What are the Ashes

Caryn wrote

Wouldn't disagree with you at all. But it is interesting that here in Canada, there are a fair number of people who identify with their province first, and the country second. And not only in Quebec. Alberta immediately comes to mind, and it is not uncommon in other western provinces as well. Sheena can say if this is so for the Maritimes--it is my sense that many people see themselves as Nova Scotians first--and certainly Newfoundlanders do. I don't think the issue arises in Ontario so much--it seems to us that Ontarians think they ARE Canada. Out here, it is the result of the dominance of Central Canada, and what seems to be an assumption that the rest of the country exists merely as a supplier of raw materials. As well, the 3 prairie provinces were settled mainly by non-English peoples, but in earlier times, there were concerted efforts to turn us all--settlers and aboriginal inhabitants-- into nice little English folk. We still had to sing "The Maple Leaf Forever", glorifying the "thistle, shamrock, rose entwined". There is a sense that many people had to fight to get back their identity. Obviously not at the same level of importance as the national identity of the Welsh or Scots, but real none the less. What about the US? Dawne

I didn't see your original post Dawne, just this reproduction, but yes you are right. We see ourselves very much as a Nova Scotian entity in our own right, but let someone else diss the other provinces, and we're Canadian.

I really don't know what we can do about the Ontario attitude - I think they have to grow up and realize they wouldn't be there but for immigration down the road from Newfoundland and the maritimes lol

I have told many people how you said that my problem with sympatico was caused by Western Separatism - they love it. I am hoping you never would though!

In fact it`s much the same here - we say that people from Essex come with 7 rows of teeth, and that they`re all inbred in Norfolk. It`s a deeprooted tribal thing, no doubt. But let a foreigner start on any of us and watch the sparks fly!

Pat P

OMG--you all forgot the most brazen state in the Union--Texas. People in Texas are a Texan first than an American. LOL I know first hand--I'm a born Texan. Everything is bigger and better.

Dorsey

snipped-for-privacy@aol.com wrote: (with lots of stuff snipped) I've lived in 4

Well, sure, we do! I'll mumble that I was born in Kansas, but I'll (usually) tell you proudly that I was raised in Missouri. And yes, we make jokes at the expense of other states, just as they do about us. joke: That sound you hear when crossing the state line into Arkansas is the sound of your IQ dropping 20 points. However, THEY would tell you they'd rather live in Arkansas than in 'Misery'. It's all a bit like high school rivalries on a larger scale. Even though I will proudly claim the English and Welsh ancestry I have, I'm a Missouri American first. (And trust me, having a many times great grandmother who was a Cherokee, it makes me feel a bit torn at times, being drawn more to the British ancestry as I am)

I haven't yet seen all of this country that I want to see, but I do think each State has something to claim as it's own. Tegan

I agree totally John. Them Poms live a very depressed existence so a win is well overdue? Was a bit lame though singing " Warne ..wheres ya missus gone"..doancha think? Like the guy was only trying his level best to lift the bloodline of the Nation..single handed as I hear it...man should be given a medal for donations in the face of Threats from the Unwashed?? ! ^chuckle^