Nightmare Vision of North America

[struggle4progress]

by John Chuckman
(Saturday 19 March 2005)

John Manley, prominent Liberal politician in Canada, has shown a stunning lack of judgment in chairing a private group proposing a new security-economic regime for Canada, Mexico, and the United States. <snip>

Criticism of Manley's scheme is possible on many levels, but my chief criticism is that the authors simply do not understand that no country can make a binding deal of this nature with the United States. It is simply impossible. Yes, America's government might well sign an agreement, but the agreement would shortly prove worthless, except in just those portions with visceral appeal to Americans. This conclusion comes neither from prejudice nor mordant humor but from having lived half my life in each country and being a serious student of history. <snip>

The panel's scheme is a vision of Fortress America scowling at the world with its two small neighboring principalities huddled in the shadows of outer works or pens under the massive walls. The scheme is sweetened for Canada and Mexico by offering supposed new certainties in trade access to the world's largest national market. The outer works supposedly have open doors through the looming walls.

No matter what Canada and Mexico do to prepare against it, should there be another major terrorist-style attack on the United States, precisely the same pattern of behavior is to be expected. America has behaved irrationally for three solid years since 9/11, and no treaty, no agreement, or no arrangement will prevent a re-kindling of America's blast-furnace rage at its rich gated community again having been rudely broken into by "some of them." I recall an engraved wooden sign some years ago in the window of a luxurious land-yacht at a trailer park in Arizona, "We don't call 9-1-1," with a drawing of crossed smoking pistols. The sign was funny, but funny only in its succinctly capturing an ugly truth about the lawless, uncivil character of many Americans. <snip>

http://usa.mediamonitors.net/content/view/full/13744/

[oneold1-4u]

1. Not meant to be funny

There are places and times that 911 would be of little use. In a motor home in desolate areas of AZ may be one, but more than one mile from nearest law enforcement puts your safety in your own hands. Guns are not meant for safety, necessarily, but its like putting out a beware of dog (not a nice one) sign. It just says you expect to be secure!

[applegrove]

2. John Manley is a narcisistic ass. He quit as an MP when he did not

win the convention. Now he acts like Uncle Tom to Bush? A commission made up of governmental groups in Mexico & USA ...while Canada's contingent is made up of "business leaders" (that means US subsidiary leaders who get their fat salaries from corporate USA). What an asshole.

I was trying to avoid the whole topic because it makes me sick to even think about Manley's actions. Now I will read this article..but I will hold my nose the whole time.

[MrPrax]

3. Manley?

Oh...wasn't he the Deputy Prime Minister that decided that greeting the Sovereign Head of Canada was beneath him and his principles, because he decided 'being Deputy Prime Minister' he wasn't in favour of the Monarchy...

A Former Liberal...like McKenna, vying for Conservative Party leadership.

[Wat_Tyler]

4. Actually, his republicanism is his one saving grace.

I take it you approve that Elizabeth Windsor should be our Sovereign Head?

[MrPrax]

5. Oh yeah...

I am not a Monarchist...

But I have never been a 'red room' liberal or a 'deputy prime minister'...so your point regarding the various litters borne by Elites is kinda STUPID...

"that Elizabeth Windsor" is she the drug dealer or the UFO fancier--I rarely ever understand really 'good conspiracy theories' ...I am more interested in the real ones ;-)

[Wat_Tyler]

7. I don't understand your post.

Could you elaborate?

[Spazito]

6. I totally agree, Manley has made a very big mistake...

if he had any intention of running for the leadership of the Liberal party in the future, he just shot that possibility down in flames at this attempt to betray Canadians and Canada by being part of and believing in the goals of this group.

He is disgusting, imo, and this is coming from someone who initially was hoodwinked into thinking he was actually a valid Liberal leader contender.