"Excuse me, I couldn't help but notice the Maple Leaf pin you wear on your hat. Do you have an extra that you could let us have? We'd really appreciate it."
TBH, if I'd had one, I might have given it to them. Just because they'd had the decency to understand where they stood.
These days (and maybe I'm not proud of this) I'd just say no. I might even laugh first.
I don't know who you voted for. I don't need to know. The current mess may not be your fault, but it is your responsibility.
- Your president, who throws tantrums when he thinks he's being shown insufficient respect, persists in calling our Prime Minister "governor."
- Your president, who throws tantrums when somebody doesn't say "thank you," shrugs off all of the times in years past when his nation has had damn good reason to say exactly that to Canada. Instead he accuses us of "ripping us off" as though we were a back-alley scheister flogging fake Rolexes, instead of a partner in mutual defence, each providing what the other lacked.
- Your nation, which has prided itself on being a champion of freedom, is today actively taking steps to end the freedom and sovereignty of at least two nations.
- Your nation, which has had a healthy complementary economic and philosophical relationship--a friendship--with ours, has decided to oppress us into submission because we ought to want to become you.
- Your nation, which has owned the phrase "truth, justice, and the American way" has lost its claim to the first two, and its grip on the third. "E pluribus unum" sounds less like a dream, and more like a threat.
Neighbours, know this:
We are not you. We have no wish to become you. We will do what we must to defend our nationhood, our future, and our vulnerable citizens.
We have our failings, but I'm proud to say we are learning. We've become more conscious of our errors, and more determined not to repeat them.
Some day, your nation will be apologising to the rest of us. I
expect we will accept the apology. But right now, we don't like you very
much. And we will probably never trust you again.
We may lose the occasional hockey game, but we have never lost a fight.
To my American friends and family members: my heart breaks for you. I
hope you have the strength to stand for what is true and right. If you
have dual citizenship, you are welcome here.
To my fellow Christians: please pray for the Church in Canada as we wrestle with how to love our enemies. And please don't be one.
(photo from CBC News)
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