I’m trying to decide what kind of Canadian I am.
Last Saturday the angry citizens protesting Bill C51 in 70 Canadian cities left me with an ominous feeling of déjà vu.
The mood reflected the anger and apprehension of anti-war demonstrators in the 1960s who were also being dragged to war.
The mood and words of the Conservative government are alarmingly similar to the contempt and lies circulating in the heyday of George W. Bush and his henchmen.
Like many Canadians I am mourning the loss of innocence (not to mention the very real loss of rights and freedoms), but what can be done?
Resistance is futile against the Conservative majority, but I can’t sit back blindly while Harper’s cronies legislate death and destruction.
I once bragged about being one of a generation of Canadians born, raised and thriving without ever knowing the fear, tragedy and heartbreak of war.
That Canada no longer exists – look what they’ve done to our country.
From Vancouver to St. John’s protestors marched to draw attention to Mr. Harper’s new Canada – a nation of warriors and spies.
They were protesting Bill C51 but Canadians are clearly saying they don’t like the direction Harper’s Conservatives are leading us.
How disappointing it must be for millions of baby boomers as our country is led to battle behind the trash talk and war mongering ways of the Conservatives.
How frustrated and helpless they must feel as the peace-loving Canada of their youth is dismantled and discarded.
How heartbreaking it was to see our Canadian flag being flown upside down in protest in Vancouver.
A picture of the demonstration in Halifax was posted on line with the caption urging Canadians to stand on guard for their country.
Mr. Harper displays his arrogance and contempt for Canadians almost every time he speaks as he routinely scolds us with his three favourite put-downs.
After a tough question that he would rather not answer he often begins with “Look” – as in, “Look, you are either with us or with the terrorists.”
He doesn’t mention the third option – some of us prefer to be “with Canada.”
When the PM wants to divert attention away from controversy he uses “Frankly” – as in, “Frankly, Justin Trudeau is just a pretty boy in a muscle shirt.”
His third “Harperism” is a tribute to former President Richard Nixon who said something like, “Let me make one thing perfectly clear - I am not a crook.”
Mr. Harper often paraphrases Nixon with something like, “Let me be perfectly clear – I don’t care what Canadians think – I alone know what’s best for the country.”
He claims to have the support of the majority as he tramples on the rights and freedoms of Canadian minorities and the disadvantaged.
The most disgusting example is when Conservative Diane Ablonczy accused, insulted and tried to bully a representative from the National Council of Canadian Muslims.
It has been called “McCarthyism’ at its worst and her racist undertones and innuendos left me cold, sad and embarrassed as a Canadian.
Watch it yourself – are you proud to be represented by her hateful comments?
As for me, I can’t sit idly by and do nothing – I feel compelled to defend Canadian values.
I’m pretty sure Mr. Harper doesn’t read my column and that’s a shame.
I would really like him to know that because of his un-Canadian antics I am sending some money to Justin Trudeau.
I wasn’t planning this but if the PM continues on his misguided course I just might send Justin some more.
Look what you’re doing to our country, Steve.
