Canadian Right Wing Welcomes Bush

There is a little group of right-wing Conservatives here in Canada who are holding a welcoming rally for Bush when he visits Ottawa next week. This is from the Globe and Mail:

Connie Wilkins of Free Dominion is baffled by the extent of American-bashing among Canadians and even some politicians. She co-founded the on-line forum that offers about 5,000 members a place for right-wing views but is not officially linked to any political party, she said.

“We stand behind the United States and we stand behind their President,” Ms. Wilkins said in an interview. “We consider them as our allies and their country as our friend.

“If it had been the CN Tower that had been bombed instead of the World Trade Center, the U.S. would have been right there.”

I have a lot of problems with how she frames things. First disagreeing with Bush and the policies of his administration is not America bashing despite what Bush would have us all believe. Second when the WTC and the Pentagon were attacked Canadians in droves sent all kinds or material goods and money to NYC to help out. We also were first in line to go to Afghanistan where we still are today. So how are we not helping. Oh, that war in Iraq. Actually despite what our government says we do (did) have warships helping out in the Persian Gulf, but in anycase our government chose not to participate because it was felt that there was not a strong case justifying an invasion and that in fact the invasion was very likely a criminal act. Should we be torturing and disappearing people too just because Bush and his ilk think it's fine? Of course not. This is a tactic that the Canadian right-wing loves to employ. Make those who do not back Bush feel guilty for letting our neighbours down, as if everyone in the US just loved their government. So it would be interesting if some of you go to www.freedominion.com and let Connie Wilkins know how you feel about matters concerning the Bush Presidency. No doubt she will question your patriotism and label you a liberal as she falls in love line with Bush.