I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. That one that includes Bush in the idictment.

They won't have the chance to try him. I predict that he'll go out like Mussolini, strung up by his own folks. Either that or his bunker's gonna get busted one of these days.

US to Canada: You send the Mounties in to arrest him. Otherwise, we call dibs.

How do you try a dead man?

That's funny. A week ago some Canadian MPs were calling for Bush's head and demanded that he be tried for war crimes.

Canada is scared after the US Ambassador expressed his disappointment bluntly. That’s why some MPs are saying this. I bet it was Steven Harper from the Alliance.

Fact is, the Canadian PM is very much against the war and is most of the Canadian public. Chretien has far too much pride and would lose far too much (yes, I know his retirement is near, but he has gained support with this stance) credibility if he didn't hunker down to the anti-American forces in his party and the population.

I'll believe it when I see it. Until then, it's just a bunch of hot air.

I figure that Saddam will be in his bunker for a damn year while Bagdad is either taken over over or withers.

On the other hand, no doubt, he'll arrange to have a double lynched to distract attention from his own escape.

Bring back those great guys from from Princess Pat's Rifles to arrest him and he's yours!

Hell, send over a few thousand troops and you can try the whole Ba'ath party for whatever you want!

B!

Actually, if you listen to popular Canadian sentiment, a lot of folks here support the war and are totally disgusted by Chretien (and other Canadain MPs) anti-US statements.

Vaugh, you're right and Louis is wrong, but it's more even that: what I see here is another nail in the coffin of Canada. Several provincial premiers have lined with the US rather than Ottawa.

The polls say 6 of 10 Canadians believe Canada should have supported the coalition by sending troops. The Canadian PM's administration went the other way, which happens to be the way of Quebec popular opinion, which always follows that of France more than the rest of English Canada. Now fearing backlash, knowing that Canadians are witnessing the atrocities of Saddam's regime, they want to "plie-on" with the coalition without embarrassing themselves too badly. FAT CHANCE. The next elections will be punishing for the PM. Having traveled extensively in Canada (business)I can tell you that there is a growing moderate right among Canadians that is not fairly represented in the Cretien government.

Vaughn, Dave: I'm Canadian. I know where popular Canadian sentiment lies. I think the following poll expresses it nicely.

Tommy: It depends where you travel. Liberals are going to win the next election. There simply is no opposition in Canada.

Louis, all I can do is hold out hope I guess. Good luck, and tell us how we can help.

It is very true, I am a Canadian and our PM does not speak for the majority of Canadians. He has embarrassed us many times already on other issues, but his handling of the War effort in Iraq tops all his previous blunders. Needless to say, most Canadians I talk to are very angry at our government, and feel that Canada should be present/involved in the liberation of Iraq. Believe me, there are Pro War groups developing all over Canada for people who believe Canada should be there with the US & UK. In fact, a hopefully very large demonstration is being planned in Toronto next Friday. Our next election can not come soon enough.

Tommy: I made my choice. I live in the US now.

Why does America needs Canada's support? I suspect that America's military will succeed without needing Canadian arms, and that what really irks Americans is that Canada is not behaving like a 51st state. Can't quite remember the last time the US "defended" Canada. But I do remember failed American invasions of Canada in the Revolutionary War and during the War of 1812.

David J:

"another nail in the coffin of Canada"

Is Canada dead? Well then, the U.S. can have Quebec.

It's not about "defensive might" it's about supporting the "reason" for war in Iraq.

The best venue for a trial is in Iraq. Let the trail be conducted by some Shia magistrate with international support.

Jeery: There is no way that you are making us take Quebec! We'll take the Newfies first.

The Canadian house of commons called unanimously on Thursday for the establishment of an international tribunal to try Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and other Iraqi officials for genocide and other crimes.

....of course, when it comes to actually doing something about Saddam, the Canadians want nothing to do with it.

Worthless.

