How's the best way to respond to other Americans who put down Canada?

Question

As an American, it makes me sad when I post a thread supporting Canadian troops successes against Taliban forces and get this response from a fellow American:

"Canada is the 2nd largest country by area, not by population. "The Canadian military is about 60,000 when you count the mounties. For all practical purposes the US military is who defends your country. Any effort by Canada is appreciated in international affairs, but get off the high horse."

Here's my response

"Ummm the British have an army as well, do they not? They'd protect Canada, Canada fought with them in every British war. Secondly, since when did a US soldier ever guard Nova Scotia, Quebec or Ontario? Thirdly, do most Americans know WHAT they are defending when they claim they are defending Canada?

It makes me angry

Answer 1

I wouldn't really count on the British for protection...they abandoned Australia in WWII and very reluctantly released our own troops to come and defend our shores by battling the Japanese in New Guinea.  Expect help from Australia before the Brits...

Now to actually answer the question...I don't think you can provide a truly appropriate answer to such people.  It's hard to penetrate that sort of arrogance.  You could tell them that Canada is fighting the true fight as opposed to one begun on false pretensions for the economic gain of a few

Answer 2

The answer is very simple.

Tell that individual to say those words to the families of our fallen soldiers.

Answer 3

dont' think there is a way to respond to someone like that. sounds like the kind of person that won't even listen to any other opinions and will still defend their response even when proven wrong. It's great that you're open minded enough to actually check out the facts of the situation, and you showed that you're the bigger person in that question. Thanks for supporting Canada.

Answer 4

I'm with you, I'm not sure how to respond.  I usually just respond with a blunt "your an idiot just like your leader and the majority of your nation"  But i also get very frusterated because I deal with americans on a daily basis (working in tourism in souther ontario).  I have to be nice to their idiotic comments and questions all day, so when I'm not working I just take my anger out then. lol.  I think your response was pretty good!  At least you acted maturely (unlike I do hahahaha)

Answer 5

I hate when people throw around that "Canada is lucky that we protect them" line. We don't tend to go to war all that often... I'd rather live in a country known for its peacekeeping than for being a bit of a global bully.

That being said, I'd just brush someone like that off. Arguing will not make them change their mind, and they're likely just saying such things to get a rise out of someone.  I know when some obnoxious tourists make snide comments when they come up to my town, I would love to rant about the things they probably wouldn't think of, but they're just doing it to stick out, and feel "cool"

Answer 6

I agree with you in.....except i usually hear things the other way around as i am from alberta. I have no doubt the US would come to our aid if we ever needed it but we'd also have britian...plus i think weve done pretty good on our own so far. I just don't like it when ppl make uniformed opinions about canada or canadians about americans.my moms american so i get to hear to sides all the time.

Answer 7

Eric my husband and family is in Canada, I  married one, I never ever had a bad word to say about Canada unitl I moved there.

They bash you online, in newsgroups, and in the media. I write back to them and have even gotten my letters to the editors printed, several times in several Canadian large media sites.

the brit do not protect canada they do and we do. They are part of the commonwealth of nations.

We have soldiers in canada now and have had them and they have them there. My son is a US vet in these wars, I run a mil support group to but i am a child of a vet, so i did my homework on the govts sites of both nations.

We have this thing called NAFTA and NORAD and a new agreement on mutual defense.

for the real deal go to www.defendamerica.mil and see canada

this si the us govt miitary info site and for canada

www.defence.gc.ca  or www.canada.gc.ca the govt and defence force site, yes it spelled right they spell it with a c not a s as we do,

thier full military gaurds and all are less than 100k people.

Answer 8

don't lower yourself down to that persons level.

clearly he/she doesn't know what they are talking about and is making an *** of themselves stating made up facts to make themselves sound good.