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Let's face it. Transformers fans are dorks. People who play Magic: The Gathering are dorks. People who are obsessed with computer games, video games, hardware - are dorks. So, obviously, I'm a dork. However, that isn't the issue of my post. It has come to my attention that dorks are like Canadians - they hate each other. While dorks are ultimately all dorks, Transformers dorks hate Magic dorks, who in turn hate video game dorks, etc. It's like how westerners hate Quebecers, and Ontarians etc. It's astonishing. Dorks are socially challenged enough, that they shouldn't be trying to stress the dorkiness of other dorks in order to cover up their dorkiness - because let's face it: doesn't matter how dorky you are, because it isn't about shades of dorkiness. Why? Because ultimately, you're still a dork. The faster dorks realize this, the faster they can concentrate their rage on the real enemy: popular people =p |
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Fucking hell. I have the most annoying girl in my program. She says the stupidest shit like: "who was Nixon?" or "Why did he have to resign?" and "Did he go back into politics?" I mean for god's sake, pick up a history book or something.
Every fucking class, when it's over she takes all the time of the instructors asking stupid questions so NO ONE ELSE can ask a question. You know what insights she had today? "It seems to me that politics is all about money .and power, and I don't really think that should be the case." She's has a hon BA specialist in poli sci for U of T. You'd think she'd already have had that revelation before today. But no. Oh no.
If she looked around the room, she'd figure out that almost the entire class groans collectively at the sound of her voice. Sadly she seems to not be that observant, or she just likes being the centre of attention. Even if it is negative attention. Like that time she stormed out of class because the teacher basically implied she was being a bitch.
She wastes my time, she has a bitchy attitude, she can't grasp basic concepts and she's an idiot. I wish someone would tell her to shut the fuck up. To quote Pirates of the Carribean "Everyone's thinkin' it, but no one's sayin' it"... she's a dirty stupid cunt. |
|
I turn your attention to the following MDG Ad.
Now, examine that ad closely, and find what's wrong with it. Yes, that's right. MDG has struck again.
First of all, it does not actually specify WHICH pentium 3.0 ghz CPU they've put in the system. Is it a pentium D? A Pentium 4? Perhaps it's a pentium III that's been Overclocked to 3.0 ghz (also known as a smoldering pile of slag)? Who knows? I don't. But wait, it gets better! They're giving you a genuine copy of windows XP-Pro Media Center Edition! Except, wait... there's no such thing. So am I getting XP Pro, or MCE - and if I am getting MCE, why? This isn't a media centre machine. Or perhaps I'm just getting a hacked copy of Windows MCE that displays the XP-Pro splash screen. Who knows? I don't. But hey! It comes with a "high speed" DVD burner. What is "high speed" supposed to be? 2x? 4x? 8x? 16x? A flamethrower that literally torches your DVDs? This ad does seem mighty fishy doesn't it? But at least it comes with a 17" LCD right? But wait, it just says "17" monitor". Since the notes on the bottom of the ad state: "Products available for online purchase may not be exactly as displayed", I'm willing to bet good money it's not the LCD displayed in the picture, but a CRT. However, here's the best part of the ad: Look at the picture of the memory upgrade - it's a hard drive. So, I must assume that they've decided to take away what actual RAM chips were coming to you, and replaced it with a worthless 1GB hard drive set to maxed out virtual memory.
Bravo MDG, bravo. |
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Man's inhumanity to man: This was the title of today's Penny Arcade comic. It really didn't matter that the comic was a "meh", the title alone was the funniest thing I've read in a long while - For those of you who went to Haig with me, it's because of grade 11 English. Man's inhumanity to man. Great times.
What else were great times? The 80's - and Transformers. Which really just leads me into
This
I find it hillarious. |
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So, Eric Lindros is a Dallas Star. The big question that arises from this is: How could John Ferguson Jr. allow this man, a man who wanted to stay a Leaf, to simply walk away? This is a guy who can still dominate the game, new NHL or not. Sure, the man is injury prone, but if he misses more than 10 games, his salary, for those games, no longer counts against the cap - so even if he only played 22 games again, his salary would only count against the cap for 22 games - ie. if Lindros gets injured, his salary can be replaced with no penalty against the cap. So. How big would his salary be then?
