The proposed annexation of Canada is not that high on Americans' agenda. Their lack of outrage tells me one painful thing: the idea doesn’t really offend them.

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I served three years as a Canadian liaison officer with the U.S. military. My American colleagues often joked about Canada being the 51st state. I never found it particularly funny, but I understood the sentiment: You’re one of us. It was lighthearted, albeit a little clumsy, but never mean-spirited. When one of them got too insistent, I’d counter with ”How would you like to become the 11th province?” That usually earned me an awkward chuckle, the kind people give when they suddenly realize a joke can cut both ways.

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Then Donald Trump came along, calling