My Divorce With America

I suppose my divorce with America began in 2014 when the United States provided Russia with lip service in relation to its annexation of Crimea. How was it that the most powerful nation on earth found it possible to essentially ignore the invasion of the sovereign territory of Ukraine?

Sure, a few words were spoken. A few sanctions were imposed on Russia, which failed miserably as Russia ignored them and went about its plans to invade all of Ukraine. And then a light went on which I found somewhat chilling.

The international order that had been in place since 1945 had, through the United Nations and NATO, not seen an invasion in Europe, post 1945. The balance between the United States and the Soviet Union had existed, as a Cold War for almost 70 years. And then, something changed in America. It wasn’t simply like throwing a switch, but America decided that Europeans should be able to ‘look after themselves’.

The richest nation in the world deemed its financial interests needed to turn its back on Europe.

Starting at the turn of the new millennia, it became obvious that American interventionism abroad had failed, completely so in relation to making the world a ‘safer place’. Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, — had all failed, actually further destabilizing the world at a time where America had hegemony.

Terrorism swelled around the world, but markedly so in the Middle East.

Nations like Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, all waited and watched. America was tired, increasingly myopic and unwilling to retain the mantel of international policeman. China’s influence expanded, militarization increased in both China and Russia, and America began to isolate itself from the incidents that were increasingly occurring throughout the world.

Chinese influence swelled, both geopolitically and economically, in Africa notably.

And then Donald Trump was elected, and the slow, incremental slide of America internationally, became a bobsled run. America befriended Russia. It watched Russia, slowly at first, begin to suggest that ethnic Russians living in other former Soviet Republics were being oppressed, mistreated and should either be repatriated, or Russia should intervene.

In response, Trump — agreed. Over the four years of Trump’s Presidency, Putin’s bromance with Trump grew, until his defeat in 2020. Throughout all this time Russia supported terrorists in the Donbas and Luhansk, suggesting that Russians within these Republics were seeking reintegration with Russia.

And during all of this time, America did nothing.

Trump then essentially tore up NAFTA and placed sanctions on Canada.

Trump lost the election, and we breathed a sigh of relief.

Then came the invasion of Ukraine in February, 2022, which did not result in a direct military response by NATO. Instead, non-military assistance, sanctions and a package of military assistance by the west, driven by the U.S., it was deemed was an adequate response. A draw down of mostly obsolete equipment from the U.S. and NATO followed, with the U.S. claiming a package of 109 billion U.S. dollars was provided to Ukraine. This inaction continued throughout Biden’s Presidency, with Trump intimating that Russia had the right to reclaim its former republic.

Then the unthinkable happened again. Americans reelected Donald J. Trump, and since then Russia has essentially had a free hand in Ukraine, with Trump illustrating just how it would be possible for America and Russia to benefit from Ukraines surrender.

Extortion upon those weak and without recourse became America’s strategy. Blame NATO and the previous American administrations for Ukraine’s fate and then maximize America’s investment by stealing Ukraine’s mineral wealth, claiming that the 109 billion American aid was only a loan, that should be paid back to the U.S., but now inflated through ‘new math’ to 350 billion U.S. dollars.

So, here we are.

Two former super powers sit in the same room and decide how they will carve up the assets of the western world’s democracies. No further interested in dialogue, America has chosen to ‘change sides’. Zelensky and Ukraine are now the enemy, and Russia is the friend and ally.

Envisioning the Future: Post 2014

Back in 2014, when America watched Russia invade Crimea, something in the psyche of America changed. To me it was palpable, as though Europe was of less interest to America. The reaction to the annexation of another sovereign nation’s territory brought a chill to me that wasn’t initially understood.

Why was the U.S. not acting?

And then the bromance became obvious, and with it, the realization that America was willing to watch Ukraine be stolen by Russia, piecemeal.

And something else changed for me.

The light went on, that if Russia could invade Ukraine, and elicit almost no response, what would happen if the U.S. decided to take Canada? NATO had not stood up to an aggressor for the first time post 1945. Was it possible that America, under the same pretence that Canadians are just Americans speaking another language, would actually welcome American annexation? And NATO’s forces were on another continent. Article 5? Really? Me thinks not.

During the period of the last ten years, Canadian governments enabled an ever greater dependency on America. Only in the last few years has a light gone on in Ottawa, that America’s control of the Canadian economy, particularly in respect to resource management and its exports were controlled by America, and this might not serve Canadian interests.

What should have signalled worry in Canada when NAFTA was thrown out and the CUSMC agreement enacted, did little to wake Canada up. And now, America has instituted economic warfare against Canada, under the pretence of an immigration and drug policy, that actually has no basis in fact.

