Reviews from

Primer on Canadian Politics

contest entry

39 total reviews 
Comment from cheyennewy
Excellent
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Hi Spiritual,

This is an interesting and well written contest entry. You taught me much about Canada that I didn't know and that is a crying shame! You good writing skills are apparent in every well written line. Well done and good luck in the contest....blessings, chey

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Thanks Chey. Maybe FS should host a daily writing question prompt. We could all learn something from each other.
reply by cheyennewy on 16-Nov-2011
    I agree, there is much to learn and what better place than here?
Comment from peggles
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This is very well written and full of historical information
I know very little about your country but thanks to this piece I am better informed
I enjoyed reading this
I wish you the best of luck in the contest

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Thank you. It did amaze me how little Americans know about Canada. There are still stories of tourists crossing the border in July with snow skis strapped to the roof of their cars.
Comment from Judian James
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Hi Ingrid and thank you. I've only been to Canada once to celebrate my 40th birthday in Quebec many years ago BUT we had a marvelous time! " and quite frankly, the inclusion of this unnecessary letter has had a certain impact on our economy. Think about how much ink we have needlessly wasted by emulating the 'Queen's' English." HaHaHa!!
This was very enlightening, well written and a joy to read.
Thank you so much for this lesson on Canada's history! Bravo. What a great contest entry. (one tiny typo:
"ships that would sail without an horizon" should be "a")


 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    not really...just another example of Canadian spelling using an before an 'h'
reply by Judian James on 16-Nov-2011
    Oh, we use "an" before all vowels and "a" before all consonants!
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Well I was reminded by Avril of this rule, but it looks funny just the same.
reply by Judian James on 16-Nov-2011
    Oh, you Canadians!
Comment from Karen Stram
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This is a well thought out an very informative essay. Obviously a great deal of work went into it. I can't help but feel Canada is lucky for our lack of knowledge about and interest in her. I love Canada and would hate to see her destroyed.

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Sounds scary....do you know about a secret plot?
Comment from Espresso momma
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This was a good bit of information about your land, I am of the US. You are right, I couldn't argue any of it as I agree that we really and rarely ever hear a whole lot about Canada. Thank you for your information.

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    But if the info is not put out there why would you. I mean really, what do we know about Finland?
Comment from DALLAS01
Exceptional
This work has reached the exceptional level

What an enlightening article. I will be the first to admit my ignorance, and it was quite evident when I visited Nova Scotia this year. Among the three of us who traveled together, there wasn't one who could name all of the provinces, or which cities were located in which province Toronto being the only exception. Unfortunately, the average American knows very little about your country or your politics. Another exception here might be the Vancouver Canucks. This was one of the most informative articles I have read on the subject. It was a polished delight and I intend to book case it, so I can read it again.

 Comment Written 16-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    And the real point I think is that Canadians get daily news about the US and are baffled that the average American knows very little about a huge country just north.
reply by DALLAS01 on 16-Nov-2011
    unfortunatly it probably translates to self absorbtion
Comment from janalma
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Very well put. I enjoyed the civics lesson very much. I learned a lot and am happy that I did. I am amazed at the effort you put into getting all of this down into such a readable text. Very nice.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Amazingly it came out fairly simply. I surprised myself with my basic knowledge.
Comment from Sasha
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You hit the nail on the head with this one. With 95 percent of my family from Canada, can relate to both sides of the border. The biggest problem I find with Americans is their complete lack of knowledge of Canadian history. When I went to school in the US, Canada was seldom even mentioned. We never learned the names of the provinces and I still get confused over the difference between Prime Minister and Premier. When I went to school in Canada, US history was a major component. This is a marvelous essay and I enjoyed it immensely. Great entry for this contest and I wish you all the best.

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    I really am surprised by the lack of knowledge, but I am also aware that the media does nothing to acknowledge anything outside the US border.
reply by Sasha on 16-Nov-2011
    Lack of knowledge leads to lack of interest and add to that that the media seldom even mentions Canada unless it directly relates to something connected directly with the US certainly doesn't help. I like it here in Mexico, while it is not perfect the seldom focus on US news. CNN is the European version and only spends a fraction of the day on US issues. This is by no means perfect, but I will say that in Mexican schools that teach more about Canada than I ever learned in US Schools.
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Sasha it amazes me still how better informed Canadians are about the US than vice versa, but then again how well are Canadians informed about Mexico? If it weren't for tourism perhaps we might not be able to find it on a map....trying to be fair,
Comment from sasil
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Nice, poetic ending for this non-fiction essay, Ingrid. You've struck a fine balance in describing the differences between the nations and the gentle chiding. I would have to agree with you, actually, that many Americans aren't too interested in global politics...and those who are seem only concerned with knowing who holds sway over the oil and nukes (I can understand, to some degree.) Watching tv and newsprint is tedious: as Americans, we've had the wool pulled over our eyes so often by our own leaders, do we believe what we're told and shown anymore? Can we trust "the facts?" It's shameful and I have no answers or solutions.
I appreciate your diplomacy and kind regards for me and my fellow countrymen. I hope we never give you and yours cause to regret that.
God Bless us ALL!

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    I was very sincere in my comments about my beloved cousins. I don't understand calculus either, but that doesn't demean me. The reality is not displayed and all global citizens have concerns and fears. Just thought I'd give it a whirl to see if anyone would read an eassay about Canada.
Comment from Chrisfiore
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Hello SE, This was quite the educational piece. Having been here for over three years I have to admit I did not know much about Canada except what I had learned in world history. We Americans make fun of Canadians, but I think it has to do more with your ties to the crown, however ceremonial they may be. I try to explain this to my wife but the differences in our upbringing keeps her from understanding her American husband when it comes to how we view our freedom. Also, having lived in the south for 36 years, grits are an acquired taste and can be eaten in several different ways. My favorite is loose with lots of butter. ;) Chrisfiore

 Comment Written 15-Nov-2011


reply by the author on 15-Nov-2011
    Sounds like a scene with Pacino...."Last Tango in Paris"

    Or the lactose scene with Bogart...either way you know that you are welcome,rspected and honoured, due entirely to the gifts and knowledge you bring to Canada,

    If you sincerily love this woman, please try to stop being a superio American in her life.

    Be her husband and love he, because you schose to do so.

    Don't forgive her for being a Canadian honour her for her continued loyalty and adoration. You might have been born on Mars, we silly Canadians might still make room, even for those those that continue to ty to pretend there is a superior race, or country....be safe and enjoy your love.
reply by Chrisfiore on 16-Nov-2011
    You really think I act like a superior American? ouch ...
reply by the author on 16-Nov-2011
    Oh my, a little ego drifted off my screen. So, you think this is about ALL Americans? Hey, if you didn't live in Sudbury, there's lots you wouldn't have known. And, who used the word "superior" All right, I'll have some satrirical Canadian fun with you....would you say that superior and arrogant are similes? Ah, that felt good. Grits are simply 'Cream of Wheat' cereal you can buy in some stores in the cereal aisle....even in Canada...go in peace my American transplant.
reply by Chrisfiore on 16-Nov-2011
    hmm... saw superio and thought it was a typo in your original reply. Grits are made from corn.