Five More Reasons to Be Proud This Canada Day - 2010 Edition

The Nexus tradition oflisting five reasons to be proud to be Canadian each Canada Day continues. As with the 2008 and 2009 lists, these are just a few reasons to be proud this Canada Day:

1. The World's Longest Undefended Border - Along the 49th parallel, Canada and the United States of America share the longest undefended border in the world, and have enjoyed one of the longest periods of peace in history.

Peace between the United States and Canada was far from inevitable. The principle of Manifest Destiny coupled with Canada's status as a British colony to demand that the United States annex Canada. One reason was to satisfy ideological demands for complete US dominion over North America. The other was security.

Peace between Canada and the United States eventually came about as a result of earned trust. Canada and the United States have fought side-by-side in numerous conflicts -- most importantly World War II and the Korean War.

Through sharing the status of comrades-in-arms, the United States came to know the true nature of Canada: a peace-loving people who will stand and fight when the objective is necessary, and the cause is just. While many Americans have forgotten this in the midst of Canada declining to join the US war in Iraq, it is a reputation that our country is re-earning in Afghanistan.

The world's longest undefended border is Canada's legacy of pursuing peace while opposing tyranny.

2. The 2010 Winter Olympics - When Canadian history books are written at the conclusion of the 21st century, there should be little doubt that the Vancouver 2010 Olympics will be written about as a turning point in terms of the Canadian identity.

Vancouver 2010 will be seen as the birthplace of a new Canadian identity. That of a country learning to outgrow its former humility, and celebrate its successes on the global stage without fear of being branded as "too American".

It should be considered a welcome change in the minds of many Canadians. Canadians have waited a long time to become comfortable with their patriotism.

3. Leonard Cohen - Every Canadian can periodically use a reminder that, yes, a Canadian can achieve global icon status without also having the world come to loathe them for the depth of their ego (a la Celine Dion).

Born in Montreal, Cohen's music is appreciated around the world. "Halelujah" may well be one of the most iconic songs of all time.

4. The Group of Seven - From the 1920s onward, Franklin Carmichael, Lawren Harris, Andrew Young Jackson, Franz Johnston, Aurther Lismer, Frederick Varley, Tom Thomson and James Edward Hervey MacDonald presented the Canadian landscape to the world in the form of art.

Working in styles ranging from realism to impressionism, the Group of Seven produced some of the most iconic images of Canada's landscape.

In particular, Andrew Young Jackson formed the group at least partially to confound art critics who didn't consider his style to be conventional enough -- few things can be as Canadian as that.

5. Lacrosse - Canada's national summer sport is one that, sadly, hasn't received the attention it deserves. While that is changing with the increasing popularity of the National Lacrosse League -- currently with teams in Edmonton, Calgary and Toronto.

Lacrosse was first played by Huron and Iroquois Indians. It was equal parts religious ritual, physical competition and alternative to armed conflict. Games were played by hundreds or thousands of players on fields as much as miles long. Games would last for three straight days.

The game was eventually picked up by Jesuit missionaries operating in modern-day Quebec, and eventually developed into the game as it's known today. Like hockey, Lacrosse has a uniquely Canadian character that should be cherished by all Canadians.


Happy 143 years, Canada!

Why Canada Believes

In the days following any major event of international significance, the question is often asked:

What do we have to show for it?

The answer to this question is often based economically -- decided by the comparison between the money spent to host the event, compared to the amount of revenue attracted by it.

It's often based on the amount of international renown the event earns -- generally judged by whether it's praised or panned by international critics.

But the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics will, in time, be judged by the sentiments it inspired in the Canadian people -- as a breakthrough in which Canadians were reminded of the great things that this country can accomplish.

Reminders shouldn't be necessary. After all, Canadians managed to settle a country nestled among one of the the most inhospitable environments imaginable, and in time made it a welcoming place of refuge for peace-loving people all over the world.

After disappointing Olympic outings in Montreal and Calgary in 1976 and 1988, many Canadians surely must have begun to wonder if Canadians would ever win Olympic gold on Canadian soil. In 2010, Canadians didn't merely win gold -- they owned it, even if they fell short of owning the whole podium.

But more importantly than that, Canadians sent a message to the rest of the world, and reminded themselves of one fact: Canadians love their country just as much as anyone else.

The rest of the world -- who have often come to think of Canadians as unpatriotic -- didn't always appreciate this lesson. One British writer went so far as to tell Canadians to "keep it down", while another denounced the opening ceremony while pretending to be Canadian.

