"Who’s up for some college FOOTBALL? I sure am! GOOOOOO GAITERS!"

Hey, it’s been a while, ain’t it?

I’ve been extremely busy lately, moving out of my parents’ place and moving into my new life, as a Bishop’s University student living in residence. I have now added a blip on the map where Lennoxville is, which is the town I now live in (which has been merged with the city of Sherbrooke in 2003) and where Bishop’s University is located.

I took some pictures to show you what moving into residence meant for me. You’ll also get to see my room as it looks now, and the surroundings of my campus residence:

This is pretty much all of my stuff, piled up downstairs in my parents’ home the night before I moved out.

That’s the trunk of my car with some of my stuff in it, the morning I left. I doubted everything would fit in my car, but I still tried to pack it up as much as possible.

So yeah, my car WAS pretty full, as you can see. And unfortunately, it became painfully clear that one car would not be enough because I had a lot of stuff left.

So we loaded up my mom’s Aveo as well. (I have to mention, however, that some of the stuff in the trunk of that car was my parents’ and not mine, but the most part is…)

Both cars loaded and ready to hit the road! (It’s a 5 and a half hour drive, by the way.)

This is what Bishop’s "New Side" residences look like.

Inside. Pretty spacious, and well laid-out.

The view outside, with the edge of my bed, my toaster and my XM Satellite Radio antenna set-up.

My stereo, XM Satellite Radio, TV, VCR/DVD player and my book, movie and CD collections. (I later bought an antenna at The Source and I only get the CBC! Arrrghhh!)

And, most importantly, my fridge, my microwave oven and my computer, from which this blog is published right now.

So yeah, all in all, I’m very well set-up. I have nothing to complain about. I eat at the school cafeteria. We can’t do any real cooking in "New Side" residences at Bishop’s. But on the plus side, I don’t have to cook at all.

I’ve only started studying there (classes started on Sept. 6th) and already I’ve met people from all over the country. I’ve even met some from the United States, and also from Europe. This is so cool. I’m majoring in Political Science, but the University encourages students to pursue diversified studies, so I have an introductory Spanish course and a History course as well. Here are the courses I’m taking this semester:

Politics-related:

Constitutional Law & The Canadian Gov’t, Introduction to International Relations and Introduction to American Politics.

Non-politics-related:

Spanish I, and The United States Since 1945 (History).

I might be getting involved with the Bishop’s University Debating Club pretty soon, as well as the Conservative Club, but we’ll see how my time gets laid out. I’m now also working part-time as well for 10-12 hours a week at the University Bookstore for another week or so. Pretty cool. After that, I will switch over to the Centennial Theater to work as an usher for the remaining of the semester. I won’t have too much time on my hands, so I’ll be most likely blogging on weekends or so. Unfortunately, I think it must be that way.

Everything seems to be going great right now. I got new friends, a new environment, I have great classes, I have fun, so yeah, this is looking out to be a great year here at one of the smallest universities in Canada!

Will keep you guys posted! Wish me luck!

And from what they posted on their own blogs, they sure do have a lot of "ammo" for pacifist liberals…

They’re angry because I totally infuriated them with this post, published just before the one you’re now reading.

First, there’s Canadian Cynic. I quoted him here for your convenience, so you can know what I mean:

"Honestly, every time you think you’ve met the absolutely dumbest right-wing wank imaginable, it turns out you have to re-calibrate your wank-o-meter. It never fails, does it?"

Ah, that’s not too nice.

But hey, that’s what you do when you’ve got nothing intelligent to throw back at the guy, you insult and launch all kinds of personal attacks on him.

Since he insulted me first, I took the liberty to fire back at him in my own post’s comments section:

"And as for you, Canadian Cynic, I read a couple of your posts and I can say that you’re as much a cowardly leftist socialist utopist hippie AND moonbat as I am “the absolutely dumbest right-wing wank imaginable”.

Plus, you disrespected me based on my political beliefs. That alone shows what kind of person you really are deep down. Political debate must be kept to civility. And you’ve got to learn to accept that people have the right to think in a different way than you do.

And strangely, you do seem to have a problem with that: I read your little intro: “These views are not necessarily the same views held by Canadians in general. But they should be.”

Maybe you’d like a thought-police, forcing all people to think alike in some kind of totalitarian leftist regime in Canada?"

So I guess we’re kind of even. But wait, there’s more: Red Tory has picked up on the story on Canadian Cynic’s blog.

