Yup, this is the “hat corner”
Who here hasn’t used Google Street View to point out famous-in-their-lives landmarks? For example, when it first came out, I used it to show John where Vince lost his hat (read: threw up on it) after a night of silliness. It turns out Canada—yes, in this case we can blame Canada—doesn’t want me to do that anymore. Or, more broadly, it wants to ban Google Street View. Canadian officials believe that Street View could be a violation of the country’s privacy laws and, accordingly, would have to be altered before the launch of any Google Street View: Mountie Edition. Those socialized medicine having Canadians would have to consent to having their picture taken before any “live” shots could be used online by Google.
So go ahead Canada, live in your perfect little welfare state, freeloading off the security that the U.S. provides. Just don’t expect to point out to your friends pictures of the local “hot spot” or where you got Bret Hart’s autograph.
Google map may break Canada privacy law [Reuters via Drudge]
VV throwing up in a hat doesn’t surprise me one bit.
As a proud Canadian who has spent too much time in the US, I can’t say your little “freeloading off the security that the U.S. provides” comment comes as a surprise. But I’ll mention here what I told every goddamn yank that uttered that stupid phrase to me -
“We don’t NEED your security, the rest of the world doesn’t hate us. In fact, unlike you, we’re thought quite highly of around the world. YOU’RE (the US) the biggest threat to Canada”.
wow, super offensive post. unsubscribed.
What? Gee thanks for enlightening me with you broad and captivating view on Canada and the US. Just what we’re all looking for when going to a geek-device blog. Good way to lose Canadian readers though.
What the hell were you thinking when you typed that? Did you think it was a good joke or are you just a moron? Probably more the latter, but a bit of both.
Clearly this relatively high profile blog needs to think about screening crap posts (and posters).
The posts have been going downhill anyway. This one serves as a great solidification of the decision to unsubscribe.
Sigh, once again I’m embarassed by the country I call home.
I was born in Canada and have lived here all my life and while I do enjoy the benefits like great health care, lack of guns and generally pleasant folks there is a dark side. You see my country tends to have a bit of an inflated yet fragile ego. Many people mistakingly think hockey and beer are the national past-times but in reality it’s bashing the United States.
But, while my fellow Canadians can dish it out like there’s no tomorrow I’m afraid they just can’t take their own medicine. So any time another nation, particularly the U.S. even slightly insults or insinuates Canada isn’t the greatest thing since sliced bread our people go ballistic. For example when Conan sent Triumph the Insult Comic Dog to do a report in Montreal I thought our country was going to go to war. In the city where they hold a massive comedy festival every year it seems no one can take a joke when it’s at their expense.
So I knew as soon as I read your post yesterday a similar backlash would occur and I felt I should speak up in your defense. The reality is that Canada would not exist in its current form if we did not have our American neighbors to the south. Period. End of sentence. Turn on any Canadian TV network and it’s all US shows, go into any theater and it’s all US movies, walk through any mall and it’s all US based chains. Sure we have our own national identity but believe it or not we’re not that different from Americans! (Shocking, I know!)
Having our neighbors to the south grow and flourish into the most powerful nation on the planet has done nothing but benefit those of us to the north. So in conclusion, grow up Canada. If you’re going to spend all your time pointing your finger at the US be prepared when the finger gets pointed back at you. And have a sense of humor. Or at least go down to the US and buy one when the exchange rate is in our favor. :)
Well, all good things come in small [population] packages. I love living in Canada and I know we are incapable to take any heat from our neighbours to the South but when the jokes are offensive, they are offensive. Dude, go easy on us, we are trying to help out with your war of terror. We do have troops in the middle east.
War of terror, still laughing.
Blow me.
Your vaunted security didn’t seem so hot when 19 guys with box cutters turned the WTC into a basement suite. The military brass might have been able to do something but they were too busy picking pieces of 757 out of the pentagon.
Bush was learning how to read with some other children.
You might be better served taking some of your 400 billion dollar + “security” budget and educating all the miss teen Carolinas you’ve got.
9-11-01 Never stop laughing!
There’s a difference between satire and blatant insult. I have as little respect for Americans who insult Canada as I do for Canadians who insult the US. I’m not so much offended by this post as I am disappointed that you were stupid enough to write it.
You’re fortunate to have fellow writers to apologize on your behalf.
Why don’t you all cut the crap. This is about google maps not politics.