Eric F. Richards wrote:

I asked him how he was finding his experience in America to be, and
his wife just *exploded* on me about how stupid Americans are and a
stream of vile insults. He had to bodily remove her from the hamfest
site and came back to apologize.

Cato replys: As a Canadian, I am sorry that you had such a bad
experience with one of my fellow citizens. For what it is worth, I'm
sorry that that incident took place. In all my times and travels in
your country, I like to think that I behaved myself in a civilized
fashion.( Except for a couple of times I might have got drunk camping
out down in the Florida Keys with some friends. But at least we had a
good time, and everyone was happy, and no ones feelings got hurt. They
were good times.):-)

As for the insult about the twin towers, it shows the ignorence of
my fellow Canadians that the Americans and citizens of other countries
that died that day were all innoccent people just going to work.
Canadian citizens that worked there also died that day. A temencous
number of children lost their mothers and fathers on that black day.
On that day, when my wife woke me up to tell me to watch what was
happening on TV, she was in tears, and I was in a state of unbelieving
shock at the horror on the screen.

Not all Canadians are stupid and ignorant. I think what you will
find is that, primarily, it is Canadian Liberals & Socialists,
(supporters of our N.D.P. party) who are critical of the U.S to the
point of idiotic hatred. And I think a lot of it is envy at the
success of the U.S., and their saddness at the failure of socialism
around the world.

Not all Canadians are liberal or socialist statists, that believe
that government is the solution. There are many of us that believe
that government is the problem.

My only hope is that most Americans do not forget the principles
on which their country was founded. Because I see your freedoms very
slowly slipping away like ours has been doing. For at least fifty
years now. Your country, with all your successes, and your failures,
is still the beacon of hope in freedom for oppressed people around the
world. But you must all be on your guard. There are many that want to
bring you down. And not just from outside the U.S., But as you know,
also from within. By U.S. citizens that hate the freedoms embodied in
the Declaration and Constitution.
Why would so many people try to get into the States to stay? Either
legally, and waiting their turn, or illegally, and hoping not to get
caught. It is because living in America is better then where they came
from.

Ya, a lot of people around the world put the United States down.
And ya, sometimes the U.S. goofs up on something, or elects a goofy
president.
Well hell, I can think of a number of times that we Canadians
elected goofy Prime Ministers too! We all goof up now and then if we
look at ourselves honestly. Nobody, and no country is perfect. Their
ain't no such animal.

But all in all, the U.S. has stood for the good and right over the
years, and anytime that some nation or people anywhere around the
world has had a disaster, the U.S. has been there with the most help,
and the quickest. The American people generously reach into their
pockets to help those in need around the world without asking for
thanks. I'm not sure that any other country or people is as generous.

Who else has ever done so much to help their fomer enemies? Re-
building Germany, Italy and Japan after WW II. Rebuilding Europe. How
much did the Soviet Union help the people of Eastern Germany and
Eastern Europe?

Ya, I happen to like the U.S., and the people of the U.S. even if
I sometimes don't like a particular President. Yep, there are some
Americans who are stupid jerks. And there are Canadians who are stupid
jerks, and British, German, Korean etc.
Stupidity and ignorence know no boundaries or nationality. They are
everywhere. I am a Canadian who is damn glad to have the United States
as neighbors. And I am really proud to call the Americans that I know,
"my good friends."

Cato