CNN riles up the neighbourhood

I didn't think I was going to make my first post just yet, but I came across this and decided that, since my role here is in part to make the blog more international, this seemed to the best way to jump in: Notes from the North. There's a link to the video on the page, and here's a partial transcript.

I think both Parrish and Carlson make some good points, but mostly they make bad points. Mostly, Carlson is wrong that Canada depends on the U.S. much more than vice-versa. Beyond the oil and other natural resources, try building a car in the U.S. without the Canadian auto industry, or try selling many American products without the Canadian market. Free Trade has been extremely beneficial to both countries, and Americans should be more aware of just how much of their economy is tied to Canada. That said, I reiterate my comments from June that Parrish is a disgrace of a Member of Parliament who should never have been re-elected and does not come close to representing the views of the government (the reason she was kicked out of it) or of Canadians in general. Mostly, she is wrong that Canadians don't share American values. Sure, there are differences, but Canadians and Americans are much more alike than different, and our interests and global viewpoints are essentially the same. I think Bush did a very good job highlighting those shared values during his trip to Ottawa and Halifax, and that's why I think his trip was successful.

Oh, and another thing. Before you get too worked up about Parrish stepping on the Bush doll, remember that This Hour has 22 Minutes is a satire show, and the whole thing was a joke. A bad, distasteful joke, but a joke nonetheless.