"...and it is our will that the order of succession of our House be extended to these lands also. The inhabitants of the two lands thus share all the benefits which a lasting confirmation of the present relation can offer. The new order of things will be a guarantee that civilization and prosperity will find a sure footing in your home." From Francis Joseph's Proclamation of the Annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 6 Oct 1908
   It's pretty hard for me to take this story seriously. At least 40% of Americans will agree to annexation of a foreign country on general principles, just 'cause we're the greatest country on Earth 'n all, and no one can stop us from doing whatever the fuck we want.
   Was there not another word they could have used? Annexation is a bit loaded, after all. Honestly, do you think 40% of respondents would have favored "a referendum entertaining Canadian statehood?"
   I'm a lot more interested in what gave CTV the idea to ask this question in the first place. I shouldn't wonder if this is just the Canadian media's backhanded poke at the Bush Doctrine (in short, we're the greatest country on Earth and no one can stop us from doing whatever the fuck we want). I doubt Gephardt could have passed up a chance to say, "Of course you've got a mandate, George. Hell, half the country would support an invasion of Canada..."
   Of course, we know who gave us Texas, don't we? (Tue 22 October 2002, 06.55 PDT)     @ #