LL-L "Perceptions" 2003.02.06 (14) [E]

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From: Ed Alexander <edsells at cogeco.ca>
Subject: LL-L "Perceptions" 2003.02.06 (06) [E]

At 09:55 AM 02/06/03 -0800, Ian James Parsley wrote:
>The same applies to many Western Europeans who head
>over to the USA and comment on how ignorant Americans
>seem to be - stories of them not knowing even where
>'England' is are common. However, these same people
>will also get confused between China and Japan, or
>Ukraine and Armenia, or Australia and New Zealand (or
>even South Africa), and will refer to Barcelona as
>'typically Spanish' etc etc etc.

Yes, and Europeans who refuse to distinguish between "Canadians" and
"Americans".  Of course, some Canadians are very offended at this, but the
rest will agree with the old definition that a Canadian is really just an
unarmed American with health care.

Ed Alexander, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

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From: R. F. Hahn <sassisch at yahoo.com>
Subject: Perceptions

Ed:

> Of course, some Canadians are very offended at this, but the
> rest will agree with the old definition that a Canadian is really just an
> unarmed American with health care.

I don't know how old this definition is, but as far as I am concerned it
ought to be laid to rest.  Perpetuating catchy labels of this sort is hardly
constructive -- and I say this with due respect before our American
subscribers shower us with angry responses.  I most definitely have problems
with many, if not most, U.S. foreign and domestic policies, and I know many
U.S. citizens who have similar problems with these.  There is a lot I admire
about Canada and Canadians.  However, let's be fair!  Last time I checked,
Canada still had armed forces, and most U.S. residents, though admittedly
and sadly not all of them, had health insurance, and I see almost as many
beggars and street people in Vancouver as in Seattle.  While many Americans
are guilty of ignorance about the rest of the world, many people in the rest
of the world are as guilty of ignorance about the United States and, yes,
Canada, and think about them in incredibly simplistic terms, largely judging
Americans by their government and by European standards, ignoring the
incredible degree of diversity in this country.

Cheers!
Reinhard/Ron

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