Explain to me all this Quebec thing.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
Question to people that have a clue about mediterranean people: it's a given they're lazy and unable, but is their lack of ability to make a good joke a common characteristic? What about the inability to get other people's jokes? Or the ever so apparent wish to be told what to do by other peoples?

yes, sure ecthelinaki, fire on.

I totally forgot about megalomania, but what the heck

Since when is defening one's country against fascists megalomania?

Is it true that pedophilia is a part of Greek culture by constitutional laws? Sick minds there...

you are an ammateur in trolling little boy

[Bereta_Eder]

Re: Re: Germany got fooked up good in WW1 & WW2

Originally posted by Ecthelion


Go whine to your pasha, maybe he'll be kind when the next poll tax is due

I'm sorry but do you enjoy reading Nazi textbooks?


Look, I wasn't insulted by you, but for some reason you decided to attack me.

If there is something that you have to tell me do so.
I have no intention of starting a flame war. You are too easy to troll.

But if I did something that offended you just say so.

[notyoueither]

The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Many years ago, more than you have fingers and toes, the British conquered Quebec. The Territory, the city, and the cr*pper. It is rumoured that they deployed secret Wolf units to overcome the French.

Poor George (the funny guy with the pointy thing on his head in London) didn't have enough soldiers to go around so the British had to rule their new lands without p*ssing off Le Habitants (sp). So they allowed them to continue to enjoy most of their laws, customs and religion.

At the time of the American War of Independence (Revolution to the rest of us in the Empire) there was a Lower Canada and an Upper Canada as British colonies stretching from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of St. Lawrence (down the river in simple terms). The settlers of Lower Canada were British in laws, customs and religion(s). The people of Upper Canada preferred to debate the finer points of philosophy with the beaver in French. The two Canada's (along with the British Maritime colonies) quite sensibly declined to participate with the American colonies in their revolt. The British colonies thought tea is for drinking. While Le Habitants just think that all Anglos are crazy and would have nothing to do with a band of rebels who didn't speak French.

So by 1865 you have Quebec (Upper Canada) and Ontario (Lower Canada) along with New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island getting around to discussing a Confederation. Good idea. One problem. Remember those terms that the British afforded the inhaibants of the conquered Quebec? Yeah, them. Well, they had been made official through various acts of Parliament over the years and Jean and Joan were not going to give them up. At any rate, the discussions proved fruitful and differences were glossed over.

Thus in 1867 the Dominion of Canada came into being. Only thing was that the French fact was recognized in the constitution. To this day, in any part of Canada, anybody is entitled by law to an education in French. Yes, even if you're the only French family for 1000 miles. This gives some local authorities some difficulties from time to time.

Things went really well for a long time. Mostly. There were bumbs in the road, but the Dominion grew and prospered. Before long there were 9 provinces stretched from sea to sea. Settlement of the West was accomplished by both British and French citizens along with many people directly from various European and Asian countries. So you see, the French are everywhere, however they are only a majority in Quebec.

The multi-cultural politics of Canada are very complex. They defy a simple explanation. What I have mentioned is the background for how they came to be. Will Quebec leave? That is the question that a lot of us want answered with some finality. The question has been on the burner since the 1960's. The only probable certainty is that the Quebec nationalists will try again. But maybe not. The generations age. Perhaps the younger people of Quebec will lose interest.

[Bereta_Eder]

Sorry all this is too complicated for me simple mind.

Plus it is written in a boring way


hmmm ok I guess thanks

[notyoueither]

Let me put it simpler for you.

They are French. They are everywhere. You should hide your silver. Beware.

[Bereta_Eder]

Well you should be happy.

In the Balkans if someone wants to separate there is war.


So cheer up lad

Your troubles look frivolous and entertaining to me
Around me people die for what you casually discuss and vote for.

[notyoueither]

Very good points. Although a very few people have died as a result of violence associated with Quebec nationalism. I think the total is less than 10.

The government of Canada did a very effective job of drawing the line when the movement tried to go big-league by killing a Quebec Cabinet minister and kidnapping a British diplomat. They called out the army, declared martial law, and arrested anyone and everyone associated with the movement. That action, and the innate decency of most of the French population of Quebec put the kaibosh on plans of violent revolution. Very unCanadian.