By all reports, Fergy offered the Big E a whopping $750,000 salary. For someone who could potentially be a game breaker, I think 750,000 is a tad low, especially since the Leafs have about 7 million in cap space (in reality it's closer to 4.5) to fill the roster with. The Stars got their man for 1.55 million - the same salary Lindros got last year. 1.55 million for a guy who is light-years better than most forwards on the Leafs - I think that's a worthy price. Too bad Fergy didn't think so. But who am I to criticise this man, a man who clearly has more hockey knowledge than I. After all, he is the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and was hired because he was well suited for the capped NHL...
Then again, this is a guy who traded one of the Leafs best prospects for a man who had a -worse- season for Belfour this year. He gave #5-6 defenseman Hal Gill a 2.1 million/year contract. He gave Tie Domi that 2 year 1.25 million/year contract, which has now hamstrung the Leafs. He gave Belfour that ridiculous 3 year contract. For a guy who was supposed to command the cap so well, he sure hasn't shown it. But you know, perhaps he was showing that Toronto valued loyalty from their veteran players, and thus showing that the organization takes care of its own, in an attempt to attract free agents...
But wait! This is the man who kicked Doug Gilmour to the curb without having the courage to tell him. Instead he just treated the great Leaf so poorly, so that Gilmour would simply retire, and leave. Now, Fergy has done the same to Lindros: only this time it's different. Lindros is 33, and still has a lot of hockey to play in his career. His tale will be retold to his teammates, and those teammates will tell their friends and ultimately, the prestige of the Leaf organization will suffer. So, the question is: what the hell is Fergy doing? At least Quinn tried to attract free agents by showing that the Leafs valued their players. Ferguson has shown nothing but contempt for those who most want to wear the Maple Leaf - those who would be most likely to play for a "hometown discount" - those who would get the best value for the cap. So really, the only word that can describe Ferguson's actions is: baffling. |
| » Go Leafs Go? |
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So 7 days into the NHL offseason, and we have Kubina and Hal Gill signed, and rumours of Peca as a Leaf, and Lindros coming back as a Leaf. To add to this, Andrew Raycroft is a Leaf. Has JFJ done a better job this year than last year? Well, he did 2 great things: buying out Tie Domi, and not picking up Belfour's contract. If Raycroft can bounce back to his Calder Trophy form, and he can get himself another solid forward, then JFJ will have done a more admirable job than last year - he will have built the Leafs from the back end. Sadly, it still means that the Leafs will probably be constant shootout losers: but there isn't/wasn't really much in the way of premier forwards on the market besides Patrik Elias. At least the Leaf defense won't look like a mess when Kaberle and McCabe aren't on the ice.
Will the Leafs make the playoffs? I'm on the fence right now. With an improved back end, but a reduced crop of forwards, I'm not sure if the team can put enough goals past the opposing keeper... but then again, defense got the 1993 Leafs to the Conference finals, maybe it can do it again...
...and France is in the World cup Final. They beat Portugal. Good. I hate Portugal. They eliminated England and Holland - my two teams going in - bastards. Who knew I'd be happy that the French were in the Final...
Jul. 7th, 2006 @ 01:23 pm
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| » Do you believe in Magic? |
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So I played in a type II standard tournament for Magic: the Gathering the other day at a local store, and lo and behold, I won. I went through the competition like a hot knife through butter, and didn't lose a single game. Not bad for my first solo tournament attempt. Won myself $10. More impressive is the fact that my deck was made out of the dregs of my trading binder - so either their cards were really bad, or I just have remarkably good playskill. I'd like to think it's the second.
While I understand the game of Magic, what I don't understand why people keep wanting me to get into car accidents. Twice in the past week I've been in the left turn lane and received a horn while someone was running my yellow and/or red light. I mean geez. The guy behind me isn't going to be able to make a left turn either if there's a 3 car pileup.
