Sunday Telegraph Article From today's UK wires: Salute to a brave and
modest
nation - Kevin Myers, The Sunday Telegraph LONDON -

Until the deaths of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan , probably
almost no one outside their home country had been aware that Canadian
troops
are deployed in the region. And as always, Canada will bury its dead,
just
as the rest of the world, as always will forget its sacrifice, just as
it
always forgets nearly everything Canada ever does.

It seems that Canada 'so historic mission is to come to the selfless aid
both of its friends and of complete strangers, and then, once the crisis
is
over, to be well and truly ignored.

Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of the hall,
waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire breaks out,
she
risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and suffers
serious
injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing resumes, there
is
Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once helped glamorously
cavort
across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet again.

That is the price Canada pays for sharing the North American continent
with
the United States , and for being a selfless friend of Britain in two
global
conflicts. For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two
different
directions: It seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address
in
the new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got
the
gratitude it deserved. Yet its purely voluntary contribution to the
cause of
freedom in two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy.

Almost 10% of Canada's entire population of seven million people served
in
the armed forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died.
The
great Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops,
perhaps
the most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle.

Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright neglect, it's
unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the popular Memory as
somehow or other the work of the "British."

The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy began the war
with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half of the
Atlantic
against U-boat attack. More than 120 Canadian warships participated in
the
Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian soldiers went ashore on
D-Day alone. Canada finished the war with the third-largest navy and
the
fourth-largest air force in the world.

The world thanked Canada with the same sublime indifference as it had
the
previous time. Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in
film
only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign
in
which the United States had clearly not participated - a touching
scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it
has
any notion of a separate Canadian identity.

So it is a general rule that actors and filmmakers arriving in Hollywood
keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian. Thus Mary
Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J. Fox, William
Shatner,
Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg, Alex Trebek, Art Linkletter and Dan
Aykroyd have in the popular perception become American, and Christopher
Plummer, British.

It is as if, in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian ceases to be
Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakably Canadian
as a
moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite unable to find
any
takers.

Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the achievements
of
its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is completely unaware of
them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and are unheard by
anyone
else - that 1% of the world's population has provided 10% of the world's
peacekeeping forces. Canadian soldiers in the past half century have
been
the greatest peacekeepers on Earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and
six
on non-UN peacekeeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to
Bosnia.

Yet the only foreign engagement that has entered the popular on-Canadian
imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia , in which out-of-control
paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their regiment was then
disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of self-abasement for
which,
naturally, the Canadians received no international credit.

So who today in the United States knows about the stoic and selfless
friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan? Rather
like
Cyrano de Bergerac , Canada repeatedly does honourable things for
honourable
motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a
figure of fun.

It is the Canadian way, for which Canadians should be proud, yet such
honour
comes at a high cost. This past year more grieving Canadian families
knew
that cost all too tragically well.

Cheers
Marty

On Apr 3, 10:28 am, Martin Baxter wrote:

Canaduh rant snipped

Canada repeatedly does honourable things for
honourable
motives, but instead of being thanked for it, it remains something of a
figure of fun.

Let me be the first to thank your troops for doing the right honorable
thing Marty...Opps guess I'm not first

Joe
**************************************************

U.S. Congress votes unanimously to thank Canada for extending Afghan
mission

Canadian Press


Tuesday, June 13, 2006


WASHINGTON (CP) - The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a
resolution commending Canada for its commitment to Afghanistan.

Indiana Republican Dan Burton introduced the resolution saying he
wanted U.S. legislators to recognize Canada's vote last month to
extend the Afghan mission by two years into 2009.

The resolution passed by a vote of 409 to 0.

Burton says Canada's decision signals its commitment to the global war
on terror and its friendship with the United States.

Burton says the vote is a small token of appreciation to Canada, which
he says is facing its own growing threat of terrorists inspired by al-
Qaida.


© The Canadian Press 2006

At the outbreak of WWII the Canadian Navy was a shame to the nation. Not
only lacking ships, they lacked basics such as life jackets. Thousands of
Canadians died thanks to the negligence of the Canadian government in
defending itself. Today, Canada can boast more generals than tanks. Seems a
cultural thing to me. Those maple sucking strap hangers thumb their noses at
the US but come running for help whenever threatened. Hey Canada - thanks! -
thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through your silly little
country! If it so upsets you that Canadians come to the US to be successful,
why not build a wall to keep all you zambonie brains in the country.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww2/ww2ship.htm

"A sorry state of affairs" puts it mildly.

Lloyd

Lloyd Bonafide wrote:
At the outbreak of WWII the Canadian Navy was a shame to the nation. Not
only lacking ships, they lacked basics such as life jackets. Thousands of
Canadians died thanks to the negligence of the Canadian government in
defending itself. Today, Canada can boast more generals than tanks. Seems a
cultural thing to me. Those maple sucking strap hangers thumb their noses at
the US but come running for help whenever threatened. Hey Canada - thanks! -
thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through your silly little
country! If it so upsets you that Canadians come to the US to be successful,
why not build a wall to keep all you zambonie brains in the country.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww2/ww2ship.htm

"A sorry state of affairs" puts it mildly.