If you thought CC was nasty, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet:

"Wanker extraordinaire and angry bed-wetting pawn of the neocon right, Xavier R. Dubé"

"Wanker extraordinaire and bed-wetting pawn of the neocon right"! HA HA HA, I love it! Like I said, this just goes to show you what they are like deep down. The old Liberal tactic of defamation against your political adversary at work here. And anybody who’s even merely a remotely occasional reader here just knows that I have just about as much in common with neocons as I have in common with, um, let’s say, communists for instance.

"wants America to pick up all of its toys and storm out of the sandbox to teach the world how absolutely essential it is to global well-being. “Let’s show them how a world without the United States is REALLY like. America doesn’t have to put up with a bunch of utopist ingrate leftist governments who can’t tell the difference between good and evil. Let them fend for themselves and see how bad they screw up” squawks Mr. Dubé from his remote academic hideout in the Laurentians."

"The Laurentians!" Red Tory, I got some news for you. I DO NOT live in the Laurentians. Never did. They’re located northwest of Montreal. Did you flunk Geography in high school or something?

You know, they could have left a comment here on KR, we could have gotten into a healthy political debate right there, it would have been fun and everything, like blogging is meant to be. Which is always what I seek to do when I publish something. It’s always about starting a debate, or, in some cases, venting. 

But no, instead, they resort to pointless name-calling and language of the lowest kind.

Pretty much pitiful.

And if you ask me, I’m in for the long haul and the worst has yet to come. Red Tory’s posts all show up on the main page of Liblogs, a Liberal Party of Canada Political bloggers’ blogroll (kind or like the Aggregator at Blogging Tories). And if they all react alike in utter stupidity, I will be completely bombarded by inane observations on my own person and below-the-belt attacks of all kinds pretty soon.

Otherwise said, the shit’s going to hit the fan… luckily I’m out of here for 5 days starting tomorrow. Heading down to the Eastern Townships and New Hampshire’s White Mountains for a trip before school starts. 

But, keep in mind that it’s always shamefully shallow reactions from nincompoops like those that keep me further and further motivated to leave this country and settle south of the 49th.

Yeah, I got great news from the University on Tuesday of last week.

First off, they’re giving me an entrance award!

See below:

The Jeff Cannon Memorial Entrance Award, valued at $1000!

Here’s what the Bishop’s University website says about this award:

"JEFF CANNON MEMORIAL ENTRANCE AWARD

Value: $1000

Preference will be given to students who demonstrate extensive school and community involvement; exhibit leadership qualities; show an entrepreneurial spirit. Awarded by the Awards and Bursaries committee."

Way cool! It really paid off to apply! That’s REALLY going to help my budget!

But I’ve got to tell you that when I first opened the envelope, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was in shock. I slowly climbed up the stairs from my room downstairs up to the kitchen where my parents stood, my eyes wide open and my face looking like I’d just seen an alien landing on the surface of the Earth. My parents were ecstatic, and once I realized what that meant, I was, too.

The other news I got from Bishop’s are also great. I got them on Wednesday, when I called the University Residence Services to ask a couple questions. I was told that Bishop’s had changed food contractors, and now Sodexho is the new one. But what’s really exciting is the new meal plans: they ALL offer the possibility of continuous dining: You can eat non-stop from 7 AM to 12 AM EVERY DAY at the Dewhurst Dining Hall, and whether you have 1 meal a day, 3 meals or 20 (if you’re an ogre) you get to pay the same price. Isn’t that great? What used to be with the old food contractor (Chartwells) that you had to make sure to save enough credits on your meal plan to last you the whole year is not in effect anymore. I remember that when I laid out my budget along with my parents for next year, we were really unsure about how often I could eat at the Dining Hall every week without running out of credits before the end of the year. So we were ready to buy all kinds of cooking accessories, from woks to microwaves, and to rent a mini-fridge in my room. That just won’t be needed anymore, thanks to the new plan, so my parents will be able to provide me with more money for my studies.

I also am making arrangements to go to Bishop’s around the end of August (most likely on the 22nd) so I can apply on part-time jobs, meet some people and be interviewed before school starts on September 6th. I’ll probably take advantage of this opportunity to go and treat myself to two days in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with my aunt and my cousin before school starts for good. I booked a room for two nights at the Littleton NH Econo Lodge. Hope it all goes well and that I have fun!

