wooooooooooooooooot!! i am leet!
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Aren't you soon to be in the Canadian military?
Shouldn't it be "Sir! Eh, Sir!"
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Classified.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Blayne, I'm happy that things are working out the way you want them too. Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Darn, and here I thought I was unlocking the necessary key to finally annexing Canada.
Oh well, we're all tied up in the middle east anyways. You guys could probably attack us now.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Hmm, I also bought someone a Coke, and apparently about 2 people's brains exploded.
"wha wha WHAT!? Blayne BOUGHT someone ELSE a drink OMFG!!!!!11!!!"
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Don't underestimate the effectiveness of the shibboleth, Primal Curve. Trained operatives can detect an American "eh?" from across a crowded hockey arena.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: Oh well, we're all tied up in the middle east anyways. You guys could probably attack us now.
As much as we'd love to ( ), we're pretty tied up in Afghanistan at the moment.
Added: Oops, posted too soon. Congrats, Blayne! Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
Well, if Canada does attack the US, and Blayne is in its military forces, that neatly resolves the China issue in TWBW with no hurt feelings. So: Go, Blayne!
Posted by Flaming Toad on a Stick (Member # 9302) on :
Great job Blayne.
Posted by David Manning (Member # 2076) on :
We have an organization here in the U.S. that's a lot like the Canadian army.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Our Rangers/Delta Force are analogous to Boy Scouts, and Seals/Marines are like the cops and National Guard. But hey we are proud of your efforts to assist our armed forces with the cookies they love eating.
Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
You know, people, those of us who don't choose to run our economies into the ground to support a vast conquest machine can still be quite proud of the armies we do have, and in particular of the achievement it is to pass the physicals of an all-volunteer military. I do not see what Blayne said in this thread that should open him up for this kind of mockery of his nation.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by King of Men: You know, people, those of us who don't choose to run our economies into the ground to support a vast conquest machine can still be quite proud of the armies we do have, and in particular of the achievement it is to pass the physicals of an all-volunteer military. I do not see what Blayne said in this thread that should open him up for this kind of mockery of his nation.
You can hardly call it a vast conquest machine, seeing as how we don't actually annex anything nowadays. I guess that makes us just silly for dumping out money to fight wars that are not over resources.
Also you should realize that Americans and Canandians have made it a pasttime to heckle each other. I am genuinely impressed that Blayne so far is doing well in filling his conscription. But no matter how awesome he gets, even if he makes a career out of being some sort of uber Canadian soldier, he will still get heckled by the most backward bucktoothed hillbilly American for being Canadian. He might as well join the fray and come up with some clever punches he can pull at a moments notice.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I actually think, on this forum, at least, the heckling is usually very one-sided, and reflects poorly on us. When you're undisputedly the strongest kid on the block, it's rather gauche to make fun of other people being weaker.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
We don't have to, the fact that a bunch of drunk Newfies, made it to Washington DC, got further drunk off your beer, ate the food, got sick from it and and managed somehow in this time to burn down your white house and manage to come back to Canada to sleep over their hang over speaks all for itself.
Posted by Reshpeckobiggle (Member # 8947) on :
Running our economy into the ground, KoM? I know it fell a bit today, but I believe the Dow Jones has been running at all time highs for the last several weeks, and that our unemployment rate is quite lower than it is wherever you live. But I guess the facts don't matter when it comes to bashing the Evil Bushies.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by Blayne Bradley: We don't have to, the fact that a bunch of drunk Newfies, made it to Washington DC, got further drunk off your beer, ate the food, got sick from it and and managed somehow in this time to burn down your white house and manage to come back to Canada to sleep over their hang over speaks all for itself.
Do you see Americans taking credit for beating the French during the 7 years war? Seems it was more Britishness then Canadianess that accomplished the feat you cited in 1814. In anycase thanks for giving us Oregon virtually for free, clearly your sovereignty is held dear to your hearts. Posted by Reshpeckobiggle (Member # 8947) on :
I love Canadians. But they're such easy targets is hard not to take a shot sometimes.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Resh, take off your shirt somewhere private and look for the "Made in China" sticker and can you honestly really say that your economy is perfectly healthy?
Also BB that was when England was in control of our foreign policy, once we kicked some Kraut ass in WWI and outperformed everyone pound for pound and supplied 1 out of every 3 shells used on the western front I think we earned the respect for the world.