Lloyd


Spolken by a person who ahs not been through customs at the US and
Candian borders...in order for someone to slip through FROM Canada, they
would have had to slip by US customs agents. They would have encountered
Canadian agents only upon reentering Canada. The population of Canada
entire is less than the entire population of California. At the time of
WW2 even less so. You obviously don't know many Canadians. They are
lovely people. I am proud to have Canadian relatives. Go pound on some
other country more deserving of your ire than our allies in
Canada...save your spew for Germany or any other Euro neighbor that has
turned their back to us.

"katy" wrote in message
...
Lloyd Bonafide wrote:
At the outbreak of WWII the Canadian Navy was a shame to the nation. Not
only lacking ships, they lacked basics such as life jackets. Thousands of
Canadians died thanks to the negligence of the Canadian government in
defending itself. Today, Canada can boast more generals than tanks. Seems
a cultural thing to me. Those maple sucking strap hangers thumb their
noses at the US but come running for help whenever threatened. Hey
Canada - thanks! - thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through
your silly little country! If it so upsets you that Canadians come to the
US to be successful, why not build a wall to keep all you zambonie brains
in the country.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww2/ww2ship.htm

"A sorry state of affairs" puts it mildly.

Lloyd
Spolken by a person who ahs not been through customs at the US and
Candian borders...in order for someone to slip through FROM Canada, they
would have had to slip by US customs agents. They would have encountered
Canadian agents only upon reentering Canada.

So the 9/11 terrorists were born in Canada and never left until they decided
to attack the US? Or were they born somewhere else and entered Canada
(slipping past the Canadaian customs guys)? Reread what was written. It says
"pass through".


The population of Canada
entire is less than the entire population of California. At the time of
WW2 even less so. You obviously don't know many Canadians.

Not as many as I do Californians. I know Canadian Naval history, especially
what went on at the outbreak of WWII. Can you refute with facts anything I
said? I can cite several books on the subject from the Naval Institute Press
if you are interested. Canada is a classic case of what not to do to for
Naval Scholars and military historians.

They are
lovely people.

Canadians are a distinct people? Are they French-like or more English like?
Eskimo like? The Canadians burned down the White House in 1812. They would
be burning it down again today if we didn't have a bigger military than
theirs.

I am proud to have Canadian relatives.

Are your Canadian relatives equally as proud to have you as an American
relative?

Go pound on some other country more deserving of your ire than our allies
in Canada...save your spew for Germany or any other Euro neighbor that has
turned their back to us.

I'm an equal opportunity offender. Germany has contributed much more good to
the US than Canada. If Canada is such a great place why aren't more
Americans moving there?

Lloyd "don't drink maple syrup" Bonafide

http://www.amazon.com/Canadian-Force.../dp/1841763020

"WAS THERE EVER A COUNTRY so unprepared to participate in a world conflict
as Canada when it declared war on 10 September 1939? "Read the first page

Canada's stupidity, not sacrifice.

Lloyd

Lloyd Bonafide wrote:
"katy" wrote in message
...

Lloyd Bonafide wrote:

At the outbreak of WWII the Canadian Navy was a shame to the nation. Not
only lacking ships, they lacked basics such as life jackets. Thousands of
Canadians died thanks to the negligence of the Canadian government in
defending itself. Today, Canada can boast more generals than tanks. Seems
a cultural thing to me. Those maple sucking strap hangers thumb their
noses at the US but come running for help whenever threatened. Hey
Canada - thanks! - thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through
your silly little country! If it so upsets you that Canadians come to the
US to be successful, why not build a wall to keep all you zambonie brains
in the country.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~canmil/ww2/ww2ship.htm

"A sorry state of affairs" puts it mildly.

Lloyd

Spolken by a person who ahs not been through customs at the US and
Candian borders...in order for someone to slip through FROM Canada, they
would have had to slip by US customs agents. They would have encountered
Canadian agents only upon reentering Canada.


So the 9/11 terrorists were born in Canada and never left until they decided
to attack the US? Or were they born somewhere else and entered Canada
(slipping past the Canadaian customs guys)? Reread what was written. It says
"pass through".

They entered Canada just like terrorists enter this country all the
time..legally...we've let in whole groups of terrorist under the guise
of students or on work training permits...why should Canada, a smaller
in every way except for geographical size, do any better at immigration
than we, the largest, touted to be the safest, country in the world?


The population of Canada

entire is less than the entire population of California. At the time of
WW2 even less so. You obviously don't know many Canadians.


Not as many as I do Californians. I know Canadian Naval history, especially
what went on at the outbreak of WWII. Can you refute with facts anything I
said? I can cite several books on the subject from the Naval Institute Press
if you are interested. Canada is a classic case of what not to do to for
Naval Scholars and military historians.

