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IOC Trademarks Part of Canadian National Anthem
gravis777 sends us to BoingBoing for news that the International Olympic Committee has trademarked a line from the Canadian National Anthem and is threatening to sue anyone who uses it. The line in question is "with glowing hearts." "The committee is so serious about protecting the Olympic brand it managed to get a landmark piece of legislation passed in the House of Commons last year that made using certain phrases related to the Games a violation of law. The list includes the number 2010 and the word 'winter,' phrases that normally couldn't be trademarked because they are so general."
I don't like it. I also don't like how the option to turn slashboxes off doesn't work. I hate how I have to either keep the window maximized or read articles in little slender columns that make up less than half of the browser's real estate. This is why I love Greasemonkey.
People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. Your post is offensive in that it suggests The United States is so contemptible that its anti-thesis should feel pride in its own redeeming qualities. Likewise, it is insulting to Canada in that it suggests Canada is not an entity in its own right, but can only be defined through its relationship to The United States.
WRT the GP, try looking at it again, but this time disengage your penchant for taking things personally and look on it with humor. Consider that even if it was not the GP's intention (it may have been, you'd have to ask), it actually mocks Americans and says nothing about Canada at all.
Maple leaf? Oh yeah, maple leaf. Right. Japanese maple leaf. Gotcha. *wink*
Good. Cheap. Fast. Pick Two.