Not right?

HereÂ’s something that has really been bothering meÂ… People in Canada have been buying stickers and joining flags and other merchandise with the Canadian flag and the US flag joined together? In Canada we are really proud of how we helped out the Americans after and the of day of 9-11. But to go to the lengths of morphing our flags together on a sticker, I donÂ’t understand I would love to find one person in the US to have this sticker on their car, or to have the two flags flying proudly on their dash. I recently bought a used car with this sticker on it. I, of course ripped it off, I just donÂ’t understand why someone in Canada would put this on a car and think that this feeling of unity is felt on both sides of the border. I donÂ’t believe that it is a mutual feeling between us. Is it just Canadians being too nice and sucking up to Americans?

Even before 9-11 I used to see Canadian flags and American flags flying together on a flagpole, I think this is very rare in the US and if it is happening it is only really close the border. I understand the Canadian businesses would do this to try to bring in the US tourist, but even still would it really sway a consumer to pick one gas station over the other?

I think it's mostly just people jumping on the band wagon also the promotion companies cashed in large. It's all just about the mighty dollar.

Sept 11, 2001 took about three days to become little more than a sales pitch to some people, Goaler. It's funny, in the movie "The Corporation" there's a trader...one of these Wall Street types...who talks about watching the towers burn and knowing he should check the price of gold. That's the mindset of some people on both sides of the border.

Two flags flying together isn't that uncommon, never has been, although it was always rarer in the US. The combined flag though, that's always struck me as odd. Why bastardise two flags? Who decides which flag comes first? Does that change from country to country? Is there a protocol? What about Mexico? Are there Mexican/American flags too?

We all wanted to help the US after 9/11, or at least express solidarity with them. They'd been attacked. I'd like to think the morphing flag was a misguided attempt at expressing that, but given all that's gone on since, it was likely just another attempt to make money.

Goaler, it's something that is seen all over Victoria, but not so much in Vancouver. It's definately for the tourists.

Definently a sales pitch.

this is but petty and vindictive....surely you have worse problems in your life?

Actually, I think using a bunch of dead people to sell SUVs that are at least part of the root cause of terrorism is petty and vindictive, Feeko.

what bonebags are selling off road vehicles....so they waste gas...do you drive?...you too are a root cause....b.s......they are the have nots rebelling against the haves....the way its always been....their own hate is more to blame than U.S. POLICY..we buy the g damm oil....you act like we steal it......when gas goes down to a quarter a gallon..and they check the oil and wash the windows for free I may beleive its about oil...seems to me if all you propose was true....we would just take it ....

the root cause of terrorism really is that fact that we are friends o the jews....israel...thats what it really boils down too....after ww2...we used various countrys as pawns vs the russians...we did what we thought we needed to do to keep the region stable...welll that region is very unstable now...so what...we will come out a winner in the end..We aint letten em tell us how to live...and they ..well ..they are commin up on the short end of the stick....and like spoiled children are lashing out anyway they can.....I really believe its us vs them...I dont hate em...dont care to understnd em..........as long as they stay out of my way of life...they can do what they please..when the affect my life.....Im mad as helll and aint gonna go quietly into the night....and that is being an AMERICAN..IMHO....lots o my fellow americans feel the same way....who are you to judge us because we like big cars, trucks....

I do drive, Feeko. I drive two wheel drive cars in places the average yuppie wouldn't go without a 4x4, a winch and somebdy to show him how to use both. I also try to drive as unwastefully as possible...including leaving my favourite vehicle (the big green truck) in the driveway unless I need a big green truck. It isn't the final solution, but it's a step in the right direction and far different than telling the world to piss off because it's convenient and comfortable to contaminate the air and start wars.

As for whether you steal the oil or not...well consider the contracts given to US corporations and the illegal changes Bush and Bremer made to Iraq's laws and tell me if that's stealing or not. Better yet, come back to me in ten or twenty years and tell me about how the terrorists from South America are pissed because your President isn't Catholic and all those countries in the former Soviet Union that end in "stan" are just jealous.

Your "facts" about the Middle East start about twenty years too late. That part of the world got really screwed up after WWI, not WWII. The US influences since have been more like a black comedy than anything coherent. That the US is not the only guilty nation does not forgive the facts.

Your way of life has a seriously detrimental effect on other peoples' way of life. Did you expect them to remain forever silent? What would you do if the situation was reversed? Is that the same thing your present leaders would be likely to do?

There I did it, so sue me.. There are times when it is nothing more than a show of sympathy and solidarity fro our American brothers.. Im not trrying to sell you anything with this..

My workplace in the US flies both flags 24/7. As opposed to many on this board that feel we have to be bitter enemies, I think we make great neighbors that need each other to remain prosperous.

I am not trying to sell you anything either. My Avatar represents my being from Canada, but the US being the country that was able to offer me employment that Canada was not.

When I lived in the Dominican Republic, I flew the DR flag and the Canadian flag. It is my way of showing I am appreciative of my host country.

My hardhat also flies both flags

While being proud to be a Canadian, when you are the guest of another country it would be arrogant not to concede that you are thankful for their hospitality and opportunities to succeed.

m

What you are saying is a fair bit different though, Mukluk and RH. Like I said, after Sept. 11 we all wanted to help and support the US. Those sentiments were quickly used by a few mostly American corporations to sell us things. The sales pitches were even more common south of the border. In the end that tragedy was used to sell an illegal war that had no connection to the event itself.

I didn't interpret Goaler27's original comment / question as revolving specifically around commercialism. I thought he was asking why someone in Canada, perhaps with no obvious links to the US (no relations living there, no citizenship, etc.) would fly the US flag beside the Canadian one.

I think there are a number of great reasons to do so, which include Mukluk's thoughts on showing both an appreciation for a host country along side a reflection of personal heritage. Many Canadians also have close relatives living in the US, and again, flying both flags is easily understandable. In challenging times, flying a foreign flag is a sign of support (i.e., 9/11, etc.). Some people still feel that the US is living in challenging times, despite arguments that may be made to say that some of it is of their own doing.

Personally, with no close connection to the US, I would stick with our flag only.

REV, MAN.YOU KILLINME BUZZ....I speed , not always...sometimes its because im late...sometimes it just for fun...I also have a little ol civic...with 2 kids...and the way people drive, id really rathter waste some gas and have a little bit more steel between me and the other guy if theres a crash....

as for being on the other side....whos to say..that because we as americans buy alot...from other countries...is it my fault jose makes 2 $ a day?....and his boss may make thousands?...would he have the 2$ a day if we didnt buy alot?....someone needs to ask the owl....