[threadbear]

Erl, Canada and Mexico have been forging stronger ties with each other, and yes, we can and will survive (and thrive) if the US implodes. The US is a huge trading partner, but we have built a decent domestic economy, plus we have natural resources, oil, some of the best minds in the world and a decent education system.

Canada needs the US like fish need bicycles, in the long run.

Watch capital and the professional class, head North when things look like they're not going to turn around. Sorry Amigo. That's where it's at.

Nothing against Americans. Your govt sucks, and the farther away it stays, the better.

[erl]

Personally, I think we should just annex Canada.

I think I'll write a letter to my Congressman to that effect (now that their attention is no longer on Terry Schiavo).

[Keith_McClary]

Personally, I think we should just annex Canada.

I think I'll write a letter to my Congressman to that effect (now that their attention is no longer on Terry Schiavo).

Is your congresscritter keen on having more blue states?

[RdSnt]

Personally, I think we should just annex Canada.

I think I'll write a letter to my Congressman to that effect (now that their attention is no longer on Terry Schiavo).

I'm sure it is, or will be, a seriously considered option. The US needs assured resources and something that is overlooked, it needs collateral to cover the debts. Annexing Canada would provide significant collateral and assured petroleum, strategic metals and water.
Our prime minister (a devout Catholic) is not a particularly strong man, but is a hide-bound capitalist. Back that up with a very republican conservative opposition party and a selfish inward-looking party in Quebec and you have the makings of a political structure that would bend nicely to BushCo's bidding.

I could see a crisis being stimulated in Canada someplace, probably in Alberta (threatening the oil supply) as being an excuse to lend Canada a hand in defending our resources. Or a bald declaration of a lack of confidence in Canada's ability to safeguard US strategic supplies and an inability of Canada to meet it's Nafta obligations.

[erl]

You all know I was kidding, right?

I don't deny the possibility, but I think it highly improbable that the U.S. would attack/invade/annex Canada or parts of it.

Conspiracy theories abound about Republicans seizing control and revoking part of the Constitution they see as limiting. These theories pop up whenever they are the majority party. Similarly, when Democrats are in control (at least of the Presidency) you hear stories about the suspension of Constitional liberty to extend their power.

One thing I have learned about Americans is that the freedoms found in the Constitition, especially the bill of rights, is so very deeply ingrained in them that it would be extremely difficult to suspend or overturn those rights. That is regardless of which party is currently in control.

As to Canada. I believe (and admittedly this is just my opinion) Americans still view Canada as a long time friend and ally. Sure we have differences, but our similarities are greater. Americans would not stand still for an invasion of Canada. Any American government that invaded Canada would not survive long.

Now, were Canada to attack the U.S., all bets would be off.

But, how likely is that?

[BlisteredWhippet]

With these points in mind, I'd like to start a discussion regarding where the strike points are.
How will the rest of the world rein in the US monster?

You're a little late to the party pal. The US is still a player, but its government is largely subservient to multinational corporations. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the new multinational (multicorporate) entities are the true power brokers. The US just lead the pack of world capitalists toward their inevitable evolution into the current globalization scheme. The powers that be have made it pretty clear there is only one game in town, and thats capitalism.

You want to break the stranglehold of the capitalists?

Stop buying stuff. Live a simple life. Barter and trade, support local, indigenous business that keeps money in local communities. Withdraw cash support from financial markets. Actively boycott countries of origin that belong to the G8 and China. Theres really not much else you can do except network, strengthen social programs and non-profits. Speak out as often as possible to weaken the propaganda onslaught.

Capitalism is a juggernaut. The US is just one passenger. If you live in a G8 country you will be more effective focusing on regional resistance. The less capitalist penetration in an area, the easier it will be preserve some semblance of sanity.

In any case expect massive organized resistance. Network with like minds, mine global activist networks for contacts. Establish an alternative lifestyle. Keep in mind the paradox that some people will opt to support the corporate capitalist system. Chip away at their presumptions and core beliefs as often as possible.

[RdSnt]

With these points in mind, I'd like to start a discussion regarding where the strike points are.
How will the rest of the world rein in the US monster?

You're a little late to the party pal. The US is still a player, but its government is largely subservient to multinational corporations. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the new multinational (multicorporate) entities are the true power brokers. The US just lead the pack of world capitalists toward their inevitable evolution into the current globalization scheme. The powers that be have made it pretty clear there is only one game in town, and thats capitalism.

You want to break the stranglehold of the capitalists?

Stop buying stuff. Live a simple life. Barter and trade, support local, indigenous business that keeps money in local communities. Withdraw cash support from financial markets. Actively boycott countries of origin that belong to the G8 and China. Theres really not much else you can do except network, strengthen social programs and non-profits. Speak out as often as possible to weaken the propaganda onslaught.

Capitalism is a juggernaut. The US is just one passenger. If you live in a G8 country you will be more effective focusing on regional resistance. The less capitalist penetration in an area, the easier it will be preserve some semblance of sanity.

In any case expect massive organized resistance. Network with like minds, mine global activist networks for contacts. Establish an alternative lifestyle. Keep in mind the paradox that some people will opt to support the corporate capitalist system. Chip away at their presumptions and core beliefs as often as possible.

Good advice.

[Rambo]

We need to bomb I mean liberate the United States.

The United States as become a religious right wing lunatic dictatorship with weapons of mass destruction and a stated intention to use them.

Since 2000 we have seen this regime fix two elections.

Stage phoney attacks on their own soil.

Kill thousands of people in the name of finding weapons of mass destruction that never existed.

Engaged in threats and dark propaganda again nations with oil like Iran and Venezuela.

