Richards 0 #1 May 19, 2006 QuoteHoward lauds U.S. in commons Anti-terrorism speech Article Tools Printer friendly E-mail Font: * * * * Mike Blanchfield, CanWest News Service Published: Friday, May 19, 2006 OTTAWA - The United States is a "power for good" and those who wish it had less influence in the world "should be careful what you wish for," Australian Prime Minister John Howard told a joint session of Parliament yesterday. The unabashedly pro-American sentiment brought boisterous applause from Conservatives but was met with stony silence from the NDP and Bloc Quebecois and muted support from the Liberal benches. Mr. Howard's address to a joint gathering of MPs, unelected senators, justices of the supreme court and military leaders opened a three-day visit to Ottawa after almost a week in the United States, making him the first government leader to visit the new Harper government. Mr. Howard's speech in the House of Commons also came one day after a lengthy and at times angry debate about Canada's continued military involvement in Afghanistan, one that was peppered with anti-American rhetoric from some of the opposition benches. As Mr. Howard came to the close of a 23-minute address that lauded the common economic, environmental and security interests of Canada and Australia, he said he wanted to conclude with a few words about "the role of United States in the affairs of the world." "Australia, as you know, is an unapologetic friend and ally of the United States," he began. "I have always taken the view, and the majority of my fellow countrymen the same, that the United States has been a remarkable power for good in the world and that the decency and hope that power and purpose of the United States represents to the world is something that we should deeply appreciate." Mr. Howard said the United States shares with Australia and Canada a belief in spreading democracy, individual liberty and free enterprise where the less fortunate are protected by a social safety net. "I would have for those around the world who would want to see a reduced American role in the affairs of our globe, some quiet advice, and that is: Be careful what you wish for, because a retreating America will leave a more vulnerable world." The night before, the NDP, in particular, had harsh words for Canada's continued involvement in the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom, the anti-terror mission in Afghanistan that is due to transfer to NATO command this summer. Mr. Howard is one of the few foreign leaders that Prime Minister Stephen Harper met before winning power. The fact he is the first foreign leader to visit is no coincidence. Mr. Howard has won three majority governments, and his right-leaning Liberal- National coalition served as a political model for Mr. Harper's recent election success. Australia has 1,400 troops in Iraq, and while Canada did not join the U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein in 2003, Mr. Howard said he did not come to Canada "to dwell on that." One day after the Conservatives squeaked out a 149-145 victory in the Commons to extend Canada's military participation in Afghanistan to 2009, Mr. Howard spoke forcefully about the need to fight terrorism. "Terrorism will not be defeated by nuancing our foreign policy. Terrorism will not be defeated by rolling ourselves into a small ball, going into a corner and imagining that somehow or other we will escape notice," he said. "Terrorism will only be defeated by a combination of strong intelligence, military action where appropriate, and importantly the spread of democracy, particularly among Islamic countries," he said, noting the changes that have occurred in Indonesia, Australia's massive Pacific Ocean neighbour, which has the world's largest Muslim population. © National Post 2006 Given all the rampant anti-US sentiment that seems to be everywhere in the media, it is nice to see someone say something positive about them for a change. I am not trying to flag-wave but I do think that the US seems to always be the whipping boy. I am not suggesting that the US is perfect, however I do think the average American really means well when it comes to the rest of the world yet they always seem to be on everyones shitlist. Nice to see them get some positive recognition. Cheers, Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian3576 0 #2 May 19, 2006 Quotehowever I do think the average American really means well when it comes to the rest of the world i actually laughed out aloud at this bit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vortexring 0 #3 May 20, 2006 Mate - there are hidden agenda's in those speach's - sorry you feel everyone puts USA on there shitlist - certain US attitudes drive me/rest of global population fu***ng mad - but despite pissing us(west - europe - uk) off - we dont properly hate you. And we might take the piss - but we dont hate you. Your attitudes in relation to international affairs generally fucking stink - but we really dont hate you guys. But your politicians/forces have to sort this attitude out - and soon!!!!!!!!!!!!! Because one day we might not be so forgiving - then we're all in the shit...... And I've not even mentioned the middle east yet! 'for it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' "chuck 'im out, the brute!" But it's "saviour of 'is country" when the guns begin to shoot.' Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skydyvr 0 #4 May 20, 2006 QuoteQuotehowever I do think the average American really means well when it comes to the rest of the world i actually laughed out aloud at this bit Thanks for sharing this info about yourself. . . =(_8^(1) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brian3576 0 #5 May 20, 2006 QuoteQuoteQuotehowever I do think the average American really means well when it comes to the rest of the world i actually laughed out aloud at this bit Thanks for sharing this info about yourself. no worries Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Richards 0 #6 May 20, 2006 Quotei actually laughed out aloud at this bit Why? I am not American and yet most Americans I have met were genuinely nice people. I think most people who have a dislike for their foreign policy tend to attribute that to every American. Whenever I have visited the US I found that they did not support the stereotype that I was expecting based on all the propaganda. I often found that they were quite objective about their foreign policy (some agreed, some disagreed), and very reasonable. Maybe I have just been lucky but most of the ones I met seemed to be very kind people. Have you had experiences that would suggest otherwise (personal experience, not just what you hear in the news)? Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Richards 0 #6 May 20, 2006 Quotei actually laughed out aloud at this bit Why? I am not American and yet most Americans I have met were genuinely nice people. I think most people who have a dislike for their foreign policy tend to attribute that to every American. Whenever I have visited the US I found that they did not support the stereotype that I was expecting based on all the propaganda. I often found that they were quite objective about their foreign policy (some agreed, some disagreed), and very reasonable. Maybe I have just been lucky but most of the ones I met seemed to be very kind people. Have you had experiences that would suggest otherwise (personal experience, not just what you hear in the news)? Richards My biggest handicap is that sometimes the hole in the front of my head operates a tad bit faster than the grey matter contained within. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
