Forty years ago, when I was much younger, more passionate, and probably less wise than I am now, I was a Progressive Conservative. In those days, anyone could go to any political rally anywhere to listen to, and occasionally heckle, a candidate. Indeed, attendance was encouraged. It was seen as a way of influencing the undecided. Politics was interesting, and it was fun.
Not so to-day. To-day, one must pre-register to attend Conservative functions. Inquisitive students who attend the rallies of more than one party, and who are unfortunate enough to be photographed with an unacceptable leader, are ejected from the hall. Anyone who deviates from the chanting in unison and the obligatory clapping at pre-determined appropriate moments is immediately suspect.
If this description sounds disquieting, it is perhaps because one could apply it to the infamous Nurenburg rallies held in Nazi Germany in the 1930s. Enforced conformity is undemocratic. It is suggestive of Orwell's "1984". It also might be symptomatic of a kind of mentality that is incompatible with the very notion of open and accountable democratic government. Let us not forget that the Conservatives have already been found in contempt of Parliament. Are they not contemptuous of the Canadian people?
Saturday, 9 April 2011
Saturday, 2 April 2011
The Personal Results of Governmental Stupidity
On March 25th, 2011, my wife's niece died suddenly and unexpectedly of complications arising from treatment for leukaemia. She was 19 years of age, academically brilliant, and before her diagnosis was looking forward to a great life. Over 200 turned up for her funeral, and there was not a dry eye in the room.
However, her aunt, who lives in Lebanon with her husband and child, was not there. Notwithstanding that she has visited Canada on several occasions in the past; notwithstanding that she and her husband are respectable, established, and successful business people in Lebanon, and notwithstanding that her presence in Canada would have posed no threat to security (or anything else), she was denied a visa to enter Canada by our present Conservative government. First, a letter from the attending physician was requested. It was supplied. That was not sufficient for the goons who run the visa service. They wanted more, in the form of a death certificate. That was also supplied. After receiving everything they asked for, our beknighted government refused admission anyway. And in so doing, they forfeited the votes of a lot of people.
This kind of arbitrary arrogance is precisely why Harper and his dinosaurs should not be returned to office. They have too much to learn about compromise, humanity, and humility to be fit to govern. Their record on the economy is spotty, and at the best, no better than the Liberals before them. Their foreign policy record is poor, and their respect for civil rights and just plain human decency almost non-existent. (especially if you happen to come from the Middle East and are not Israeli). The Conservatives should be consigned to opposition or oblivion until they finally learn to treat all persons fairly and equally. I recommend Burns' famous poem, "Is There for Honest Poverty", as a starting point in their education.
I intend to disseminate this tale to as many persons who will read it, in the hope that it will influence them not to vote for the Conservatives in this election.
However, her aunt, who lives in Lebanon with her husband and child, was not there. Notwithstanding that she has visited Canada on several occasions in the past; notwithstanding that she and her husband are respectable, established, and successful business people in Lebanon, and notwithstanding that her presence in Canada would have posed no threat to security (or anything else), she was denied a visa to enter Canada by our present Conservative government. First, a letter from the attending physician was requested. It was supplied. That was not sufficient for the goons who run the visa service. They wanted more, in the form of a death certificate. That was also supplied. After receiving everything they asked for, our beknighted government refused admission anyway. And in so doing, they forfeited the votes of a lot of people.
This kind of arbitrary arrogance is precisely why Harper and his dinosaurs should not be returned to office. They have too much to learn about compromise, humanity, and humility to be fit to govern. Their record on the economy is spotty, and at the best, no better than the Liberals before them. Their foreign policy record is poor, and their respect for civil rights and just plain human decency almost non-existent. (especially if you happen to come from the Middle East and are not Israeli). The Conservatives should be consigned to opposition or oblivion until they finally learn to treat all persons fairly and equally. I recommend Burns' famous poem, "Is There for Honest Poverty", as a starting point in their education.
I intend to disseminate this tale to as many persons who will read it, in the hope that it will influence them not to vote for the Conservatives in this election.
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