Americanophobia is “justified” so they say. They are surprised that we are surprised. They want us to know that the “Big Bully” is down. With that, I guess they are hoping that their coalition humbles down the “inflated ego” that Americans hold.
Strength comes in numbers – especially on Facebook where Canadians appear to be the most active. And some will not let an opportunity pass without a ‘friendly‘ reminder of how Americans have ruined their life. The collective hate is currently being spread on other social networking sites such as Youtube (quite notorious for America bashing). They’re out there making their voices heard.
It appears to me that Canadians feel validated in their Americanophobic crusade (group think) as they are very well aware that they’re not alone. They also know it’s not just Canada, but several parts of the middle east, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. So when they start the mud slinging in our direction, they know someone will be right behind them in support. How could you not feel vindicated?
It’s “pay back time” for us Americans.
But I’d like to point out that there’s a BIG difference between being angry at the actions of a government and blindly hating ALL the inhabitants of said country. (I can name at least ten + governments across the globe that are far worse than the Bush administration!) And I’m here just to express my frustration toward those that are unable to make that distinction. And for the record, I’m not against ANYBODY questioning the actions of our government. What I’m against is the lumping of those Americans that are against the Bush administration with those that support it. In any event, Bush truly didn’t win the first election. Al Gore won the popular vote. In the second election, Bush won by 52%. At this moment, he’s at an all time low with just a 30% approval rating. And suffice it to say that Bush has lost support from the people of even his own party! (I listen to Republican talk radio…. I know!!) Additionally, many Americans will proudly say that Bush has been the worst president ever in American history. People from other countries have no clue the amount of protests that were being carried out in the US following the decision to go to Iraq. Most demonstrations were violent and scary too. So, if you’re non-American reading this, please do realize that some Americans are just as upset as you are.
So, no. We (collectively) do not deserve to be hated. And we Americans are not THAT dumb. We know that you don’t hate us just because of Bush. In a recent conversation with a Canadian that is against Americanophobia, the following only reconfirmed what I had previously known. She states…
In Canada, one cannot say anything derogatory about any other culture without being politically incorrect or racist. Save the natives and the Americans, who are fair game. This is so ingrained in the “Canadian” culture that Canadians cannot/ do not think for themselves. If I said “French men are rude”, then GASP – Jenny! You are so rude and judgemental and how on earth can you look yourself in the mirror stereotyping an entire country like that! Yet, someone from Ohio comes into town and all the Canadians are whispering “That fucking American. He probably doesn’t even know we have a different currency up here. He is so ignorant and rude.” There is a blantant double standard here and I get treated like a pariah when I point this out.
Many Canadians thought that we deserved 9-11 too. I more than often hear comments like, “You had what was coming to you”, and “You got what you deserved!“.
On Facebook, I joined a group called, “Canadians Against Anti-Americanism“. In this thread, one Canadian stated the following:
I joined because I am tired of the anti-Americanism that pervades Canada. The juvenile teasing from elementary school has faded. Most people will remember where they were when they heard the news about September 11th. Me? The one thing that sticks out to me about that day is how disgusted I felt when several students at my high school ran around cheering and celebrating. I will never forget that.
Kevin Potvin, an Islamic terrorist sympathizer who was a candidate for Canada’s Green Party made the below comments following the 9-11 attacks on the WTC:
“I have a terrible confession to make. When I saw the first tower cascade down into that enormous plume of dust and paper, there was a little voice inside me that said, “Yeah!” When the second tower came down the same way, that little voice said, “Beautiful!” When the visage of the Pentagon appeared on the TV with a gaping and smoking hole in its side, that little voice had nearly taken me over, and I felt an urge to pump my fist in the air.”
You can read more here, and watch the video here.
Some Canadians, as well as those in other developed western countries, will tell you that we deserved 9-11 because of our government’s foreign policy. But does anyone not find it ironic that the same people who condoned and applauded the terrorist attacks are ALSO the same people who are opposed of the Death Penalty and claim to be the “peaceful ones“? Is the death of 3,000 innocent civilians (that came from ALL parts of the world and political backgrounds), the answer to a failed foreign policy?
Hat Tip: Jonathan Narvey
Thanks for the Hat Tip! You’ve covered a lot of the ground I’ve also gone over on Currents. On an optimistic note, I think that more Canadians becoming aware of just how ridiculous reflexive anti-Americanism has become. People like Kevin Potvin are increasingly being swept — or entering voluntarily — into the shadowy margins where they belong.
Of course, when they do emerge from the shadows, they hunt in packs. The rabble of idiots that showed up at a public debate in Vancouver to heckle the representative from Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan with non-sequiters about US hegemony are just one example.
It should be more pages like this on the web. I`m from Norway, and the government in Norway doesn`t like americans and the country too much. Norwegian people really hates all the wars America has been in, and a couple of people call americans terrorists. And many people say that all the americans want is to be “the world police” and to controll the oil. And that`s the main reason to all the wars, they say.
But there are still many people in Norway who support the US, I would gess, maybe 40 percent. I am one of them. I have always loved America, and I will allways do. I love the american cars, the cultur, the cowboys, and the extremely powerful army.
I think the reason that the world hates America, is that America is a symbol for what is right. People can`t tolerate that, which I cant understand. Why are the americans in Afghanistan, to fight terrorism of course. What`s the problem about that. Somone`s got to do it. I will always support the US, and I will always do my best to get people on the right side.
God bless America