Another response…

Yesterday I received another missive from a dear friend who happens to live in Ottawa. Like the earlier one, it was more than upset with my obvious lack of understanding as to the criminals and thugs that desecrated the capital city. I am not going to quote at length from the letter, in part because within twenty-four hours the individual wrote an apology.

Now firstly, no one ever needs to apologize to me for stating their opinions or for taking me to task for something that they feel I have no idea at all, absolutely no idea at all about what happened…

Secondly I am satisfied that some people are very passionate about their city (or town or wherever they live); in fact, more people should be or else they should move. It’s unfortunate that some are stuck in a place they have no love for and so miss out on many benefits of societal living because they really want to be somewhere else and thus can’t see the many benefits around them. The writers of late are obviously not in this category — they do care, their lives are incredibly full, and they do much for their fellow citizens…

Thirdly I do respect people who are very busy yet take time to enter into a conversation about a subject for which they vigorously disagree with me. Time is a precious commodity and you should not waste it if at all possible. Moreover personal energy is a very valuable asset and again, expending it on a conversation with me is certainly more than simply appreciated.

The interesting thing for me, in both these very thoughtful and energized critiques of my position, is that neither talked about the central unease I had: why is it bad for some truckers with expensive rigs and Canadian flags to come into town and not bad for protesters to physically attack legitimate workers trying to complete an approved pipeline which will return copious amounts of money to the public purse?

I would have a great deal more sympathy for the folks in Ottawa if I sensed anyone cares about the illegal protests (yes, courts have ruled against protesters time and again with little impact on the behaviour of the police or even the protesters) that have committed real and very dangerous violence against people, their equipment, and even their communities. Protesters blocked rail lines in Ontario because they didn’t like a pipeline in BC and thought they were sticking up for indigenous rights (in spite of each Band Council having signed on to the project) and all we heard and saw was a tepid don’t do that although we understand reconciliation is important! If I was in error, as the recent writer stated, that Ottawa isn’t whining, but rather angry at thugs and criminals – then show it by standing louder and stronger in support of the resource industries in western Canada who are continually attacked by all manner of people. Until I see the same vigor applied to shutting down those who drive nails into trees, take sledge hammers to pick-up trucks & heavy-duty equipment, put blockages on rail lines, and fight tooth & nail to prevent transport of resources to markets, I’m afraid I will continue to suggest that the majority of people in T-O-M see their world as more important and therefore more privileged than the rest of us…

g.w.

P.S. If you still care about the Season – Have a reflective Advent…