Also we don't routinely blow up our allies.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
quote:Originally posted by Reshpeckobiggle: I love Americans. But they're such easy targets is hard not to take a shot sometimes.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Also BB that was when England was in control of our foreign policy, once we kicked some Kraut ass in WWI and outperformed everyone pound for pound and supplied 1 out of every 3 shells used on the western front I think we earned the respect for the world.
Might I remind YOU bb that you held that record while America was not militarily involved in WWI.
Who do you think provided the other 2 out of 3 shells? Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
Remember you didnt enter the war until late so negative browny points. And Canadians still outperformed you.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by ElJay: I actually think, on this forum, at least, the heckling is usually very one-sided, and reflects poorly on us. When you're undisputedly the strongest kid on the block, it's rather gauche to make fun of other people being weaker.
I know. *quietly
---
Edited to add: I'd like to be classy, and I'd like to think my fellow citizens are, as well. It would make -- in my eyes -- for a better nation.
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Congratulations, Blayne. I hope all goes well for you. Posted by King of Men (Member # 6684) on :
quote:Originally posted by BlackBlade:
quote:Also BB that was when England was in control of our foreign policy, once we kicked some Kraut ass in WWI and outperformed everyone pound for pound and supplied 1 out of every 3 shells used on the western front I think we earned the respect for the world.
Might I remind YOU bb that you held that record while America was not militarily involved in WWI.
Who do you think provided the other 2 out of 3 shells?
As it happens, it was the United Kingdom. And when the US entered, it did so using guns made by British factories, firing shells made by the French. Now the Second World War is something else again, but in the Great War you were not only late to the party, you didn't have any clothes on when you got there.
Ah yes, here we are. From Lloyd George's "War Memoirs":
quote:When the Armistice was signed on November 11th, half the aeroplanes used by the Americans were of French and British make (...) The light and medium artillery used up to the end of the War by the American Army was supplied by the French. The heaviest artillery was supplied by the British. No field guns of American pattern or manufacture fired a shot in the War.
My emphasis.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Also we don't routinely blow up our allies.
What would you blow them up with? A Trojan Moose?
I'm wondering what your navy plans to do when all the sea ice is gone from the Arctic, and Canada starts trying to make a play for the resources that lie up there. The only countries with a strong territorial claim will be you guys, Russia, maybe America because of Alaksa, and the Scandinavian countries. Thing is though, only Russia will have the power to assert their claims, and that's with a broken down rusted out Navy.
You won't even be able to enforce the soon to be available Northwest Passage. And I wonder when it comes time to do all that, who you'll ask for support from. Is it the nation that protects the waterways of the world and makes free right of passage a reality for everyone? Or is it your Navy, which could probably be defeated by our Coast Guard?
And what percentage of your imports come from America? I'm pretty sure it's at least 50%. Your economy is tied quite powerfully to our own, so you really shouldn't be trumpeting our downfall. Besides, if anyone actually did try to invade you, which isn't out of the question considering Canada's open space and resources, who do you think would defend you from a serious opponent? Ninja beavers and moose commandos?
I don't mind the friendly sparring. But sometimes it sounds like at the end of the day, some Canadians don't realize that if you were ever seriously in trouble, there'd be no nation on Earth that would jump faster to help you than us, even Britain and Australia.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I can understand the frustration at some of the responses from Canadians here, Lyrhawn. I do think they were provoked, though -- e.g., twinky was posing a link to a military tribute, including the coffins of dead Canadian soldiers. I think continuing to jab about little kids' organizations is similar to pulling the "your mama" jokes when the mama is, well, dead.
quote:I don't mind the friendly sparring. But sometimes it sounds like at the end of the day, some Canadians don't realize that if you were ever seriously in trouble, there'd be no nation on Earth that would jump faster to help you than us, even Britain and Australia.
This is an important and relevant political fact. Also, it being true shouldn't entail other countries having to grovel, having to swallow continued indignity and ask for more.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Well, so much for classy.
Edit to add: That wasn't meant to appear under CT's post.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*grin
Whew. I was rereading frantically.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by ElJay: Well, so much for classy.
Edit to add: That wasn't meant to appear under CT's post.
Was that directed at me? I wasn't aware what I said was especially unclassy.
Especially given I agree with CT.
Posted by Reshpeckobiggle (Member # 8947) on :
CT= class. That's a fact.
quote:Originally posted by Blayne Bradley: Resh, take off your shirt somewhere private and look for the "Made in China" sticker and can you honestly really say that your economy is perfectly healthy?
