I never thought I would see the day that this might be a possible statement of truth:
I'll probably live in Newfoundland. There's no work here. Besides, I like Canadian girls better than French girls.
Did hell just freeze over? Did bovines go lunar? But besides that - should we care? Does it really matter that France has rights to the continental shelf that are 2.5 miles wide by 200 miles long? Is it possible that its existence complicates Canadian domestic politics, reminding that there are other French realities, reminding some that the Seven Years War actually had an outcome but one that we do not have the capacity to discuss honestly despite the rich reality? After all, what is St. Pierre and Miquelon? Not a nation, right?
Comments
Hans - March 30, 2009 9:59 AM
St. Pierre & Miquelon is something I like to call a Sub-National Island Jurisdiction. France, being a unitary state, organizes their overseas territories differently than say, America or Britain; rather than calling something a state or a colony, France says that their far flung island holdings are a part of France, every bit as French as Lyon or Normandy.
Alan - March 30, 2009 10:12 AM
It's like you've studied this stuff.
Hans - March 30, 2009 11:15 AM
I know what you mean. As Homer Simpson said: "That's learnd, honey..."
Anyway, I mention the jurisdiction thing to support your point about the rich reality, that there can be a number of ways to think about nationhood.
I agree that we should be honest about our history as doing so will help us understand our current sitaution and help us work together to make things good for everyone.
Seanie - March 30, 2009 11:51 AM
Personally, I like French girls better, but who am I
Jay Currie - March 31, 2009 1:50 AM
Could we invade? Would this create NATO complications. Would Sarko's wife come to mediate (Please God!) Could we offer a couple of third round NHL draft choices and a million bucks? Could we offer three second round draft choices and two million and get Martinique, St. Pierre and Carla? There's a deal here...for Carla I'd go to five. And I'd throw in a first round pick, a box of Tim Bits and a pound of maple sugar for all of the above plus Guadeloupe - less chance of a volcano eliminating value.