http://news.yahoo.com/...
Basically, the U.S. Ambassador told Canada they better not let their candidates say any mean things about us in their elections, and Canada said "Bite me, eh?"
Canadian Bacon anyone? Oh, wait, Freedom Bacon. Excerpts after the break.
OTTAWA/SURREY, British Columbia (Reuters) - The United States made an unprecedented foray into Canada's election campaign on Tuesday, warning politicians not to bash Washington in their bid to win the January 23 election.
But an unapologetic Liberal
Prime Minister Paul Martin responded immediately by saying "c'est la vie" -- that's life -- if the United States did not like his remarks, and he would not accept anyone telling him he cannot defend his country.
Good stuff right there.
In a hard-hitting speech in Ottawa, U.S. Ambassador David Wilkins lamented what he called relentless and incessant criticism of his country, which he speculated might begin to sow doubt about the strength of the binational relationship.
"Canada never has to tear the United States down to build itself up," Wilkins said.
I guess we're now describing "crying like a wee little baby" as a hard-hitting speech.
"It may be smart election politics to thump your chest and constantly criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner. But it's a slippery slope and all of us should hope it doesn't have a long-term impact on our relationship."
Translation: Be a whore for us! We know all about chest-thumping, but if you try it on us, we'll take your money away! And we'll go play in a different sandbox! And maybe never be able to leave!
Wilkins did not name the prime minister directly, but he specifically targeted a comment made last week at the Montreal climate change conference in which Martin called on the United States to heed a "global conscience" and join efforts to combat global warming.
That remark -- on top of criticism of U.S. policy on lumber, guns, passports and
Iraq -- appeared to have riled the White House the most, particularly since Canada has a proportionally worse record than the United States on reining in greenhouse gas emissions.
"I would respectfully submit to you that when it comes to a 'global conscience' the United States is walking the walk," Wilkins said, addressing the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
"And when it comes to climate change, we are making significant progress, greater progress than many of those who have been most critical of the U.S."
Of course, Canada also has a lot less people, and they live in inhospitable terrain that requires less efficient vehicles...
Martin refused to back down on Tuesday in Surrey, British Columbia.
"That our friends do not like what we say -- well, c'est la vie. I'm going to defend Canada and I'm right on softwood lumber and I'm right on climate change and I won't let anybody tell me that I should not defend my country," he said.
He also dismissed the idea that he was trying to single out Washington as part of his election campaign.
Lets hope the Canadians stand firm. I need somewhere to get political asylum in when the US passes the point of no return.