Stoical in Ottawa
Boy, Canadians know the meaning of stoicism. Standing with the small multi-ethnic crowd outside the parliament building here in Ottowa - comprised mainly of the young and the old, the middle aged presumably at work - we witnessed the mounting expectation as the choppers circled and The Moment arrived. And then it was over. Barack Obama's arrival last a few seconds and was mainly blocked by ambulances parked unhelpfully between the president and the crowd.
He did manage to get round them and get a wave in, but he was probably wise to stay well back. Security consisted of a very nice Canadian policewoman asking people in the queue whether they had anything in their pockets. I think they looked in bags as well but there were no metal detectors, no dogs. And no close view of the president.
The biggest stir was caused by people trying to get close to the Canadian TV reporters who - I note with some envy - appear to be treated as real celebrities in their own right. The Canadian TV coverage is relentlessly, breathlessly, positive. But on Afghanistan there is a real difference of emphasis to put it mildly: Obama is reinforcing and
So the annoucements to thrill Canadian TV will be on environmental stuff and soothing commitments to free but fair trade. He will charm everyone and be back in Washington for dinner. And it seems even on the plane he has an ability to make friends.
Hello, I'm 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~55~RS~)
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If they had not made this false fuss about security, and held the thing inconveniently in the middle of the day on a chilly, damp Thursday, there would have been 50,000 - 100,000 people on Parliament Hill cheering themselves silly over President Obama. Harper must be relieved.
This country so longs for something better.
Tinge of envy there, Justin? Ah, well. You're welcome to visit any time. We're a small, peaceful country, and there's a reason why "Corner Gas" has resonance.
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An impressive article. I hope tha time does not deprive Obama of his openess and charm.
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Justin, I told you it would be a good idea to get a beaver tail! Had you but been there at the right moment, you could have had an exclusive.
I like this pic with the Governor General.
Cheers,
Canadian Pinko
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Three Canadian topics in two days. If this continues it will be hard to keep up. But to quote Justin, "Boy, Canadians know the meaning of stoicism."
Oh and Justin - I saw you on television for the first time and I suggest you replace your picture on this blog. It does not do you any justice at all! Turns out you are a very good looking man - who knew? And when you do change the picture I would like you to credit me with the suggestion. Thank you Merci beaucoup.
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Re: Afghanistan,
Our Armed Forces have lost 108 personnel killed, and many more wounded, in Afghanistan. It may not sound like a huge number, but a look at the faces at the link above helps to drive home the reality of the loss.
Our Armed Forces are small, and losses like these hit it hard. The Afghan experience has also shown our Forces to be under-equipped (particularly in the way of helicopter transport, and umannned air surveillance) for the mission.
We will, barring major policy change, be pulling combat units out of Kandahar in 2011, but Special Forces and other units engaged in training Afghan forces will remain.
Yours,
Canadian Pinko
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I must agree with the comment that Canadians look at our government and wish for so much more. Don't get me wrong, Canada is a great place to live, but our government seems to worry more about staying in power than in trying to serve the public. The only time that they even pretend to care what the people think is at election time. The rest of the time they serve their rich buddies and set up golden parachutes for when they leave politics. Then they wonder why people are cynical about politics.
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"The biggest stir was caused by people trying to get close to the Canadian TV reporters who - I note with some envy - appear to be treated as real celebrities in their own right."
If you came to Canada more often so that your face was recognized on the street, we would treat you with the same respect. All in all we have confidence in our "presenters."
An idea: Ask for an invitation to The Hour with George Stroumboulopoulos (CBC), it will be a career booster, here in Canada anyway. After several Canada related posts, you may truly state you are the "BBC North American Editor." That might get you an invite to sit in the august red chair. I'm sure chronophobe will make the trip to Toronto to be in the audience, Interestedforeigner too. For me, it's six hours, but if you send me a couple of tickets...... (Insider's tip - brush up on your knowledge of the Habs, he is a huge fan!)
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First the correct spelling for the Capital of Canada is OTTAWA.
I found the whole coverage by the BBC on this visit to Ottawa by Pres. Obama to be poor. BBC World was more interested in reporting on ski conditions in Kosovo than mentioning the first foreign visit by the USA President to Canada.
One wonders why it is that BBC pays so little attention to Canada. The approach is clearly colonial and paternalistic and the comments made by journalists of the BBC is patronizing. Why is that I wonder.
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Justin Webb:
Interesting blog by you regarding the visit of President Obama during the visit to Ottawa....
~Dennis Junior~
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