Monday, July 09, 2007

Yellow Ribbons, Red Ribbons, No Ribbons

The City of Cornwall, Ontario seems to be embroiled in their own little debate about using Yellow Ribbon decals to show support for the troops.

Coun. Elaine MacDonald said emergency services like police, fire and ambulance have to be impartial, and that could be jeopardized if the vehicles are bearing a message that evokes a strong reaction.

And even if the council does vote in favour of the motion, there is some confusion over just what colour should be used.


Meanwhile, I came across an interesting article in the Edmonton Journal by Paula Simons (I'm Seeing Red over Yellow Ribbons Supporting Troops). The subtitle is, "City of Edmonton has no business importing Bush's toxic political baggage".

Oh, boy. There's a tip-off right there. But wait, there's more:

...This is a controversial engagement, and plenty of thoughtful Edmontonians disagree with it. In the midst of all the contention, it is inappropriate to use city vehicles, paid for and fuelled by municipal tax dollars, for propaganda purposes...
Propaganda?


...But now, the yellow ribbon has become inextricably linked with American patriotism and an unquestioning faith in the policies of George W. Bush and the war in Iraq. Why import such toxic political baggage to Canada?
(You forgot the word 'lockstep', Paula.)

...We don't need to import divisive American icons to show our support for our troops. We can do it our own Canadian way, with thought, respect and pragmatic purpose.
(So, it's really about the fear of us looking too much like those rotten Americans, I guess.)


Anyway, it's a scary insight into how a liberal mind works.


* * * *

Update: VICTORY!!!!!

Well, partial victory anyway. Official statement here.

Et tu, Chairman Ken?

15 comments:

OMMAG said...

Liberal Minds ... Don't work.

Anonymous said...

clearly these are politicians with way too much time on their hands.
If this is the most crucial issue facing their community then, I'm guessing we're paying them way WAY too much for the honour

Anonymous said...

I'm from Cornwall, Elaine MacDonald is a former NDP candidate who is currently fighting against the development of a new shopping centre (and Cornwall is an economically depressed area) while a couple weeks ago she was trying to get the Gay Pride flag flown at city hall.

Funny how it is okay for city property to display the gay flag but not red ribbons.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

Cool Blue - So sad, but not unexpected.

Anonymous said...

More proof that the NDP attracts the mentally ill and those of low IQ.

I wonder what the hysterical lefties are going to do when GWB retires in Feb 2009. I suppose their rulebook allows for post-retirement blame for up to 2 years, so that they can keep their boogeyman instead of waking up to reality.

Funny how GWB is blamed for all ills, while Clinton, the man who squeezed sexual favours out of interns and through his total lack of understanding of international affairs set the stage for 9/11 and the current global war, gets a bye to the point where his wife is a contender for the throne.

Anonymous said...

If things weren't scary sounding enough, guess what Elaine MacDonald's day job is:

High school teacher...

Joanne (True Blue) said...

High school teacher...

Again not surprising. But those poor kids.

Brian in Calgary said...

I suppose their rulebook allows for post-retirement blame for up to 2 years, so that they can keep their boogeyman instead of waking up to reality.

Caveman, you assume that the hysterical lefties have a rule book. With all due respect, I think that is very questionable assumption.

Anonymous said...

An educator?? Hey, where have we heard this before? If this were a crime scene I'd say we're on to something re: condemning the yellow ribbons. Links to education, NDP. Hey, WAIT A MINUTE!! Wasn't it the NDP in Ontario during the Harris revolution that started....wait for it....the APPLE GREEN RIBBON campaign??? And didn't the Toronto Parent Network and Person for Education decorate school communities with green ribbons????
How soon the dippers forget.

Eric said...

I was commenting a while ago on how GWB's legacy has become one of the failure (or perceived failure) of the Iraq war's aftermath. Its sad because he's spent a lot of money on research to develop alternative fuels such as ethanol, biodiesel, hydrogen, etc.. and money examining how to make vehicles more fuel efficient; hybrids, etc..

But the way the research is scheduled won't allow him to take any credit whatsoever. When they finally in 2015 have a marketable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle it will be some other president making the announcement and taking the credit.

Back to the yellow ribbons. Why is this debate so important? I don't see why it should be so divisive. Its like Dallaire and the Red Ensign, it seems like a pointless argument over symbolism. If having yellow ribbons gives our soldiers some comfort when they return then why not allow them?

Eric said...

And I take offence to that NDP comment caveman. There are many NDP policies that conservatives would likely support, most notably the democratic reform policies. They even agreed to stiffer penalties for criminals at their convention if I remember correctly.

Just because a couple wack jobs take leadership positions in the NDP doesn't mean that every NDPer is an idiot.

Tomm said...

Joanne,

The Yeloow Ribbon fiasco and the lack of the media to actually ask any tough questions surrounding what these anti-American's think they are protesting, is certainly on par with what we've been hearing for the last 15 years.

To suppport conservative or libertarian principals and policies has become a CBC punch line and mimicked by everyone else.

Therefore the purpose of the yellow ribbon (supporting troops in harms way), is not a CPC Party badge, nor is it some sort of code for Bush/Cheney in 2008.

But I think I'll start telling people that the ribbons come with their own "cooties".

That should keep them away from my back bumper.

I was really impressed by seeing the people line the overpasses on the 401. Something grassroots and real in a world of staged protests and staged "events".

Tomm

Joanne (True Blue) said...

If having yellow ribbons gives our soldiers some comfort when they return then why not allow them?

S.O. - I think it also gives some comfort to the relatives and friends at home who are probably consumed with worry 24-7.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

just because a couple wack jobs take leadership positions in the NDP doesn't mean that every NDPer is an idiot.

They do seem to attract more than their share, but I agree. We shouldn't make such a broad generalization. Actually, one of my favourite politicians is Joy McPhail. I don't always agree with what she says, but I sure do admire her attitude.

Joanne (True Blue) said...

I was really impressed by seeing the people line the overpasses on the 401. Something grassroots and real in a world of staged protests and staged "events".

Tomm, that was very heartening; especially for the families, I'm sure. What a wonderful show of support and respect.