History repeats itself. So they were inexperienced, had no budget, and
had an inferior navy...so what? They went with what they had and they
did what they had to do...in the long run, that is what counts, not what
is put down in some anachronsitic account to tittlilate historians in
the future...

They are

lovely people.


Canadians are a distinct people?

About as distinct as Americans...
Are they French-like or more English like?

If you knew anything about Canadians you would know that the
preponderance are more English-like...
Eskimo like?
Now you're acting totally ridiculous...
The Canadians burned down the White House in 1812.

The British burned down teh White House...Canada did not become a
Dominion until July 1, 1867...

They would
be burning it down again today if we didn't have a bigger military than
theirs.

bullroar...you're a hate monger...


I am proud to have Canadian relatives.


Are your Canadian relatives equally as proud to have you as an American
relative?

Yep...some have even become Americans...and some of my American rellies
have become Canadians...marriage is a wonderful thing...


Go pound on some other country more deserving of your ire than our allies
in Canada...save your spew for Germany or any other Euro neighbor that has
turned their back to us.


I'm an equal opportunity offender. Germany has contributed much more good to
the US than Canada.

The memories of gas ovens, incinerated bodies, and the rape of Europe?
Yeah, that's a wonderful legacy...or were you talking about sauerkraut,
beer, and wienerschnitzel?

If Canada is such a great place why aren't more
Americans moving there?

Lloyd "don't drink maple syrup" Bonafide


No one drinks maple syrup and BTW, maple syrup is made in many US
states...Vermont and Michigan come to mind, and also Maine...actually
any state where a maple grows and there is a hard enough winter and a
nice enough spring can produce maple syrup...you should try it on French
Toast sometime..it's really good...

"katy" wrote in message
...

They entered Canada just like terrorists enter this country all the
time..legally...we've let in whole groups of terrorist under the guise of
students or on work training permits...why should Canada, a smaller in
every way except for geographical size, do any better at immigration than
we, the largest, touted to be the safest, country in the world?

The terrorists came from Canada because it was the easiest way to enter the
US. As far as Canada's size who would expect them to do better in health
care than the largest, richest country in the world? Or hockey? Or curling?

History repeats itself.

No, stupid people repeat the same mistakes. History is simply of record of
human action, stupid or good.

So they were inexperienced, had no budget, and had an inferior navy...so
what?

Ask those who died unecessarily because of it.

They went with what they had and they
did what they had to do...in the long run, that is what counts, not what
is put down in some anachronsitic account to tittlilate historians in the
future...

They did what they were ordered to do or acted out of desperation or
ignorance. The fact many died because of lack of equipment or lack of
training prolonged the war which caused additional lives to be lost. In the
long run in does not matter unless Canada lost the war because of it. In the
short run, in the context of those who paid in blood it does matter. Would
you send your kids off to war, untrained and ill equipped and tell them not
to worry because in the long term it does not matter? If the term is long
enough then nothing matters.

Eskimo like?

Now you're acting totally ridiculous...

Not in the North. My point was Canadians are not a distinct people as are
the Swedes, Nigerians, Chinese. Canada is a melting pot, go and see for
yourself.


The Canadians burned down the White House in 1812.

The British burned down teh White House...Canada did not become a Dominion
until July 1, 1867...

They would
be burning it down again today if we didn't have a bigger military than
theirs.

bullroar...you're a hate monger...

You're right, they won't burn down the White House. They only say it to get
elected:

http://english.people.com.cn/200512/...14_227935.html



Yep...some have even become Americans...and some of my American rellies
have become Canadians...marriage is a wonderful thing...


Marriage must be incredibly wonderful to make an American want to become
Canadian.

I'm an equal opportunity offender. Germany has contributed much more good
to the US than Canada.

The memories of gas ovens, incinerated bodies, and the rape of Europe?

Why are you excluding the Italians and French?

Yeah, that's a wonderful legacy...or were you talking about sauerkraut,
beer, and wienerschnitzel?

Science, medicine, psychology, manufacturing, agriculture to name a few.

No one drinks maple syrup and BTW, maple syrup is made in many US states

I drink maple syrup. Because of global warming the maple sugar crop is
moving further north. I also put it on English muffins and whale blubber.

Lloyd Bonafide wrote:
Hey Canada - thanks! -
thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through your silly little
country!

Well said you utter moron. None of the 9/11 terrorists came through
Canada. Which country issued them student Visas, Canada? In which
country did they attend flight school, Canada? My cat's got more
functioning brain cells than you.

Cheers
Marty

"Martin Baxter" wrote in message
...
Lloyd Bonafide wrote:
Hey Canada - thanks! -
thanks for letting those 9/11 terrorists pass through your silly little
country!

Well said you utter moron. None of the 9/11 terrorists came through
Canada. Which country issued them student Visas, Canada? In which
country did they attend flight school, Canada? My cat's got more
functioning brain cells than you.

Cheers
Marty

You are part of the Canadian propaganda machine:

http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/...c726a9&k=56437

Lloyd