Own the Podium, Surrender the Pride

Canadians aren't going to take it anymore. No gold on our home and native land?
Unacceptable.

Believe.
Own the podium.

Challenges and promises meant to stoke the sputtering flames of patriotism in Canada on the ultimate national stage. We are re-branding Canada as proud, and when need be, ruthless.

I am disappointed.



Canada has long been a harbinger of peace and tolerance. A role model of values that other nations could turn to as a moral and legal ideal. Though brave and heroic, our armed forces have not gained international repute on the same level that our peacekeepers have. Canadians are welcomed the world over, known for manners and civility. Canada has lead by example unencumbered by judgment. What greater international repute could a country hope for than that of 'citizenship most claimed by foreigners?' However, in recent years Canada has drifted away from this lofty international role.

Canada is no longer proud of their friendly and gracious characteristics. Years of punchlines about meekness, America's rapidly declining esteem, and the emergence of other countries as players on the international stage have exhausted Canada's patience with being the nice guy. Limit our economy by being ecological leaders? Fuck that shit.

But the nice guy is needed now more than ever. Decades of peace (in a historically relative sense) have bred selfishness and greed among the world's other leading nations. Canada has been able to keep those temptations at bay (as proven by conservative banking regulations that protected Joe Sixpack where America has extorted him). But after this admirable restraint, we are now actively campaigning for the opposite.



What are Canadians telling the rest of the world we believe in?