Canada is defenceless alright, just don't try invading us...
luckydog71 said:
Everyone (even Ann) knows that the Canadian Armed forces are not capable of defending Vancouver Island.
Canada doesn't have much of an army, but can put one together fast when it is "needed", and not just by one country. Remind Ann about the War of 1812 sometime.
Just in case some don't know, the United States and Canada have fought a war against each other in the past. The Americans had also attempted to invade Quebec in 1859, if my memory serves me right. LaFayette, a Frenchman no less, led the charge for the Americans and was solidly trounced in the process. The later battle in Ontario was called "The War of 1812", and Canada had its way with the US. Canada kicked their asses badly; my first ancestor came over from Scotland serving with the Scottish Highlanders' Intelligence Corps specifically for this assault. The U.S. army attempted to invade Canada twice and was driven back in bloody defeats each time. Western Maine, most of Vermont, and upstate New York were captured and occupied by Canada (and the British Army, with whom they were allied - and still are today).
Canadian/British forces actually sacked Washington DC and burned the city to the ground. The commander of the raid on Washington went into "The White House" and found the president's dinner still warm on the plate - I think they ran out fast. He finished it off, and then they torched the place.
The war lasted from 1812 to 1815. Although popularly known as the War of 1812, it is also occasionally known as "The Second War for Independence", since the British were involved. For the most part, it consisted of three years of embarrassing defeats for America and the US Army. In 1815, the situation became so bad that the New England states called a constitutional convention. Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut were taking the worst part of the war. Their region was under constant attack from the Canadians on the West front, and the British Royal Navy in the East. They called the Constitutional Convention to discuss the idea of seceding from the U.S., forming their own country, and negotiating their own peace with England and Canada. The measure was even put to a vote, and fell short by only one vote. (As a result, America would have to wait another 45 years for a civil war.)
After three solid years of getting trounced, and having their capitol burned to the ground, the government decided it was time to negotiate a peace. The only significant land battle of the war that was won by American Forces was the famous Battle of New Orleans under General Andrew Jackson. I imagine even you have heard of this, there's a song written about it, if by nothing else. Of course, due to the bad communications in those days, a peace treaty had been signed and the war had already been over for three weeks by the time the battle was fought, but neither side knew that at the time. "Irony can be pretty ironic sometimes."
And LuckyDog, like you, I like the Red Ensign...