Not all Canadians caught the Olympic fever. Malcontents who march up Whyte Avenue giving the Nazi salute to jubliant Canadians celebrating a national triumph are free to hate their country, as they very evidently do.

But as Canada just now finishes its 17 Days of Canada day, we have been reminded that Canadians very much believe in this country, and that unlike the Heather Mallicks and Charlie Smiths of the world, they don't need to think of Canada as a specifically ideological construct in order to love it, and be proud of its achievements.

Canada believes in itself, and for the first time in far too long, even remembers it.

The days ahead are rife with opportunities to remember some of our country's achievements. The 2012 World Cup will be contested very close to the day Canada defeated the Soviet Union in the famed Summit Series. It will also be the 25th anniversary of the 1987 Canada Cup.

The Sochi Olympics will even present us with an opportunity to avenge the 1974 WHA Summit Series loss by winning Olympic gold on Russian soil.

As far as defining moments go, many Canadians will gladly take the 2010 Olympics as one for Canada. Canada's pride -- and its belief -- has been well-earned, and will endure.

Canadians may never think of Canada the same way again, because we may never forget what we, as a country, can do together.

Own the Gold

The United States can have all the silver and bronze that it wants. When it comes to gold, Canada owned the podium.

Congratulations to Canada's hockey teams, as well as all of its victorious athletes, and any who were privileged enough to proudly represent their country in the first place

A Gold Medal in Hysteria

Heather Mallick comes spectacularly unhinged

Over time, Heather Mallick has become something of the Jerry Springer of Canadian political commentary: one simply never knows what she's about to do next.

A recent op/ed published on the UTV website is Mallick at her lunatic best. It's so incoherent that one's almost shocked it never made it onto the CBC website.

This time, it seems the provoking factor for Mallick's insanity is none other than the Olympic games. It's driven her into hysterics over Stephen Harper:

"Whenever Stephen Harper's big boxy grey-lidded head appeared on screen, with its wet smile (note on his hand: Try to grin like normal human), I would rant at anyone within hearing, ie, no one. 'He's Bush with a mean streak, he's a Slytherin , we only gave him a minority government in a prolonged fit of pique.' (Then I'd say it in French, out of bilingual idealism.)"

Over trees:

"The event gave the impression that Canadians spent their time posing on pointy mountains, paddling navy blue lakes and staring at evergreens (anti-deciduous to an extent that verged on the racist, I say), surrounded by snow snow snow, more snow than air. And we honour the wisdom of our aboriginal peoples, whose land we, well, stole but they have forgiven us and dance at our Olympic ceremonies."

And nature in general, and aboriginal affairs:

"The event gave the impression that Canadians spent their time posing on pointy mountains, paddling navy blue lakes and staring at evergreens (anti-deciduous to an extent that verged on the racist, I say), surrounded by snow snow snow, more snow than air. And we honour the wisdom of our aboriginal peoples, whose land we, well, stole but they have forgiven us and dance at our Olympic ceremonies."

Apparently, it's unthinkable to Mallick that the Olympic opening ceremonies should feature an appearance by the Prime Minister, the wrong type of trees, and aboriginals who don't hold historical grudges.

Apparently, the presence of these things made for a terrible opening ceremonies.

"I spent it sobbing," Mallick writes. "Thanks, Olympic organisers!"

Mallick then goes on to implore the organizers of the London 2012 Olympics to do better.

One can't help but wonder what Mallick would have preferred that the ceremony be wrought with comparisons of Sarah Palin to porn stars. Perhaps she'd have liked to see the Prime Minister covered in green slime as a follow-up.

Considering that Heather Mallick so prefers Britain that she now publishes her embarrassing attempts at political commentary there, one can only hope that she'll enjoy the London 2012 opening ceremonies enough that she'll decide to stay and frighten small children there as opposed to doing it here in Canada.

Making a Better Canada: A Brief Conservative Manifesto

Today, thousands of Edmontonians -- Canadians one and all -- greeted the Olympic Flame on its way to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympic games. Canadians of all ages, races and creeds came together to celebrate the Olympic spirit which permeates Canada so deeply.

Amidst all the messaging custom-made to use the occasions to sell things -- notably, banking services and Coca-Cola -- was one penetrating message: making a better Canada.

And while making Canada a better place for all its citizens is something all Canadians hold in common, the scenes that have unfolded should remind Canadians of an important fact about making this solemn wish a reality: that Canadians will have to do it together.

It's true that several levels of government -- federal, provincial, and municipal -- had a direct hand in planning the events celebrating Canada's Olympic Torch Relay.