Maybe they think their car is made of magic.
Jun. 29th, 2006 @ 06:11 pm
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| » gwar! |
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so I haven't been getting enough sleep lately. Well, I got a bit under 8 hours today, so I've finally gotten a.. decent night's sleep, and so today I'm quite functional. Last few days have been interesting. There has been a tearful reunion, some late night magic, and a lot of junk food... boy has there been junk food. I must have like 6 slurpee cups in my room... yes it's a mess. There's cans, an instant crossword, and various paper napkins who have taken residence on my desk, and Magic the Gathering basic plains card, some pens... well, generally a mess. I should probably clean this up... gwar.
May. 26th, 2006 @ 01:00 pm
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| » Matters of the heart |
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You know, up until 3 weeks ago, I'd almost completely forgotten what it was like to have a broken heart. The emotional aches and pains, and the physical aches and pains. How I'd want to sleep all day, but just couldn't get to sleep, no matter how much I want to. You know, this time is kind of different though. I mean, whereas last time I wanted to hit people, now I just want to hit things, walls, the floor, whatever. Food doesn't taste as good as it used to. although I do remember the random waves of misery, set off by the samllest insignificant thing. Even the smell of something familiar will just freeze me for a few moments... it's frustrating. You'd think after so many years of being able to just shrug off disappointment I'd be able to shrug this off too. I guess not.
May. 14th, 2006 @ 02:38 am
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| » Untitled |
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The day you left and walked away,
was the day that I, could finally say,
all the things I'd wanted to see,
but could not, it was only for me.
So there it was, serenity lost,
nothing found, with the ulitmate cost.
For it was broken, the vessel of time,
the hourglass, and all sublime.
The moment gone and quickly fleeting,
all the world came slow and seething,
everything to the fore,
the floods, the darkness ever more.
And buried there, beneath the sand,
was a ray of light, to understand,
all that was, and ever will be,
all that is, and all we see.
So I swept my outstreched hand,
through the glass and through the sand,
feeling the sting of merciless glass,
suffering cuts through every pass.
And the pain was much to bear,
and my heart did certainly tear,
But there it was, that glimmer of hope,
drenched in blood, but I would cope.
For there it was, within my sight,
something that could, something that might,
let me say, all aglow
all those things, you had to know.
But that day, is distant and far,
in time and space, by train by car,
and so I'll wait, where we met,
for you to come, when the time is set.
And should I wait, 'til kingdom come,
til life is old, and my fingers numb,
I'll simply smile, and softly say:
I'll wait for you, forever and a day.
May. 14th, 2006 @ 02:05 am
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| » A recap episode |
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You know, being heartbroken and bored is a horrible combination. Because you have nothing to do, you just think. When you think you just get miserable, which just leads you to not want to do anything. Then, since you aren't doing anything, you get bored again, and the entire thing is a vicious cycle which leads you to spend hours being miserable. Oddly, I kinda want to be miserable. Maybe I'm just a glutton for punishment, but the misery is like an old friend come back to visit me after a long hiatus. I mean, it isn't something that I've felt in a long while, and I've realized that I haven't done the things I used to do. For example: just sit and listen to music. I don't mean the depressing sort of music that I'm listening to at the moment, but classical music. With no words, classical music lets me just clear my mind of all thought and just enjoy it's purity of sound and pitch, without having to think of meaning. I guess Felix had it right; sometimes the complete absence of thinking can be a good thing - especially when you really don't want to have to figure out what it all means, even though deep down, you know exactly what it means.
Of course there other things I haven't done in awhile: just absorb myself in mindless video games. Ah mindless video games. Somehow I find I'm not as good at them as I used to be... and I don't particularly want to play them as much either. It's so sad. My PS2 and its massive (and I mean massive) RPG collection is just collection dust, and my Gamecube has an even thicker layer of dust on it. Then there's my computer. I built this computer for gaming. There's two 7800GT's in SLi for god's sake. TWO. TWO video cards. There's an overclocked X2 3800+. TWO gigs of really low latency RAM. There's a 74 gig Raptor. This machine was made for speed. Now all this hardware just sits around in that aluminum box being used for websurfing and such. They were made so I could play the latest and greatest games... but now I don't really want to play them. Funny isn't it. I used to love just sitting around playing video games. What the hell happened? When did I actually start enjoying leaving the comfort of my own room? Argh. This adds so much complication to things. Ironic how the day I find that I've started to really enjoy human contact is a day where I essentially don't have that option. Funny how life works like that.
