Closer ties between U.S., Canada inevitable: Ridge

[Newsjock]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050422.wunion23/BNStory/International

By MICHAEL DEN TANDT
Saturday, April 23, 2005 Updated at 1:11 AM EST
From Saturday's Globe and Mail

OTTAWA — Canada and the United States will inevitably move toward closer economic integration, including a customs union, in response to the formation of major trading blocks around the world, former U.S. secretary of homeland security Tom Ridge said yesterday.

... On further economic integration — a hot-button issue for Canadian nationalists, who view it as a step toward political integration — Mr. Ridge said the two countries have little choice but to harmonize in areas such as external tariffs.

... More than any other prominent U.S. political figure — except perhaps Mr. Bush himself — Mr. Ridge is often characterized by the U.S. left as an architect of greater government intrusion into U.S. life, Mr. Ridge is frequently blamed for the more controversial aspects of the U.S. Patriot Act, including indefinite detentions with no access to judicial review.

Asked about this, Mr. Ridge laughed, then said, "Yeah, well, whatever." In fact, the Patriot Act was a Department of Justice initiative, he said. Although he agrees that its measures are necessary given the nature of the terrorist threat, he wasn't its architect, he added.

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[Maple]

1. Not as long as Bush

is in office, or any of the other rightwing flakes.

We talked about it under Clinton...it's not on the table anymore I'm afraid.

And here's a thought for Mr Ridge...we don't have to deepen relations with the US.

In a global world, we could join the EU or the Asian block just as easily. In fact, most Canadians would prefer that.

[ngGale]

7. Canada, do you realize you have oil reserves...

second only to Saudi Arabia - so watch out for this bunch!

[Massacure]

12. Except that they aren't nearly as cheap to use.

[cliss]

14. You beat me to it!

I was amazed to find out that Canada has huge oil reserves. It's one of the Top Ten worldwide.

Awesome news for the Canadians. I've always loved how the Canadians have tried really hard to keep some distance between themselves and their arrogant neighbor "down south".

[Lautremont]

2. Oh Tom Ridge, you little monkey.

I have this to say about your theory regarding closer Canada / U.S. integration: Yeah, well, whatever.

[CHIMO]

3. Be Careful For What One

Wishes for.

The divisions may not be noth/south. They may become east/west.

This may set up many different situations.

Look at the map.

[SweetLeftFoot]

Alberta

where all the oil is at is rather redneckly "American"

[davidinalameda]

4. Resistance is futile

are the Repukes planning on taking over Canada as well

[CHIMO]

5. No

Canada is taking over. Ridge says so.

[davidinalameda]

17. the US need the civilizing factor of the Canadians

[uppityperson]

6. Well That made me laugh.n/t

[Nothing Without Hope]

8. Oh yeah, RED FLAG here - Ridge: "the two countries have little choice"

What an utter fool. As if the Canadians would want anything to do with this corrupt, greedy, violent, stupid government. And as if they could hear Ridge's comments without outrage.

Go do something painful to yourself with your duct tape, Tom. It's bound to be an improvement.

[4MoreYearsOfHell]

9. Mr Ridge is a fool, but wasn't a bad governor

for a repuke, that is...

As far as better relations with Canada, bound to happen once we have so many more of our citizens moving there to escape the DipShit's upcoming draft...

[ConcernedCanuk]

10. "inevitably move toward closer economic integration" - WRONG

.
.
.

heck, the opposite is happening

Canada is diversifying its markets as a direct result of the US's fecking around with tariffs and so on

Just think lumber, steel, beef, and yeah - o-i-l.

Not just Venezuela is looking, and finding new markets for it's products.

China has already visited Canada in the recent past, specifically to pursue our petroleum resources.

Cuba recently renewed it's beef imports from Canada

Asia in general is interested in our lumber and steel - ya know - that stuff the US has been dinging us with tariffs for, and despite WTO decisions in Canada's favor, the US is litigating the decisions to death -

At the bottom line of all these industries are people who have to make a living, and if it's easier to sell to China, Russia, Cuba - whomever - then our next door "neighbour" can go pound salt for all I care.

Canada is moving AWAY from dealing with the US, and the US can only blame itself

Mr. Ridge, wake up

better yet,

go back to sleep, but keep ur yap shut!!

[cliss]

15. Here's a little-known story for you.

A few years ago, Castro decided he wanted to open up some salvage operations outside Cuba. It turns out that there are literally hundreds, maybe even thousands of shipwrecks around Cuba, from old pirate ships loaded with loot.

Since Cuba is not on friendly terms with the US, Castro made a contract with Canada and Russia to start salvaging the stuff. They would split the loot 50-50. On the first salvage operation, they struck the Mother Lode.

It appears that this little operation is going to bring in $billions$$ because of all the gold and other historical items. I'm sure the US is fuming over the whole thing.

So the bottom line is, the U.S. is losing contracts and good deals all over the world because of their attitude. Not only is the US losing about $8 billion per month in the Sinkhole called Iraq, but we are hemorraging to death financially in many other areas.

The house of cards is about to come down.

[chicagojoe]

11. Because I have ALWAYS loved our friends up north,

I say this: Keep the US government OUT of your business, Canada!
You do not need the US government meddling in your affairs. Our two nations have had a good relationship for a long time, and we need to keep it that way. The US government isn't doing a very good job in the US. How could it do a good job anywhere else?

[Darth_Kitten]

13. Sounds like a threat......

:scared:

[Spazito]

16. My bet is that Ridge belongs to the group that has been

advocating this for years with no results. It is a group of right wing Canadians and Americans who try to push this agenda ad nauseum. Canadians are totally protective of our sovereignty and maintaining our distinct difference.

It seems Mr. Ridge can't read Canadian polls, bush and anyone affiliated with him are despised by Canadians and, if anything, when he opens his pie hole he just increases the dislike so, go ahead, Mr. Ridge, keep talking.

[kitty1]

18. Watch the dynamic change in Canada/US relations with the upcoming

election. What you may not know is that we Canadians are in the midst of a huge government scandal that has been blown apart on the same parameters of Watergate. (The usual corruption and kick backs for favours) Within a couple of months, our current PM could very well be ousted and his place, a right wing conservative type by the name of Stephen Harper. A young and ambitious opposition leader from the heartland of Alberta. Very much an advocate of Bush's policies. He seems eager to please, and I think he would be more open to integration between our two countries on various levels. Including missile defense. I'm sure Ridge and his Washington buddies are eyeing the current politcal explosion here with interest.