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Emperor Bush Comes To Canada! - Dec. 1, 2004

 
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Maurice
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PostPosted: Sat Jul 29, 2006 5:28 am    Post subject: Emperor Bush Comes To Canada! - Dec. 1, 2004 Reply with quote

Emperor Bush Comes To Canada!


By Maurice Ali, Journalist



You may think this is actually George Bush, but it is just a prop for the event!


President George W. Bush made his first official visit to Canada today (November 30, 2004) amid much controversy. Greeted to the many waves of five fingers and "one" finger (he actually acknowledged the five finger), George W. Bush started his two day visit to Canada that would see him travel to Ottawa to meet politicians and then to Halifax to thank the people for their help housing stranded Americans during 911. His visit to Parliament was cancelled due to fears of heckling by politicians as in the grand tradition of Canadian politics. This could have proved interesting, but his handlers wanted no part of it. Second note of this visit is how he made arrangements; he simply said he was coming without any regard to Prime Minister Martin's schedule at the time. No matter, this was President Bush, the most powerful man in the world; or as some called him: Emperor Bush.....


Another prop at the protest.

Mr. Bush was unapologetic about his foreign policy; he said he does what he thinks is right and will continue to do so. That statement solidified the major friction point between the two countries as Canada went to war in Afghanistan, but refused to enter into the war in Iraq. The problems continued into trade issues where settlements on lumber and beef will probably continue to remain at the same impasse (however, the trip is still ongoing as I write this and anything can happen, just don't hold your breath). Mrs. Bush met with Mrs. Martin and visited some cultural centers in Ottawa.


A speech at the podium.

This is all much like any visit by a sitting president in the past, but the final arrival of Mr. Bush to Canada was a flash point to protestors frustrated with American foreign policy and domestic issues from civil liberties under the Patriot Act to Gay marriage. A large protest was arranged to meet President Bush in Ottawa today and reports of up to 20,000 participants were said to be at the site behind the usual barriers and police. I stayed in Toronto, and covered the local action that was taking place at the U.S Consulate in downtown Toronto.


The candlelight vigil begins.

The days are short at this time of the year; and the planned protest at 6:00PM would be held in darkness. "Bring Candles" was the cry at the notices a week earlier; but I never found out the reason for the candlelight vigil, there could be so many reasons..... The group seemed to be as large as the group that had been at the "End The Occupation" protest earlier in the year. As usual, it was organized by the "Stop The War" action group. The NDP (a socialist party in Canada and part of the minority government at this time) and it's usual support of these events was lacking in visual support. No NDP signs this time. However, Jack Layton (leader of the NDP) gets high marks for speaking at the Ottawa protest and then meeting with Bush and voicing his opposition to the planned missile defence system for North America. Whatever view you have of the politics, you have to appreciate the guy for sticking to his views and those who supported him. As an aside; former Prime Minister Jean Chretien was at an event held for President Bush and was totally ignored by Bush who just brushed past the former Canadian Prime Minister without even offering a hand shake. There does not seem any hope of these two personalities ever mending their disagreements any time soon. Anyway, back to the protest in Toronto.....


Poignant signs at this protest.

Groups of all sorts came to the Toronto protest to voice their displeasure at Bush. It really seems that they hate the man and his policies and not America in general and certainly not the American people. George Bush frustrates and angers like no other person except, quite possibly, Osama Bin Laden..... So just what is it about President Bush, that evokes such anger apart from the policies of his government. I think I may have the answer.

George Bush, in my personal opinion, is a man who has taken America in a backward step in culturalization. He used the events of 911 to evoke nationalism, racism, religious intolerance, an "us against them" mentality, degradation of civil liberties, imperialism and most important of all: Fear! These are backward steps in any society and were always the precursors to the worst of regimes such as Nazi Germany, WW2 Italy and WW2 Japan as some of the more notable examples. America has not reached that level yet but the state of that nation can not be ignored. Many mock the President for not being an intellectual, for mispronouncing words and his general lack of understanding of foreign cultures. Many were flabbergasted at George Bush's win in the 2004 election and how Congress became even stronger on the Republican side with George Bush as leader. But you must understand that George Bush never needed to be a savvy intellectual President; he does not relate to his supporters in this way; he relates on an emotional and religious manner.

George Bush plays on American fear. George Bush plays on American patriotism. He holds the military in high esteem and uses it as a symbol of American might and power, instead of American idealism such as rights and individualism as it's most powerful characteristics. He is a "born again" Christian and holds his religious beliefs above others, he really does not want a secular society. He is the poster boy for tribalism in a basic way and uses it to do what he and his regime wish and to quell dissent.


More signs at this protest.

In any event, he is the U.S. President for the next four years and many will just have to live with that fact. Many Americans, concerned over the direction George Bush and his group are taking America, fought a hard campaign to get him out of the White House. Many actually cried when he was re-elected to a second term. I sympathize with these Americans as I know America is better than it is under George W. Bush. What lies in store is anyone's guess. An emperor does whatever he wishes. Emperor George W. Bush!


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