The Republic of Canada?
A good friend of mine and I were talking a number of days ago about an officer at the Royal Military College fighting the military’s rule that members of the forces must toast the Queen. Refusing to do this this would be considered disloyal which has accompanying punishments, all of which I am unsure of so I will not quote here. This brings up two very interesting issues…. Number 1, isn’t service in the military based on unquestionable loyalty to the head of state (Queen or President)? And number 2, would becoming a republic really hurt Canada?
I don’t need to pontificate here on why members of the military are trained to have unquestionably loyalty to their superiors and governmental leaders. It is necessary in battle and in training….
But my dear friend had said that the Monarchy and our ties with the UK is what defines us and keeps us from becoming American. This is a very interesting point. He is right when he says this, but how right? Our ties with the UK and our heritage are a factor in differentiating us from the United States, and we do have a proud heritage passed down to us from the mother country. However…
Perhaps it is time to move away from owing all what we have to Britain. Or should I say consciously do this because I believe it has been happening for years. Some would say that once we do move away from the Monarcy we will be susceptible to American culture and values. I think we have developed a society that can both accept those things yet keep a uniquely Canadian attitude. In fact we already do. Look at the stores you shop at, the foods you eat. Most of them are American based. The television we watch is also very American. They’re our big brother. And as stated many times regarding the cross border relationship, family doesn’t always get along, or agree…. But family is family.
Canada has developed an inclusive society. Yes for the average white male the constant ‘minority’ need for recognition or extra rights seems tedious and sometimes annoying. “Who are they to come here and demand these things” we might ask. We do ask this. The truth of the matter is that most of us living in Canada today have descended from these people who came here looking for freedom and the right to live their life their way. My vision of Canada is a place where people can come here and live freely… free from state “religious centred” values, free to go and come as you please, free to do what you will if it doesn’t hurt others physically, emotionally or economically.
Canada is inclusive. That is the only thing that I think can define Canada as a nation, our inclusiveness… our striving to make as many people as possible comfortable living here. Unfortunately with this concept there is little room for NATIONALISM or a united vision of what Canada is or will become.
With the world becoming smaller and smaller every day we are going to have to learn to live with each other in a peaceful and respectful way. To tell you the truth, I think Canada is leading the world in this respect. And that is why American culture and values will never take over those that are Canadian… because they will be valued the same as those values from 30 other countries. Furthermore, watching the news from the States, it seems more and more like they are in denial that there aren’t any true American values either…. But that’s a story for another session.
Well to sum all that up:
We’re awesome because of our inclusiveness.
I however would pick a better place to start excluding the Queen than the Royal Military College. If unquestionable loyalty to the Crown is part of your job and you don’t like it… you better get a new job. But in the mean time I’ll still drink to the Queen.
Next entry…. Matt’s reflection of becoming a teacher.
I don’t need to pontificate here on why members of the military are trained to have unquestionably loyalty to their superiors and governmental leaders. It is necessary in battle and in training….
But my dear friend had said that the Monarchy and our ties with the UK is what defines us and keeps us from becoming American. This is a very interesting point. He is right when he says this, but how right? Our ties with the UK and our heritage are a factor in differentiating us from the United States, and we do have a proud heritage passed down to us from the mother country. However…
Perhaps it is time to move away from owing all what we have to Britain. Or should I say consciously do this because I believe it has been happening for years. Some would say that once we do move away from the Monarcy we will be susceptible to American culture and values. I think we have developed a society that can both accept those things yet keep a uniquely Canadian attitude. In fact we already do. Look at the stores you shop at, the foods you eat. Most of them are American based. The television we watch is also very American. They’re our big brother. And as stated many times regarding the cross border relationship, family doesn’t always get along, or agree…. But family is family.
Canada has developed an inclusive society. Yes for the average white male the constant ‘minority’ need for recognition or extra rights seems tedious and sometimes annoying. “Who are they to come here and demand these things” we might ask. We do ask this. The truth of the matter is that most of us living in Canada today have descended from these people who came here looking for freedom and the right to live their life their way. My vision of Canada is a place where people can come here and live freely… free from state “religious centred” values, free to go and come as you please, free to do what you will if it doesn’t hurt others physically, emotionally or economically.
Canada is inclusive. That is the only thing that I think can define Canada as a nation, our inclusiveness… our striving to make as many people as possible comfortable living here. Unfortunately with this concept there is little room for NATIONALISM or a united vision of what Canada is or will become.
With the world becoming smaller and smaller every day we are going to have to learn to live with each other in a peaceful and respectful way. To tell you the truth, I think Canada is leading the world in this respect. And that is why American culture and values will never take over those that are Canadian… because they will be valued the same as those values from 30 other countries. Furthermore, watching the news from the States, it seems more and more like they are in denial that there aren’t any true American values either…. But that’s a story for another session.
Well to sum all that up:
We’re awesome because of our inclusiveness.
I however would pick a better place to start excluding the Queen than the Royal Military College. If unquestionable loyalty to the Crown is part of your job and you don’t like it… you better get a new job. But in the mean time I’ll still drink to the Queen.
Next entry…. Matt’s reflection of becoming a teacher.
posted by MJB at
9:22:00 p.m.
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