Truckers convoy

[JeppsOnFire]

But eventually, that point is made, and it becomes a hostage situation and not a political demonstration.

Held hostage.

You mean like someone's job with a vaccine mandate...?

[photofly]

But eventually, that point is made, and it becomes a hostage situation and not a political demonstration.

Held hostage.

You mean like someone's job with a vaccine mandate...?

No, not at all like that. Someone who is unvaccinated whose job requires vaccination can keep their job if they get a vaccine. Action is being demanded of them. That's arguably an example of coercion but not of holding for ransom. The people whose jobs and lives are based in Ottawa don't have any sway in the decisions the demonstrators are demanding be made in return for allowing life in Ottawa to return to normal.

Even if it were exactly the same, I'm not a big fan of "your misfeasance excuses mine."

[7ECA]

Not martial law?

Not even remotely close, bud, and you know that as well as I do. The hyperbolic rhetoric isn't helping anyone, yourself included, all it's doing is make it look as though you're trying to whip something up out of nothing. This "protest" has accomplished nothing, other than piss people off - so much for having the support of the "majority" of Canadians. Actually, a poll that was on the noon news on Friday showed that barely a third of Canadians supported the protest...

Now, if this was actually martial law as Rookie keeps breathlessly claiming it is... Power, water, internet, all services shutdown; media removed from the scene entirely. The military and police forces would surround the downtown core and all protest sites. They would give the protestors an ultimatum to disband and exit the area, or else face arrest. After the deadline expired, all bets are off; and people would be hauled away by force; trucks removed, etc.

What we're seeing now, is the police being more than generous with protestors with openly seditious intent, giving them every opportunity to leave - and now barely making life difficult by preventing fuel from being brought in to sustain an illegal occupation. Cry me a river. GO HOME.

Look up what's been happening at Fairy Creek.

Not even remotely similar situation. Fairy Creek is a left-wing protest/blockade; the cops promptly came in and started hauling people away. The truckers are getting a whole hell of a lot more leeway. And the same can be said of the absolutely illegal blockage of a border crossing - which is a very serious offence.

[Impact]

It's telling that not once during this entire Freedom Convoy Movement, has any Gov't official or bureaucrat made the case for (or justified) the continuation of the mandates. Their only focus has been to quell, by any means possible, what they see as an uprising against the status quo and threat to their authority, despite the clear evidence that Covid is no longer a threat. Remember, politicians and bureaucrats rarely hand back the power that they've gained, and if they do, it's to make themselves look like caring and benevolent leaders.

One thing's for certain......they've now painted themselves into the very precarious position of having to use "Emergency" powers to deal with an unruly citizenry (who have world wide support I might add).

That's one hell of a great leader we have hiding somewhere out there.

[Hi-Lighter]

Here is a nice Canadian Trucker.

Think he has the right idea - GET INVOLVED.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EthEGUQ8Z3U

[CpnCrunch]

has any Gov't official or bureaucrat made the case for (or justified) the continuation of the mandates.

No, but both provincial and federal officials have indicated that the mandates are in the process of being removed.

One thing's for certain......they've now painted themselves into the very precarious position of having to use "Emergency" powers to deal with an unruly citizenry (who have world wide support I might add).

Well no. That is the city of Ottawa that is declaring the state of emergency. Not the federal govt, or even the provincial. Ottawa is in Ontario, and Ontario said 5 days ago they were loosening covid restrictions.

That's one hell of a great leader we have hiding somewhere out there.

Well you (pl) voted for him after he said he would introduce travel restrictions. You (pl) voted for Ford who brought in the lockdowns in Ottawa, and his party is leading in the polls as of last week. So quit complaining about the government you elected bringing in laws they (at least Federal) specifically told you they would introduce, just because it's taking them a few weeks longer to remove them than you would like.

[Inverted2]

They should just block every road into Ottawa and see how they like it. Spoiler alert. That is likely plan “B”

Tow truck companies are not willing to help tow the hundreds of big rigs.

[7ECA]

Can you even name the electoral system in use in Canada?

How quaint. It's called First Past The Post. The candidate with the most votes in a constituency, that is a riding, becomes their elected official.

Cry all you want about which party had the most votes overall, but it's worked both ways over the years. It's not about getting the most votes overall, it's all about winning the most ridings. And don't even attempt to bitch about gerrymandering; you ain't seen nothing unless you look at the shenanigans being pulled in the US when it comes to electoral districts...

It's funny how when the Conservatives lose an election (although technically, you held the Liberals to a second consecutive minority government - which many would consider a win of sorts... being that it could have gone drastically different, a la Harper in 2015), they cry that the electoral system is broken! We should have proportional representation!

And yet, if the "left" begin calling for proportional representation during the reign of Harper; it's merely a bunch of snowflakes unhappy with the results.

Oh the hypocrisy...

Not to mention, weren't you the one trying to claim no right wing politician/party has ever lied? Who's ever heard of a politician or party that hasn't lied, or at the very least stretched the truth?