Torture and murder are routine and carried out on the people of Iraq by the Illegal occupation force.

George Walker Bush and his band of Neo Cons need to locked up and democracy needs to be reinstated in the United States.

However you fat ass republicans can relax even if the rest of the world could take on the United Stated why would they?

I mean the US has very few natural resources and its oil peaked in the 1970s.

Sarcasm is a great thing that we here in Europe enjoy.

[seahorse]

You should have picked some European name for your screenname instead of using "Rambo" from some Americal pop flick you watched.

[venky]

I think this fantasy should interest you.

http://www.jerryghinelli.com/france1.html

[Chocky]

Yes, choose a good European name, like Mohammed, or even Mohammed.

[PenultimateManStanding]

I think this fantasy should interest you.

http://www.jerryghinelli.com/france1.html

"le shock et l'awe," pretty funny.

[LX1]

long live america.

[clover]

...the French Parliament today has stepped up, found its voice and repealed an earlier resolution, changing the name “Freedom Cheese” back to plain old “American Cheese.”

*snicker*

[Anthrobus]

... and don't forget Al Bundy, Star Trek, the Simpsons and South Park; Lots of things to look up to and remember. The US government and all its mess, lies and corruption are just something horrible yet necessary to create an atmosphere which makes these mentiones wonderful achievements possible.

ah, and i forgot beavis and butthead, hehe.

[killJOY]

But I love this old shit hole.

It gave us Thoreau, Whitman, canoes.

Maple syrup, Old Time music, Miles Davis.

William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Young Frankenstein.

John Coltrane, Thelonius Monk, cowboys


Backyard hotdogs, Zinfandel in a box, Danish desert...

When the Thugs come to get me, they'll have to scrape me off the horsehair plaster walls of my farmhouse.

[Rambo]

I think this fantasy should interest you.

http://www.jerryghinelli.com/france1.html

Very good.

[rogerhb]

Don't forget supporting "Noraid".

[Tyler_JC]

Umm, the internet?

The iPod?

FM Radio
Steam Engine
Transistor
Jenny (Train) Coupler
Plastic
Steam Locomotive
Telephone
Gramaphone
Pacemaker
Browning Rifle
Analog Computer
Transistor
Nylon
Air Conditioner
Peanut Products
Colt Revolver
Locomotive
Airplanes
Motorcycle
Tractor
Vaccume Tube
Pencil
Horseless Carriage
Dry Plate Photography
Light Bulb
Steamboat
Model T (Car)
Lightning Rod
Steamboat
Gatling Gun
Rockets & Liquid Fuel
Vulcanized Rubber
Ice Machine
Bette Graham
Shorthand
Submarine
Artificial Heart
Swivel Chair
Desktop Computer
Automobile Air Conditioner
Polaroid Camera
Bolometer, Early Airplane
Polygraph
Maxim Machine Gun
Mechanical Reaper
Gas Mask
Morse Code
Oldsmobile
Atomic Bomb
Elevator Brakes
Coca-Cola
Pullman Sleeping (Train) Car
Cash Register
Polio Vaccine
Razor
Bombsight
Helicopters
Helicopters
Sewing Machine
Alternating Current (AC)
Scientific Method of Assembly
Rotary Engine
Electrometer
Cotton Gin
Open Heart Surgery
Railway Telegraphy Stations
Airplane
Locks
Electron Microscope

Anything I forgot?

Without the creative-destruction environment of American Capitalism, we wouldn't have half of the stuff that we do today.

That's a good thing or a bad thing depending on your world view.

Personally I'm proud to be an American.

[pup55]

The iPod?

FM Radio
Steam Engine=Thomas Newcomen (British)
Transistor
Jenny (Train) Coupler
Plastic
Steam Locomotive =Richard Trevithick (Wales)
Telephone
Gramaphone
Pacemaker =John Hopps in 1950. (Canada)
Browning Rifle
Analog Computer
Transistor
Nylon
Air Conditioner
Peanut Products
Colt Revolver
Locomotive= Richard Trevithick (Wales)
Airplanes
Motorcycle
Tractor
Vaccume Tube
Pencil
Horseless Carriage =Siegfried Marcus (Germany)
Dry Plate Photography= artist Louis Daguerre, (France)
Light Bulb
Steamboat
Model T (Car)
Lightning Rod
Steamboat = Jonathan Hulls (England)
Gatling Gun
Rockets & Liquid Fuel
Vulcanized Rubber =Mesoamericans circa 1600BC
Ice Machine =James Harrison (Australia)
Bette Graham
Shorthand
Submarine = Cornelius Jacobszoon Drebbel (Holland)
Artificial Heart
Swivel Chair
Desktop Computer
Automobile Air Conditioner
Polaroid Camera
Bolometer, Early Airplane
Polygraph
Maxim Machine Gun
Mechanical Reaper
Gas Mask =by Alexander von Humboldt (Prussia)
Morse Code
Oldsmobile
Atomic Bomb
Elevator Brakes
Coca-Cola
Pullman Sleeping (Train) Car
Cash Register
Polio Vaccine
Razor = Bronze Age Britain
Bombsight
Helicopters = Jan Bahyl (slovakia)
Helicopters
Sewing Machine=German, Charles Weisenthal
Alternating Current (AC)
Scientific Method of Assembly
Rotary Engine
Electrometer
Cotton Gin
Open Heart Surgery =Dr. Ludwig Rehn of Frankfurt, Germany
Railway Telegraphy Stations =Claude Chappe (France)
Airplane
Locks = Ancient China
Electron Microscope = physicist Ernst Ruska (Germany)


Source: Wikipedia