This is interesting to me because "evil" is a word that I reserve for things that I consider so insidious that I can see no redeeming value whatsoever. If young Canadians are truly being indoctrinated by their elders in school and wherever to think that the U.S. has NO redeeming value, then what will happen to those children as they go out into the world and find that you can see good and evil in every single corner of the world? It seems a bit of hyperbole to me to use the word evil to describe something as diverse and majestic as the U.S. Are Canadians just naturally xenophobic? I can't imagine why they would be any biologically different than anyone else.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,126401,00.html

From the article:

In a recent poll, 40 percent of Canadian teens said the United States is a force for evil in the world, with 50 percent saying it’s a force for good and 10 percent reporting they were undecided on the subject. French-Canadians (search) were even harsher, with 64 percent of them calling America a force for evil.


Anyone with some intimate knowledge on this subject care to explain exactly why the French-Canadians are so especially bitter toward the U.S.? And not the obvious please... ;)

Well, I know many people from various european countries that hold America in a similar esteem. Not only teens I might add.

Are Canadians just naturally xenophobic?

Only the ones who fear the US.

French-Canadians are so especially bitter toward the U.S.?

French-Canadians are bitter towards Canada. They consider themselves a sovereign nation. If not for the economical ramifications, they would split form Canada tomorrow.

And it seems rather hypocritical of them to be bitter towards the US considering the vast majority of them vacation and retire in Floriduh.

The US can indeed be a force for evil or good, depending on how we wield our power. They object to "cowboy diplomacy", and so do I. I think if asked, they would have to acknowledge a difference between the US, and it's current administration, but, foxnews didn't ask. I mean, president Bush is a complete moron, I think he's a force for evil, too! (and I'm American).

I am a Canadian teen (although I will not be for much longer) and the american government is evil! They bomb small countries, kill innocent people for profit. That is evil.

I'm American and I think the government is way too meddlesome in other countries affairs. They completely screwed up South America and Mexico.

A Canadian Sniper team made the longest kill shot ever recorded in Afghanistan a few years back. What's the difference?

The wind blows hardest at the top of the flagpole, eh?

I think this poll reflects the myopia of the Canadian education system.

Because America has power.

No observer likes anyone or anything that has power that isn't of the observer.

Plainly put, you don't like it when someone has power you don't control. Classic case of an inferiority complex.

Oh, Boy, this is tough for me. I'm Canadian (I live in LA) only because my dad is, so I have a Canadian citizenship. On top of that, I'm Jewish, most of my family lives in Toronto, so I'm really uncomfortable, being in the middle of things. I think Bush is an asshole too, and so is Kerry. Sometimes it's the most experienced politicians who are also the most unstable. Were it not for our capitalist system (whose morals are going down the drain anyway), our gov't would be a near enough totalitarian regime through the actions it's been taking.

I'm a Canadian youth and I don't think America is 'Evil'....But I do think that there are a lot of stupid and ignorant Americans which is causing America to do a lot of stupid things.

Stupid isn't evil, but its a lot worse IMO.

It seems a bit of hyperbole to me to use the word evil to describe something as diverse and majestic as the U.S
to 15ofthe19: and yet the USA's president calls other countries evil

Well, I know many people from various european countries that hold America in a similar esteem. Not only teens I might add.
to Dreamwalker: you're damn right about that

Procedure for the United States to regain respect among the international community:

1. Switch leadership to someone who isn't a hawkish twit under the guise of being "an advocate for national security".

2. Remove US academic reliance on Jews.
(Recommended: Fill up empty slots with intelligent and knowledgeable people from the international community. Attracting them here? The first step would be steps taken to stop denying visas to international students for no reason.)

3. Slowly and gracefully withdraw support from Israel and leave it alone.
(This is why #2 is necessary. Unless you're an idiot you will see why.)

4. Cease invading other countries for no reason.

After that, there is still much to be done, but at least the basics will be over with.

Because America has power.

So it has.
Funny thing is I've never met an American who has power over anything other than his or her consumer choices and even that is limited to whats on offer.

