<p>I never said Americans hate Canadians. I am going to say I hate Bush. We have a rivaly thats why it appers we hate each other. We depend on each other ecomicaly.</p>
<p>Well, I don't hate Canadians. But posts like that person's from Toronto really get me annoyed. </p>
<p>First of all, America would never invade Canada, so your point is totally irrelevent. </p>
<p>Second of all, it's that cavalier attitude of yours that everyone would support Canada that makes Americans roll their eyeballs up into their heads. </p>
<p>I know you (Ms. Canada) don't want to admit it, but without America, the world would be in a dire situation on every level. Yes, it is very "in" to hate America and Bush right now. But what people fail to recognize is that America is the number one monetary contributer to the UN. The US aids many, many countries. And as much as people hate him, Bush's decisions have an impact on the entire world. When was the last time Paul Martin made an earth shattering statement?</p>
<p>Religion<em>causes</em>war,</p>
<p>First of all, you have to understand that not everyone in America is in favor of Bush right now either, for a variety of reasons. Just because we're a unified nation doesn't mean we don't have different opinions.</p>
<p>Believe me, we do.</p>
<p>And CityGal55 is right. America helps the rest of the world as much as it can. And yes, without America's help and support, a lot of other countries WOULD be in trouble, financially, economically and politically.</p>
<p>Afghanistan is a perfect example. Do you know that the common people--the legs of EVERY nation-- hugged our military and cheered and cried when we helped them earn freedom?</p>
<p>People traveled hundreds of miles just to VOTE, for the first time, as a democracy, not a dictatorship.</p>
<p>America played a big part in that. We're responsible for a lot of good, and a lot of bad.</p>
<p>But in the end, we're trying to help.</p>
<p>Leave us in peace, and let us help. What good are we if we can't do that?</p>
<p>One more thing. Your user name is upseting, to me at least. I'm certainly not asking you to change it or anything, but I wanted to point out that it's a very broad and shaky statement to make.</p>
<p>RELIGION does not cause war. PEOPLE do.</p>
<p>Meep. It's no wonder the world hates us. </p>
<p>Religion is man-made. God, if there is a God, did not create religion. Religion DOES cause wars. Need examples (or a basic high school history class, perhaps)? The Crusades, England vs. Ireland, India vs. Pakistan, some would even argue to include the Holocaust. The list goes on. Religion creates antagonism, that's just the way it is. Much the same way gender, race and age create antagonism. Religion just tends to be more deadly. </p>
<p>Afghanistan? We abandoned the people of Afghanistan the moment we ran off to invade Irak. </p>
<p>As for the notion that the world would crumble without the United States? That's pretty sad, now isn't it.</p>
<p>::When was the last time Paul Martin made an earth shattering statement?::</p>
<p>Dear God, what's so wrong with not making earth-shattering statements? </p>
<p>::Yes, it is very "in" to hate America and Bush right now. But what people fail to recognize is that America is the number one monetary contributer to the UN::</p>
<p>Lol. that may be so, but the US is still incredibly behind in its dues. The US thinks it can use the UN when it's convenient and ignore it when it isn't. Kind of pathetic.</p>
<p>::Lol. that may be so, but the US is still incredibly behind in its dues. The US thinks it can use the UN when it's convenient and ignore it when it isn't. Kind of pathetic.::</p>
<p>Haha, oh boy. The US "thinks" that way because it CAN do whatever it wants. The US is a sovereign nation. We do as we please, when we please, and for whatever purpose we please. Considering we pay for most of the UN operations, the UN should do as we tell it, not the other way around. Sorry, but the US isn't going to do anything that isn't in its own best interests. Doing that would be unconstitutional, and the US Constitution takes precedence over any foreign organization.</p>
<p>Okay Mavin, but Canada's population is less than the size of California!</p>
<p>...........ok?</p>
<p>Sovereign nations cannot do anything they want. As part of international organizations, they are bound by the rules thereof. If the World Trade Organization says America has unfair trade practices after Brazil files a complaint and we're assigned a $10 billion fine, we <em>will</em> have to pay that $10 billion fine. If the UN had such teeth, the world would be a much safer place.</p>
<p>Lilybbloom,</p>
<p>You said religion is man-made. Precisesly. MAN has caused religion, and MAN has caused war. Maybe religion has helped start a war, but there is never just ONE cause for war. Take WWI. People say it started with the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand, but that wasn't the reason all of Europe went to war!</p>
<p>(Actually, I think the reason was they couldn't agree with each other and they were actually members of one huge family, headed by Queen Victoria, but don't quote me on that).</p>
<p>Or the American Civil War. Slavery was a large cause, but so was seccession. Or even this current war in Afghanistan and Iraq. Some people say its because of oil, others religion, and still others that the only reason Isreal and Palestine are fighting is over a wall.</p>
<p>A sacred, holy wall, something I respect, but in the abstract: It's still a wall.</p>
<p>There is always more than one reason to fight a war. Always. Humans are corrupt, and everyone has a hidden agenda. That's not pessemistic; it's fact. (My apologies. I can't seem to spell today).</p>
<p>God/the Gods had nothing to do with it, I agree with you. (Personally, I think the Great Mother is laughing Her ass off at all us silly humans and our silly problems, but that's just me).</p>
<p>And Mavin...while you are correct in saying that America foots most of the UN bill...you're also kind of showing any Canadians, Europeans, Jews, Chinese, and anyone else on this thread that we are arrogant SOBs.</p>
<p>It's uh, not helping our image.</p>
<p>::Sovereign nations cannot do anything they want. As part of international organizations, they are bound by the rules thereof. If the World Trade Organization says America has unfair trade practices after Brazil files a complaint and we're assigned a $10 billion fine, we <em>will</em> have to pay that $10 billion fine. If the UN had such teeth, the world would be a much safer place.::</p>
<p>Sure, America can pay it right out of its UN operating budget. </p>
<p>What I'm primarily referring to, however, is a situation of national security. In such a case, America should do whatever it deems necessary to protect itself, even if it is against what the UN suggests. First America follows its own policies, and then looks to international policies. If there is a conflict, American policies of course take precedence.</p>
<p>::And Mavin...while you are correct in saying that America foots most of the UN bill...you're also kind of showing any Canadians, Europeans, Jews, Chinese, and anyone else on this thread that we are arrogant SOBs.</p>
<p>It's uh, not helping our image.::</p>
<p>There is a difference between acting arrogant in a personal context as opposed to a political context. I don't have anything against any individual due to his national identity, but I definitely have something against different governments. </p>
<p>Canadians, for example, often show their dislike of the American government by displaying the arrogance described in this thread. I think that it is absurd to be personally arrogant to the citizens of an entire country because of a political opinion. However, I don't think you should hide your political opinions for fear of sounding "arrogant" either.</p>