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Blog of Adam Daifallah -- author, journalist, law student. Lover of politics, writing, golf, curling, fitness, fashion, bacon and maple products -- not necessarily (but probably) in that order. Partisan of the Anglosphere. Contact me via email at adam@daifallah.com.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
What's so great about America?
I was not surprised at some of the responses to the below post on Wesley Autrey, although the sources of some of them were a bit unexpected.
It's funny how whenever something pro-American gets posted, the immediate reaction for some is to bash the U.S. "Blame America first," the term popularized by the late Jeane Kirkpatrick, seems to have become an intrinsic part of being Canadian. What a shame.
In that post I was not trying to defend the Bush administration, nor point out that people in other countries wouldn't do the same thing in a similar situation. (Although in response to my dear old friend Philippe, I have to say I was perplexed when I learned in law school, as he did, that helping people in distress is a binding legal responsibility in Quebec's Civil Code -- I seriously doubt Quebecers would behave any differently in a situation where someone was drowning because of that provision than those in common law jurisdictions.)
First, I think it might be possible that people in America would be more disposed than those in other countries to help someone in trouble. I am not going to argue the point because I have no stats to back it up, although I would love to see some international survey data. If anyone knows of its existence, holler.
Second, I was more trying to draw attention to Mr. Autrey's comments and their context than his actual deed. He linked his act of heroism to the fact that American soldiers are overseas dying for freedom. I think that was a wonderful thing to say. I'm not saying a Canadian who rescues someone on the TTC might not say "We've got soldiers putting their lives on the line for freedom in Afghanistan, this is the least I could do," but for some reason, it seems unlikely.
I would love to hear from David Mader on this. I know he would have some interesting thoughts.
# posted by Adam Daifallah : 8:52 PM
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