Obama to make 1st foreign trip as president to Canada on Feb 19

Canada, despite their protests to the contrary, isn't really "foreign". It's more like America Jr.

Oversee trip, let controversial like visiting UN HQ !

I wonder if he really wants to meet up with Harper or that lame coalition that the other parties of Canada were trying to get together to weaken Canada. Obama could probably handle them a little better but Harper is really too strong for him.

Canadians rejoice!

Maybe he could make it the next state and bring some style to the place.

They need it those dasai Canadians.

Canada, despite their protests to the contrary, isn't really "foreign". It's more like America Jr.

Of course Canada is foreign. But when your little brother is pumped up on steroids you tend to play nice. Canada's a wonderful country that combines the best of the US with the best of England. Like England, it is divided from us by a common language, with a little French thrown in.

I don't see anything particularly newsworthy in this announcement. As the article points out, presidents usually make this their first trip. Obama probably has more reason to do so than most. His stand (stand?) on NAFTA will undoubtedly be of considerable interest to the Canadians.

Canada, LOL

Lot's of Canadian and American friends. Generally speaking, however, I find the Canucks more relaxed about things, and they are not so analy-rententive about being politically-correct.

Anyway, I hope President Obama, the wife, and kids all have a good time in Canada.

President Obama's sister lives in Canada so he may make quite a few trips.

Probably going to get tips on socialized medicine, gun control and manditory second language.

Probably going to get tips on socialized medicine, gun control and manditory second language.

That would be English?

QUE?

skip: If it's Latinos coming up from Mexico or other South American countries via California I think they'd simply find it too cold, for the most part. But hey, we welcome all.

It is indeed funny to hear it described as an 'international' visit, but technically that's what it is. I also agree that it's not really much by way of news... seems more or less just a thread for a few Americans with inferiority complexes to try and insult their northern neighbours. Fortunately, since we don't suffer the same inferiority complex (for the most part), we are master's of the art of self-deprecation, and take it all with a good sense of humour.

I will say this: that for the first time in at least 8 years Canada has some pretty big shoes to fill with their American counter-part, instead of just having to entertain a clown (ie. bush). They should be proud this man is going there first and paying respects to the government and leaders, and better do their utmost to try and live up to the man from the South. I hope they hit it off well.

Serious talk about WMD's of course, Canada it is your last chance to give them up or we will invade you! (PS this is a joke)

"U.S. presidents typically choose Canada as their first international trip"

Change! Ha!

Actually I have no criticism of this - Canada is our neighbor, and the one that doesn't constantly send thousands of poor people into our country, helping to bankrupt our hospitals and schools.

But I want to know when President Obama is going to make a visit to Kenya where he has a poor half brother...

techall, "quoi?".

Oh, I know what he's gonna do, he's going to stop Canada from becoming two!

If Canada did split in two, which part would be the 51st state and which part would be the 52nd state?

Skip: Acadia is long since wiped off the map, so can't take back the Cajuns... anyway, they are one of the only groups of people giving your melting pot some sass, and good food to boot!

As for the Mexican thing, don't take that as a dig at all, becuase that was not intended. Look at my post again: I said 'Mexico or other South American countries...'. The reason I differentiated between them is because Mexico is connected by land and sees, if not the most emmigrants, the most people go through its soil. Nonetheless, my point remains that it's much hotter there than in Canada -- especially in winter.

sarge: "Change! Ha!"

Quite a petty argument if you are being serious about using this as 'proof' he's not changing. Perhaps he should make his first call to far off Equitorial Guinea?

"But I want to know when President Obama is going to make a visit to Kenya where he has a poor half brother..."

I have absolutely no doubt you DO want to know when he does this, so you can accuse him of using government time for personal matters, since you seem so intent on bringing up his personal life and all. Going to Canada isn't a day off to visit the ranch, my friend, it's a business trip. Going to Kenya would no doubt be a personal matter, and none of your concern.

SuperLib: "If Canada did split in two, which part would be the 51st state and which part would be the 52nd state?"

As I said, the insecurity is pretty funny. What would it matter if they were all wearing Canada flags on their pack, anyway? (nudge nudge).

"...anyway, they are one of the only groups of people giving your melting pot some sass, and good food to boot!"

The metaphor of the United States of America as a kind of (s)melting pot comes from metallurgy, not gastronomy.

excuse me?

If Canada did split in two, which part would be the 51st state and which part would be the 52nd state?

uh, newsflash smartass. you're broke. I suggest you take that into consideration before you begin claiming canada part of your crumbling country.

"you're broke"

If we're broke, what's up with all these billions we're giving to other countries?

Canada-US ties going up via President Obama. Any foreign country President Obama goes,ties will go up. The political rock star effect is popular worldwide.

nobody is impressed

Sarge - "If we're broke, what's up with all these billions we're giving to other countries?"

You must mean the billions coming from loans from China and Japan.

Sushi: "You must mean the billions coming from loans from China and Japan."

Not only that, but the heaps of money coming from China and Saudi Arabia in exchange for US assets, companies, and land. sarge doesn't seem to realize that his home town back in the USA will soon be a province of China, if it isn't already, or be owned by one of the Bin Ladens.

wuzzademcrat: "The metaphor of the United States of America as a kind of (s)melting pot comes from metallurgy, not gastronomy."

I'm quite aware of the origins of the phrase, my friend... but if you want to get literal about it, do show me all the metal works called USA where people are all working in harmony and with no food.

My comment referred to Cajuns (and New Orleans) giving the 'melting pot' a bit of flavour and the place they largely reside in being unique (it was in response to another comments saying, "Take them back", which, if you know your history, makes sense). Not my fault if you can't catch it.

Obama visits Canada. Americans comment. Insecure Canadians get defensive. When will the inferiority complex end? Get on with life insecure people. You are no different than the rest of us North Americans.

Claiming people have inferiority complexs is cop out in lieu of intelligent discourse.

Canada-US ties going up via President Obama.... The political rock star effect is popular worldwide.

Canadia-US ties are almost always static, President Obama will have little effect on ties going up or down, it's the nature of the type of economy we share. As for the political rock star effect, not everyone is er uhmm "simple" enough to get caught up in group-hype. Which is one the few aspect of Canadian politics I prefer over US politics.

smithinjapan: sarge doesn't seem to realize that his home town back in the USA will soon be a province of China, if it isn't already, or be owned by one of the Bin Ladens.

I love it when smith starts going over the edge.

Relax, buddy. Canadians and Americans share a common bond that's probably one of the strongest in the world. You guys just annoy me sometimes with your constant criticism. I'm happy that Canada was Obama's first trip, as it should be. Canadians are part of the US government in a lot of ways from Gitmo to our nuclear secrets. Some of that you might not know about or like, but it does show the level of trust.

the complex comment stands and the answer to it is proof of it. That said Canadians, normal ones that don't come on here denouncing the USA every chance they get are usually good people and always welcome 'down south home'.

I reckon Obama could learn a thing or two from Stephen Harper.

I kinda liked former PM Paul Martin's suggestion that US and Canadian governments basically disengage from the UN and form a new multinational organzation of capitalist nations - a G20 - to eventually replace that corrupt and failed body currently befouling New York city.

Even felt a little sorry for Martin when U2 frontman and gimp extraordinaire Bono, in criticizing Canada for failing to meet foreign-aid target of 0.7 per cent of GDP, said he was going to "kick Martin's butt."

Obama's approval rating amongst Canadian is probably better than Harper's.

Who is this Harper guy everyone keeps talking about?