U.S. ambassador fires salvo at Canadian Prime Minister Martin

[Thom Little]

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper went on the election offensive Tuesday announcing a defence policy that includes a new airborne battalion of paratroopers, while Prime Minister Paul Martin found himself defending his comments after a stinging attack from the U.S. ambassador to Canada.

.......

Harper’s announcement came hours before David Wilkins,the U.S. ambassador to Canada, fired a salvo at the prime minister, saying Martin is risking one of the world’s best relationships by playing politics.
Martin has repeatedly criticized the U.S. over softwood lumber and environmental policies during the election campaign.

“To the reticent nations, including the United States, I’d say there ... is such a thing as a global conscience and now is the time to listen to it,” he said during last week’s UN conference in Montreal.

Those comments drew a stern warning from Wilkins to back off the election rhetoric.

“It may be smart election-year politics to thump your chest and criticize your friend and your No. 1 trading partner constantly,” he warned. “But it is a slippery slope, and all of us should hope that it doesn’t have a long-term impact on the relationship.”


http://www.canada.com/national/features/decisioncanada/story_05.html?id=e7c69629-fdcc-4e04-9f86-edb30014b22d

[tanyev]

1. Oooooo, a slippery slope.

That's pretty rough language, Ambassador Wilkins. I bet they're really skeered now.

[roguevalley]

2. fuck the American ambassador. the bastard. O Canada. Can I come

live with you for about, oh, three years?

[ClusterFreak]

3. Message to Wilkins:

Go fuck yourself. Go fuck your stern warning. Go fuck your slippery slope.


Love,
Canada

[tanyev]

5. Hey, Chimpy!

How's the weather right now? Hubby and I are headed up there for Christmas. He's from Canada; I'm a Texan who is desperately praying that it will be as lovely and unseasonably warm as it was two years ago. Yes, I'm a WIMP!

[ClusterFreak]

7. Weather sucks!!

January/February temperatures off and on since November. Too damn cold!!
In other words....it's Canada in the wintertime!! ;-) Enjoy your stay!:P

[tanyev]

8. Darn. Shouldn't have asked.

Better pack the heavy sweaters.

[tuvor]

4. Dear America,

Next time, would you please send us diplomat who knows what "diplomacy" means?

[melody]

6. We didn't send him, Chimpy did

And he doesn't even know how to ride a self-balancing scooter (other than Libby, I mean).
You guys are pretty much out of luck for three more years.

[tuvor]

9. Nah, it's Wilkins who's out of luck.

Three more years of Canadians telling him to stuff it, and making him wish he got a cushy ambassadorship in Monaco or something instead.

[SpiralHawk]

10. A Global Conscience?

Yes, but not a BushCo NeoCon conscience.

So don't bother spouting any more high-minded rhethoric.

This is brass knuckles and Skull & Bones in close combat.

No rules.

Winner take all.

You are either With US, or you are Against US -- and therefore EVIL.

America: Love it or leave it.

OBEY NOW or we will send Condi north on a Diplomatic Charm Mission.

[Spazito]

11. ROFL, as usual the bush admin misfires yet again

Far from defending himself, Martin will gain from this faux pas from Wilkins. Canadians despise bush and his cabal and with Martin appearing to talk tough, it will work well for him and against Harper the faux Con candidate, gotta love that!

[daleo]

12. This will just hand more votes to Martin

It is just stupid for the U.S. ambassador to get involved in our election. The comments will backfire - a nice little present for Martin.