CANADA and the United States

Mexico is always in the US news, but Canada is usually ignored. It was regarded as an appendage of the US which could be treated with benevolent neglect. That changed with the Iraq war, when Canada refused to join the coalition of the willing, and President Bush cancelled a state visit there. Things were not improved when, during the arguments about the war, a Canadian legislator was reported as saying of Americans "I hate those bastards". Canadian alleged failure to crack down on terrorists has given the US a club with which to beat up the Canadians. The club is wielded by Michelle Malkin, author of Invasion: How America Still Welcomes Terrorists, Criminals and Other Menaces to Our Shores. She has written a nasty article "U.S. Gives Chrétien a Mulligan for Terrorist-Friendly Agenda. Canada remains a magnet for jihadists and a breeding ground for anti-U.S. terrorism" (Insight, 5/13-26/03). Canadian Prime Innister Jean Chrčtien vacationed in the Dominican Republic, "where he teed off with former U.S. president Bill Clinton in the Soft-on-Terror Masters Tournament". Many of the paragraphs begin "While Chrétien golfs..", implying that he was neglecting the terrorist menace in Canada. I suspect that US intelligence gave Malkin the details she provides on the Canada-based terrorists. She concludes "Why do we continue to serve as caddies for his terror-friendly agenda?" The idea of the US serving as a caddie for Canada is rather silly. The article is very pugnacious. as the use of the word "mulligan" indicates. It probably expresses the Bush administration's view on Canada. One important factor is omitted. Chrétien is a French Canadian, and French Canada is attuned to France. Chirac's criticism of the US had a favorable echo in French Canada. Moral: We should pay more attention to Canada.

Ronald Hilton - 5/27/03