The glowing remarks about positive results such as the softwood lumber deal and future successes on the horizon are in sharp contrast to the often critical comments of the Canadian government under Liberal rule that were common in speeches by Mr. Wilkins' predecessor Paul Cellucci.
Mr. Wilkins said the resolution of the softwood lumber dispute removes what had been an impediment to improved Canada-U.S. relations.
"I think the resolution of this issue is living proof that we have the strongest, best, most peaceful and productive friendship that the world has ever known, and I believe on that issue much of the credit should be given to the President and the Prime Minister. Leadership matters and in my opinion their leadership made the difference," he said of George W. Bush and Stephen Harper.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060508.wwilkin0508/BNStory/National/home
Note: http://www.theglobeandm...

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Expect little from life and get more from it.
God, I was so hoping that after Cellucci left we would have a better ambassador. No such luck. I need to drag out the catapult again. I am so sick of hearing the USAmerican voice coming from inside my country.
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"And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music." Friedrich Nietzsche
Leadership?
What "leadership"?
More like 2 corporate whores got together and figured out how to screw Canada royally.
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"and the knowledge they fear is a weapon to be used against them"
"The Weapon" - Rush
Our neighbor to the south with its uni-lateral military ideas has forced the issue that Canada must now rethink and rebuild its military levels to a level that will allow Canada to patrol and respond to any threat whether it be Air, Water, or Land in strength as to borders, territory and world peace keeping interests.
If Canada intends to maintain the UN peacekeeping activities as well as other international requests such as those requested by and complained about by the United States of America including their reqest that Canada provide a rapid deployment unit for them.
This will require large purchases of technology, equipment and personnel. Canada is a vast country requiring a larger then most standing military. Already we see Canada’s territory and boundaries challenged by the United States, Spain, Norway to name a few. As previously mentioned, Canada has already been denounced for not having a larger standing military.
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Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.
Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.