What is everyone really doing in Afghanistan anyway? I still don't understand it.

Thedingler, when we stayed in Mulkilteo, Washington not long ago, it reminded me of Canada 40 or 50 years ago. Agreeing with Bobmrg's first paragraph - when I watch Vancouver, BC television news, it reminds of news we used to see from Seattle 30-40 years ago; that is, a lot more violence than there used to be.

If I recall my Canadian history, the only invasions have been at the hands of the US. Canada managed to thwart all of those invasions (it was only Britain that kept giving away their land regardless of who won the fight), so I'm thinking depending on US defense systems is either going to be bad for Canada or really embarrassing for the US.

Apres Londee and irecommend: Clearly I don't share your opinions, and in fact disagree profoundly with them. However, there's no point in continuing this discourse in this travel forum.

I will add, however, that I am a firm supporter of universal health care, and believe that Canada is wealthy enough to support both it and an adequate defence.

toedtoes: The last US invasion of Canada was nearly 200 years ago. Things have changed a bit since then. In any event it was British regulars who turned these incursions back, not the doughty Canadian militia.

I'm with you Laverendrye.

Unfortunately, in this world, we need the military.

Toedtoes - you know more Canuck history than a lot of Canadians I know.

"I did not see any really bad neighborhoods in Canada."

The "worst" neigbourhoods in Canada are all found within native communities. By worst I mean the poorest, most crime ridden, lowest standard of living. These communities are isolated both physically and mentally from the rest of Canada (i.e non-native Canadians pay little attention to them). These communities are in effect Third World pockets within one of the world's wealthiest countries. The level of despair is reflected by the suicide levels of the youngest members of these communities, which are among the highest in the world (if the highest). However, unless you travels take you to the far north you are unlikely to see any of this in your travels accross Canada.

You don't have to go that far north to see them.

"We have a social welfare system because we pay taxes to fund it. So could the US but it chooses not to. To suggest that Canada has universal health care only due to the good grace and liberal defence litary spending of the US is ugly americanism at its worst"

I never said that you had socialized medicine due to our defence, I said that because you are under the umbrella of US military protection, you can spend a whole less on defence and have cut your spending severely for the last several decades so that frees up more money for social benefits. It's not "ugly americanism" but the truth. We too have a social welfare system but it is set up differently then yours and we have different circumstances. Our health care is set up differently too and on both health systems, ours and yours, have more than their share of flaws. Too each country, its' own.

What about "ugly canadianism" you know the US(EVIL) and Canada(Good) attitude I see. Don't be hypocritical.

I wonder what is behind this obsession
of being perceived as better than the USA? An inferiority complex or penis envy?

Mark

Lavendrye - yes it was that long ago for the last invasion, but even up into the 1940's, the US had designs on "collecting" Canadian lands. I'm guessing that every one of our presidents has thought "maybe I can bring Canada under the Stars and Stripes" - I wouldn't give up on our attempts yet.

I don't know that much about the Canadian militia, but from what I've read, they're pretty d**n capable. I doubt the British regulars would have been able to do half of what they did without the Canadians providing the backbone.

Sally - I've been learning. My latest read was "Canadian History for Dummies". It was very good and I learned a lot. My next will be the Pierre Berton histories. I'm finding it all very interesting and it's eye opening to see the history I learned in school from a different side.