So where is all that excess power hidden?

Perhaps the answer to that goes some way to explaining why Canadian teens consider America to be 'evil'.

I love the sheep but the shepherd gives me nightmares.
Dee Cee

stupid americans, try to hold the world ransom with their nukes,
they have recently implemented a plan to dispose of some of their nukes, nad it involves dumping them all in a hole so that they can contaminate the groundwater and mutate plants and animals for a 1000 years until they have lost most of their charge.
HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET??!?!!?!?!

im with the canadians on this, america is evil!!!!

yo yo yo yo vslayer! I'm american! And even I think it's stupid what the americans are doing but like all of us american aren't evil!

and like I don't have power. It's cause I don't want power! I only have power for my candy and that's it!

but your faith your leo so we know what you are

huh?

mis-t-highs do you mind explaining what you are saying please? I really don't get it for some gay reason.

no need, it's obvious.
only leo volont would congratulate himself on his post's

how very true.

Well, I know many people from various european countries that hold America in a similar esteem. Not only teens I might add.

yeah... all the flag-burning would suggest that... *hides lighter behind back*

I'm American and I think the government is way too meddlesome in other countries affairs. They completely screwed up South America and Mexico.
I've always said that and nobody ever listens to me... :rolleyes:


Aaaanyways... it is not just Canadian teens. The world knows the US is evil, and that's it. This fame is not new. The US have already left a loooooong trail of blood behind....

If the government, ideology and culture change, then there may be some hope for the US. But so far, unfortunately, it doesn't look like it is going to happen....

Who made the poll? how was it worded? If you ask the average canadian their thoughts about america there will likely be quite a few negative opinions but I doubt strongly the term "evil" would show up often. So, how did this word rise to the surface you might ask. Well that's easy, you get a really slanted poll asking something ridiculous like,

"Please circle one of the following statements that you most agree with:

1. America is a force for evil in the world.
2. America is a force for good in the world."

then fox runs out yelling, "look! Canadian teens think we're evil! Damn those lefty pinko's!"

I really want to know exactly what the poll asked and what organization paid for it before I make any judgments. This kind of divisive nonsense is not only unproductive but can be very misleading. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised as the story is being carried by fox news but that's another thread.

subestimate

I Like the flexible use of words in informal media like forums.

Funny thing is I've never met an American who has power over anything other than his or her consumer choices...

So where is all that excess power hidden?


"Consumer choices" represent a hell of a lot of power.

Stupid isn't evil, but its a lot worse IMO.

There are varying breeds and degrees of both. What leads you to this opinion, if I may ask?

... nad it involves dumping them all in a hole so that they can contaminate the groundwater and mutate plants and animals for a 1000 years until they have lost most of their charge.

Source?

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99996199

subestimate

I Like the flexible use of words in informal media like forums.
:D
I meant underestimate. :D
"Subestimate" is how we say in Portuguese... ;)

Cheap anti bush joke I made up myself alert!

"At least President Bush shows the USA is an equal opportunity employer."

"Consumer choices" represent a hell of a lot of power.

Really?

The long-standing conundrum of why Coke sells more than Pepsi despite being less popular in blind taste tests may have been solved.

Scientists in Texas used a brain scanning technique to carry out a hi-tech version of the Pepsi challenge and found that, when it comes to fizzy black drinks, brand love is just as important as taste.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/science/story/0,12996,1271486,00.html

Well lets put aside for one moment the fact that consumers are more interested in the brand than the product and let me ask you a question or two.

What consumer choice can I make that will stop the killing in Iraq?
What consumer choice can I make that will reduce the level of teenage pregnancy or school shooting?
Is gasoline really the only practical fuel I can run my car on?
Why do companies need to advertise?
Which of the 205 TV stations should I choose to watch as they all seem equally shite?
ect ect.

So what, exactly, is consumer power?
Dee Cee

I have to agree with the consumer choice argument. It were our choices that created the society we live in. If we stop buying smoething, that something will disappear. If people didn't watch garbage on tv, the tv wouldn't be full of it!