I just wanted to make it clear that I never said I thought our economy was perfect. Just that it's not exactly being run into the ground by the war. Whatever stumbles it takes are most likely due to the Democratic policy of giving money away to people who have done nothing to deserve it except be ungrateful losers. [/class]
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
And nothing to do with the Republicans spending money we don't have for the last seven years? And then following that up by giving huge giveaways to oil companies that are raking in record profits, and to rich campaign donors?
Yeah, those stupid Democrats trying to help out poor people, they should get with it and join the Republicans in helping out the people who REALLY need it; the uberwealthy.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Yes, Lyrhawn, that was directed at you. What you posted was the exact kind of crap I was talking about with this post:
quote:I actually think, on this forum, at least, the heckling is usually very one-sided, and reflects poorly on us. When you're undisputedly the strongest kid on the block, it's rather gauche to make fun of other people being weaker.
Leaving aside dubious accuracy of your post, the jabs about trojan moose and ninja beavers are not what I'd call classy. Nor is the "rubbing their noses in it" tone of your comments about their navy.
The only Canadian in this thread who's made aggrandizing comments is Blayne. And I would think that he's shown that he makes aggrandizing comments about everything, and should no more be considered representative of Canadians than he should be of men in their early 20s. Whereas many Americans have been acting like horse's rear ends.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
My secret love for CT and ElJay continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Psst. It's not that secret anymore.
(I love them too, though.)
Posted by kmbboots (Member # 8576) on :
Darn. We were supposed to keep it a secret?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Eljay -
Oh well, deal with it.
Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
Mmm... classy.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well, I've already earned the title, might as well take it out for a spin.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
quote:Originally posted by Reshpeckobiggle: CT= class. That's a fact.
quote:Originally posted by Blayne Bradley: Resh, take off your shirt somewhere private and look for the "Made in China" sticker and can you honestly really say that your economy is perfectly healthy?
I just wanted to make it clear that I never said I thought our economy was perfect. Just that it's not exactly being run into the ground by the war. Whatever stumbles it takes are most likely due to the Democratic policy of giving money away to people who have done nothing to deserve it except be ungrateful losers. [/class]
So you support the continued polarization of your country between rich and poor? I think the amount of money spent on armaments vastly outweighs the pocket money reluctantly given to the nations poor.
quote:
- posted August 28, 2007 11:26 PM Profile for Lyrhawn Email Lyrhawn Edit/Delete Post Reply With Quote
quote:Also we don't routinely blow up our allies.
What would you blow them up with? A Trojan Moose?
I'm wondering what your navy plans to do when all the sea ice is gone from the Arctic, and Canada starts trying to make a play for the resources that lie up there. The only countries with a strong territorial claim will be you guys, Russia, maybe America because of Alaksa, and the Scandinavian countries. Thing is though, only Russia will have the power to assert their claims, and that's with a broken down rusted out Navy.
You won't even be able to enforce the soon to be available Northwest Passage. And I wonder when it comes time to do all that, who you'll ask for support from. Is it the nation that protects the waterways of the world and makes free right of passage a reality for everyone? Or is it your Navy, which could probably be defeated by our Coast Guard?
And what percentage of your imports come from America? I'm pretty sure it's at least 50%. Your economy is tied quite powerfully to our own, so you really shouldn't be trumpeting our downfall. Besides, if anyone actually did try to invade you, which isn't out of the question considering Canada's open space and resources, who do you think would defend you from a serious opponent? Ninja beavers and moose commandos?
I don't mind the friendly sparring. But sometimes it sounds like at the end of the day, some Canadians don't realize that if you were ever seriously in trouble, there'd be no nation on Earth that would jump faster to help you than us, even Britain and Australia.
Firstly unlike some nations showing off their epeens we dont need to spent ridiculas amounts of money on our military 60 planes will do.
Next I don't think the Russian navy given recent years is rusted anymore, and next the Canadian navy is highly efficient and possesses AEGIS cruisers and missile frigates.
And frankly i think whether we like it or not the US navy would be in the northwest passage.
Next, don't diss our ninja beavers they build dams.
Next, Canada's land is mostly permafrost, its like china tyring to invade siberia who the heck wants permafrost? You can settle people there and the mineral wealths requires a huge investment.
Also the American relative decline as a hyperpower doesnt mean you wont be economically a powerful force, I highly doubt US-Canada trade will change much except maybe the reforming of NAFTA so we dont get screwed out of our fresh water or billions on softwood lumber.
Its hard to tell how fats you will jump given how a very vocal minority of politicians seem to be in favour of simply annexing us.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: Eljay -
Oh well, deal with it.