It hasn't just been video games I've been neglecting either. I mean, just look at my LJ and the absolutely huge gap there is. Of course, you all know about that, but still. Look at it! But you know, I started this LJ because I had nothing better to do with my time other than rant about meaningless things. I did that because I wasn't exactly the happiest of people, or the most entertained of people. I love how really, even though things have changed, they really haven't. I was miserable then, and now, I'm miserable again. I suppose one should really be able to tell that from my awful poetry I've posted over the months (years?).
It's days like this that I really miss highschool. I mean sure, I wasn't the most popular person, or the smartest person, or the strongest person, I mean heck, I was pretty much an outcast... but I had the other outcasts. In the solitude, I had acceptance, and in a way, comraderie. I could play magic with the other dorks, or talk about games, or even play Advanced Dungeons and Dragons 2nd Ed =p Now in solitude, I have only that: solitude. I guess in a way, that's something I've always had with me. I'm a private person most of the time, and I guess in a way, I kind of like not having to give an opinion - especially since there's no one around to give it. I mean, sure, there's this LJ, but this doesn't really feel like saying anything, it's just text - and oddly enough, I'm at home with text. I always have been. I always present a better argument through text, I'm more romantic through text, I'm for more charming in text, I'm smarter in text. I guess that makes me a different person than I am outside of this black and white universe.
Yet you know, I'd like to think that part of the text-me actually translates into the "real" me. I mean, I think the same, and I guess, that means that I should be able to act and communicate the same. Yet really, that's not that much of the case. There's so much less to worry about in text. I don't have to worry about the unrelenting gaze of other people. I don't have to worry about verbal mistakes. I don't have to worry about the immediate reactions of people. I don't have distractions. I guess in a way, in text, I can be pure. I can pen pure thoughts and ideas without the distractions of real world interaction. I can talk to a pretty girl without deviating my eyes. I can criticise someone without averting my gaze in shame and cowardice. I can simply say what I want to say without fear, joy, or any of the other emotions that govern me.
Which really just reminds me that I spent 5 hours watching Star Trek TNG today. Data and his longing to be human, and the various speeches that the Enterprise crew. I recall a conversation between Data and Will Riker, where Data asks if it would not be wiser not to trust at all, being there is that potential to be hurt. Will reminds Data, and the audience that with trust, might come great risk, but it also comes with the potential for great rewards - and really, that makes it all worth it. I suppose then, I have to agree, even though it wouldn't be the logical conclusion for me right now. Then again, as Spock puts it, humans are irrational =p
So there really wasn't a point to this entry, just a collection of my thoughts over the last few hours... I guess you could just call it a recap ;)
May. 11th, 2006 @ 12:07 am
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| » The end of an era |
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So my last exam for the year is tomorrow at 7pm. It's on the History of the Ottoman Empire from the 15th to 18th century. I got a 90% on the map assignment, and 97% on the essay. By my calculation, that means I need 16% on the final exam to pass the course, and therefore graduate. While I believe I have attended all of 2 lectures for this course, I am confident that due to my half assed studying, I will indeed walk into that exam and exceed the 16% required to pass the course. What an anti-climatic end to my university career - but then again, I suppose my entire time at U of T has been less than exciting, and not very pleasurable.
In retrospect, U of T has been pretty bad to me. I've been accused (and cleared) of plagerism, I've had to take an extra year because of that accusation, computer science sucked, the parties were atrocious, I didn't meet a girl there that wanted anytthing to do with me, I've paid who knows how much in library fines, and now, they make me stay an extra week for exams. Now, this isn't to say that there weren't highlights in my academic career. I've met some interesting people and professors, and I've taken some enjoyable courses. However, the negatives line up pretty evenly with the positives. Well, at least I'll get a piece of paper signifying that I've survived their gauntlet of sorrow after I've miserably failed my final exam tomorrow.