But the greeting Canadians have given the Olympic torch everywhere it has visited should remind us of the role government should play in creating a better Canada: the role of government is to give people the opportunity to come together so they can do it themselves.

It wasn't government that brought out thousands of Edmontonians -- and millions of Canadians across the country -- to herald the return of the Olympic games to Canada. It was the community spirit shared by Canadians. It was the knowledge that we, as Canadians, will together decide the future of our country, and that we as Canadians, will build it.

Certainly, there are some Canadians -- the varied forces of statism -- who will disagree with such sentiments. Their impulse is to embed the state, embed their own ideology, and expand the role of the government in Canadian society.

They do not understand -- or are not willing to admit -- that such actions disempowers Canadians, and prevents them from harnessing the energy and spirit with which they greeted the Olympic Torch to make their communities, and their country, a better place to live.

They don't understand -- or are not willing to admit -- that their assaults on individual autonomy are also assaults on individual freedom. Their assaults on the autonomy to act are also assaults on the freedom to act.

If the predictions of recent benchmark works in conservative thought come to fruition, Canadians will continue to demand the return of this automony, and the return of these freedoms.

When that happens, a better Canada will be closer than we have ever dared imagine.

Dr Hedy Fry: Kinda Stupid

Liberal MP embarrasses party, self -- again

One simply had to rest assured that if the Liberal party had a Rob Anders of its very own, it would be a kinder, gentler Rob Anders.

Those who follow Canadian politics even passingly know who Anders is: he's the Conservative MP for Calgary West, and generally a disgrace to Parliament, his party, and himself.

Among the various controversies Anders has stirred up included denouncing Nelson Mandela as a "terrorist, and firing the manager of his riding office over a financial dispute.

But the Liberal party has a Rob Anders of its very own, and it bears the very unthreatening guise of MP Dr Hedy Fry.

Like Anders, Dr Fry is well-known and recognized as a general embarrassment to Parliament, her party, and herself.

Among the various controversies Fry has stirred up included claiming cross burnings were taking place in Prince George, BC, and sending out mailings that seemed to imply that Canada's military was no longer proud to wear the flag on their ruck sacks.

But today Dr Fry seems to think she's finally hit that partisan home run she's been itching for, when she drew comparisons between some Olympic gear the Hudson's Bay Company are selling to commemorate the Vancouver Olympics and the Conservative party logo.

Dr Fry insists that the logo being used for the gear "bears a striking resemblance" to the Tory logo.

Even blogging magnate Jeff Jedras has taken the bait.

One assumes that a great many Canadians would be surprised to find out that HBC is actually secretly a Conservative party front -- perhaps none more than HBC itself.

Olympic Ceasefire a Nice, But Unfeasible, Idea

Taliban would stand to gain from spoiling Canada's Olympic party

As much as they are said to be a symbol of peace, the Olympics have actually had an uneasy relationship with war for much of the past century.

In 1936, the Summer Olympics were held in Berlin. At the time it was widely known that Nazi Germany was preparing for war. In 1980, the Soviet Union hosted the Summer Games while attempting to stamp out an Islamic uprising in Afghanistan. In 2002, Salt Lake City hosted the Winter Olympics while the United States was already fighting in Afghanistan, and preparing to invade Iraq.

In 1972, terrorists murdered Israeli athletes at the Summer Olympics in Munich. In 1996, the Atlanta games were marred by a bomb explosion that killed two people in Centennial Olympic Park.

Yet despite this uncomfortable relationship with various forms of armed conflict, the Olympic Ceasefire has become something of an Olympic tradition.

The organizers of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics seem to have embraced this particular notion, as an Olympic ceasfire resolution is set to be presented before the United Nations.

Certainly, nobody expects Canadian soldiers to lay down their arms so Taliban insurgents can have their way with them. But this is one time when Canada actually may be better off following the example of former US President George W Bush, who refused to seriously entertain the notion of an Olympic ceasefire in 2002.

In fact, Canadians can expect the Taliban to redouble their efforts to harm NATO soldiers (and Canadians in particular) during the 2010 Olympics, just as they did during the recent Afghan elections.

To cast a dark cloud over the Olympics would be nothing short of a propaganda triumph for the Taliban.

Some may recall the story of Mehboba Ahdyar, the Afghan sprinter who was scheduled to participate in the Beijing games. Despite the numerous social obstacles she had to overcome in order to compete in the Olympics -- obstacles not limited to the Taliban alone -- Ahdyar promised to be a powerful symbol of the progress being made in Afghanistan on issues such as women's rights.