I believe that is exactly what I was doing.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
If that's what you think, you picked the wrong target.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I think you misunderstand me. It's not a question of a target. It's a question of me seeing fellow Americans acting in a way that I think is shameful to our country. I'm not just talking about you, I made my first post stating my disapproval before you ever posted in the thread. I think posts lording up America and disparaging other countries are tacky. It's particularly tacky to compare our military to that of a country that has one tenth our population. I deal with that by pointing it out, because I think it is beneath us as Americans and beneath our national honor.
Yes, there's plenty of other things going on in the country that I also think are beneath our national honor, but most of those are a lot harder to address directly than people coming into what is supposed to be a celebration thread by someone who made it into his country's miliatry after at least a year of working to pass the physical fitness test and ripping on said military. How would you like it if someone came to your graduation party and told you how much your school sucked?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Redirect your ire then. You're the one that singled me out, and I probably would have been nicer about it if I hadn't already been in a pretty crappy mood, but I was, and I am. I wasn't making him gravel beneath a greater power, I know exactly what CT was talking about. I don't want anyone to kowtow, nor did I make anyone in this thread do it, or ask for it.
My reminder to Canadians who might not know it, is that despite the bad deal Americans get when it comes to publicity, and despite all the crap WE take from the holier than thou citizens of some countries (eg, some people in this very thread), we're still going to be there for them at the end of the day. But hey, if that's the kind of thing you don't want Americans talking about, I'll start clamoring for them to defend themselves and to hell with it.
So long as both sides know the other is joking, I think the traditional ribbing Canadians and Americans give each other is perfectly fine, even fun for both sides. And you apparently don't know me that well or you'd have heard the speech I give people when they rip on France, including dozens of times on Hatrack alone. That's also why I specifically ended my post making sure that we all knew we were kidding, and that at the end of the day, there's no animosity, we've got your back.
So kindly back the frick off.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
quote:Originally posted by ElJay: ... people coming into what is supposed to be a celebration thread by someone who made it into his country's miliatry after at least a year of working to pass the physical fitness test and ripping on said military. How would you like it if someone came to your graduation party and told you how much your school sucked?
I was very troubled by this, too. Still am.
Thanks for naming it directly, ElJay.
Blayne, again, congratulations.
Posted by Eaquae Legit (Member # 3063) on :
Blayne, I forgot to congratulate you as well.
Good on you for meeting the standards. I hope it turns out really well for you.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
A bit late to the party, but
Congratulations Blayne! Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
ditto. Congrats! Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Good for you, Blayne. Posted by airmanfour (Member # 6111) on :
Rock on Blayne! I love Canadian servicepeople! I know how hard you must have worked. Good job.
Whiners - Take your whining to one of the whining threads and get out of Blayne's.
Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
Congratulations, Blayne!
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese:
quote:Originally posted by ElJay: ... people coming into what is supposed to be a celebration thread by someone who made it into his country's miliatry after at least a year of working to pass the physical fitness test and ripping on said military. How would you like it if someone came to your graduation party and told you how much your school sucked?
I was very troubled by this, too. Still am.
Thanks for naming it directly, ElJay.
Yup, me, too. Thanks, Eljay, for articulating this so well.
Blayne, I'm proud of you. You did good. Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Add me to the list of people who think trumpeting our nation at the expense of others is unnecessary. Even if it seems provoked, all you have to do is look who's doing the provoking.
When you're the biggest kid on the block there's no need to go around saying so -- everybody already knows.
Posted by MrSquicky (Member # 1802) on :
That's great Blayne. It's wonderful to see you acheiving something that you put your mind to.
Can I recommend staying with the physical training? It sounds like a positive thing for you.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Whoa, whoa. My Canadian-bashing was all in fun. I have a lot of respect for the country. It was not meant to be a huge flame war about which country has the bigger boxer shorts.
I just wanted to trade some cliched jokes about Canada while fully expecting to be referred to as a dumb redneck in return. I feel bad now for starting down a road that lead to such idiocy (of course, my own posting was a form of idiocy, it was just intended for comedy).
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
were mine in god taste? The Newfie joke is the standard for Canadians.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: So you're saying you're more like the Cub Scouts, then, eh?
No.
