[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

Globe and Mail: "Trading with the ‘schoolyard bully'" (guess who) They were present at the creation: And they feel betrayed.

Derek Burney, Pat Carney, Allan Gotlieb, Simon Reisman and Gordon Ritchie were key members of the negotiating team that forged the 1988 free-trade agreement between Canada and the United States. Last week, the U.S. government reneged on that agreement, and its successor, the 1993 North American free-trade agreement, by declaring that it would simply ignore the unanimous ruling of the ultimate free trade tribunal — a ruling that said the Americans had no right to impose tariffs on the import of Canadian softwood lumber.

The Americans' refusal to respect the tribunal's decision represents “an egregious, shocking, dishonourable breach of their obligations,” says Mr. Ritchie, who was deputy chief negotiator during the original negotiations. “It's the tactic of the schoolyard bully,” declares Derek Burney, who was chief of staff to then-prime minister Brian Mulroney, and a key player in the talks, “which was exactly what we were trying to prevent when we negotiated the free-trade agreement it's beyond the pale.”

[ab0di]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'T')he Americans' refusal to respect the tribunal's decision represents “an egregious, shocking, dishonourable breach of their obligations,” says Mr. Ritchie, who was deputy chief negotiator during the original negotiations.

[Jack]

Fascinating news.

So when their might be mild economic discomfort, everyone starts quarreling.

Some argue that, as times get hard, people will cooperate more.

Based on the above, I may have to modify my banana-osity level upward.

[skyemoor]

To be fair, the term "Americans" is not neccessarily the equivalent to "The Bush Administration".

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'S')o when their might be mild economic discomfort, everyone starts quarreling.

[jaws]

You can't expect the U.S. congress to give a shit about anyone or anything that doesn't pay their bribes.

[EarthAbides]

Seems to me to be a good time to slap a few export tarifs on our natural gas and electricity...

[shakespear1]

Wow, why am I not surprised that US would take such a stance.

Guess the economy must really be hurting due to Iraq and anything that seems like pain must be eliminated at any cost.

[SD_Scott]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('skyemoor', 'T')o be fair, the term "Americans" is not neccessarily the equivalent to "The Bush Administration".

[FoxV]

hey this is great. That means we can cancel the free trade agreement and keep all our oil and gas to ourselves

Its just too bad that we're starting our nuclear reactors back up and restoring our WMD program

(not to mention I've been renting my basement apartment out to Osama Bin Laden for the last 2 years)

[shortonoil]

SD_Scott said:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'H')e was re-elected.

[Aaron]

I'd like to welcome Canada as the newest American State.

Although we are a bunch of Shatter stealing, Mexico toucher's, we are very much in need of your insight & "don't bug me I'm partying" attitude.

I'm sure I have never met a more outgoing, friendly group of people than Canadians, (well Australians too), so we welcome our northern brothers to the good ole USA.

You should have already been notified about the hazing of new states around here. It typically involves shaving off your eyebrows, or sometimes screwing you on international trade agreements.

But it's all in good fun... we are just dissing you. Really...

Canadian Americans we salute you.

Thanks for the oil & gas.

Not a bad deal eh? (Did I say that right?)

BTW - I have always wondered... Is you national anthem the same song as O Christmas Tree?

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('uNkNowN ElEmEnt', '
')I can assure you that this is more than just mild economic discomfort. the 30% tarrifs have resulted in over 5 billion dollars being raised and it has destroyed at least three towns up here.

The money raised by the way has already been given to corporate interests in the US, thanks to a US senator.

[skyemoor]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SD_Scott', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('skyemoor', 'T')o be fair, the term "Americans" is not neccessarily the equivalent to "The Bush Administration".

[backstop]

Skyemoor -

your maths is at fault in assuming an even split of support in either of Bush's elections. In each case more declined to vote than voted for either party.

Furthermore, what is being done in your name is certainly lacking any consent from you. (I know the feeling vis-a-vis Blair . . . .)

Also I think you're entirely right about the need to qualify "Americans" in the title of this thread - courtesy costs nothing, not even virtual ink. Alternatively, smearing all with the brush of what is only a tiny informed minority is simply offensive, closes minds that might otherwise be receptive to new perspectives, and is thus antithetical to creative discussion.

So would you care to join me in calling for the thread's title to be ammended to :

"Neo-Con Americans Break Faith"

What do you think ?

Regards,

Backstop

[backstop]

EarthAbides -

Beside the eminently sensible and entirely justifiable energy tarrifs you propose, I'd suggest that turning round Canada's current de facto exclusion of draft emigres is likely to be felt in the US media at least as strongly, and to reflect discredit on both Cheyney & his puppet.

Long live the underground railroad !

Regards,

Backstop

[skyemoor]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('backstop', 'S')kyemoor -

So would you care to join me in calling for the thread's title to be ammended to :

"Neo-Con Americans Break Faith"

What do you think ?

[sventvkg]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('uNkNowN ElEmEnt', 'G')lobe and Mail: "Trading with the ‘schoolyard bully'" (guess who)

They were present at the creation. And they feel betrayed.

Derek Burney, Pat Carney, Allan Gotlieb, Simon Reisman and Gordon Ritchie were key members of the negotiating team that forged the 1988 free-trade agreement between Canada and the United States.

Last week, the U.S. government reneged on that agreement, and its successor, the 1993 North American free-trade agreement, by declaring that it would simply ignore the unanimous ruling of the ultimate free trade tribunal — a ruling that said the Americans had no right to impose tariffs on the import of Canadian softwood lumber.

The Americans' refusal to respect the tribunal's decision represents “an egregious, shocking, dishonourable breach of their obligations,” says Mr. Ritchie, who was deputy chief negotiator during the original negotiations.

“It's the tactic of the schoolyard bully,” declares Derek Burney, who was chief of staff to then-prime minister Brian Mulroney, and a key player in the talks, “which was exactly what we were trying to prevent when we negotiated the free-trade agreement it's beyond the pale.”

[backstop]

Unknown Eelement -

While I entirely support your critique of this grossly duplicitous US govt, and while I would, given time, recall at least half a dozen other solemn international treaties, both signed and in development, that it has shafted, I have a problem with the title of the thread.

It smears all with the same brush of dishonesty.

As you'll have seen, the threads above hold two suggestions for qualifying the title, and so focussing its critique where it is amply warranted.

Skyemoor & I and, I guess, many other members would welcome your so ammending the title, as it may otherwise cause needless offence.

So how about it ?

Regards,

Backstop

[mgibbons19]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('SD_Scott', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('skyemoor', 'T')o be fair, the term "Americans" is not neccessarily the equivalent to "The Bush Administration".