Can’t wait to be there!

So far, everything’s going much better than expected. I’ll also get to keep my car after all, as long as it doesn’t break, and I don’t use it too often. I actually AM looking forward to get there.

L’anti-américanisme est devenu tellement répandu et systématique de nos jours qu’il en est maintenant banalisé. C’est dommage, car l’anti-américanisme aveugle les gens au point de ne plus être capable de voir la vérité. Personne n’est capable d’avouer son anti-américanisme puisque nous en sommes rendus au point où seuls les gens qui désirent réellement faire du mal aux États-Unis et au peuple américain sont considérés comme étant réellement anti-américains. Ceci est une déformation monstrueuse du concept de l’anti-américanisme et il faudrait que les gens sachent qu’il en faut beaucoup moins que ça pour mériter le qualificatif "d’anti-américain".

J’ai trouvé aujourd’hui le blogue de Joe User, (http://www.joeuser.com) qui a créé un excellent mini-test pour savoir si vous êtes anti-américain ou non.  (http://draginol.joeuser.com/articlecomments.asp?AID=31802&s=1)

Je l’ai donc traduit, et voilà ce qui en résulte:

Vous êtes peut-être anti-américain SI:

1. Vous croyez que l’Américain moyen est "stupide", "mouton" ou "brainwashé".

2. Vous préférez les lois faites par des juges nommés plutôt que celles faites par des politiciens élus. 

3. Vous croyez que les États-Unis constituent, en entier, la "plus grande menace à la paix mondiale".

4. Vous croyez que la culture américaine est un cancer grotesque qui s’étend au monde entier. 

5. Vous croyez que les États-Unis constituent la plus grande menace à l’environnement.

6. Vous croyez que les attaques du 11 septembre 2001 étaient "courues d’avance" dû à la "politique étrangère" des États-Unis depuis plusieurs années.

7. Vous espérez que les États-Unis perdent en Irak.

8. Vous voudriez voir la Chine, la Russie ou l’Union Européenne agir comme contre-pouvoir militaire face aux États-Unis.

9. Vous considérez Bush, Clinton ou n’importe quel autre président des États-Unis comme un "criminel de guerre".

10. Vous croyez que le capitalisme à l’américaine entraîne la ruine du monde entier, la dégradation des individus ou les catastrophes environnementales.

C’est tout. Si vous avez répondu "oui" à plus de deux affirmations, selon moi, vous êtes anti-américain. Il n’y a pas d’autre solution possible.

Donc, environ 80% des Québécois sont probablement anti-américains. Même s’ils vous disent non ou refusent de l’admettre, c’est quand même vrai.

Si vous visitez ce blogue et que ce test vous apprend que vous êtes anti-américain, je vous invite tout spécialement (vous pouvez le lire quand même si vous n’êtes pas anti-américain, comme moi) à lire l’excellent texte que j’ai traduit en français de Peter Brookes écrit pour l’occasion du 4 juillet 2006, la fête d’indépendance des États-Unis, avec lequel je suis ENTIÈREMENT d’accord, et dont le titre est:

POURQUOI ILS ONT BESOIN DE NOUS

Le 4 juillet 2006 – POUR toutes les fois ou le monde entier s’est plaint à propos des États-Unis et a râlé contre eux, cette journée – Le 230ème anniversaire de l’Amérique – constitue un temps opportun pour que ce monde considère et se demande, ne serait-ce qu’un moment, à quoi ressemblerait un monde sans le bon vieux Oncle Sam. Ce ne serait pas beau.

Si le leadership, l’influence diplomatique, la puissance militaire, le pouvoir économique et la générosité sans précédant des États-Unis étaient absents, la vie sur cette planète serait probablement très monotone et triste. Même en ne tenant pas compte de la différence que les États-Unis ont faite au courant du siècle dernier – imaginez un monde ou ce pays aurait disparu le 1er janvier 2001.

Pour ce qui est de la sécurité, les États-Unis à eux seuls sont l’équilibre global des pouvoirs. Et même si ce n’est pas ce que nous préférerions, nous sommes bien l’ « agent de la paix » du monde entier, permettant ainsi une stabilité plus que nécessaire dans plusieurs « quartiers chauds » de la planète.

