May 4, 2007

MAPLE WHIFF:

Why we must stand up to the bully, and how (Lloyd Axworthy, 4/28/07, Globe and Mail)

Linda McQuaig poses provocative and very important questions for Canadians in her new book, Holding the Bully's Coat. Why do so many of our prominent citizens in the fields of business, government, the academy, the military and the media -- one might say an elite of Canada -- endorse with enthusiasm the pushy, aggressive, imperial agenda espoused by the current Bush-Cheney administration in the United States? [...]

Like it or not, we have to conceive of finding co-operative answers to common problems that affect our mutual security, whether in energy supply, water scarcity, climate change, migration or border crossings. Answers must be found, but should not be sought only behind closed doors in triple-A resorts by small circles of elites. [...]

One example of such new arrangements is the growing network of relationships among regional premiers and governors, cross-border business groups, civil-society organizations and universities that are synchronizing their responses to environmental, trade and resource issues. Transborder paradiplomacy is where the intensity of activities has been the highest, where the initiatives are the most innovative, and where alliances are being formed, generally ignoring the national capitals.


Yes, we need to avoid any hint of elitism in our transborder paradiplomacy.

Posted by Matt Murphy at May 4, 2007 6:30 AM
Comments

At least she's honest enough to say she wants Canada to co-operate with its enemies.

Posted by: oj at May 4, 2007 10:20 AM

Bush and Cheney are her (not Canada's) enemies.

Posted by: Chris B at May 4, 2007 10:37 AM

Exactly where in Canada would there be a water scarcity??

Posted by: Rick T. at May 4, 2007 1:17 PM

Rick is correct:

Annually, Canada's rivers discharge 105,000 m3/s, 7% of the world's renewable water supply.

Almost 9%, or 891,163 km2, of Canada's total area is covered by freshwater.

The Canadian portion of the Great Lakes occupies nearly 10%, or 87,500 km2, of the 891,163 km2 freshwater area in Canada.

Approximately 60% of Canada's fresh water drains to the north, while 85% of the population lives along the southern border with the United States.

Canada has about 25% of the world's wetlands – the largest wetland area in the world.

Wetlands totaling an area of more than 1.2 million km2 cover about 14% of the land area of Canada.

Posted by: Bartman at May 4, 2007 2:06 PM

and once again the facts belie the argument. Nice work Bartman. IIRC Canada burns nasty coal to make electricity it sells to us. Bully for us!

Posted by: erp [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 4, 2007 5:15 PM

Bully for us.

Security: We're on it. No need to bestir yourselves from your torpor.

Water: Bartman brilliantly set out the facts waterwise. Excellent job sir.

Energy: If IIRC Canada burns nasty coal to make electricity to sell to us. Thanks guys.

Climate Change: Any change has to be for the better. No need to thank us.

Immigration and Border Crossings: Everyone wants to come here, so don't sweat it, we'll handle that one too.

Question: What's a Triple-A resort?

Posted by: erp [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 4, 2007 5:31 PM
« WHAT'S THE OVER/UNDER ON HOW MANY CARS BURN IF HE WINS?: | Main | STILL SOME WORK TO DO: »