Of course, there's little that can actually be done with that piece of paper. I could be a waiter, or work at McDonald's. Somehow, I think I'd make more money panhandling at Bayview and Sheppard. Speaking of those panhandlers, they're still there. You'd think that people would figure out those guys are working together in shifts, and aren't actually "travellers". I mean fuck, one of them's bought a brand new leather jacket. Poor travelling students don't wear brand new leather jackets that appear after a few weeks of panhandling. Of course really, I have to scold the panhandlers for being stupid enough to wear brand new clothes while panhandling. I guess that one wants to try and pick up girls with his new threads eh?
Speaking of that, I probably need a couple of new shirts. Some of them are getting pretty ragged...
... like the Ottawa Senators, who seem to be choking yet again. Choke Sens Choke! Sadly, watching the Sens choke is the only pleasure I can take in this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs...
...why? because the Leafs didn't make it. If John Ferguson doesn't sign an impact player this summer, I hope he gets fired as unceremoniously as I end my university career.
May. 8th, 2006 @ 09:40 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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I Listen but do not hear.
I talk but do not say.
I want but do not take.
I watch it all blow away.
It doesn't stop and I just sit.
standing helpless and blankly stare.
I do nothing and cannot change,
oblivious, yet quite aware.
So, what cannot be, is to be.
The story goes on day by day.
The actors go, without a word,
I cannot change this silent play.
So it goes, like a book,
the pages turn, they do not pause,
it happens as I sit,
all this happens, all because:
I Listen but do not hear.
I talk but do not say.
I want but do not take.
I watch it all blow away.
Apr. 25th, 2006 @ 01:31 am
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| » Roll up the rim to win |
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Have you ever noticed that "roll up the rim - to win" doesn't actually rhyme with itself, yet almost every Canadian knows the slogan by heart? Odd how such a sub-par slogan can capture the mind hearts and minds of an entire nation...ooh, I won a coffee. How quaint.
I'll probably need that coffee soon too. I have one last essay to write - 30-40 pages. It'll be on Brian Mulroney and his relationship with the United States. I've got 24 pages, only 6-16 more pages to go. Hurrah! It's such a difficult subject to write about since every single source detests Mulroney. Not a single historian has authored a book on him, just journalists and bureaucrats. So I've written a paper that looks like a sort of frankenstein. Instead of taking an established thesis, I've cherry picked parts of about 18 sources and put together a paper that actually says he wasn't so bad. At least it can't be said I wasn't original. My mark is either going to be ridiculously good, or ridiculously bad.
Sort of like the fact I still collect Transformers. Ridiculously good, or bad. Haven't decided yet. They're expensive, and they keep coming out with more to take my money... but they sure make an impressive display of material wealth...
...which basically means that should I ever tire of them, ebay will vindicate me. Yay for ebay. Stuff just seems to be leaving my room, and going onto ebay. Now I've got this pile of electronic money... which will probably over time be "transformed" into rare/ hard to find Transformers...
...or foil magic cards. I have such a weakness for foil Magic cards. I mean, beyond the fact they're shiny and create such wonderful looking colours, they're also 40-60x the rarity of normal cards, at only 1.5-2 times the normal price. Seems like a bargain for what you get - an incredibly rare piece of collectible matter. I have such a weakness for rarities.
...which is probably why I'm debating whether or not to actually turn in this winning coffee cup.
Apr. 3rd, 2006 @ 12:19 pm
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| » Late nights, and bad poetry. |
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The light is blue, I look behind,
but it is dark and I cannot find,
What is right, I hear the song,
and all I hear, all is wrong.
It should not be, it's not the way,
it's not here, I want to stay.
I wish to leave, this awful place,
away from here, I want to race.
For it is here, I should not be,
I understand, I wish to see.
I want to go, and escape the night,
towards the day, towards the light.
But the light is red, it's all around,
it's only red, even the sound.