Sans les É.U. jouant un rôle de « Globo-Cop », l’Inde et le Pakistan pourraient très bien trouver un prétexte pour se déclarer la guerre en Asie du Sud – ce qui mènerait sans doute au premier échange de détonations nucléaires de l’Histoire. Tu parles de feux d’artifice du 4 juillet…

En Afghanistan, Al-Qaeda serait encore un « invité honorable », manigançant un califat global s’étendant de l’Espagne à l’Indonésie. L’organisation terroriste n’enverrait pas de combattants en Irak; à la place, le gang d’Osama se battrait bec et ongles de l’Arabie Saoudite à l’ « Eurabie ».

En Asie, la Chine serait le « royaume du milieu », avalant la démocratie de Taiwan et obligeant le pacifique Japon à rejoindre (à contrecœur) le club des pays détenant des armes nucléaires. Les deux Corées pourrait se livrer une autre guerre horrifique, de laquelle résulteraient des millions de morts. Une Russie résurgente, pendant ce temps, intimiderait gravement ses voisins. Oubliez les révolutions démocratiques en Géorgie et en Ukraine, Camarade! En Europe, ils recevraient des ordres de Paris ou Berlin – en supposant que ces rivaux ne se battent pas entre eux encore.

En Afrique, le Liberia serait encore sous l’emprise de Charles Taylor et le Soudan n’aurait aucun accord de paix. Et quelle autre nation pourrait ou voudrait assurer la liberté de commerce sur les mers, incluant le transport du pétrole et du gaz – sans rien demander en retour? Les armes de destruction massive seraient partout. La Corée du Nord brandirait un solide arsenal nucléaire. La Libye n’aurait pas rendu les armes, et le proliférateur par excellence du Pakistan, A.Q. Khan, ferait encore son porte-à-porte, véhiculant son message de guerre.

Il manquerait aussi bien d’autres cadeaux de l’ « Oncle Sucre » - en commençant par 22% du budget des Nations Unies, ce qui inclut le budget nécessaire à la moitié des opérations du Programme Alimentaire Mondial (PAM), qui nourrit plus de 100 millions de personnes dans 81 pays.

Absents seraient aussi les 17% du budget de l’UNICEF servant à nourrir, vacciner, éduquer et protéger les enfants de 157 pays – et 31% du budget du Haut Commissariat aux Réfugiés (HCR) des Nations Unies, qui vient en aide à plus de 19 millions de réfugiés partout dans le monde.

En 2005, Washington a contribué 28 milliards de dollars en aide étrangère, plus que le double du montant du deuxième plus grand donateur (le Japon), ce montant constituant à lui seul presque 26% de toute l’assistance officielle au développement provenant des grands pays industrialisés.

En plus, l’engagement du Président George W. Bush de 15 milliards de dollars sur cinq ans sous le couvert du Plan d’Urgence contre le SIDA s’avère le plus grand engagement d’une seule nation dans une initiative internationale pour la santé – à jamais – œuvrant dans plus de 100 pays (majoritairement africains).

Les États-Unis sont le moteur économique du monde entier. Nous n’avons pas seulement la plus vaste économie, nous dépensons 40% du budget mondial en recherche et développement, permettant une innovation aux limites du réel dans des champs comme les technologies de l’information, la défense et la médecine.

Nous sommes aussi le guichet automatique du monde entier aussi, fournissant 17% des ressources du Fonds Monétaire International (FMI) pour les nations en crise fiscale, et finançant 13% des programmes de la Banque Mondiale qui transfère des milliards de dollars en assistance au développement aux pays qui en ont besoin.

Et qu’est-ce que l’Oncle Sam reçoit en retour? Surtout du mépris, tout spécialement de la part des profiteurs ingrats qui bénéficient incroyablement des « biens publics » globaux que nous fournissons si généreusement avec notre temps, nos efforts, notre sang et notre trésorerie. Ils oublient si vite – et si bien… à moins qu’ils n’aient besoin d’aide, bien sûr. Mais nous, nous n’oublierons jamais, et spécialement aujourd’hui, que malgré les insultes, les railleries, les petites jalousies, nous sommes l’envie du monde entier – et ils ont raison de nous envier.

Le fait est que peu importe ce qu’ils diront : Aucun pays n’a autant donné à autant de monde aussi souvent – en demandant si peu en retour – pour aussi peu de gratitude et de reconnaissance que notre grand pays à nous. Alors, Bonne fête, Amérique! Reste grande et fière – tu l’as bien mérité.