Jesus Honking Christ on a biscuit, am I some kind of carnival freak or something? Is it so hard to imagine there might be positions that are neither "So which are you, Coalition of the Willing or Axis of Evil?" or "Since it's a given that America is the source of all evil in the world, Saddam is blameless?"

Seriously people, it's driving me nuts. The fundamentalist right all talk to each other on their blogs and the fundamentalist left all talk to each other on theirs, and everybody ends up drifting off into their own navels to the point that I've actually come across pro-war people who were surprised, literally surprised, to find that anti-war people they know were happy about the arrest of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Like they were supposed to be snarling, "curse you America, you've won this time..."

As far as Canada goes, is it really so hard to imagine that someone could have thought the war was a bad idea and still be disgusted by horrific Iraqi war crimes?

I'm an American. I'm very reluctantly in favor of the war because, at the end of the day, arguing against it is arguing in favor of leaving Saddam in power and I think the Iraqi people deserve better. But I don't for a moment think that's why the Bush administration has run this thing down the world's throat. And in the end, I think that why you do something matters too.

So I'm pretty conflicted about the war, and I probably wouldn't have chosen to do it this way. I don't know which side that puts me on in your eyes. But if I don't swallow the whole Bush line, are you really going to demand that I celebrate when the Iraqi regime shoots American POWs in the head as they try to surrender? As they use white flags to set ambushes? As they march their civilians out in front of their troops?

Sorry, I'm not going to do that for you.

Ah the hell with it. You guys don't know me. I just wandered by your blog and vented. Sorry about that, but every damn site I dig through for news these days seems to be saying that, because I'm troubled about this whole thing, I must be some brie-eating anti-semite Stalinist traitor who despises the troops laying down their lives over there so I can be free to walk around naked on stilts and burn the flag. And I'm sick of it.

JS

No Hmm, what really irks Americans is that Canada's GOVERNMENT is not acting like an ALLY.

I don't know where some Canadians get the idea that we Americans see Canada as a 51st state. We share a lot of heritage, but at most we see Canada as a very friendly neighbor (or at least we did.).

I'm not even sure, if it ever came to pass, that we would WANT Canada as a 51st state. Not because it isn't a great place, it is, but because the U.S. has no interest in territorial gains. We're not an empire, nor we do care about becoming an empire. We want to do business in a peaceful world.

“Hmmm” is just a typical member of the ungrateful, ignorant (and timid as he refuses to identify himself) left. The US defends Canada every day by virtue of Canada being under the nuclear umbrella and NATO. He seems to forget about that. What would happen if the US suddenly decided to forfeit its obligations and started fending for itself and only itself? I guess that would mean that Canada would have to create a military of its own. But then, maybe it's time for Canada to start looking after its own affairs...

Nobody is asking Canada to be the 51st state. Heck, nobody is asking Canada to agree with the US on everything. But when you disagree, at least be respectful about it. Canada has been anything but. That’s what pisses a lot of people off. Of course, “hmmm” and his irk neglect that fact.

Not even the French have been that bad.

Dear Self-designated "Stud" Lee,

Poor, timid, mysterious me!

"The US defends Canada every day by virtue of Canada being under the nuclear umbrella and NATO."

Defends Canada from what? Who is planning on attacking Canada? Nobody. Canada did not support Vietnam, Canada supports Cuba. Canada is not afraid of communist nuclear missiles raining down on it, because, frankly, Canada isn't interested in meddling in the internal political affairs of foreign countries.

America has made all of its own enemies, and wants to pawn off threats to America as threats to "civilization." Umm, no, threats to America are threats to America. If the CIA wants to overthrow a bunch of governments and the US wants to back up a bunch of dictators for fifty years, you can deal with the consequence, Mr. Big Guns!

"He seems to forget about that."

He? Can I not be a she? Silly sexists.

"it's time for Canada to start looking after its own affairs..."

It does. It doesn't feel the need to look over the affairs of the rest of the world. Hehehe.

