Surprise, surprise...Americans disapprove.
After laughing wholeheartedly last night at the humourous, witty and tongue-in-cheek display that was the Olympic closing ceremonies, I can't say I am overly surprised at the comments and reactions of American voices on the web this morning. Below are some excerpts of the crap I have seen spewed this morning on the Huffington Post community and for fun I have included some of my responses. But let me start you off with the quintessential defense of Canada's attitude during the Olympics posted by
BritishColumbian, who I am taking the liberty of quoting:
"...the swelling of national pride in Canada has nothing to do with America. It began when then torch relay began and proceeded to get stronger as more and more Canadians came out to cheer the flame and the runners on. What spurred the reaction in our 2nd largest country in area and small population was a realization that people across our nation felt the same as we did. Thus, a chance to share our emotions.
Why Americans think that they have the right or obligation to say anything about it and actually think that they have the right to criticize how we feel about our country, how we should express ourselves and how we should act is over the top."
For those who don't know, amongst its many achievements VANOC put on the longest torch relay in Olympic history: 106 days, 45,000 kilometers, 12,000 carriers, touching over 1000 communities in all 13 provinces and territories.
Here is some of the piss out there today:
“I couldn't help watching these games and not be distracted by the amount of attention Canada placed on Canada, and this feeling was reinforced by the self-conciousness of the Closing Ceremonies.”
“…it seemed very much like a pro-Canada spectacular, not an international event, at the very end.”
My response to the above:
“Boy are there a lot of sore losers on this board...
Canada proved they are better than the US at more than just hockey
- we know how to be light-hearted and laugh at ourselves
- we know how to overcome adversity without dragging everyone else down with us
- we are capable of positivity under all conditions
- we inspire peace and gratitude in all who visit or associate with us
- we lose with as much pride as we win
Americans would struggle to equal any of the above...”
To which I received:
“You forgot "humility." Oh...right, you covered that by being supercilious.”
Which merited a swift retort in the form of:
“And is humility something we should be learning from you? haha! Why don't you go cry into a tissue made from the recycled "Mission Accomplished" banner...”
Then an even better fight developed when another yank on the board claimed that our patriotism was mean-spirited:
“…It’s being said with the worst kind of mean spirited nationalism…”
The fact that any American would have the gall to say such a thing is pretty incredible, but I couldn’t let it lie, so:
"Actually let me correct you - the above was said not with "mean spirited nationalism" but rather the kind of disdain inspired by a bad neighbour - the kind of neighbour whom you lend your lawn mower, who never brings it back and then makes you feel like a prick for asking for its return.
Frankly, if anything, the Canadian patriotism that we all witnessed (trust me, Canadians are just as surprised as anyone else to have witnessed it) was most likely amplified by the frustration of having spent the past 9 years living next to Homer Simpson.
And the day Ned Flanders finally stands up for himself instead of just saying "Okily-Dokily" inevitably is the day Homer chooses to point out our poor attitude. Quite typical of an American...”
On that note, enjoy the hangover Canada – we earned it!