Peter Brookes, Membre Senior de la Heritage Foundation

peterbrookes@heritage.org

Adresse du texte original (anglais) - New York Post

Ma famille (mes parents et mon frère de cinq ans plus jeune) sont partis pour une dizaine de jours mardi dernier en Gaspésie, afin d’aller, comme à chaque année, visiter mes grands-parents paternels qui demeurent à Pointe-à-la-Croix, juste à la frontière du Nouveau-Brunswick (Campbellton-Atholville). La différence, c’est que, pour la première fois, je ne suis pas du voyage. Eh non. Il a fallu que je reste à Roberval pour travailler et gagner des sous pour aller à l’université. Oh, remarquez que je ne m’en plains pas, c’est quand même cool d’avoir toute la maison à moi tout seul pour 10 jours. Je prévois d’ailleurs faire un feu de camp une de ces soirées et inviter mes amis à coucher. Mais la maison paraît tellement vide…

—

My family (my parents and my 5-year-younger brother) has left home for ten days last Tuesday to visit my paternal grand-parents in Pointe-à-la-Croix, in the Gaspésie region just across from the New Brunswick border (Campbellton-Atholville). The main difference with what we usually do is that this time, for the first time, I’m not part of the trip. Alas, no. I had to stay home in Roberval to work and put some cash aside for school. I’m not complaining though, It’s kinda cool to have the whole house for myself for 10 days. I’m also planning to invite my friends over for a sleep-in after we make a bonfire outside one of these nights. But the house seems so empty…

Let me take a few moments to wish all my American neighbors and those who really can’t wait to become American (just like me!) a safe, proud, joyous and above all, very happy Fourth of July.

(I was supposed to light a bonfire and throw a Fourth of July party tonight for the occasion, but due to many thunderstorms and downright shitty weather in my part of the world, I won’t. Oh well, at least I still was able to put my American car flag on my Dodge Spirit this morning. Yeah, I get weird looks from other drivers and passers-by, but I don’t care.) 

May the grand and good nation of which we celebrate the 230th anniversary today continue to be an inspiration to us all freedom lovers and guide the world towards a better tomorrow.

ROCK ON, AMERICA! LONG LIVE THE GOOD OLD U.S. OF A.!

Je publie ici un courrier des lecteurs paru dans le Journal de Québec d’aujourd’hui, 29 juin 2006, en page 17. Je le reprends parce que je suis entièrement d’accord avec l’auteur de ce courrier, et je crois que plus de gens devraient être au courant de sa situation, qui est aussi la mienne jusqu’à un certain point. Voici donc:

"Comme beaucoup de Québécois, j’ai assisté au spectacle de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste sur les plaines d’Abraham. Étant un contribuable du généreux système québécois, je deviens de moins bonne humeur lorsque j’entends sur scène le discours politique arriéré et d’exclusion que livrent certains artistes. Ayant moi aussi payé le party, et étant Québécois, je suis frustré de constater le peu de respect que les Cowboys Fringants ont pour les autres Québécois qui ne pensent pas comme eux à propos de Stephen Harper, de Kyoto, de la guerre au terrorisme ou de la sécession du Québec du reste du Canada. Cela gâche ma fête. Ce n’est pas à des artistes subventionnés, des bébés gâtés, de venir me dire quoi penser et me faire sentir coupable de ne pas être un "bon Québécois" séparatiste, gauchiste, anti-Bush et péquiste. Ce discours politique qui divise devrait être exclu de la fête et non pas moi, qui suis aussi un Québécois, qui d’ailleurs paie le party.

Jean-Philippe Bélanger, Charlesbourg"  

Quand je parle de pensée unique gauchisante québécoise, eh bien voilà exactement ce que je veux dire. Le Québec n’est pas une société tolérante pour quiconque pense différemment de la masse. Je déteste d’ailleurs profondément les Cowboys Fringants pour cette attitude plutôt self-righteous qu’ils savent à merveille imposer pour faire frustrer ceux qui ne pensent pas comme eux. Cette même pensée unique et rare acceptation et respect de mes idées et opinions constituent aussi l’une des raisons qui me poussent à vouloir partir du Québec, vu ma différence de vue. J’ai moi aussi de la difficulté avec les partys de la Saint-Jean-Baptiste parce que 1. je n’aime pas la musique québécoise et que 2. je ne peux m’entendre avec les autres politiquement parlant, même si je suis encore souverainiste.