"...when you disagree, at least be respectful about it. Canada has been anything but."

Canada? All 23 million inhabitants? Does that also include beavers and Inuit? A communist MP and a spokesperson says "bastard" (oooh) and it's the End of Decency! Quick, someone send Canada Bill Bennett's Book of Virtues!

Come on, ya Love KKKanada! We're white, we're your Anglo buddies!

Hmmm...I’m Canadian. And secondly, it says multitudes that you don’t even know how many people live in your own country.

I need not say more. The rest of your argument falls flat on its face.

SL:

"And secondly, it says multitudes that you don’t even know how many people live in your own country."

Hahahahahaha! You actually include QUEBEC in the population of CANADA?

Hohohohohoho!

Canada is not afraid of communist nuclear missiles raining down on it, because, frankly, Canada isn't interested in meddling in the internal political affairs of foreign countries.

I wonder how Belgium, Norway, Denmark, or Czechoslovakia meddled in German political affairs circa 1940 or so.

I wonder what Kuwait did to deserve the invasion from Iraq. I wonder what Iran did to deserve the same.

Those nasty Lithuanians, Latvians, and Estonians must have really offended the Russians, in order to deserve being invaded and subjugated.

China taking over Tibet and wiping out its religious culture in favor of a Communist paradise? Man, you know Tibet was askin' for it!

And don't even get me started on those nasty Ethiopians, who pissed off the Italians right and left before Moussolini charged in.

Because as we all know, countries that are weak, peaceful, and mind their own business never get attacked by others.

Golly, E.Nough! That's a big, long list!

Looks like all of those countries were invaded by their NEIGHBORS!

I guess that means that we'll have to keep our eyes on Greenland and ... America!

Golly, E.Nough! That's a big, long list!

And that's just off the top of my head, and goes back only about 70 years.

Looks like all of those countries were invaded by their NEIGHBORS!

Yep, those famous neighbors, Italy and Ethiopia.

And thank goodness that technology has stood still over the past few years, so that the only way to attack a country is by walking your army across the border.

I like you, Hmmm. You're clueless, but at least you're LOUD!

E.Nough (Ver.E Pun.E),

I might, like, so like, totally be clueless (SIGH). If only Britney Spears could have taught me more about geography!

But when Italy invaded Ethiopia on 3 October 1935, it attacked from the Italian-occupied lands of Eritrea and Italian Somaliland!

And if you get out a map, you'll see that Ethiopia shares borders with ... no ... no ... get out ... you won't believe it ... Eritrea and Somalia... ! HOORAY!

E.Nough,

We really need to do something about the outdated American army ... wanting to invade Iraq by land from Kuwait and Turkey.

Like, they should have totally teleported!

Canada might not have an invasion threat, but Canada is also a haven for Hizbollah. You just never know...especially after they warned Canada not to be placed on the terrorist list.

Wow, Hmm, that is persuasive. It must sure be nice, living in a world where being weak and inconsequential is adequate defense against aggression, and the only way to attack someone is by land.

Yep, nothing will ever hurt Canada. It's a nice world after all. If only those nasty Americans would realize that.

Golly, gee willickers!

The conversation here sounds like something from The Onion! Funny! Keep up the good work!

I personally don't have too many problems with Canada, other than the fact that the most dysfunctional part of my family is from southern Ontario--but that's a personal matter. Well, then again, there is the Fidel Casto thing. Not that he is a murderous thug himself, that man who made even the Soviets blush during the Cuban Missile Crisis when he wanted to launch his new nuke toys preemptively even though he knew that would mean certain death for him and all other Cubans. Yeah, THAT Fidel Casto that Canadians cheer these days whenever he decides to tour B.C. Oh, Canada! Glorious and...full of pipe bombs in Quebec...and military stand-offs against their native populations...where strong corporations are protected from the market, strengthened instead by the state...yes, THAT Canada, which scared the Bejeberz out of me with Uncle Bobby and Bilbo when I was a child...

