The Beginning of The End?

 So now the 'he said she said' (almost exclusively he said I might note) starts, along with the blame game as to what should and should not have be done to end the occupation of downtown Ottawa for several weeks. I will try to not get too specific as to my views as to the commentary from our political 'leaders' of all stripes and levels for the diversity of opinions either actually held or expressed for political gain is so diverse that little can be gained by getting into that swamp!

I will however express some support for the various individuals and organizations that have received condemnation for variously not moving to stop the 'occupation' sooner, more forcefully or will no doubt come under months of unwarranted condemnation. The question that must be asked of those that would poke holes is 'and what would you have done' given that here in Canada (at least for the most part and so far) we permit citizens to gather together and express their concerns with various decisions and activities. Would they perhaps have arrested and seized all those massive cargo haulers before they got to Ottawa in the belief they might not have stayed more than a few hours, or perhaps begged the several levels of government to comply with the demand of a few vocal trouble makers to competently remove all safeguards against covid spreading further than it has already and filling our hospitals with the sick? Let face it getting these big rigs to move when they dont want to leave is hardly the same as moving a crowd of 'protesters' or for that matter towing a few cars, that they were soon supported by a considerable number of highly disturbed people who had no respect for either the rule of law or the impact they were having on the local citizens further adds to the problem.

I will not expand further on these thoughts, you get the general idea, I will however say that by the time the 'convoy' reached Ottawa it had already clearly been infiltrated by a large number of anti everything folks who had nothing to do with the trucking industry and the frustration of a few truckers on having to 'get the shot' in order to truck across the border. One only has to view the more recent videos of the efforts to get folks to clear the area in front of our legislature to see that the whole thing has morphed into far more than a 'truckers protest' and into a right wing nutcase forum. I will also be clear that I support our governments moves to lock the accounts from various largely unaccountable online sites that enable funding to such forums and their seizing of the funds and equipment of those that refuse to comply with lawful request to exit the area and go home. I further support those hundred of officers from all over the country who have shown great restraint in taking hours of verbal and occasional physical abuse from said nutcases and only using minimal force as directed by their commanders when required to undertake their duties.

There will be many who disagree with my point of view but all I am going to say is try and turn off your political biases and look at the actions and impacts of this particular 'protest' and decide if your want such individuals running the country, the province or you local council for that is what eventually this is all about.

Enough said!

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An Assault on Democracy

“This is the thing about democracy that the convoy organizers, in all their innocence, do not understand: that rights come with responsibilities, and freedom comes with duties. This vaccine mandate is no different than other areas of compelled action – wearing seatbelts, getting the measles shot, showing ID before purchasing alcohol, paying your taxes.”

The above quote is from an opinion article in the Globe & Mail by Omer Aziz In which he loosely links much of the protesters to racist opinions, I am not sure that I totally agree with him on that but it is certainly no longer about vaccination status and trucking. It is indeed now an assault on democracy, not only has it already severely damaged our standing with other nations and our already fragile economy but it has now given a platform to those who would topple our government. And less you believe different political leaders, be them any of the provincial selection or the national ones you have but to ask how they would deal with these insurrectionists in any practical and effective manner. Azis goes on to say......

“They came in droves from all over the country, packed into cars and pickup trucks, cheered on by supporters along the way. They saw their freedoms under attack and converged on the nation’s capital in an attempt to force the resignation of a democratically elected government, using intimidation and threats to showcase their power. Desiring greater liberty, some displayed Confederate flags and Nazi swastikas, defiled national monuments, desecrated the memory of war heroes, and demanded that federal leaders be overthrown.

What I am describing happened in the United States on Jan. 6, 2021, and is still going on in Canada. The truckers’ movement is no longer a demonstration for freedom or vaccine mandates, but a well-funded assault on democracy. As one organizer put it, their mission was to “compel the government to dissolve government.” We must be clear about what took place in Canada last weekend: an attempt to alter government policy by force – while masquerading as a rally for freedom. More dangerously, it was a movement insidiously co-opted by white nationalists and their far-right allies.”

It is indeed an assault upon our very democracy and has little to do with whether a minority of truckers are permitted to cross into the USA without being protected from covid, those that would hold the country and government hostage and ignore the rule of law have no idea where this may lead. Or perhaps the disruption and chaos and a lawless society is exactly what they want …... be careful what you wish for supporters of this blockade....

 

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Democracy Under Attack?

Yes, our very democracy is under attack, make no mistake whilst one or two commercial vehicle drivers may have been upset that they needed to get vaccinated to cross into the U.S. the current illegal gathering has nothing to do with a prick in the arm. Its more about other 'pricks'!

Its been some time since I wrote a few words in this long standing blog but recent events have me so concerned about our very democracy that I cannot but help add my support to those who condemn those who would further add to the already difficult difficult times that we all face due to the covid infection. I am so upset by what I hear and read about these would be anarchists that a cannot coherently put my thoughts to paper and thus will simply replicate a few of the words of others who are likewise disgusted by the actions of these trouble makers.

Mark Carney writes https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-mark-carney

But now in its second week, no one should have any doubt. This is sedition. That’s a word I never thought I’d use in Canada. It means “incitement of resistance to or insurrection against lawful authority.”

Michael Harris writes: It is the naked threat to degrade and make permanently dysfunctional Canada’s capital city, and other cities, unless the government abandons the public health policy it was elected on, and ends all Covid-related restrictions.

What we have here is not a protest but an occupation.

As highlighted at https://nor-re.blogspot.com/2022/02/truck-off.html

Perhaps the best assessment is offered by an infectious disease specialist with the University Health Network in Toronto, Dr. Abu Sharkawy, who says,

the protest is indicative of a larger societal creep, fed by right-wing populists, that has created a movement of people who feel “emboldened and entitled to abuse, threaten and recklessly exercise whatever prejudice is within their hearts.”

From https://politicsanditsdiscontents.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-kidnapping-of-capital.html

We’ve looked from across our border in horror at the crap that has been spewed in the United States, yet now these same forces are trying to inject lethal amounts of that same toxin into our body politic here, all of their own benefit. That is something that no Canadian should be supporting, let along legitimizing, at any point.

https://magpiebrule.ca/2022/02/07/the-only-legitimate-resolution

The manifesto of this occupation makes myriad, confusing, incompatible demands. They make no sense at all, really. There is no effective way to act on them, even if we wanted to........

This occupation wants its way. And only its way. Not compromise. They are a large, violent toddler thrashing about on the kitchen floor of our democracy. “Give it to me, or I will break shit,” they are telling us. They don’t care about me or anyone else in downtown Ottawa.

https://deadwildroses.com/2022/02/07/the-limits-of-toleration-and-compromise

This is but a small selection of the views of the majority of Canadians that believe that this 'occupation is an assault on our democracy.

Look around the world folks this is but a refection of the lack of respect for the rule of law and democracy that is creeping into our civilization that will only become more prevalent as pressures from population growth, climate change and political greed build in the coming decades.

 

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