Je serais curieux de rencontrer ce gars-là et de jaser avec. Je suis sûr qu’on aurait plusieurs points en commun.

Salut, chers compatriotes québécois, francophones et francophiles!

Laissez-moi profiter de cette occasion pour vous souhaiter une très joyeuse Fête Nationale du Québec 2006. J’ose espérer en cette journée que le Québec se réveillera bientôt et que de grands changements de mentalité et de vision se produiront, afin d’assurer l’avenir et la prospérité économique de cette belle province.

Bonne journée à tous!

Well, it seems so, according to the 2007 Best Social Science Doctorate Programs by Yahoo! Education.

And I’m seriously thinking of considering them for my Master’s in Political Science, after I graduate from Bishop’s University, since they are rated third in the United States for that program. The first two are, obviously, Harvard and Stanford. Surprisingly, Political Science program ratings at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are better than Yale, the university I’d like to attend most, which stands at fifth position, which is, after all, not to be scoffed at.

But the fact remains that the University of Michigan does incredibly well for a state-supported school. And this university is much easier to get in than other Ivy League institutions: While Yale, Harvard and Princeton admit roughly 10% of their applicants, UMichigan admits a whopping 57%. And Ann Arbor seems a very nice college town.

I want to do my MA in Political Science in the United States (better for getting jobs there when I graduate) and possibly a doctorate too. I was, of course, considering Yale, Princeton and Harvard for the U.S., and will apply there, but I needed some more, shall we say… realistic choices. I would also apply to McGill and/or Concordia as my safety school. But I needed something in between. So when I discovered UMichigan, with an admittance rate of 57% and still generous financial aid packages, I was pretty thrilled. They will be getting an application form in 2009 or 2010 from me that’s for sure.

And for those who have been brainwashed into thinking only rich people have access to an education in the United States, and that Yale and Harvard really cost $40,000 a year to attend, well let me tell you this. The latter is true, but only if you can afford it. That’s right. Out of roughly 3,655 full-time students enrolled at Harvard in 2005 that applied for aid, 3,288 were judged to have a need, and all of them had their need fully met. The average financial aid package at Harvard hovers around $30,000 a year. And that’s not all. For a university that supposedly charges 40k a year to attend, the average financial debt amount that Harvard graduates have to pay back is no more than $8,769. Pretty good for the best university in the world. Pretty darn good.

So if I do get in Yale or Harvard, the sky’s the limit.

But it’s getting in that’s the trick.

P.S. If you guys know of any well-renowned universities in the U.S. or Canada that are moderately easy to get into, not too expensive and that offer a quality Political Science program, please, let me know!

—

Sources:

The 2007 Best Social Science Doctorate Programs by Yahoo! Education

Have you been to this website? They’re trying to lure left-wing Americans into thinking Canada is the perfect socialist paradise and they’re trying to have them move here.

The only thing is that they are beautificating the truth so much it’s almost scary. See for yourself.

Here’s what they list as reasons to move to Canada:

"High quality of life. Low crime rates. Progressive social policies. A strong economy. There’s a lot to love about Canada. Here are just some of the reasons why you might want to join us:"

Yeah right, high quality of life, but very, very low buying power. The low crime rates depend on where you settle. And the progressive (read: leftist-utopist-money-wasting) social policies are going out the door, thanks to the right decision Canadians took last January. Somebody please tell those moonbat dipper-heads Canada has a Conservative government now. It’s about time.

"Medicare
Canada enjoys a publicly-funded health care system that guarantees all Canadians coverage for medically necessary services in a timely fashion no matter where they live in the country."

This is laughable. I’d take American-style health care which is profit-driven (major incentive for better quality and timeliness) any day over the socialist system Canada has now.

"Foreign Policy
Canada treasures its reputation as a peacekeeper and provider of humanitarian aid around the world. As a strong supporter of multilateralism, Canada elected not to send troops to Iraq when the United Nations Security Council failed to pass a resolution to intervene with military force."

Multilateralism isn’t always good, and from what I’m starting to witness, the United Nations are becoming more and more of a burden.

"Environmental Policy
Canada has ratified the Kyoto Protocol and committed itself to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 240 million metric tons a year by 2010. Canada has also undertaken the largest conservation agreement in the world by promising to protect approximately 600 million hectares of northern boreal forest which account for more than half of the country’s land base. The western province of British Columbia in 2002 exceeded the UN biodiversity target by putting 13% of its land into protected parks."

