I knew that Canada has just had elections. And I know that Stephen Harper is your PM. I don't quite understand the coalition aspect of your goverment; but that's ok.

You're right, Americans as a rule don't know the leaders of many powers in the world. As a rule of thumb, we don't know who 99% of the 3rd world leaders are; unless they are a thorn in our side, (Think President of Iran, Venezuala, Cuba, and North Korea here). And mostly we don't care. Which isn't to say that we are opposed to those leaders by defualt, we're just busy doing our own thing in our own country; (which is something I think a lot of other people should do in their own country and stop worrying about what we here in the USA are doing). And I'm sad to say, most Americans I don't believe even know who the leaders of most major western powers are. Again, I think it's because we are just so busy doing our own thing in our own country.

Speaking for myself, I noticed that the President of France is Nicolas Sarkozy. His being in office is quite the change for France, and offers some hope for them, and us, as a real ally. I use the term "ally" loosely here as we supposedely have lots of "allies". Technically France is an ally. But realistically and historically, they are, and have been almost worthless to us. I'm not to big on quite a few of our so called allies these days.

I think Canada is and has been a good friend and ally to us. Like many Canadians, I don't have much use for the french part of your country. Why don't ya'll just let them succede and go their own way?

Historically, England has been a rock to us. And I'm a BIG fan of the Aussies! I think many former Eastern Europeans countries that were formally under communism will be staunch allies of ours. They may not be strong economic powers today, but they've lived under oppression and tyranny. That's very real to them. And I don't think they plan on going back to anything like that anytime soon, if ever again. I'll take a Poland over a France any day. At least I know I can count on Poland...

- 67GTO