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Sorry. Sincerely, thank you Jeanne. Oh... there might be some good news in the hitchBOT saga. (Canadians, even the robots, are quite resilient) The friendly Canadian hitchhiking robot that met its untimely end on the hard streets of Philadelphia might be given another chance at life. HitchBOT's co-creators say they have been overwhelmed with support and offers to revive the child-sized robot since it was destroyed early Saturday and they are considering rebuilding it. Since word got out, thousands of supporters have taken to social media to express their sadness and outrage: "I am incensed. I hope the perpetrators are found and punished. Long live the good memories. Hope to see you reincarnated soon!" wrote one Twitter user. "If I could drive, I would have personally helped you across the USA and kept you safe," added another. source: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/03/canadian-hitchbot-creators-mull-rebuild-after-beloved-robot-destroyed-in-philly_n_7923614.html

I do unapologetically correct incorrect information in posts regarding Canada. I do have (I think) a world-view. I know I use sarcasm as a vehicle of humour, which is very much a Canadian trait. If you have taken all that to be bashing, again my apology. It is unfortunate that a thread intended to create some laughs and generate some witty repartee has become so serious. I'll try better in the future. Oh, and BTW, my first grandchild (a boy), arrived at 12:52am today. And that's not a joke.

Kindly see post#8.

My apology if I've presented myself as sharing that sentiment. I have my opinions, but that's not one of them. I do happen to know that being Canadian is better, though. (smile... that was a joke, for crying out loud)

Perhaps we can get your lesson added to our textbooks, because apparently it's not been taught to the Europeans or Canadians who chose to leave the little fellow unharmed, and rather helped him on his way. Thanks

Poor little fellow would have been fine if he'd only had a gun and a bible. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/08/01/hitchbot-us-demise_n_7919122.html

In what type of American office is a picture of a woman clothed in a bra and tee shirt considered Not Safe For Work? Wow, what an uptight bunch

Yes, but I think their Canadian cousins offer-up stiff competition. (snip) Are Canadian voters really that lazy and stupid? Well, apparently... Yes. A response to an inflammatory statement from a Swiss poster with an equally critical redirection towards Canada is... enlightening.I think you missed the point. Why would someone like Ford draw such support, despite his obvious shortcomings? Perhaps because people are fed up with the usual brand of career politician? It's a sad day when so many voters feel a foul-mouthed alcoholic drug abuser is actually more likely to represent their interests than the slick party hacks are. I think this question has been answered by previous posters, but I think it's unlikely the electorate was aware of his "obvious shortcomings" prior to achieving that office. Keep in mind that Mayor Ford was only successful in ONE mayoralty bid. I don't know. He has fallen from the national news cycle, so perhaps somebody from TO could tell you. How constructive. Thank you. John

Yes, but I think their Canadian cousins offer-up stiff competition. (snip) Are Canadian voters really that lazy and stupid? Well, apparently... Yes. A response to an inflammatory statement from a Swiss poster with an equally critical redirection towards Canada is... enlightening.

I respectfully disagree. Instead of blaming the politicians, (or similar & familiar scapegoats such as the liberal media, or the neo-cons, or voter fraud, or religious nuts, or whatever the latest bugaboo is), the electorate must ultimately bear full responsibility for their actions, or inaction, at the ballot box. If the candidates platforms and messages are unsuitable to the electorate, PROVE IT... at the ballot box. Bickering at and calling each other childish names from across the political divide solves absolutely nothing.

Where I place the blame Sorry.

"How sad a world it is when what even those of us outside America see the campaign for what should be regarded as the sublime office of the presidency of the greatest democracy in the world brought down to a spectacle not much more dignified than the Housewives of Beverly Hills, and of less class than the clammy gropings of The Bachelorette." (Rex Murphy - National Post, Canada 07/24/15) NB: He wasn't speaking only of Trump, or even one party exclusively. In his opinion, there is plenty of blame to be shared. As for me, I'm just tired of all the petty and childish squabbling. In both our cases though, we are foreigners and as such are acutely aware that "it's none of our damned concern". source: http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/rex-murphy-dont-blame-trump-blame-america

I guess it's some consolation that other sports (like paragliding) have their Scott Lutz's too.

