognize that Canada is on a very slippery slope. No foreign policies, no armed forces to speak of, a broken healthcare system and the politicians are too frightened to try to change it, and educational system that is so PC that the children aren't being educated their being indroctrinated with trendy rubbish. If you want read my rants go to thewalrusaid.blogspot.com Thanks for letting me comment and once again I'm glad your back, David

Posted by: David at February 07, 2005 11:29 AM (cJ69F)

14 Darren The comparative info is on http://cicada.typepad.com/cicada/ Scroll down on this great blog and follow the links.

Posted by: bobthebellbuoy at February 08, 2005 11:43 AM (nV5cR)

15 The time to kick 'em is when they're down. Cementheads like Darren are why. He and his ilk are a long way from casting off their anti-US blinders. BTW, the desire for honest government is not that universal. Most voters in southern Ontario don't seem to give a rat turd about corruption in the Liberal Party/federal government. In a normal polity, stuff like the Romanian strippers having a special immigration program would be beyond the pale. Not so in the 416 area code. Keep on kicking.

Posted by: CJ at February 09, 2005 04:05 AM (B3SKB)

16 Check out www.spectator.co.uk for an article comparing US healthcare to socialized UK healthcare

Posted by: Son of a Pig and a Monkey at February 11, 2005 05:45 PM (tCISC)

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