If you’ve passed a newsstand recently, you’ve likely come across the controversial cover story in (and image on) the latest issue of Macleans Magazine. It’s easy to see why a piece titled “How George Bush Became the New Saddam” could push some buttons, especially down south, but what is perhaps more interesting is what is being revealed in the realm of Canadian/American relations as a result.
D.B. Scott, who has been “watching the blogosphere for comments about the Maclean’s cover” made this observation on his Canadian Magazines blog today:
…most have not even the foggiest notion about what life is like in Canada, hence their bizarre explanations for these people north of the border satirizing their president.
His example? Scott provides this gem of a quote from Maffers Weblog:
Political humor is rampant in Canadian culture, as many Canadian children are raised on peasant vision, or basic cable, which offers CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation), and not a whole lot else. CBC, being a nationally owned station, is understandably lacking in quality programming, but in one area they have shined for years; the field of Political humor… children of all ages have been bombarded with savvy (or not) political whit (sic), when they are not watching hockey that is.
Inspired by Scott’s interest in the American reaction to this piece, I went looking for commentary and actually found quite a postive response, including this comment:
I applaud the Canadians. They’ve long seen the way things are! Even though they are America’s Hat.



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two comments
Ha! Ha! Does this "peasant vision" blogger also think that we wear clogs and that our only light source is candles rolled from bees wax, taken from our own hives?
However, it may not be that much of a leap to say that lots of Canadians only have basic cable. It IS quite a leap though to say that CBC shines in political humour. (Sorry sorry, everyone's a critic...)
Posted by Thea
September 27, 2007, 4:30 PM
GASP! You don't think the CBC shines in political humour? Thea, Thea!
Scott is I think bang on here with regards to children being raised on political humour. I don't think I missed one This Hour Has 22 Minutes for about five years when I was a teen (shame Mercer decided to leave the show). I can still remember some classic jokes like it was just yesterday.
Here's one: A big animation was set up on a billboard in London, where a cute seal filled the screen - then was bashed over the head with a club. The blood of the seal trickled down and formed the Canadian Flag. Then words form the phrase “Canada stop the murder” or something like that.
In response, This Hour proposed we erect our own sign:
SAVE THE MAD COW… BUT GET HER PICTURE OFF OUR MONEY.
Classic.
Another great one: Mary Walsh (who kicks so much ass) was reporting on a female Quebec judge who had given a convicted rapist something like a 4 month sentence, "Proving that a woman is equally capable of making a sexist, bone-headed judgement as a man. You go girl!"
Huzzah.
Posted by Zoe
October 3, 2007, 12:36 PM
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