Please please please , do not judge all Americans by the few ignorant,rude jerks that misbehave at sports events.<BR> Obviously these people have been raised by wolves and have no clue as to what is going on in the real world.<BR>But Most Americans DO and We DO appreciate Canada's being there for us.We send you sympathies for your loss and appreciation for your care.<BR>Thank you very much,<BR> H & C @ NY,USA

To all of you Yanks (I don't mean that term in any way other than kindly), most of us know that those that attend sporting events and Boo a flag are only booing the team, not the nation. And if they are booing the nation, they don't represent the majority of Americans. <BR><BR>While the timing may have been a bit rough for us here in Canada, what with the loss of life from "friendly fire", I doubt that many of those at any of those games even thought about that. They were there to attend a sporting event, spur on their team in any way they can.<BR><BR>We are a bit touchy about our contribution to your efforts right now and the lack of response from your pres. to the loss of our military life. But I personally think that almost all Americans appreciate and like their Northern neighbors, just as most northern neighbors like and appreciate the USA. <BR><BR>This current trend between the two countries, both Canada and the USA, to boo a flag as it is raised at the beginning of a game, is a disturbing trend. It bothers me that anyone could be so crass as to do so. But both sides are guilty. <BR><BR>It just goes to show that many people don't even think beyond the moment.

Bless the original poster and all those who took time to notice: I am a minister and have just returned from Halifax where two of the funerals took place...the families' grief is real and very present right now, but is soothed by the outpouring of feelings on both sides of the border.

As a New Yorker (and Islander fan, no less) I would like to add my sadness for the lives lost and thanks to our Canadian friends who have stood by us for many years. People who boo other countries' anthems are idiots but they're booing the team, not the country. After all, most of the players on any given hockey team are Canadian (like Peca, the best player on the Isles) and even imbeciles wouldn't boo their own team.

LJ: you are a minister of what?

I am a minister of a church, a reverend: I was attending the services in a pastoral capacity.

Ok, sorry. I thought at first you meant like a minister of the Government or something....

That is very nice to hear! Many of us were wondering if the loss crossed the minds of Americans since on the day of the memorial service for our lost soldiers our NATIONAL ANTHEM was booed during the NY Islandsers v. Toronto Maple Leaf hockey game in Long Island.

Condolences, too, from Wisconsin. It's a shame, but I think that a great many people on this side of the border take too much for granted what a good neighbor we have in Canada. Just stop for a moment and consider that border, the length of it, and the good will that does emanate from either side - bad policies and politicians aside.