Slashdot Mirror
Ontario to Match U.S. DST Change
Devastator writes "CBC is reporting that Ontario will be the first Canadian province to change daylight savings rules to reflect the changes happening in the U.S in 2007. Attorney General Michael Bryant says 'the province's economy was the deciding factor and that if Ontario isn't on the same time as the United States, it will be hurt financially.'"
Canada.
The US is generally disliked because of the nationalism that seems to be so pervasive over there. I cannot count the times I have seen a US citizen on TV droning on about how the US is "The greatest country on earth", it is this kind of thing that tends to piss people off. Many other countries have democracy, many the same kinds of freedom in the US, some even go beyond the US with a decent set of free public services (like healthcare).
People react against this attitude and the whole situation escalates. It's like the kid at school is goes around telling everyone how he is the best at sports, has the richest family etc, even if he is correct, everyone still hates the little prick.
I have a lot of friends stateside, I have absolutely no problem with Joe Public American. I dont hate *you*. I do 'dislike' the image your country has, in many ways states become 'people' (like corporations) with their own personality, views and belief structures. When people say they 'hate' America they are not talking about you, they are talking about this virtual person. If they say they hate Americans that is a different story....
Many Americans demonstrate their tendancy towards nationalism when they get all pissed of if somebody critizes their country. I am from the UK, critize my country all you want, I would not interpret this as a personal attack, merely something to be considered if warrented and discarded otherwise.
(At the risk of having Godwin's law invoked)
People in Europe grew up being taught of the damage that such passionate nationalism can do. The US is a long way from that point, but is going in that direction.