Yes, THAT Canada!

Then again, I must admit, Canada is the home of Brian Mulrooney, the Maple Leafs, Molson beer, that fantastic Toronto Science Center, the lakes of Algonquin, Goofy Newfies (I say that with affection), lovely gardens, Rush, the fjords of Vancouver, Coffee Crisp, "Eh?", my sister and her family (not dysfunctional), David Suszuki (he was fun when I was a kid, though I think he's bought more into "ecoreligion" these days and less into science--too bad), and, well, Canadians.

Yes, Canadians are OK. Even their government is OK. Strange as they are, they are OK. The "Hitler" and "moron" remarks were a little out of line, but then again, I consider Canada a place where ANYTHING can happen. A strange wonderland, that. Truly, expect anything and smile.

"What do you want, they're Canadians!"

We love them anyway.

Thanks for the back-handed compliment Nic, your Canadian relatives must look forward to your visits.

Seems like you are reaching a bit there, calling us Castro-lovers. I just got back from Cuba, and I can assure you the place is crawling with your countrymen, on "cultural" exchanges, of course...which means that they got off the plane and went straight to the cigar factories. I'm not exaggerating, that's where I met them. "Full of pipe bombs in Quebec" That's a hot one. As unfortunate as these rare incidents are, I'll take the casualty numbers caused by our misguided seperatists and biker gangs over the deaths caused by your right-wing nutbars and street gangs any day.

"Military stand-offs against their native populations?" That's one military stand-off, and again, it's nothing to be proud of, but the US record is far worse. "Where strong corporations are protected from the market, strengthened instead by the state..." You mean, like U.S. Steel? Or the U.S. softwood lumber industry? Or the auto industry, which is still protected from Asian competition a generation after the Chrysler bailout? I could go on...

Glass houses, babe.

For a such a loud backseat driver, you'd think Canada would try to figure out where it wants to go before it tells the world how to get there.

Uh, actually we tried. The U.S. rejected our compromise U.N. plan, and then rejected the amendments we proposed to try to satisfy them.

So actually, it was the U.S. who said "no" to Canada, first.

Let's not forget that Canada has ships in the gulf right now in a support role, and that we have troops in Afghanistan supporting the USA, and are sending more to relieve US forces in Kandahar.
The posturing from Ottawa is more directed at the Quebec election going on now than anything else, and is indeed related to the fact that there is no effective opposition to unseat the Liberal Party in the next election.
But please remember that Canada IS supporting the US in the war on terrorism, even though we only have 30 some soldiers on the ground in Iraq and Kuwait.

I think most scientific polls on the war (unlke the Globe's on-line poll linked above) show Canadian war support pretty evenly split. The one I heard on the radio this morning was low 40s in favour of supporting the US, high 40s who think Chretien is basically doing the right thing. Support was closer to two-thirds if there had been UN sanction. There was a poll earlier in the week that found something like 90% of Canadians who favour improved relations with the US though, which is heartening.

I agree that there is significant and growing disgust with Chretien and his anti-American cronies but I'm less optimistic than some posters above that it will ultimately come to anything. As someone said above, Canadian oppostion is still too scattered and it's hard not to see at least one more term for the Liberals (but at least Jean's on the way out).

Am I the only one who thinks the "establishment of an international tribunal" line is fairly significant? They may be condemning Hussein, but this was a unanimous vote and you'd never get the NDP to support a resolution that favoured the US. This sounds a lot like it's the UN's job, business as usual BS.

I may be a Canadian, but Tony Blair is MY Prime Minister.

I think the countries who really want to protest the war can refuse to buy cheap Middle Eastern oil when the price comes down. Instead they can purchase the oil at pre-war prices to show that they don't support blood money. I think many countries sit on their peace pulpit, because they know the U.S will do their dirty work for them. Afganastan, Kosovo, Haiti, Somalia and Panama all do not have oil, so why did the U.S mess with them?