[‘Bob’]

No… it’s pretty bang on.

[7ECA]

Incorrect. Your reply is full of misinformation and some disinformation.

I can't wait to hear this explanation...

[rookiepilot]

Vancouver protest:

Counter protestors threw nails, eggs, rocks, kicking vehicles.

5 arrested.

CBC screams “Police unfair!”

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british- ... -1.6341873

7ECA

I agree its time for the protestors to leave. Point made. Not Martial law yet, but not hard to see.

Bigger question.

Why are you (and many others) — refusing to lay accountability where it belongs — the adults in the room — like the PM, Mayor, and the media, who’ve done nothing but provoke and malign the protestors long before they even reached Ottawa?

These are the leaders of Canada. Shouldn’t we expect better?

I don’t understand how, truly, the words of Trudeau, his MP’s, the Mayor, Singh, and many others, are supposed to bring the unity the PM has promised.

No wonder the truckers don’t want to cooperate.

I’ll wait.

Oh BTW, I am not partisan.

The RCMP Tear Gas at Fairy creek, and arresting of journalists? Disgusting

[Bingo Fuel]

Look up what's been happening at Fairy Creek.

Trees are one thing. Rights and freedoms are a very different thing.

What I'm attempting to highlight is how police, media, and government react to civil disobedience.

Perhaps a better comparison would be the Toronto G20 protest in 2010, or the Occupy Wall Street movement.

[SRV]

It's just a party...no solutions will be had. Time to go home and spend time with your families...

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/03/opinions ... index.html

[Big Bird Anonymous]

Whiny racist/terrorist wannabe's...China would turn on the ice water cannons

[Hi-Lighter]

Truckers Mandate Protest ADDRESS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D3sYDMNiD4


Police Steamroll Freedom Convoy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tnWQ3_OJOw


Notice the extreme violence that this group is exhibiting!!!!! (Sarcasm)

[CpnCrunch]

Whiny racist/terrorist wannabe's...China would turn on the ice water cannons

Nah, they just round them all up and put them in jail without trial. Here we have a lot of hand-wringing about why a Vic PD cop gave a thumbs up to a protester. Yeah, this is the end of democracy.

[RoAF-Mig21]

The fact that you typed that post with 3-4 beers onboard isa gold medal performance.

I could have been able to explain it better.

RoAF-Mig21, your story is indeed insightful. Thank you for sharing that moving personal account.

My own family history involves much the same story. Communist regime, utter despair, and absolutely no sense of personal or societal freedom and autonomy. Brutal.

A bit philosophical, however so fitting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VfJ0BJvt7Y

A lot of Canadians originating in Eastern Europe have gone through similar experiences. Thank you for that video. I will watch it now.

RoAF-Mig21, thank you kindly for your post. And thanks for the pictures. I can only imagine what that must have been like. Do you follow Roman Baber at all? He’s an MPP representing the York region. I think you may like him.

I like to read and I have an obsession with conflict history. I’ve never read anything about your country. Perhaps you can recommend a book?

Thanks again.

JAC

I have heard of Roman, but I didn’t follow him. I will start doing so. I think we need more independent MPP representing Canadians, not beating to the party line. Absolutely I have a book to recommend. It’s called “Red Horizons” by Ioan Mihai Pacepa, the highest ranking intelligence operative to ever defect from the Eastern Block to USA. His book talks about the mass disinformation campaign and tactics used by communist regimes to achieve their goals and manipulating societies and alliances.

…These were all provincial, not federal. Complain to your MLA...

They have gone on deaf ears. Nobody cares about what the public wants. They march to their own party line beat. I'm not singling out any party here. They are all responsible for these draconian measures, a the Federal, Provincial and Municipal level.

[Hi-Lighter]

And this is their "POLICE CHIEF"


https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-ne ... er-article

I couldn't find any info on the current status of the lawsuit so don't know the outcome.



Be careful who you believe has the "Best Interest" of the citizens of Canada.

[RoAF-Mig21]

And this is their "POLICE CHIEF"


https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-ne ... er-article

I couldn't find any info on the current status of the lawsuit so don't know the outcome.



Be careful who you believe has the "Best Interest" of the citizens of Canada.

Reading the "Ottawa Citizen"... is like reading KCNA (Korean Central News Agency - State news agency for the DPRK aka North Korea).

[Inverted2]

Whiny racist/terrorist wannabe's...China would turn on the ice water cannons

Go live in China then commie. You’ll be happy there. We aren’t backing down.

[Hi-Lighter]

Reading the "Ottawa Citizen"... is like reading KCNA (Korean Central News Agency - State news agency for the DPRK aka North Korea).

Wonder why they would "Eat one of their own" if that is really the case????

State news usually doesn't allow things like this to happen - you know total censorship of anyone who might embarrass the top brass.
In a totally censored society - like the one you have described would ensure that this information would never happen in the first place.


I don't live in Ottawa so have no opinion on what this paper is or is not - but I also know about the relationship between Smoke and Fire.

