I have always had a great deal of respect for Canada, affection even. I have come close to moving there on several occasions, and may yet.
I know it sounds humorous to talk about the US invading Canada. The theme inspired John Candy to make that terrible film CANADIAN BACON, but the possibility is not so remote as to inspire humorous thoughts on my part. As far as I can tell from my perspective, Canadian corporate elite are no different from US corporate elite. In fact, it seems that a stealth invasion of Canada is actually underway, as these elites commingle their interests to such a degree that there is no realistic difference in economic interests between the two countries. Then there are the continuing rumors about the Amero and formation of a North American Union to worry about.
Virtually no-one knows that there have been numerous attacks on Canada by an expansionist United States of America, beginning during our revolution (which though expansionist in intent can be understood in the context of war with Britain) and continuing through the nineteenth
Canadian intelligence services and border patrol forces seem to be totally integrated with dominant US agencies.
They apparently use bogus intelligence provided by the US enthusiastically, barring travel to Canada by US political opponents of the right-wing cabal that runs this country.
The case of Maher Arar is a testament to the diminished rights of Canadian citizens, relative to US interests.
Canadian troops are currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq against the overwhelming protest of Canadians.
The participation of Canadian troops in the shameful military occupation and obstruction of democratic rule in Haiti is particularly egregious since no conceivable Canadian strategic interest is involved.
Witnessing these things makes one wonder if it is already too late, if, as it seems, the functional equivalent of foreign control is not already in place in Canada.
century with the War of 1812 and simmering on with several armed attacks after that, most impressively by the Fenians, but always with expansionist motives.
There really does not seem to be any reasonable hope that imperialist resource wars will not continue to expand, and targets are everywhere, including Canada. The real danger comes from the possibility of US elite interests colliding with a resurgent Canadian nationalism that would seek to abrogate NAFTA and regain sovereign control of Canadian resources and economy. So, if the left in Canada really did succeed in restoring vigorous democratic rule with Canada first policies, formal military invasion and occupation becomes a distinct possibility. Canada may outrank other obvious US military threats in South America, Africa and elsewhere as US military capacity continues to shrink, making Canada the low hanging fruit.
As it is, even with the rightward tilt in Canadian policy, Canada creates a penumbra of respect for human and civil rights that our increasingly authoritarian rulers find annoying. Witness the current conflicts around US military resisters.
Canadian intelligence services and border patrol forces seem to be totally integrated with dominant US agencies. They apparently use bogus intelligence provided by the US enthusiastically, barring travel to Canada by US political opponents of the right-wing cabal that runs this country. The case of Maher Arar is a testament to the diminished rights of Canadian citizens, relative to US interests. Canadian troops are currently fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq against the overwhelming protest of Canadians. The participation of Canadian troops in the shameful military occupation and obstruction of democratic rule in Haiti is particularly egregious since no conceivable Canadian strategic interest is involved.
Witnessing these things makes one wonder if it is already too late, if, as it seems, the functional equivalent of foreign control is not already in place in Canada.
Herb Ruhs, MD
I grew up in Seattle, and our family's occasional vacations or even day trips to Canada were wonderful. When we could afford cable, we even got Canadian TV stations, all of which no doubt helped sink it into my skull that there are alternatives to the American way. It would be a tragedy to see that nearby alternative disappear. ...