I would like to remind some of the Americans in this thread of a couple of things regarding the Canadian military, since apparently my first post was insufficient:
First, about 2,500 Canadian soldiers are fighting in Afghanistan, largely deployed to the dangerous Kandahar province. We led combatoperations there for some time after you deployed most of your troops to Iraq. (America currently has about 15,000 troops in Afghanistan.) Our government doesn't tell us much about what Joint Task Force 2 gets up to, but the Americans they've worked with in Afghanistan seem very appreciative. Also, an interesting factoid: a Canadian sniper holds the dubious honour of the world's furthest confirmed sniper kill, from about 1.5 miles.
Second, some Canadiansoldiers have been killed by U.S. friendly fire or friendly bombings. (Others have been killed as well, of course, including Americans.)
It's certainly true that Canadians and Americans have a penchant for mocking one another (e.g. Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans"). In general, I don't mind the friendly sparring either, as should be evident from my first post in this thread. But when the jibes compare soldiers who are currently fighting and dying alongside yours to Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts, it seems like you're dancing on their graves.
quote:Originally posted by Blayne Bradley: And frankly i think whether we like it or not the US navy would be in the northwest passage.
I think you've hit on a very important point there, Blayne. I'm not sure how many Americans heard about this, but at the recent conference between the American, Canadian, and Mexican heads of state in Quebec, we were reminded that the U.S. (among others) rejects Canada's claim of sovereignty over the waters to our north. I believe that's one of the reasons we started making significant investments in our military under the Liberals a few years ago, and more recently under the Conservatives this has been particularly extended to naval investments and, even more specifically, new armed icebreakers.
Surprisingly enough, I believe this is a sound investment. Obviously we have no hope of actually defending ourselves from the might of the American military, but all we need to do is keep our military is powerful enough that the U.S. won't deploy troops to our territory "for our own protection" (unless we actually become engaged in a military conflict with someone else in which case, as Lyrhawn notes, the U.S. would probably be the first nation to come to our aid). This is just as true for ground and air troops stationed on our soil as it is for naval troops stationed on our waters. It'll help with any potential trouble that might be brewing in the long term with Russia and China, too.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I stopped reading when things started getting ugly, but you were holding your own in the beginning, Blayne.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
thx.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by twinky: It's certainly true that Canadians and Americans have a penchant for mocking one another (e.g. Rick Mercer's "Talking to Americans"). In general, I don't mind the friendly sparring either, as should be evident from my first post in this thread. But when the jibes compare soldiers who are currently fighting and dying alongside yours to Girl Scouts or Cub Scouts, it seems like you're dancing on their graves.
I just thought I'd point out that I have a large portion of my family in the U.S. Military. Many of whom have fought in Iraq (including my brother, who may be facing a third tour). I have also known several people who have lost loved ones in Iraq and Afghanistan.
That being said, if you had come to me and referred to my family and friends as a bunch of screw-up wackos who shoot friendly combatants (which you actually sort of did), torture innocent prisoners, or murder civilians even though they've done none of these things, then I would feel like you were dancing on their careers/graves.
But if we were engaged in friendly banter, and you, say, referred to the U.S. Military as a crazy bunch of redneck yahoos, then I'd just take it in the spirit of the conversation as a light-hearted joke. To assume that it was intended as a slight towards people who fight and die just reeks of hyper-sensitivity.
I mean, really? Cub-scouts? Girl-scouts? Do you actually think I believe that? Do you actually think I believe the Canadian Military is not a force to be reckoned with? I mean, we'd totally zerg rush you if we got into a war, but that doesn't mean, pound-for-pound you wouldn't do as much as a comparable U.S. soldier if not more (probably more because you'd be fighting for your own country and loved ones, which is usually a good motivator). And to be honest, I love Canada. I don't want it to go anywhere. I'd be the first to join the revolution if we decided to invade a country like Canada that has been our friend and ally for so long.
I'm not upset by your comments. I'm just a little surprised that you'd react so strongly to them. I'd like to think that I can crack a joke about Canada and not expect it to be interpreted as a bullying attack.
I've always thought of Canada as the sort of cool kid who doesn't really get into fights in the school yard, who tries to get along with everyone, who was into that one really cool band before everyone else, and is generally popular with everyone. The U.S., on the other hand, is sort of the captain of the football team. Everyone knows him, and some people want to be his friend, but he can be a bit of an ass. He also tends to push people around who are a bit different than him and he keeps to just a few close friends (most of whom are also on the football team).
I'd much rather be Canada. So when I tease, it's only because I like you guys, it's not because I'm trying to knock you down a few notches. I have little to be proud of in the U.S. these days.
Posted by brojack17 (Member # 9189) on :
Congrats Blayne. I'm glad to hear aboot your acceptance.