Even though the Afghan Parliament frequently kowtows to the regressive attitudes of many Afghans -- various outrageous pieces of legislation have threatened to legalize rape within marriage, among other atrocities -- Ahdyar was already a symbol of how far Afghan women had come since the removal of the Taliban from power, as she had participated in and won several competitions in Afghanistan. Such competitions were entirely unheard of under the Taliban, who forbade women from participating in athletic competition.

Ahdyar's story, however, took a disappointing turn when she fled to Norway to seek asylum.

Ahdyar's story failed to turn out to be the feel-good tale about the advancement of women's rights in Afghanistan that it could have been. However, it continues to teach lessons about precisely how regressive the Taliban truly is, and why it cannot be allowed to re-assume power in Afghanistan.

Having already marred one Olympic story with death threats and intimidation, the Taliban will certainly be eager to seize the opportunity to further marr an event that stands for everything they stand against.

But as powerful as the symbolism of killing a mass of Canadian soldiers during the Vancouver Olympics could be for the Taliban, continuing to fight the Taliban in the name of democratic freedom and human rights would be a much, much stronger symbol for Canadians.

That alone makes the idea of an Olympic ceasefire a little absurd. As nice as the idea is, one simply doesn't extent courtesies to an enemy that they know the enemy will not return.

"Basically, I think it's ridiculous - if there were any sense of self-respect or realism, [Defence Minister Peter MacKay] would say, 'Don't be absurd,'" says University of Calgary Political Scientist Barry Cooper. "It's the sort of thing that only a bureaucrat would think was meaningful."

It's a nice enough idea in practice. But Canada stands to gain too much by continuing to fight the Taliban during the Olympics, and stands to lose too much by relenting.

Canada in Need of Terrorism Insurance?

Lloyd's of London warns of greater terrorism risk

According to the chairman of one of the world's leading Insurance firms, Canada has become of greater risk of a terror attack.

“Canada's risk profile has changed in recent years and while no stranger to terrorism, intelligence suggests that its role is shifting from a hub for fundraising and planning attacks outside the nation – for example in the U.S. – to a credible target in its own right,” said Lord Peter Levene, speaking on behalf of Lloyd's in Toronto. “We are told that, by this year, there were thought to be some 60 groups operating within Canada's borders that support an extremist jihadi ideology."

Levine notes that many Canadian companies and organizations, including the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, have bought increased terror insurance from his company.

If one accepts Levene's assertions at face value, it would seem Canadians need to be very wary regarding the risk management strategies our government has in place to protect us.

In this regard, Levene notes the government has done a pretty good job, but adds a caveat. “By all accounts, Canada's domestic security services have done a first-class job. But that should not lead to complacency,” he said.

If the examples posed by both 9/11 and the Air India bombing demonstrate anything, it's that complacency -- and its requisite carelessness -- are abolustely lethal in regards to the fight against terrorism.

Part of the necessary due diligence in this regard requires addressing the evolving face of terrorism -- both international and domestic.

Levene, for example, notes that up to 20% of terrorist attacks are directed at business. Cyberterrorism, in particular, often targets business via Distributed Denial of Service attacks, wherein the bandwidth of websites are overloaded, disabling the site's ability to function, potentially causing millions, or perhaps even billions of dollars in lost productivity.

Cyberterrorism can be a difficult issue to deal with because it's difficult to distinguish cyberterrorism from more mundane forms of cybercrime. As with more violent forms of terrorism, cyberterrorism can be international or domestic.

Guarding against threats such as cyberterrorism requires numerous initiatives, possibly including regulating software companies more stringently. The security features offered by Microsoft operating systems, in particular, have proven to be extremely lax. Given that microsoft maintains a massive market share (although open-source Linus software continues to peck away at this), the lax security of Microsoft operating systems is particularly important when one considers the looming threat posed by so-called "zombie" viruses, wherein viral code infiltrates and lays dormant in a computer until activated.

If used to plot a large-scale attack on a country's economic infrastructure, millions of poorly-protected personal computers actually pose a large-scale threat to Canadian security.

Cyberterrorism is only one breed of terrorism that Canadians need to be better aware of.

Poor security continues to loom in Canada's airports (despite predictable official claims to the contrary), and the amount of black market control over Canadian seaports makes them vulnerable as well.

If Canada's truly become a credible terrorist attack, Canadians will need to lobby the government to ensure our risk management strategies (read: anti-terror legislation) are truly up to the task of contravening that threat.

Otherwise, Lloyd's of London seemingly offers some very affordable terror insurance.