Why Bother?

I really don't understand why Bush would bother to visit Ottawa at a time when US-Canadian relations are this poor. Normally that would be a reason to make a stab at improving things, but the current political climate in Canada is such that all he was bound to encounter was more irrational euro-style hatred.

The American press missed two things, however, in their perpetual ignorance of all things Canadian. One, the main rally denouncing his appearance was put together by the socialist New Democratic Party. Also, outside of Quebec and Ontario, there are many Canadians who are supportive of America and even Bush himself, especially in the western provinces.

Nonetheless, I think the visit was a waste of time. Until political conditions within Canada change, the country has earned the isolation it has recently experienced.