I’d argue it’s the same hubris that led to the modern wars in Europe; the thought that we’ve done this elsewhere in the world, we can do it easily next door. Well, next door means you’re exposing your own home to serious damage. Only 0.4% of the US population actively serves in the military, and 6% are veterans. That is a tiny part of the population that has even a hint of first-hand knowledge of how bad this could be. American government and media make these operations look quick, safe, efficient, and relatively bloodless, with relatively little capital–buildings, equipment, people–lost. They are not.
On the flip side, I think Canadians may underestimate how much they’re putting this on other subcultures within their whole to fight an insurgency. There is this confidence that the FLQ, the aboriginal peoples, or some other group with a history of standing up for themselves will be the ones to stand up instead of them. The reason this is ridiculous is because it contradicts their basic thesis statement, that Canadians pass as Americans. You know who doesn’t easily pass as American? Someone with a strong French accent or an aboriginal complexion.
Right, I agree.