Maybe because even for a kid born in Calgary, it is a mouthful? (Cruz was born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where his parents, Eleanor Elizabeth Darragh Wilson and Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, were working in the oil business source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz#Early_life) Just because someone is born outside the US doesn't make them a foreigner. I personally know of two US citizens born overseas (one is a sibling). Only the US has citizenship via the birth canal. mh . Yes, I was aware of that. My post was intended tongue-in-cheek while acknowledging the sorry constituency who exhausted so much energy attempting to derail the Kenyan Muslim's candidacy. I should have been more clear. J

Maybe because even for a kid born in Calgary, it is a mouthful? (Cruz was born on December 22, 1970, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where his parents, Eleanor Elizabeth Darragh Wilson and Rafael Bienvenido Cruz, were working in the oil business source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Cruz#Early_life)

Perhaps even sooner than I thought when I composed that original post: "An American-owned water export company has launched a massive lawsuit against Canada for preventing it from exporting fresh water from British Columbia. Sun Belt Water Inc. of California is suing Canada for $10.5 billion US, the Canadian foreign ministry said Friday. The suit has been filed under Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement." source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/u-s-firm-sues-canada-for-10-5-billion-over-water-1.180821 As an aside, I'm sick of listening to certain US politicians & business leaders constantly vilifying NAFTA, yet righteously support US corporations that use it when they feel it is to their advantage.

Truer words have not been spoken!

From the perspective of an outsider who watches the political and foreign policy machinations of our neighbor... I would suggest that as long as the parties continue to exclude bright new people with fresh(er) idea, they will both continue to wallow along, your country will remain at sea without a good hand on the tiller, and the more-informed citizenry will continue to grow more disillusioned. just one example: source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Huntsman,_Jr.#Post-campaign_politics In closing I simply must add... Donald Trump? Really America? Frack, just shoot me now...

Apparently he has around 20 skydives. I'm sure he has GoPro footage available for media licensing... Source: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/calgary-man-soars-over-city-in-lawn-chair-attached-to-helium-balloons-1.3139591

It depresses me further that the first reply to my post is utter nonsense. Do you delight in reading about such horrific events in the news as they in some way support your view that the end is nigh? There have been countless people like yourself for millennia, all forecasting that the end of the world is coming soon. You know what every single one of them had in common? They were wrong. You are too, or are you arrogant enough to believe that whilst the thousands who came before were wrong, you are right? With responses like the one above you honestly come across as every bit as brainwashed as the members of ISIL. Remember the reasons that these people are committing such atrocities is in the name of religion and their god. See my signature line for further details. THANK YOU! j

Rush - one of my countries finest exports. Neal Peart, drummer - also an author. For years I have given copies of his memoir Ghost Rider: Travels on the Healing Road to friends who have suffered a life-altering loss. Well written, deeply introspective, and learning how live again after tragic loss(es). I strongly recommend it! It also makes a good read for bikers, if just for the travelogue. (more about the book - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_Rider:_Travels_on_the_Healing_Road) Unrelated to the book, here are two decent CBC segments with Neal: Neil Peart interview part 1: motorcycles and writing Neil Peart dropped by CBC Music to chat to Jesse Kinos-Goodin about motorcycles, touring and writing his new book Far and Near: On Days Like These. link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTNQXCtlMV0 Neil Peart interview part 2: 40 years of Rush Neil Peart, the legendary drummer of Rush, and Jesse Kinos-Goodin sit down for an in-depth discussion in this CBC Music exclusive about his literary influences, his new book Far and Near, changing his drumming style, the Foo Fighters, why Tom Sawyer will "never be easy" and more. link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H69J9yHan3w

FWIW, speaking of beef and water... The US has been putting up additional hurdles for years to reduce the export of Canadian beef to the US. I believe this is the third and final ruling from the World Court: "Canada, Mexico win final round in battle against US meat-label rules" "The United States has used and exhausted all possible means to avoid its international obligations,” said a statement from Canada’s agriculture and trade ministers." source: http://globalnews.ca/news/2004037/canada-mexico-win-final-round-in-battle-against-us-meat-label-rules/ Not that it matters much. IIRC, I think we're still waiting for our money to be refunded (20 years on) for the tariffs levied by the US on our softwood lumber also ruled illegal by the World Court. Water? Oh Jeebus, we have water (and snow, and ice). But like you, ours is not inexhaustible either. Some of use aren't too happy with the slope our politicians seem to have started. "Outrage boils over as B.C. government plans to sell groundwater for $2.25 per million litres" source: http://www.theprovince.com/news/Outrage+boils+over+government+plans+sell+groundwater+million+litres/10865416/story.html "In 2011, Nestlé was listed No. 1 in the Fortune Global 500 as the world’s most profitable corporation" source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestl%C3%A9#Joint_ventures Most Canadians understand that it won't be long before our friendly neighbor comes calling. And our relationship will likely become very un-friendly, very quickly.

A couple of dual-scaled tape measures? Up here, we're pretty much all Metric but stick/frame construction remains mired in Imperial, largely as a concession to the single largest customer of our lumber exports, the USA. But even here domestically, a 4x8 sheet of plywood still measures 48x96" (121.9x243.8mm) and a 2x4 nominal (1.5x3.5" actual)- remains as always (38x89mm)

What is this?

Thank you.