At Least We're Not American

Welcome to the first installment of  'At least we're not American.'

About ALWNA. Loosely applying Godwin's Law,  as conversations on message boards or threads (or plain conversation with mates) grow it doesn't take long before a Canadian a
makes a reference to "at least not being American." It can be about anything. Losing to Americans in sports, discussing health care, politics or even porn stars. Before you know it, someone will say it.

In a discussion about the frivolous student protests, a friend said to me, "Well, what do you want? The American system? I don't want that." Acknowledging it made little sense to offer free or excessively low tuition in the current economic climate, and being a man of good means and intelligence with education, he couldn't refrain from the "at least we're not American" position.

Of course, I reject this as a means to making a point about Canadian issues. I harbor no fear or obsession against all things American. I see no point in that. Nor do I think it has any merit.

How does it work? I'll take something in the news and merely adjust it to ALWNA.

"Canada dropped to 79th spot in the FIFA soccer rankings (marginally better at 65th with the ELO ranking. The United States are at their lowest I've seen in years at 36."

Hey.

At least we're not American! We have free health care! They don't!

***

About the rankings. It has England at #3. #3! It's laughable given the decent performance at Euro. Although they were completely cleaned out and outclassed by Italy (ranked #6). I actually got angry at England for the way they played in the quarter-final. It was awful. I know the Brits felt it was "heroic" and a good "defensive" performance but that wasn't a result of tactics but more out of them clinging on for dear life. I understand FIFA has a formula for such things, but really, it's hilarious because England is NOT a top three soccer nation. No way. Top 10 maybe, but not ahead of the likes of Italy and Brazil. No. Just no.