- Dec 25, 2003
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I'm not sure if this is the proper forum, but it seems the most appropriate to initiate a conversation in jingoism. Now I'm sure we can all agree that patriotism is a good thing. I for one reject "my country right or wrong", but whole heartedly embrace "my country warts and all."
Anyway, I'm a reality TV addict and needed to clrear out some old VCR tapes to record some shows tonight while I'm at work. I'm currently watching a 1998 A&E biography special on professional wrestling's Bret Hart. It chronicles his transition from the WWF to WCW and from "babyface" or good guy to "heal" or bad guy. The way the WWF (now WWE) orchestrated this was by creating tension between "America" and "Canada" by creating tension between Canadian Hart and the American wrestlers he faced.
All jokes aside, Canada is America's closest partner - in trade, in culture, in war in proximity. While tacos and salsa might outsell poutine, there are 10 Dave Foley's for every 1 George Lopez. Integral to transforming Bret from heal to babyface was developing a Canada s***s attitude among WWF fans. Jingoism at it's worst - turning on our closest friend - even closer than Britain, just to make a buck.
The WWF has been playing this sort of heartstring tugging garbage for 20 years with the likes of the Iron Sheik - who gladly left Khomeni's Iran to move to, live in America - and live the American dream, just like 500,000 Iranians, but Canada is special. Not sacrosanct, but beyond this sort of jingoistic garbage.
Bret Hart's drama played out before WWF fans over 6 years ago. And it's chilling how salient the points the biography makers points about jingoism are today.
Anyway, I'm a reality TV addict and needed to clrear out some old VCR tapes to record some shows tonight while I'm at work. I'm currently watching a 1998 A&E biography special on professional wrestling's Bret Hart. It chronicles his transition from the WWF to WCW and from "babyface" or good guy to "heal" or bad guy. The way the WWF (now WWE) orchestrated this was by creating tension between "America" and "Canada" by creating tension between Canadian Hart and the American wrestlers he faced.
All jokes aside, Canada is America's closest partner - in trade, in culture, in war in proximity. While tacos and salsa might outsell poutine, there are 10 Dave Foley's for every 1 George Lopez. Integral to transforming Bret from heal to babyface was developing a Canada s***s attitude among WWF fans. Jingoism at it's worst - turning on our closest friend - even closer than Britain, just to make a buck.
The WWF has been playing this sort of heartstring tugging garbage for 20 years with the likes of the Iron Sheik - who gladly left Khomeni's Iran to move to, live in America - and live the American dream, just like 500,000 Iranians, but Canada is special. Not sacrosanct, but beyond this sort of jingoistic garbage.
Bret Hart's drama played out before WWF fans over 6 years ago. And it's chilling how salient the points the biography makers points about jingoism are today.