tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20997270.post5537933100003053564..comments2023-06-12T12:25:13.371-05:00Comments on A Climenhaga Home: More on School Spirit/PatriotismClimenheisehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01989459133238230712noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20997270.post-79028226680633673802007-01-13T15:39:00.000-06:002007-01-13T15:39:00.000-06:00The other day David and I were discussing patrioti...The other day David and I were discussing patriotism and differences between the United States and Canada. The Revolutionary War came up and I recalled how when I learned about the war, it was in Canadian History where the loyalists were the "good guys." Perhaps this helps to explain some of the differences in patriotism between the two countries--the United States has a legacy of becoming a country by fighting a valiant war in which the colonists defeated the British against all odds; we just talked it over nicely with Britain and went on with our lives. That might be exaggerating the difference slightly, but I don't actually think by all that much. And when you look at what evokes pride in our respective countries, there is certainly a difference in the way we think of our "founding fathers." That phrase evokes all sort of patriotic fervor in Americans; in Canada I have difficulty imagining a politician evoking John A. Macdonald in support of a principle or idea (it may happen occasionally, but certainly not to the same extent). The only Canadian Prime Minister that I can think of who even comes close to the "hero status" of Washington and Lincoln (both of whom are famous for fighting a war, I just realized) is Pierre Elliot Trudeau. But in terms of our origins as a country, there really isn't that much that people look back on and think of how proud they are to be a Canadian. Louis Riel is the only counter example I can think of.<br /><br />- NevinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20997270.post-40233903463434576272007-01-11T08:40:00.000-06:002007-01-11T08:40:00.000-06:00Oh, do I ever remember singing "And did those feet...Oh, do I ever remember singing "And did those feet in ancient times. . ." In fact, when Princess Diana's funeral was held, and that hymn was sung (reported to be one of her favorites) I was singing along. The rest of my family thought me strange--but then they usually do--because they hadn't a CLUE what that hymn was all about. What was it all about anyway?<br />As for prommers--one of our CDs has closing night at the proms with "Rule Britannia." I turn it up FULL BLAST to get the desired effect. Of course, I sing lustily along!KGMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05165941950953938943noreply@blogger.com