US/Canada Work Toward Common Goals

[farmers_son]

farmerson, I don't get your question. I think that Bush did step in to help in Iraq where a bully was at work. My point is that it is not our country's God given right to critize him for doing so. We did not become in volved in the conflict, and I agree with that. We have now offered to work in Iraq and I agree with that, however, I still maintain that we as a country cannot continue to critize the US at every turn. Working with them where possible, and minding our business on areas that don't concern us will make for the best relations in the long run.

[cakadu]

How much of a strain do you think it will put on the relations between our two countries if Canada opts not to get into the whole missle defence thing, which Bush was alluding to in the various press conferences that were held?

I'm just wondering about this as it will likely play a part in how well we get along in the future. Should we sell or save our own souls? I don't know if there is a clear answer for this one or not. If getting the border open more quickly and seeking some form of resolution on the trade issues involves going somewhere we might not want to go, should we do it? I have to admit to some ambivalence about it. What do the rest of you think?

[cowman]

farmers son: I believe that has always been our role? Sort of a bit of common sense when the Americans go off the deep end?
Yes George Bush made a mistake in Iraq. They are there now and they need some help/support getting there butts out of there in a reasonable manner? Our role is to help them do that?
As far as the missile defence thing goes....is it a smart thing to do? Well we do live on this continent and we do have a history on this thing? Remember the DEW line?
Canada has not bought into a lot of the USAs' ideas but the fact of the matter is America believes this is necessary? And who are we to say they... don't know what they are doing? I say yes lets go along with this one! What have we got to lose?

[cowman]

cowman, I tend to agree with you on the missile defense issue. Martin has said he advised Bush that Canada will defend our own border, but if there were major terrorist attacks I wonder what in hell we would defend it with ?????? We do need to work with the US whenever possible, but not sell our souls if we can avoid it.

[cakadu]

This is probably one of those things where one is caught between a rock and a hard place. Given the current state of our defence system, we really don't have too much choice, or at least that is the way it appears to be at any rate. One does have to wonder how well we could defend ourselves if we were forced to do so.

While I do remember hearing something about the dew line I have to admit that I don't know too much about it (might be that I'm too young to really remember?)

How would you get one - our defence - without loosing all the rest? I don't know if it is possible to separate the two.

[cakadu]

If there was a terrorist attack against Canada, God forbid, we know full well that the US would be here to help in minutes because they need to defend their country. I think that we are joined at the hip and might as well make the best of it.

[cakadu]

You've summed it up very nicely emrald. That is the reality and we may not totally agree with it, but it is reality just the same.

Unless and until we are able to stand on our own, we will be under the U.S. umbrella. Still, having said that, I'm not convinced that we just have to go along with whatever the U.S. wants. I don't believe it is as black and white as "either you are with us, or you are against us" a terrorist eradicator or a terrorist supporter.

[cakadu]

It might be as simple as one neighbour to another, saying they don't agree with their views but respect their right to hold them. That sometimes works in real life doesn't it ?