Sorry, I couldn't help myself. Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I think the tensions in both countries coming directly out of being engaged in military actions -- with the inevitable errors, misjudgements, and assorted forms of political fallout -- are probably weighing pretty heavily right now on people in both countries.
Canadians tend to have a very self-deprecatory sense of humor (I think), whereas the stereotypical American style is more of the tongue-in-cheek, tall-tale tomfoolery. This flows fairly well when there aren't such tensions in the air, but when there are, it can go hand-in-hand with additional problems. I suspect it's rarely intentional to be insulting in this group of friends, but it may well be that it's hard to see when one is poking an especially sore spot if one is used to the lighter air outside war.
I'm so sorry about the effect these military conflicts have had on your family and friends, Primal Curve. It's a hard, hard time for many people. I don't speak for twinky, but from my perspective, I think he was merely saying that in the context of some serious losses of this sort (friendly fire), flippancy in this matter is particularly galling. I very much doubt he meant to cast aspersions on the whole of American military service.
(And, admittedly, there are many more American service personnel involved, since it is such the bigger country, so you will see more of all sorts of incidents from American personnel -- it's a numbers thing, at least in good part.)
I think a lot of us are just kinda sore and achy at this time in history. I know I am. It hurts to deal with jests on either side. Maybe we can get back (eventually) to the space where jests are more appropriate again.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
quote:Originally posted by Primal Curve: To assume that it was intended as a slight towards people who fight and die just reeks of hyper-sensitivity.
That's the disconnect, I think. I didn't make that assumption -- I assumed your posts were made with the friendliest of intentions. My big post was intended to say "Hey guys, our soldiers are out there doing a lot of hard stuff too, maybe the right response to a linked slide show from one such soldier's funeral isn't to compare them to the Cub Scouts."
Also, I appreciate the kind words about my country. Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
KOM: Curse you for deflecting my shot taken in the dark.
Blayne: Nothing you said was taken by at least me to be anything but in good fun. If others are offended by the conversation mood I'll stop, I don't NEED to make fun of Cananda.
------
That is very interesting that the US disputes your claim of sovereignty of the waters to your north. Do we use Alaska as grounds for this?
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
quote:Originally posted by twinky: My big post was intended to say "Hey guys, our soldiers are out there doing a lot of hard stuff too, maybe the right response to a linked slide show from one such soldier's funeral isn't to compare them to the Cub Scouts."
<turns red>
I had no idea what you were talking about until I revisited the first page.
I didn't click on the link in your post. I generally don't follow blind links on forums when I'm at work. I thought you were posting a link to a military site or something. I didn't realize it was for a funeral or I wouldn't have replied at all.
I now understand the reaction everyone had. I am really, deeply embarrased.
Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :
I wasnt entirely aware that the US actually outright denies our rightful claim of sovereignty, darnit now I feel the urge to get my newfie friends together and pay Bush a visit.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
Yeah, the link was to CBC News. I didn't say anything about the link since I figured it spoke for itself, but I forgot that some people (myself included, actually) don't follow unrecognized links from work.
In terms of moral high ground, I was rather dismayed to learn that we have arrested and imprisoned a Canadian who didn't want to drink and drive.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Well, we don't claim that the Northwest Passage is OURS, Bush says it is an international waterway. And if you listen to Colbert, since we're the leader of the world, that means it's ours
Frankly, when you look at the actual passage, I think it's Canada's or at least key portions of the passage are. If Canada used their entire naval force and some well placed fortifications, and an airbase or two, I think they could defend it with choke points, maybe, but they'd have to be willing to shoot, and the other country would have to back down, as Canada couldn't repel a serious aggressor like Russia or soon even China, if they really wanted to make hay out of it. But given how many routes there are, and how many islands can be skipped or gone around, it might be too much of a maze to defend without a massive new shipbuilding program.
Canada has a lot involved in winning though. If ships are allowed through there unchecked, I think it makes Canada less safe, and gives them a potential environmental disaster. They should be allowed to have control of waters in an archipelego chain like that. Besides, it'd be a huge financial boon if they could sell passage through the strait for the same price that Panama charges, a huge boon.
I'm sure we'll come to a fair solution in the end. But Canada may find they don't have quite as many friends around to back them up when everyone stands to profit more from it being international than purely Canada's. I'd like to see the US back up Canada's claim of soveriegnty, and in return I'd like to see Canada give the US access, maybe for everything except oil tankers, which should allay environmental concerns.
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), we're pretty tied up in Afghanistan at the moment.![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
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