Personal Observations

I was a Director of Emergency Services in western Canada, nearing the end of a lifelong career in the fire service in 2014. I would travel fairly extensively throughout the U.S. involved in fire industry associations. I began to notice a shift in the positions of Americans toward Canadians. There became an undercurrent of messaging that suggested that Canadians were using America.

It was casually suggested through messaging that began to filter from the very right wing of the Republican Party, that Americans were bearing some disproportionate load for the protection of Canada, militarily.

There were no overt displays of animosity, just an undercurrent that essentially mocked Canada’s defence and how America could take over Canada with just the National Guard from North Dakota. (One actual conversation at a conference in Chicago.)

I laughed it off, mentally, but a kernel of truth resonated that left me disquieted.

Had I not left the Canadian military back in 1974 due to my anger with Canada’s progressive unwillingness to fund the Canadian military? I had actually changed my career from that of a Naval Officer to the fire service that year.

Since Trudeau took power in Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces has progressively deteriorated, at a time when globally, the risk to Canada has increased exponentially.

But it became obvious to me over the last number of years, that America has designs on Canada.

In 2018 I took an extensive motorcycle vacation throughout the Northwest of the United Staes. And while mostly uneventful, two events stood out from that holiday. I was camped in Waterton Lake, AB at a government campsite. The party next to me were Americans, on vacation. One evening the next door camper invited me over for a beer and some small talk. The conversation revolved principally upon their trip.

I was then asked a question out of the blue that surprised me. “Why isn’t Canada part of the United States?” I answered with what I thought was a reasoned and historically accurate representation of the facts, when the other party stated. “You know what I’m shocked at about Canada? You don’t have the ability to protect yourself.” He stated matter-of-factly. “I mean, you have no army, no guns, no armed border even. How do you expect Canada to not become part of the U.S.? I mean it’s only a matter of time.”

I drank my beer, said goodnight, and went to my tent to sleep. But I found myself returning to the conversation, again and again. He was right. At least in a simplistic sense. We don’t have the means to defend ourselves. And why not?

When I was born, Canada spent 8% of its GDP on Defense. In 2014 it had shrunk to 1% of GDP. What happens to nations that fail to defend themselves?

The second instance was at an Arby’s in Wyoming. Two men entered the restaurant wearing camouflage, carrying AR15 assault rifles into the restaurant. Some people were so shocked that they actually left their food on the table and left. I was a bit shocked. Nothing happened but the casualness of carrying automatic weapons, with magazines dripping off their hips, felt surreal.

Then, this fall, 2024, I took another motorcycle trip, this time east through the United States from Manitoba, across Minnesota and into Wisconsin. I stopped regularly for gas and meals and it was on one of those stops in Grand Rapids, Minnesota, that I was engaged in conversation by a group of four American men in a coffee shop.

It went something like this.

“Is that your bike outside?”

“Yes it is.”

“So you don’t like Harleys?”

I said something about liking sport-touring motorcycles.

“Well, real Americans ride Harleys.” He said with a sarcastic smile.

“I’m Canadian, so I guess that explains it.”

He just looked at me like I had sworn at him.

“What the hell you doing in America then? You’re all communists up there aren’t you?”

I simply said that not only was I not a communist, I supported democracy and Joe Biden.

Mistake #1.

“Crooked Joe? Ha…” he said.

“Trump is the right man for America.” The other three men nodded.

“You a liberal?” He asked.

About this point I realized that this conversation could go downhill quickly.

“I suppose I am. Why do you support Trump?”

The answer was exactly what I expected.

“Because Trump is going to get rid of all those liberal faggots in D.C. and make America Great Again.”

I said nothing, and sipped my coffee.

Then another of the group said.

“Don’t you have somewhere to go? I suggest you get on your bike and do it.”

I paid my bill and left. That was on September 14th, 2024.

I won’t be back, ever. The divorce with America is complete.

I have seen the enemy, and it is you, America.

What appears obvious is that in America there is now hate for the ‘others’. No knowledge, no willingness to understand, to reason, or to use information as knowledge. Hate, anger, racism, ‘otherism’ is now in effect. Groupthink, ignorance and arrogance is pervasive, especially in rural America.

That innocuous incident has reframed my attitude towards America.

Back in 1971 I served on a U.S. Aircraft Carrier in San Diego, on a six month exchange with the Canadian navy. There was mutual respect and appreciation for both countries.

Today, that doesn’t exist.

The America I knew, has disappeared. Like fog on a sunny morning. I have been so convinced of America’s intentions that I have purchased a series of weapons and about 2000 rounds of ammunition, just in case.

We don’t see anything remotely funny about America’s actions today.

And we want nothing to do with America.

Nothing.