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I don't know about that, the US has it's problems but there's definitely worse countries out there that are less free, no questions about it, US is above average.
Interesting fact about Trudeau, he was a pious Catholic who was a virgin until his marriage to the wild Mrs. Trudeau. I see religion in Canada as politically neutral. We have a Right, it's just not a Religious Right, which is an important distinction, and, I think, healthy for democracy. Agreed that free speech is important and we should defend it more zealously.
A virgin till his marriage to Maggie?? You have got to be chitting me!
That boy had his pie in many ovens over his lifetime including later Bab's Streisand and Leona Boyd. His travels as a whannbe bohemian took him to many foreign countries and to believe he remained a virgin throughout, till his 40's would be preposterous in the extreme.
Pious Catholic though he might have been in presentation, he was certainly not in visible behaviour with his one finger salute from a train window nor his "Fuddle-Duddle" comment.
Believe what you will of Pierre Elliot but the fact remains he garnered more respect regardless of his popularity from other counties leaders than anyone before or since. They may not have liked him but they sure as hell knew not to engage him in a battle of wits.
I applaud him for the thing which most villify him for; the impositon of the War Measures act during the FLQ crisis. He gave no quarter to those Quebecers who were merely content to be bystanders and willing to overlook the terrible deeds of the FLQ so long as they didn't substantially negatively impact the average Quebecer going about their daily business, with the bonus being a finger stuck in the eye of English Canada.
Jacques Rose should have finished his days in solitary with the likes of Bernardo instead of elevated to the rank of hero status by a**hole Quebecois.
As soon as he imposed that act, EVERY Quebecer woke up to the reality those deeds being committed in their name were going to come and roost on their very doorstep. The wailing and gnashing of teeth could be heard as far as Victoria BC. The working class Quebecer suddenly confonted with a soldier requesting his identity documents before being allowed to continue on his way to work in the morning brought the killing of LaPorte into their very kitchens. Armoured personnel carriers parked at your curb do not instill a warm and cozy feeling. Til then their Laisses-faire shoulder-shrugging spoke volumes to the ROC!
I disliked the man for his unmitigated arrogance and "my way or the highway" belief in his own abilities to guage the "requirements of Canada". He may well have been right 90% of the time but ignoring alternative input and demeaning contrary opinion isn't the correct way to behave in a healthy democracy ANY democracy.
Can a pasture go from school to school lecturing students on how gays should be collected in concentration camps and burned, or how women should obey their husbands?
"Pastures" don't "go from school to school lecturing" anyone, as they are patches of land where you often find cattle grazing!
The idea that a politician or anyone else should leave his or her religious beliefs at home or in a house of worship is ridiculous to me. I think what this comes down to is that Canada and the United States have different religious traditions. I don't think Canada experienced the religious revivals that spread across the U.S. since its founding. The type of evangelical Protestantism that a lot of Americans follow is apparently not present in great numbers in Canada. And the Catholic Church's influence in Canada was limited to Quebec and died out after the Quiet Revolution.
America's "civil religion" goes back a long way. I don't think anyone wrote a song called "God Bless Canada". I don't think Canada printed "In God We Trust" on its currency.
A virgin till his marriage to Maggie?? You have got to be chitting me!
That boy had his pie in many ovens over his lifetime including later Bab's Streisand and Leona Boyd. His travels as a whannbe bohemian took him to many foreign countries and to believe he remained a virgin throughout, till his 40's would be preposterous in the extreme.
You're right, I remembered incorrectly and he did not remain a virgin into his 40's, but he did remain one into a very late period in his adult life.
Most of our population resides close to the American boarder. There is lots of open space north of major cities...we have urban sprawl just like the states--- but we do have small downs and our rural red neck culture is still alive and well. My dream is to get out of Toronto and back to a more simple life near some water..It used to be that if you had a meager income you could be comfortable in the sticks...I hear that it has changed and you have to go further north if you want the good simple life...
Canada still has places of escape...if you have the money- and if you don't you have to look harder and be more innovative and clever....funny - the more I talk to Americans on line the more I think I want to live there...but- I believe going north is the answer..............or out the poor east coast where there are no jobs but it is beautiful...
I will never go to Canada! It is an alien land for me, a secular socialist paradise where conservative Christians are marginalized and despised, prosecuted for "hate speech" if they openly declare that abortion is wrong or that marriage should be between a man and a woman. What sort of nation considers an abortionist, a mass killer, a national hero? A sick one!
Chris you cant be seriously summing up all 35 million Canadians on the strength of what you've read about these 3 individuals.
"Pastures" don't "go from school to school lecturing" anyone, as they are patches of land where you often find cattle grazing!
The idea that a politician or anyone else should leave his or her religious beliefs at home or in a house of worship is ridiculous to me. I think what this comes down to is that Canada and the United States have different religious traditions. I don't think Canada experienced the religious revivals that spread across the U.S. since its founding. The type of evangelical Protestantism that a lot of Americans follow is apparently not present in great numbers in Canada. And the Catholic Church's influence in Canada was limited to Quebec and died out after the Quiet Revolution.
America's "civil religion" goes back a long way. I don't think anyone wrote a song called "God Bless Canada". I don't think Canada printed "In God We Trust" on its currency.
Of course he is, that's what conservative fundamental christians do; they bake a whole cake out of one ingredient.
No, I don't think he is. This man has started many threads in this forum over the last couple of weeks, asking the right questions to gain insight into Canada's history, culture, and place in the world. It's clear to me that he's done his homework and knows quite a bit about Canada. He's been civil, genuinely curious, and insightful. I don't think he speaks from a place of ignorance regarding Canadian society. The fact of the matter is, he's a religious right Southern conservative who is very much against abortion. I imagine, Chris, that when you look at Canada you see a society where most peoples values legitimately are at odds with the things that you believe in. As such, I think his characterization of Canada is fairly consistent with his expressed worldview. It's not a worldview I share, and it's true that we hold different values and are coming from different places culturally, but I get how he could think that about Canada while at the same time having a pretty strong understanding of it.
One question, Mr. Balducci, if you'd humour me and satisfy my curiosity. While you might disapprove of our politics and social structure, you've shown admirable curiosity and seem interested in all sorts of aspects of our country. What do you like about Canada? I know you couldn't see yourself fitting in in Canada, but would you find it edifying to go on a trip to any part of it? I think this is a relevant question on the topic of "What is it like in Canada" because it gives the view of a foreigner with a challenging perspective.
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