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Guest column

Meathead Style Anti-Americanism

by Timothy White

January 6, 2003

The anti-Americanism we are seeing in Canada of late reminds me of the 60s anti-establishment that was prevalent in white middle class youth of the time. This was the same generation whose parents worked hard, risked and in some cases sacrificed their lives in WWII to provide for their flower children. While basking in the fruits of American culture and affluence they inherited, many of these baby boomers spat at "greatest generation" in a pious and righteous manner as though their parents were the most shameful generation. How this whole movement took place is only speculative. Perhaps it’s like the celebrity children syndrome where the child desperately seeks to find his or her place in society, shadowed by the famous parents.

Here in Canada some 35 years later, there seems to be a parallel at large. We have certainly swung considerably left of center, no doubt in part due to members of this "Me Generation" that now holds high positions in public office, editorial rooms, courts, etc. While we bask in the comforts of American affluence, culture and protectionism, there seems to be a desperate attempt in this country to proclaim a Canadian identity other than hockey. Hockey is too much of a metaphor symbolizing imperialism for the new intolerant, I mean tolerant left. According to them, Canada’s role on the world’s stage should be that of critic pitted against the very fruits of Americana it indulges in; like Meathead on the TV stage: All In the Family.

As for the recent comments made by Pat Buchanan, I had to laugh. I know it is considered high treason if you don’t hate this guy; however I see comedy here. This whole anti-American thing in Canada and Buchanan’s remarks remind me of the verbal exchanges on All in the Family . Meathead plays the ungrateful hippie who does nothing except hassle and criticize poor old Archie while sponging off the hard working WWII vet. Naturally Archie snaps back once in awhile, just like Buchanan.

I used to laugh at Archie, but now I find myself laughing with him as the political table has turned with time. Likewise the joke is on the anti-American Meatheads in Canada in addition to the recent floundering of the Mike Ferrel crowd in Hollywood, who pouted when the media didn’t give them all the attention that their thesbian insecurity yearns for. They should have used Sean Penn to beat up reporters for NOT taking pictures. Like Mash reruns,’ All in the Family's liberal message is just that, rerun. Eat your heart out producer Norman Lear.

Buchanan knows more about Canadian politics than most Americans, which you’d think, might give him some credibility here in Canada. Isn’t that our biggest beef about Americans: that they don’t know anything about us? Buchanan certainly does. But how dare he criticize Canada! This is blasphemy to the omni-benevolence of Canada, which should never be questioned! At least that’s what the arrogant left who run this country contend. And so we Canadians are looked upon more and more as the Michael Stivicks (Meathead) and Americans are scoffing at us. Even the Toronto Star reported not long ago that "the rest of the world doesn’t think Canada has all its marbles" (Slinger, 12-12-02).

I hope Canadian jokes are not the new thing replacing the old politically incorrect Polock jokes in the States. You wonder when all Canadians are forced to be represented by our government and media who unwittingly boast that a Yale graduate became the most powerful person in the world because he’s stupid? How dumb is that? Please Mr. Prime Minister, don’t let the world laugh at us.