It's behind, below, beside, up top,
it's everywhere, I have to stop.
I cannot leave, so here I dwell,
in the cage I've made, I cannot tell
another soul, for it's my own,
No one can know, I am alone.
The red will fade, the darkness go
the night will pass, this I know.
So I sit and wait, knowing not what for,
so I may leave, and live once more.
Jan. 17th, 2006 @ 03:23 am
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| » Soldiers with guns. In our cities. In Canada... and in space? |
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To quote the pulled Liberal Attack ad:
"Stephen Harper actually announced he wants to increase military presence in our cities.
In Canadian cities.
Soldiers with guns.
In our cities.
In Canada.
We did not make this up.
Choose your Canada."
Now, I'm confused. What exactly was this ad supposed to do? What were they trying to say? Were they saying that:
a) Soldiers with guns are responsible for gun crimes in our cities?
b) Soldiers with guns (trained in cities) would oppress the urban population creating some sort of constitutionally illegal police state?
c) Soldiers are bad bad people?
Absolutely ludicrous. The Liberal campaign just reeks of desperation. Do the Liberal campaign managers actually think that voters are -that- stupid? It's been misstep after misstep by the Liberal Party of Canada. I mean c'mon, banning use of the nonwithstanding clause? That's a constitutional amendment - hasn't the country, 17 years after Meech Lake and Charlottetown had enough of fruitless constitutional amendments? Especially an amendment that serves no purpose except give ultimate power to the courts - an institution that has its judges appointed by the government? Shouldn't there be a check against the judiciary? I think there should, but I guess the government party aka the Liberal Party of Canada doesn't, afterall, the courts are under the sway of the Liberal Party anyways.
What's not under the sway of the Liberal Party: the world. Yet, to quote their platform:
"A Liberal government will build on the international reputation earned through Canada's prominent initiatives on such issues as disarmament and the landmines convention and will lead an international campaign at the United Nations to establish a treaty banning all weapons in space,"
Firstly, Canada's reputation on the world stage is pitiful. With little military resources to actually contribute to the United Nations, Canada's reputation has become more of a joke - I wouldn't say that's a very solid base to build on. Unless they go out and increase the size of the military, and consequently get more soldiers. Soldiers with guns. That will probably be based in our cities. In Canada. Unless of course they put those soldiers with guns in our new Canadian spacecraft carrier... in space. Soldiers with guns. From our cities. In space?
Jan. 11th, 2006 @ 07:08 pm
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| » gg pwn sauce |
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So netspeak is making its way into the real world. Whereas in years past, terms such as "gg" and "pwnd" were purely found in the realm of the world wide web, in recent times, these terms have made their way into vernacular speech. Instead of "good game" people now say "gee gee". Instead of "oh my god", I've encountered on more than on occasion someone saying "oh em gee". In the most extreme of cases, people have said "el oh el" instead of actually laughing.
What has the world come to? Textually, abbreviations over the internet make sense. Less letters means less key strokes, which in turn mean more speed. However, in verbal terms, it makes no sense whatsoever. "gee gee" and "oh em gee" have the same number of syllables as their properly spoken counterparts. There is absolutely no time saved in this process. What could possibly, besides idiocy be the driving force behind such mutilation of the English language?
Dec. 24th, 2005 @ 04:36 pm
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| » (No Subject) |
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After extensive toying with my computer, I think I've found its overclocking limit.
I got some better ram, that my cheapass MB can't handle, so now I've got about 3 gigs of ram. Anyone want to buy some RAM?
I've got 4 sticks of 512mb Crucial Ballistix PC3200 CAS 2-2-2-6
and 2 sticks of 512 OCZ Premier PC3200 CAS 2.5-3-3-7
Hopefully, I can get rid of this...
