Wednesday, November 08, 2006

Elections and Dog Sleds

This morning as I was preparing to go out, a very funny segment followed the News, which, of course, featured the US elections even though it was a Canadian station. Naturally, everybody up here pays attention or should pay attention to what happens down there because, when the elephant sneezes, we all feel strangely compelled to blow our frigid and runny woolly mammoth trunks. Anyway, while I was yet rejoicing over the Dem's gains (so sue me – cause ya won't get much), I was soon moved to mirth.


Aside: once upon a time, a funny Canadian, Rick Mercer, took a film crew down there and caught various American reactions to absurd Canadian situations on tape. He managed to get one governor (from Georgia maybe) to believe that our parliament buildings were a big igloo. Other things: he induced many to congratulate us for getting our first university; others to condemn our practice of putting seniors on ice floes; and, there was something about a petition to have Canada switch to a 24 hour day from our present 20 hours … and so on. My memories are dim and vague now and, probably iffy, but you get the idea. Later, it is reported that an American crew tried to do a similar thing here, but, of course, it didn't work because, as I said, we more or less have to pay attention.


Regardless, the excerpt which I heard this morning was done by Americans to Americans. The question was something like, "Do you believe that Barack Obama is a threat to the US?" Of course, every interview that they played was affirmative. Apparently, Mr Obama is perceived to be a most dangerous threat, indeed! Naturally, the respondents thought the question referred to O_amasomethingorother, and the answers were hilarious. I was busy getting ready to go out, so my attention wasn't the keenest, but I do recall one follow-up question: "Do you consider yourself to be an intelligent person?" Of course, the interviewee did because she had her doctorate, doncha know?


Mind you, we're not as superior as I'd like to think up here in the frozen tundra. Personally, although I did stay up to catch some election results last night and was keen to receive an update this morning, I contritely confess that I only know of Barack because I saw him on Oprah not very long ago. And … we had a furnace repairman here this morning. Would you believe that he had no clue about American elections going on or what they meant? No clue at all. So, when I said that we pay more attention up here in the great white north, I guess you can take it with a grain canoe-load of … well, would you believe beaver pelts?


Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to hitch the dog team up to the sled for our 20 mile trek into the fur trading post for milk, bread and the newspaper, which is written in cuneiform … on birch bark. But you knew that, didn't you?

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

So the truth is finally revealed, eh? :) The reality is that Obama doesn't stand a chance here.. a direct result of the exact type of thinking you discuss.

Peace,

TG
~*~*

Lynn said...

In the words of a famous cartoon character: good grief. :)

Anonymous said...

Hilarious! You Canadians are way cool. ;)

Thanks for a good chuckle.

Gina said...

Right, but your milk is in bags, yes?

Maya's Granny said...

Well, they think all of that about Alaska. Plus they come up here and ask if we take American money and why no one sweeps the "dirt" (actually very large boulders seen at a distance) off the glacier. I had a friend in Fairbanks who got his fellow Army officers to believe that he had lived in an igloo until it burned down.

And,basing their information on the maps they see, they often think that Alaska is located west of Baja California. It is really embarassing.

Cathy said...

Whaaat? No igloo parliament?! Dang.

Turtle Guy said...

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to hitch the dog team up to the sled for our 20 mile trek into the fur trading post for milk, bread and the newspaper, which is written in cuneiform … on birch bark."

WHAT?? That long list of staples with no mention of the national beverage of choice?? I trust it's a Tim Hortons post!

Granny said...

No Dave, you'd be eating sourdough and milking a moose. What - you didn't know that?

PBS said...

Ha ha, that's a bad name mixup for a politician! A few years ago we had an event in New Mexico, many people called me to ask if they would need a passport!

methatiam said...

Here, refresh your memory:
http://radio.cbc.ca/programs/thismorning/sites/a&e/mercer_010330.html
After you said something, I started looking, and you're right, all the weather maps on the local news stations END at Canada.
I am assuming then, that all clouds stop at the border for inspection?

karla said...

I saw that Rick Mercer show and I think my eyes were wet with tears the whole time from laughing.

Bonita said...

I missed the show, but I've enjoyed the review....got your snowshoes handy?

Tim Rice said...

I love your humor. :)

Valerie - Still Riding Forward said...

I remind you I have been to Canada and I SAW the igloo building WITH MY OWN EYES!

You shouldn't try to confuse people with your northern attempts at humor.

(any resemblence to fact here is an accident)

That is way better than my other joke.

Norma said...

I heard an interview where the respondents (Baltimore and Cincinnati) didn't know who John Kerry was. Hopefully, these people can't find the polls.