As to your personal experiences you have my utmost respect and I am truly honored that you came to Canada. I hope your experiences "here" have been better than your previous place of occupation.

I was in Chile' in the late 70s - just after the government got caught dumping bodies out of helicopters into the sea - people who "Just Disappeared". Midnight curfews - military with machine guns literally on every corner. They loved to make the statement that "Here everyone works, every citizen has a job" - Forced labor is not a job.

The single biggest problem with a democracy is that it is not the natural state of mankind. Tribalism is. Mobs are tribal as are political parties - just a different mob.

Democracy takes work - work on the part of every citizen and it goes beyond "JUST VOTING" - it take active participation at all levels of society. That includes teaching it in the first place - and as a parent ensuring your offspring that will inherit what you leave have at least the basics knowledge of what a democracy is and how to maintain it.

Most Canadians have abdicated their responsibilities - "My MLA will take care of everything" - plus since the beginning of our country we never had a true democratic government and many citizens like myself vote by concept of "I have to vote for the one who will do the least amount of damage rather than for a leader!!

Stay strong - stay safe - and stay peaceful my friends

[Hi-Lighter]

A bit of a side note but this is how the female side of the trucking industry treats them. They have every right to be angry yet they just keep on truckin".

Don't see the Canadian Truckers Alliance stepping up to the plate to address this. - Of course they are just an organization for the big guys and don't represent the vast majority of "Truckers. Hypocrites!!


https://www.businessinsider.com/trucker ... ers-2022-2

I think this is an absolute disgrace.

[CpnCrunch]

They have gone on deaf ears.

No they haven't. Both ON provincial and federal governments have indicated they are removing restrictions. But I doubt the trucker convoy had much to do with that...it was likely going to happen anyway.

[WellThatAgedWell]

They have gone on deaf ears.

No they haven't. Both ON provincial and federal governments have indicated they are removing restrictions. But I doubt the trucker convoy had much to do with that...it was likely going to happen anyway.

They have been indicating they are removing restrictions ever since they started them. They said the restrictions are temporary and only for as long as we need them.

[7ECA]

...plus since the beginning of our country we never had a true democratic government...

That's a remarkably bold statement to make.

While I'd suggest it would be a remarkable stretch to say that a minority government is "illegitimate" - going off that absolutely incoherent argument from FOD that the "...popular vote divides a different government"...

But to suggest even majority governments are illegitimate is something else entirely. I find it rather odd that a clearly dyed in the wool conservative would consider the Harper majority era illegitimate as a government. What was it then?

I also find it hard to believe that rather than a liberal democracy since roughly 1867, that we've instead been governed under some sort of totalitarian two party regime with the Cons and Grits managing to maintain the conspiracy for nigh on 155 years - that's truly impressive, and certainly would be one of the longest running conspiracies ever... If it weren't utter bullshit.

On a slightly unrelated note, when it comes to the modern day "post" Harper era Conservative Party, O'Toole was actually their only hope at being elected.

The party has two options, the first being shift towards becoming a centrist party with liberal social policies and a conservative economic outlook - and have a chance at being elected as a government.

The second option, is allow the hard right fringe of the party to take the reigns (and frankly it doesn't matter which crank gets in as leader, the outcome will be the same); just for arguments sake we'll say Pierre P. gets the nod as leader because it's all but been preordained based off of the coverage of the not yet even begun contest... Pierre gets the nod, and catering to the hard right fringe of the party utilizing his Prairie/Albertan upstanding bible thumping Christian street cred, takes the party increasingly further and further to the right - in the belief that this will shore up the base and gain voters. Except it will do nothing of the sort, instead taking a party that is increasingly alienated from more centrist small c conservatives, and giving it fewer and fewer votes - as it essentially degenerates into some sort of theocratic party. Mind you, the odds are his tenure as leader will be particularly short being that unless he wields an absolute iron fist and stifles all criticism (which Harper was extremely adept at doing, stifling descent in the ranks and holding together a hodgepodge "big tent" party - credit where credit's due) he'll be out on his elbow after a short time; but the damage will be done.

In the grand scheme of things, little "Orphan Andy" Scheer was a poor choice as leader. A rather milquetoast individual whom most people hardly paid any attention to, as he fumbled his way through a campaign - although he did knock Trudeau down to a minority government. His days were most certainly numbered, but the affair could have been handled with more tact than it was. Of course, now Andy has decided that the best defence is a good offence and he's off catering to the fringe. Pierre is a vocal supporter, so that'll go down well.

O'Toole... I mean, he's not quite as milquetoast as Andy; but he certainly lacked charisma - not that that's a political death sentence by any means. But, he didn't do himself any favours with his prevaricating on policies and views during the campaign. Still, he should have been afforded the opportunity to run a second campaign when the time comes - because his more centrist outlook would go down better with centrist voters; rather than diluting the party's share of the electorate between the Conservatives and other right wing parties like the PPC.