Jean Chretien was the Prime Minister of Canada when I first moved to this country and he faced a real challenge in 2003 when the the US decided to cross into Iraqi border from Kuwait and give Saddam Hussein, his final lesson. He decided not to join the so-called " Collision ". Many said that would affect the US-Canada relationship in a very negative way but then Canada agreed to send its troops to Afghanistan and did. That helped to heal the wounds!
Mr. Chretien was in Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador this past Fri., the 25th anniversary of the Sep.11 attacks at age 92 and gave a wonderful and powerful speech. That was the moment I really wanted to be a Canadian. I always admired Mr. Chretien. The Liberal Party destroyed itself using a self destruction device called Justin " The Silly Joke " Trudeau " after that but that's not the point here. The point is he really gave it to Americans but professionally and amicably. His speech could be easily on either CBC website (CBC.ca) or YouTube. His one sentence is pierced in my mind: Don't consider our generosity for our weakness.
(Photo: Jean Chretien, the former Prime Minister of Canada is seen here in this undated photo with his wife Aline. She passed away in 2020 at the age of 84)

No comments:
Post a Comment