The ad below ran in Tennessee advocating the election of Republican not voting for the Democratic Candidate Ford. Watch the ad if you haven’t yet seen it.

A lot of Americans have problems with this ad because of ‘racist’ overtones. A lot of Canadians have a problem with this ad because it belittles our role in the international community. I have a problem with this ad because it belittles the role of our armed forces (and diplomatic forces) around the world.

“Canada can take care of North Korea. They’re not busy.”

On any given day, about 8,000 Canadian Forces members - one third of Canada’s deployable force - are preparing for, engaged in or returning from an overseas mission.

I have a problem with this ad because it doesn’t tell you who to vote for, just who not to vote for. I see it as running unattributed. As a citizen, it is your duty to vote. The right thing to do if you are going to say who not to vote for is at least mention the other candidates. I had to look up who the other candidate running against Ford is: Republican Bob Corker.

Bob Corker, I call you a coward for not putting your name on that ad.

I have a problem with this ad because it mixes “attributed” information with whimsical farce. One lady says, “I’d love to pay higher marriage taxes.” In small subscript below the picture I can make out some text about a house vote. That’s fine. I also see text below the screen when they talk about Ford accepting payments from porno producers, meeting playboy bunnies, taking guns, and well pretty much every thing the various people (actors) say. Except the blurb about Canada. Mixing facts and fancy is playing dirty pool in my books — regardless of spin.

Here are a couple of facts about Canada and our relationship with the US to counteract the spin by US politico’s:

• Canada is America’s largest supplier of oil, gas, hydro-electricity and uranium
• Canada is America’s biggest trading partner
• Canada has the second-largest known oil reserves in the world
• Canada has committed over 18,000 troops to the war on terror
• Canada has deployed 20 warships in the Global War on Terrorism
• None of the terrorists responsible for 9/11 entered the U.S. from Canada
• Canada trades more with the U.S. than the entire European Union
• 25 percent of all U.S. exports go to Canada
• U.S. Trade with Canada = 5 million U.S. jobs
• Canada is the #1 export destination for 39 of the 50 U.S. states
• More than 300,000 business people, tourists and regular commuters travel between Canada and the U.S every day
• 100% of all airline baggage and rail cargo is screened for security before entering the U.S. from Canada
• The Canadian military has been involved in 146 overseas missions since 1990
• Canada committed over 40,000 troops to the conflict in the Balkans since 1992

[source]

Turns out I had many problems with this ad. Now back to our regularly scheduled blogging posts.