Dec. 15th, 2005 @ 02:33 am
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| » What I've been doing in the last 3 days |
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This should explain it all:
It's has:
CPU: Athlon X2 3800+ @ 2.4ghz
MB: eVGA nForce4 SLI
RAM: 4x512mb (2 kingston HyperX, 2 OCZ premium)
HDD: 1x74gb WD Raptor, 1x300gb 16mb cache Maxtor
GFX: eVGA GeForce 7800GT @ 475/1130
Sound: Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
Optical drives: NEC 3540 16x DL DVD-R, Asus 16x DVD
PSU: Enermax 535w
Case: Thermaltake Tsunami
Nov. 21st, 2005 @ 12:47 am
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| » Canadian Nationalism and Anti-Americanism |
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The history of Canada is full of incidents where Canadian nationalism has been a very loud voice for decisions that one should take. Afterall, doing something in the name of king (or queen) and Country has always been something portrayed as noble, and romantic. So here's a question: What is Canadian nationalism? It certainly isn't quite the same as American nationalism, afterall, there are few in Canada that would fly that maple leaf to show off their pride, and yet there are countless Americans that do. Afterall, Americans have grand accomplishments to be proud of: They pulled away from the British Empire, and stoodfast to the principles of freedom and liberty. They fought and won the first world war. They saved the world from Nazism in the second World War. They beat back the totalitarian forces of communism to keep the free world, free. America has been, for the last 100 years, the most dominant force for Western values and beliefs, and thus, to us as Canadians, good values and beliefs.
So then, what do Canadians have to be proud of? Certainly, Canadians cannot claim to have had the same influence on world affairs. Afterall, up until the post war period, Canada wasn't a major player in anything except as a producer of grain and timber for the Britsh Empire. So when examining the sources of Canadian pride we find that Canadians can be proud of their role in the two World Wars. They can be proud that they pioneered peacekeeping. They can be proud that they didn't participate in the war in Iraq. They can be proud (oddly enough) that they beat the Americans in the war of 1812. We look on these sources of pride, and what do we find? Our sources of pride are distinguishing ourselves from the United States. Afterall, isn't one of our biggest sources of pride the fact that we aren't Americans? That while we share the same continent, the same cultural roots, the same basic values, and language, we are in fact, different, and that, is a great source of pride. In the first World War, we take pride in the fact that we were there, defending Britain far before the Americans were. We take pride in the same action in the second, and that we also had a seperate beach on D-Day. We take pride in proposing peacekeeping, when in fact, the UN proposition that we submitted for vote was written by the American representitive, and if we delve deeper into the case, one can find an American who came up with the idea first: Lester Pearson simply taking the credit. We as Canadians are proud in the fact that we defeated the Americans in 1812, and burned their capital. Yet, we fail to mention that we, in this case, weren't Canadians, but in fact British. So then, what about our non-role in the war in Iraq (or Gulf War II)? Why do we take pride in -not- doing something? Because it was right, or because we were right by not believing American intelligence? We gloat as Americans led by their government get killed, and some even declaring that they deserved such a fate. Is this what modern Canadian nationalism has become? Simply a "we are better than America" argument? If that is the case, we have absolutely nothing to be proud of.
How can we, people who take pride in being free and the brokers of peace be proud that our continental and cultural kin are dying in droves, and we aren't? How can we then feel smug about the fact that we haven't yet been hit by a terror attack? What kind of people are we? Americans on many an occasion have come to our aid financially, and politically. The United States has saved the Canadian government from bankruptcy no less than 3 times. It's pulled us out of recession. Sure, we squabble over trade, but when it's come down to the wire, America has always been there for us. So as Canadians, how can we take pride in -not- being like them, when we really are. If you were to ask questions about values to a group of Canadians, and Americans, you'd find that we'd answer the same as American's 95% of the time. So our pride them comes from 5% of differences?
If there is anything Canadians should be proud of, it should be our accomplishments as they stand alone. Not how they compare to that of the United States. Why do Canadians have some sort of inferiority complex, always trying to take pride in the ways they're 'better' than Americans? Why can't we be proud of what and who we are, without comparing ourselves to our neighbour to the south, and smearing them as we preach about it? Our pride shouldn't come from the ways we're better than Americans, but it should come from the ways we uphold our values and ideals.
Nov. 6th, 2005 @ 05:17 pm
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