It would still be a shame though if they do leave. It will mean the failure of one of the heretofore more successfully blended political units. Look at it this way, if Canadians can't figure out how to live together, who else will? Aside from the Swiss.

The EU is an encouraging sign though. Hopefully the people of Quebec will notice it.

Good luck in your region. I know a lot of Canadians are familiar with the difficulties there.

[Asher]

Originally posted by Ecthelion
Are you really that lowly educated about geogrpahy outside of Europe? Greece even? Ontario only exists there.

No, there is an Ontario, California.

[Asher]

Here's the thing with Quebec:

It's mostly French. French people are whiners at heart.

Quebec gets more money from the Federal government than it gives, and it still whines for more.
Quebec is allowed to retain the civil code, and it still whines.
The country is officially bilingual, and it still whines.

Nothing will ever satisfy Quebec, and they don't really contribute anything of value to the country.

They seem to be under the impression that the rest of Canada cares that they want to separate. I say go for it, good riddance to bad rubbish.

[MrFun]

Re: The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Originally posted by notyoueither
The two Canada's (along with the British Maritime colonies) quite sensibly declined to participate with the American colonies in their revolt. The British colonies thought tea is for drinking. While Le Habitants just think that all Anglos are crazy and would have nothing to do with a band of rebels who didn't speak French.

Nah, the Canadians were just being whimps by not joining our righteous, glorious revolution.

[notyoueither]

Re: Re: The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Ahh, there goes Asher dispelling my carefully crafted illusion that all Canadians are patient and reasonable people.

To be honest 40 years of this debate hanging over our heads, and 2 referenda on the issue in Quebec have exhausted the patience of many. Take heart Asher, I've seen reports that a large majority of younger Quebecois (sp?) are very happy to be Canadian. Now if we could get their governments to stop extorting the rest of the country, things could get back to normal.

Originally posted by MrFun
Nah, the Canadians were just being whimps by not joining our righteous, glorious revolution.

Last time I checked loyalty was not a vice.

Besides, there had to be some place to go for all the Tories who left the 13 colonies. United Empire Loyalists as they were called, flooded Ontario. There is a reason that many in Toronto seem to be more English than the English.

I guess you won't have to invade now to find your answers.

[MrFun]

Re: Re: Re: The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Originally posted by notyoueither

Last time I checked loyalty was not a vice.

Hah!!!!!

Those goodie-goodie, whimpy, whining Canadians can take their historical loyalty to Great Britain and shove it up their . . . . . . .

[RedFred]

notyou has done a good job of summarizing. It is worth noting that the French are not confined to Quebec. The Acadians form a sizeable minority throughout the Maritimes. I believe New Brunswick has the most and is the only officially bilingual province.

There used to be other scattered French settlements throughout the county, particularly farming communities in the Praries. Recently they seem to be becoming more Anglified though.

One thing that many first time visitors coming to Canada remark on with surprise is the ethnic diversity. We are not a nation of English, French and natives. We never were. We are a nation of immigrants. The big cities in particular are exceptionally ethnically and linguistically diverse. IIRC most people living in Toronto have at least one foriegn-born parent or grandparent.

[notyoueither]

Re: Re: Re: Re: The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Originally posted by MrFun
Hah!!!!!

Those goodie-goodie, whimpy, whining Canadians can take their historical loyalty to Great Britain and shove it up their . . . . . . .

Like when we shoved it up your capitol? Weren't very wimpy in 1812 were we?

But really, we were British then, so I guess I shouldn't say we. Except for all the Canadian militias that participated.

Relax. It was an almost exclusively British regular force that sacked Washington DC. It really wasn't us at all. Mind pointing that tank somewhere else? Please?

[MrFun]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: The Division of Canada: The Short Course

Originally posted by notyoueither


Like when we shoved it up your capitol? Weren't very wimpy in 1812 were we?

But really, we were British then, so I guess I shouldn't say we. Except for all the Canadian militias that participated.

Relax. It was an almost exclusively British regular force that sacked Washington DC. It really wasn't us at all. Mind pointing that tank somewhere else? Please?

Reminds me of a harmless poodle yipping at a huge German Shepherd.

Guess whose the harmless poodle in this case??