It could be called the Second War of American Civil Differences, or SWAC II.
1812 was a tie. It was a no-win situation. Although after the war ended I do believe the British stopped force-conscripting of American sailors?
Vietnam was a defeat for the Americans. I don't care what the history textbooks say. I'll readily admit that the USA lost the war in Vietnam. Tie nothing.
Canada may not of lost a war that I know of, but then again they've never been the main focus of a war, they were just supporting actors for the wars they were involved in.
I think they actually signed a treaty about no warships in the Great Lakes since then. It wasn't a very good campaign either. The British rocked at first when the US navy had like two ships. And then the US built a lot of ships while the Brits sat on their asses. That campaign of course created Oliver Hazzard Perry who became very famous though if the Brits were slightly smarter and actually wanted to win the war they could've kicked his ass.
And you only burned down the Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada in York, current Toronto. The main Parliament Buildings in Quebec stayed safe and sound.
The British Empire won because the US tried to take over Canada. Status Quo is still a victory for the defender.
And the force-conscripting along with the blockade of French ports stopped in late 1812 or early 1813. The US just continued the war until the end of 1814 for some reason I forget.
And Canada has had 4 Rebellions two of them were while it was still a member of the British Empire. It's just that they were all glorified bar brawls that nobody knows about them. Not like the US. When they go about getting civil wars they don't go half-assed.
Yeah I'll admit it was a tie. Well for Canada and the US. The people who lost were the Native Americans.
The Lower Canada Rebellion of 1837 was a bit more than a glorified bar brawl. It just didn't last long as after they got their success in an actually gun battle they got slaughtered. And like the.
And the treaty banning naval ships on the Great Lakes was the Rush-Baggot treaty (or something like that I think) but I'm also pretty sure it wasn't until around 30 years after the war. For some reason 1846 rings a bell. Right around the time that the treaty between the US and Britain over Oregon Country and giving the south half to the US, north part staying in British hands.
Here's my 2 cents on the illegal immigrantion bit.
I would have no problem if they declared themselves and signed up for guest worker program, which is one of the things that's being proposed to be set up. HOWEVER:
1. They must learn English (especially if they plan on becoming actual citizens) 2. They must not have committed certain crimes (murder, drug selling/use, etc. Excluded would be the crime of them coming into the country in the first place).
If they can't fulfill those two things then they can forget about being able to stay here. I can understand the need for them to feed their families and the (sadly) apparent need for cheap labor in our work force. Those that cry 'we are not criminals' guess what: THEY ARE CRIMINALS! Why? Because they came into the uncountry illegally. That is a crime! What is so hard to understand about that?
Firstly, I believe that the border patrol should receive a huge injection of funds with which to beef up security and build some sort of real fencline along our southern border. They should also receive permission shoot people attempting to cross the border illegally. Yes, I said shoot. Maybe you could rubber-bullet them, or something, but IMO the crossing should stop.
Secondly, our immigration system should be worked over to allow guest workers to enter and work more easily, if they wish. I'm not too up on what goes on with immigration as it is though, so I'm just talking here. People say it's difficult, so make it easier. We need cheap labor to work the fields.
Thirdly, people who hire illegal immigrants should be receiving their fines. No hiring without proper documentation.
Fourth, current immigrants should be able to apply for papers. If you're caught without papers ship'm to a facility. Check to see if they've applied, if not, ship'm back. There ought to be a mercy time, dunno how long, but some amount of time so people can have a chance to file for papers. They're here, they might as well get with the program.
English. Primary language. Period. If I immigrate to mexico I'll learn Hispanic. If I immigrate to Canada I'll learn Canadanese. If you move to America, you learn American English.
Fourth, members of the judicial system who are unwilling to enforce the law (constitution) need to be removed from office. Maybe taken out back and shot. Dunno. No room for that kind of shite, at all. Judges enforce the law. They do not make it. Handing down bench law should be grounds for .... judicial excommunication. Declothment. Whatever they call it.
Ironically I had a conversation about this previously as well. As I read my post I see I'm a bit wound up.
Canada, under the Bristish Empire and now, has always maintained a standing professional army, the members of which have typically been trained in a plethora of trades relative to the field, thus; able to train conscripts in times of conflict. This is not always the case, it is a generalization, but it is mostly accurate.
Prior to both World Wars, Canada, as a British Colony and member of the Commonwealth (the political climates of course widely varied), had a small force of proficent soldiers who were able to influence new recruits. Many of these professional soldiers were either British, French-Canadian, and American, but the point remains true. We have not recently found ourselves in peace-time where it has been required to maintain such large forces as the Americans and others have... however; that is a direct result of these countries doing exactly what they have. But when the time comes...
Maybe not. What do I know.
But even prior to that, traditionally speaking, much of Canada's historical armies have been comprised of multi-cultural conscripted forces. Native Americans, Irish, Polish, Scots, French, And on and On and On... all for King and Country.
I wonder if we would fare the same, what with things the way they are, were we forced to take up arms for some glorious cause... heh...
