I'm thankful to be an American. I'm glad to live in one of the most kind, caring, tolerant, generous, and free nations in the world.

Lately, we've had a few messages that teased our neighbors in Canada, mostly out of frustration with some recent rude behavior by some in their government. Some Canadians seem to have taken it a little personally. We Americans tease Canadians sometimes, not realizing I suppose that sometimes that hurts. I hope they realize it's good-natured teasing, like with a sibling.

For really, if you're an American, how can you not love Canada?

I admit I don't think much of Chretien and his government. But Canadians are a generous, kind, and accepting people. Tough fighters in war, and the best of neighbors in peace. The've got fun bars, great restaurants, and some truly beautiful cities and beautiful wilderness.

They've also, frankly, got a more fun and exciting variation of football. I really wish CFL football had caught on in the states!

I'll also quote Jay Nordlinger, because he said it so well in his November 4, 2000 column:

For me — for any liberal democrat, really — Canada is one of the greatest of all countries. That is, in human history....And I don’t confine my admiration to English Canada, Quebec being one of the most enchanting places on earth.

I love Glenn Gould, Jon Vickers, and Maureen Forrester (and I guess we shouldn’t forget the Quilicos). I love Rich Little, Martin Short, Dan Ackroyd, and all the rest. Certainly when I was younger, I thought Strange Brew was a glorious contribution to world culture. And what could we do without the sages David Frum and Mark Steyn?

And then there is the entire, not-insignificant issue of Dieppe and the rest of Canada’s fighting past. A couple of years ago, when it seemed that Canada would disintegrate, I objected more hotly than many (most?) Canadians. Why destroy — why dismember? — one of the most liberal, most humane, most successful, freest countries in the history of the world?

...[W]hen I go after certain of their elites, including those in the governing class, I’m doing no more than what I spend most of my life doing with reference to my own country...That hardly means I’m anti-American.

You bet. And I'll add to his list: I love Mike Myers, Scott Thompson (and the rest of the Kids in the Hall), Neil Young, Barenaked Ladies, and k.d. lang. And Neve Campbell is a major hottie.

We live near Detroit, so our family has a thing about the Redwings. But let's admit it, it really is Canada's sport. (And Windsor hockey fans are always welcome here.)

Patriotism forbids me from agreeing wholeheartedly with Joe's claim that Canada's the best part of North America. But he's got a good argument, and in any case I'll say this:

It's damn well one of the best countries on Earth, eh?