Canada: Beaver vs. Polar Bear

[CCIP]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16219305

The suggestion from a Canadian senator that Canada should replace its national emblem has sparked a national debate about what it means to be a Canadian in the 21st Century.

Beaver or polar bear? This is the stark choice Canadians face as they rethink how they want to present themselves to the rest of the world.

Well, what's your view on this one? :88)

[Task Force]

Beaver FTW!!!

[Randomizer]

No vote; it should be the Loon.

Any ideas why the formally respectable BBC seems to be morphing into a National Enquirer clone? Did Rupert Murdoch buy the Corporation or it this just a no-news day?

[CCIP]

No vote; it should be the Loon.

Any ideas why the formally respectable BBC seems to be morphing into a National Enquirer clone? Did Rupert Murdoch buy the Corporation or it this just a no-news day?

Actually I'll agree on the Loon.

And no, the BBC always had these. It is very clearly in the "In other news..." section, so it's not like it's a front-page world-class item.

[Torplexed]

Give me beaver or give me death.

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Beaver-Wear.jpg

[nikimcbee]

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_m-83C0kbgZ8/SxB0au_MhWI/AAAAAAAAAl8/uJN9RGNtzho/s1600/BEAV.gif

[nikimcbee]

Give me beaver or give me death.

http://pyxis.homestead.com/Beaver-Wear.jpg

I say, post of the year!:har:

[Jimbuna]

http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ltl2nyWL3i1qbfohmo1_500.jpg

[Kaye T. Bai]

I'm a big fan of Canadian beaver. Especially the big furry ones.

[joea]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDfwUJzYQg

:O:

[TarJak]

No contest. Once you've seen a beaver, there's no going back.:03:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkUE5TtOFQ

[Gargamel]

My high school mascot was the beaver!

[frau kaleun]

I vote for Polar Bear... cuz I don't already have one. :O:

[Sailor Steve]

I wuz first polar bear vote. Big mean critter, cool-lookin' too. :D

[nikimcbee]

No contest. Once you've seen a beaver, there's no going back.:03:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkUE5TtOFQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=8dwR-F79MjU:D

[TarJak]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=8dwR-F79MjU:D
I didn't see no beaver in that lot.:hmmm:

[TLAM Strike]

While we are on the subject of innuendo...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZpxaiNV_sM&ob=av3e

[MothBalls]

I can't vote. I've never eaten polar bear.

[TarJak]

I can't vote. I've never eaten polar bear.
Is that a hare between your teeth?

[Penguin]

:hmmm: Polar bears survive in artic climate, this would be a point for them. On the other hand they are in danger of extinction, this sounds uncool for the creature and for a nation, like adapting the dodo.
Beavers however have a reputation of being smart, plus a much longer cultural history with the First Nations - but beaver fever is no fun.

The moose would also fit as the national symbol, however it's already taken by the Swedish.
Sea lions would also be cool, however discriminating agains the Canadians who don't live at the coast; Seals on the other hand are not a wise choice unless the clubbing stops.
Canada could also try to take back the Bald Eagle from their pesky neighbors, there are more of them in Canada than in the US anyway.

After long and deep consideration, I'd go with the fox: it lives in all regions, it's definitely a survivor with enough willpowerq - and it would be a great way to spite Canada's former fox-hunting overlords - plus it also worked as a symbol for a well-known browser.:DL

[Bilge_Rat]

The Beaver is more in keeping with the Canadian character, they are born engineers, work hard and are quiet and polite! We have some Beaver ponds around our cottage and Beavers do impressive work: functioning dams, reservoirs, Huts with protected entrances. You have to see one in real life to see how hard they work.

re: Loons. There is a separate poll to see if Canada should adopt a national bird. We have loons at our Lake and those are tough birds. Two weeks ago, I saw a pair diving and fishing in the lake in near freezing temperature, long after every other bird had gone down south. They get my vote.

[Herr-Berbunch]

I'd say Polar Bear, if a nice country like Canananananada takes it on as it's emblem then maybe there'll be rethink on said country's ecological commitments and it's emissions. Maybe it'll also try to strong-arm it's neighbo(u)r to do the same. Then maybe the emblem can last for a few more generations, at least. :-?

Edit: why has nobody linked what is surely the most famous beaver quote ever - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhyCL-ELRxg