Ah, the insignificant and stupid Kyoto Protocol, so dearly cherished by every liberal airhead. To this day, I still wonder why. It just plain amazes me they included that in their list when we can very well forecast that Canadians will be paying for it through the nose in a couple years through all kinds of taxes (it’s already getting started here in Québec), while Americans will be laughing at us for getting screwed by environmental extremists and actually buying their crap. Good move, liberal Canada! Now it’s the Conservatives that have to get us out of this mess. The Kyoto Protocol will harm the economy and have us pay even MORE TAXES! I can hardly imagine such a thing in an already way too overtaxed country like Canada, but it appears to be the way things are going right now…

"Gay Rights
Canada is a world leader in recognizing rights for gays and lesbians. The Canadian Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Same-sex common-law couples have the same rights, benefits and obligations as common-law heterosexual couples under Canadian law. Same-sex marriages are now legal in six provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan) and one territory (the Yukon). Same-sex couples are allowed to adopt children in four provinces (Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia)."

Ok, homosexuals have a really good reason to move to Canada here. But not heterosexuals, which, last time I checked, made up the majority of the American population. But then again, if they want to marry so bad, they can save themselves the border-crossing hassle and move to Massachusetts or some other more liberal state. However, I have to say that, although I’m strongly conservative on fiscal issues, I’m very libertarian and secular on moral issues. I have absolutely nothing against homosexuality or gay marriage.

"Drug Policy
Canada was the first country to allow and regulate the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes. A Senate Committee report released in 2002 recommended the legalization of marijuana; the Canadian Medical Association and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police both support the decriminalization of marijuana; and the federal government has committed to introducing a bill to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana."

I can’t believe I’m actually reading this. Are they looking for hardcore drugheads to populate Canada or what?

"Abortion Rights
Canada has no law restricting abortion, which is considered a medical procedure and is subject to medical regulations."

Here, they are catering to teen moms who just don’t want that baby. I’m pro-choice, but that is just plain stupid. And who’s going to plan a move in the middle of their pregnancy?

"Gun Control
Canada prides itself as a country with relatively little violence that is committed to maintaining public safety. Under the Firearms Act, every firearm in the country must be registered and all Canadian gun owners must be licensed. It is illegal to lend a firearm to someone who does not have a valid Firearms License. Visitors to Canada are also subject to the Firearms Act. They must apply for a temporary firearms license and declare any firearms they bring into the country."

Another masterpiece from the Liberal tools that governed this country for way too long. The totally irrelevant gun registry. Speaks for itself, I think.

"Cultural Diversity
Unlike the “melting pot” concept of the United States where cultural heritage is always secondary to the larger American identity, Canada considers its culture a colourful mosaic, where everyone’s heritage is a vibrant component to be celebrated and cherished. Secure and comfortable in our diversity, multiculturalism has become a cornerstone of the Canadian identity. In fact, the United Nations has named Toronto, Canada’s largest city, the most multicultural city in the world. Officially a bilingual country, Canadians have the right to federal government services in both English and French."

Oh, the evil, evil concept of the American melting pot. Well, I believe Canada should copy it. It works a lot better than multiculturalism if you ask me. And try getting French government service in Lethbridge AB or English service up here in rural Québec. Good freaking luck. But that’s just normal, and I believe official bilingualism (which is nothing more than "storefront bilingualism") should be scrapped anyway. There should be no French service in Lethbridge and there should be no English service in rural Québec. Period.

"NO Capital Punishment
Canada abolished capital punishment in 1976 after a parliamentary free vote. By contrast, the death penalty is a sentencing option in the United States, both federally and in 38 states. (Amnesty International considers the death penalty a human rights violation.)"

Yeah? So? I strongly support the death penalty for murder and I believe Amnesty International is totally clueless. (Are they trying to lure criminals into moving up here?)

"NO Federal Deficit
Canada is the only G7 country to run seven consecutive surplus budgets. It has not run a federal deficit since 1996-97. The United States deficit is expected to reach $422 billion in 2004."

Wow, one of the first real, tangible reasons for Americans to move to Canada. But if I were one of them, I don’t think I would care very much as long as it doesn’t affect my everyday life.

To sum it up, this website really looks like it was put together by some big time liberal airheads. I couldn’t find anything on it that makes sense.

Pretty sad, but what do you expect from left-wing moonbats?