Stupid commentary on Canada as "the 51st state"-- the sad state of journalism

I am disgusted with the stupid commentary on Trump's malicious teasing on Canada as the 51st state.

I am almost willing -- ALMOST WILLING -- to cut the American commentators a break. After all, Canada is a big country with lots of regional variations. But really, guys and gals, how can you not know that CANADA IS A BIG COUNTRY WITH LOTS OF REGIONAL VARIATION? It's right next door! You don't have to go to Addis Ababa to figure out what's going on. (On the other hand, if you go to Toronto you might meet some interesting and intelligent Ethiopians who can give you a clue).

But the Canadian commentators are equally lame. They should be pointing out to their audiences some basic facts that make this 51st state nonsense ridiculous on the face of it--if anyone bothered to look at said face. For instance:

Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories. Somebody is going to bundle these into one state?

Canadian provinces have important constitutional powers. Do you think any of them would be willing to give them up?

Quebec -- Quebeckers can barely tolerate being one of ten provinces,the French-speaking one, the rest being basically English-speaking. Francophone Quebeckers can barely tolerate being outnumbered as is. It doesn't take much to imagine how unpopular this idea would be.

Regional cultural differences--say Alberta v Ontario. HA HA HA HA HA.

It's sad, sad, sad, sad that such basic issues hardly come up.