The following letter written by a St. Albert resident first appeared in the Dallas Morning News. After the letter was published, the St. Albert Gazette received a letter from a Dallas resident responding to the St. Albert resident.
I‘m a Canadian veteran and worked many times with the American military. I’ve travelled innumerable times on work or vacation to nearly all the U.S. states. In all that time and in all my travels, I never felt that Americans weren’t Canadians’ friends.
Until now. Your president and his supporters clearly believe that neither friendship nor being comrades-in-arms is meaningful. Rather they clearly think that what’s best for them and your country is to win big at the expense of others; to disregard friendship, mutual respect, honesty and fairness; and to economically and politically beat down others.
Your new leadership’s election and antics the first time around could be considered a mistake. To elect them a second time around shows a majority of Americans back up your incoming government’s declarations and approach to dealing with others.
Any talk about “America First” and your government’s posturing, bargaining position, negotiation tactics, etc., are hollow, insincere and false attempts to put a shine on a “horse apple”.
Our friendship is over. Do us all a favour and don’t come north — you’re not welcome.
David Merritt, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada
I read with dismay the letter to the editor of the Dallas Morning News from a citizen of St. Albert, Mr. Dave Merritt. He expressed his indignation (justifiably so) with the treatment toward Canada by the current administration of the US. He said that, since Donald Trump had been elected not once, but twice to the presidency, that the majority of Americans must support Trump’s policies and actions. He stated therefore that the friendship between the two countries is a thing of the past.
To Mr. Merritt and the other citizens of St. Albert, I hear you and understand your feelings. But please note: 49.8 per cent of the votes in the 2024 election were for Donald Trump. Mine was one of the 48.3 per cent of the votes against him. Believe me when I tell you that those 48.3 per cent of voters are just as horrified as the rest of the world regarding his diatribes and actions.
Please do not give up on the US. There are multitudes of us who still respect and cherish our relationship with Canada. And who will work to restore sanity and humanity to the Oval Office.
Connie Mlack, Dallas Texas
