It takes a brave, or really stupid, person to say this stuff
In many conversations taking place this week in the wake of G20 security procedures and the recent local hospital AGM, more than a few people are questioning both the tactics of the State, and institutions, in their quest for control. Using legal means and zealously enforcing the regs on the books one is forced to conclude that the perception here is that Fascism is alive!
Whoa Nelly! before you go off at the messenger and look at the fascists in the past context and immediately make the leap that all who accuse others of Fascism are equating the leaders of today with those bad guys - you know the usual supects - Pol Pot, Idi Amin and the worst of all - Adoplh himself, just look at the measures being upheld by our leaders today. Search and seizure rights,suspended for the G20 exclusion zone, the ability of a 'rentacop' to arrest citizens for failing to produce ID in that exclusion zone, overwhelming police presence for seemingly routine building checks and the chicanery of procedural rules to eliminate opposition at the NHH AGM. What does it add up to? A weary opposition, a jaded electorate and an apathetic population which is reflected in a bunker mentality and a reduced voter turnout at elections. Throw in an unappealing list of people to vote for and one can be depressed very easily if you think about this stuff for very long.
Still there are better days ahead and if you make the drive to "la belle province" beer is on sale at a buck a bottle at the corner store, one way at least to take your mindsoff these things - sit on the back porch and have a brewski!
Whoa Nelly! before you go off at the messenger and look at the fascists in the past context and immediately make the leap that all who accuse others of Fascism are equating the leaders of today with those bad guys - you know the usual supects - Pol Pot, Idi Amin and the worst of all - Adoplh himself, just look at the measures being upheld by our leaders today. Search and seizure rights,suspended for the G20 exclusion zone, the ability of a 'rentacop' to arrest citizens for failing to produce ID in that exclusion zone, overwhelming police presence for seemingly routine building checks and the chicanery of procedural rules to eliminate opposition at the NHH AGM. What does it add up to? A weary opposition, a jaded electorate and an apathetic population which is reflected in a bunker mentality and a reduced voter turnout at elections. Throw in an unappealing list of people to vote for and one can be depressed very easily if you think about this stuff for very long.
Still there are better days ahead and if you make the drive to "la belle province" beer is on sale at a buck a bottle at the corner store, one way at least to take your mindsoff these things - sit on the back porch and have a brewski!
5 comments:
Another take on fascism from the Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life Department, this letter-to-the-editor ran in this morning's Globe&Mail. Not only does it set the idea of strong females being able to look after themselves back about 50-years, it adds credence to everything The Glob'e Christie Blatherforth ever gushed about lantern jawed Men In Uniform being the cat's sexual pyjamas. I'm sure the writer would have just about dropped her drawers at the sight of Il Duce :
"I work within the security zone in the heart of Toronto's financial district. Today is the last day I will enjoy the enhanced security measures; next week things should be back to normal.
Much has been written about the cost, the inconvenience and the paranoia. All true. But there's been a big upside. For the past week there have been swarms of gorgeous, large, buff, heavily-armed men in uniform outside my building. Gentlemen (particularly the officer who was outside of the Royal York Hotel on Tuesday morning as I was getting into a taxi – you know who you are): I will miss you.
Coming in to work in the morning has never been this much fun.
Michelle Gage, Toronto "
It'll pass.
Just to inject some contrary bent, how often do we hear the phrase "where are the cops when you need them?" after some significantly upsetting event gives rise to serious public concern? To be fair, the enforcement agencies have the unenviable task of protecting everyone from both known and unknown dangers as well as from their own stupidity at times. As with many professions, we want the most committed ones to be there for us but that brings with it the element of extremes and that's usually what we rail against. Trouble is, too often we attack the whole thing instead of just the problematic aspects. The challenge is to find and work at it from a position of balance. But I'm not sure that the Merks of our world would accept any of this as fairness; they're more likely to call it succumbing to the 'dark forces'.
Ben, what makes you think better days are ahead? It's only going to get worse as Big Brother tightens his grip on all of us.
Those brave enough to speak up will find their income tax returns for the last several years suddenly being audited and funny noises on their phone.
That will just be the beginning.
"...and funny noises on their phone.
Another dime-a-dozens conjecture.
If your phone is making 'funny noises' you can then be certain that your phone is NOT being hijacked to listen to your insipid gossip.
State authorities like a clean line; the better to hear & record the conversation. Oh yes, State authorities have the money to purchase the best listening devices.
Post a Comment