RE:RE:Re the Occupation of Ottawa … "It's a mess no doubt, but what they are doing is not helping anyone."
And therein lies the rub. What should they do instead? Critics of Nat Turner didn't think he was doing his enslaved brethren any favours either by leading a revolt and killing white folks but, hey, somebody's gotta start standing up against oppression sometime (perhaps not a perfect analogy but the best I could do at short notice).
There are as many stories and points of view in a demonstration/protest like this as there are individuals involved. What this article did for me was remind me that every individual deserves to have an opinion, be heard and, agree or not, be respected (unless it's hateful and then all bets are off). It's a very difficult situation, one which I, as a left-coaster, am so far removed from physically that I couldn't possibly form an objective opinion since I tend not to believe much of what I read in the mainstream media - they've always got an angle, ya know? Even this article may be a complete fabrication but, if it is, its message is definitely one I can get behind.
(PS - damn you, Tin! I said I wasn't going to debate!)
TinToronto wrote:
So I read the article , and I appreciate his perspective, but his narrative is his narrative. He seems concerned that his appearance will somehow attract attention to him as an outsider, yet by his photo included in his bio he looks like he would likely fit in anywhere. Being able to have an open and respectful chat with the participants is great - I'm sure they're happy someone wants to hear from them at this point. But the following quote from one of his new acquaintances frankly speaks to exactly what Ottawa citizens are concerned about "
He said, “Yes there was some clown with a Nazi flag on the weekend, and we don’t know where he’s from, but I’ll tell you what, if we see anyone with a Nazi flag or a Confederate flag, we’ll kick his f....... teeth in. No one’s a Nazi here.” Manitoba Corner all gave a shout out to that.
Obviously, I don't condone anti-semetic or racist views , but I certainly don't condone kicking anyone's teeth in. Yet, the author of the article didn't seem to be outraged by that means of resolution, this in itself is concerning. And this was from the apparently appointed leader of their little corner of the occupation. - is this their answer to opposing views? I'm certainly not painting them all with the same brush, but his article hasn't convinced me that this is all smoke and mirrors created by politicians and media. It's a mess no doubt, but what they are doing is not helping anyone.
quote=IvankaThePariah]Suggest y'all read the following (if you're capable which, I realize, some of you are not) ... it's a much different perspective on what's going on in Ottawa. I'm not interested in debating who's right or wrong - I'll leave that to the rest of you. But take a minute, read this, and try to put yourself in someone else's shoes for 5 minutes ....
An Ottawa downtowner talks to truckers
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