Yellow Ribbons and yellow politicians - Troisième partie

The debate over Yellow Ribbons rages on in Waterloo Region.

I detect a chink developing in Ken Seiling's politically-correct armour. In today's Local section, the Record reports that Chairman Ken was doing a bit of e-mail polling and discovered that the "majority" of councillors supported the move. (See "Regional councillors like ribbons" - which BTW is a somewhat misleading headline.)

Uh-oh... Back-track time.

Waterloo Region Coun. Tom Galloway said yesterday that no one has actually asked the region to affix the symbols of solidarity with Canada's troops in Afghanistan onto regional ambulances. At least not yet.

However, Coun. Jane Mitchell is solidly against the whole idea:

Although she personally supports the mission in Afghanistan, Mitchell said putting the signs of support on ambulances is unfair to those who oppose war of any kind, including Waterloo Region's Mennonite and pacifist populations, she said.

The Mennonites don't appreciate the courage of our soldiers? Nobody is asking them to fight! What kind of convoluted logic is that? I would love to hear from a Mennonite on this one.

There are other ways for regional employees to show their support for the soldiers, and that should be voluntary, she said.

It would be voluntary, Jane! We're talking about an option; a choice. Freedom! Remember that concept? That would be what they're fighting for, Jane.

Agreeing to such a public show of support for the troops makes it difficult to turn down other requests, she said. If her colleagues agree to put the yellow ribbons on ambulances, she'll immediately ask them to approve ribbons that support the fight against domestic violence, too, Mitchell said.

Oh, come on! You're above such childish antics, aren't you?

The councillor doesn't buy the argument support for the troops can be distinct from support for the war. "It's kind of splitting hairs," she said.

Well, that's what it boils down to, doesn't it? That is the whole thing right there. I think we need a referendum on this. Add it to the one in Ontario in the October election.

Let's have a common policy for all Ontario municipalities and get away from the politicizing.

It's embarrassing.

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If you live in Waterloo Region, please support our troops by signing the 570 on-line petition.

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Update: Jane Mitchell, I have a way out for you right here - Many Afghan women choosing suicide by fire. There you go, Jane. No more hair-splitting required.

Vote in favour of the Yellow Ribbons and you'll be supporting the fight against domestic violence in Afghanistan.

Case closed.

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Update #2. - Just caught the tail-end of a Kitchener noon news report. It seems that Kitchener Mayor Carl Zehr may be reconsidering his position on the Ribbon issue, even though he personally 'doesn't think we should be there', if I heard him correctly.

I'll post an official statement when I have one.

See? Grass roots action can make a difference.


Update #3. - Newstalk 570 is reporting that Mayor Carl Zehr has announced that Kitchener council has unanimously agreed to allow Yellow Ribbons on city vehicles.

Now waiting to hear from Chairman Ken. Tick-tock.

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Interesting. This thread was picked up by "Vote for MMP".

Yellow politicians refuse yellow ribbons

My respect for the Record has been restored today. Their awesome editorial takes Waterloo Regional Chair Ken Seiling and Kitchener mayor Carl Zehr to task for their wimpy behaviour regarding the display of Yellow Ribbons in support of our brave troops:

...It is understandable that Seiling and Zehr refuse to recognize one club, charity or special interest group out of concern that they might run afoul of the law unless they recognize every group. But the Canadian Armed Forces are unique. They are not an interest group, ethnic club or religion. They have no political allegiance beyond their willingness to serve and protect this democracy.

The men and women of Canada's Armed Forces wear the uniform of Canada. They fight for Canada. Increasingly they die for Canada. They are in Afghanistan because they were sent there by a federal government democratically elected by Canadian voters -- by us, in other words. No other collection of people can make this claim. No other group stands for the national interest with such authority or risks so much to perform this essential duty...

Also there is a couple of excellent letters to the editor today which express the outrage and embarrassment that I'm sure many K-W residents are feeling today (all relevant links will be provided in 'Comments'):

I was appalled to read that Waterloo Region is refusing to allow its police cruisers and ambulances to display yellow ribbons under the guise of weak excuses and an obscure Ontario Human Rights Commission ruling issued 17 years ago.

When observing the wimpy response of our regional leaders, I was reminded of the following poem by Ralph Chaplin:

"Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie, . . . but rather mourn the apathetic throng, the coward and the meek who see the world's great anguish and its wrong, and dare not speak."

I shudder to think what life would be like today if we had been led by politically correct politicians during the Second World War.

Our country decided to engage militarily in Afghanistan. Our own soldiers are fighting and dying there. The least we can do is support them.

Lorraine Williams, Kitchener

Paul Filsinger writes a heartwrenching plea, which was actually Letter of the Day(City should show support for our troops). He asks Mayor Carl Zehr, who had supported the homecoming troops recently, to also support the ones who are still in Afghanistan. Here is an excerpt:

...However, there are many who are not home and many more who will leave friends and families over the next several months to serve their country in Afghanistan. In February 2008, my son will be among them. He has chosen to serve his country in the Canadian Armed Forces and we support him in his chosen career path. We are very proud of him and all who serve their country, whether home or abroad.

As a sign of continued support for our troops, both past and present, I am requesting the City of Kitchener allow the display of "Support Our Troops" ribbons on all fire department vehicles under the jurisdiction of the city...

Please take the time to read the whole letter.

It takes a lot to make Toronto's Mayor David Miller look good by comparison, but Waterloo Regional politicians have accomplished that very difficult task.

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Update: I see that this post has been read by at least one person in Afghanistan today. We are solidly behind you guys and gals our brave Canadian soldiers. Don't let a few wimpy politicians bring you down.

We, the ordinary citizens are very proud of you!!!

Waterloo Region more Politically Correct than Toronto!

Well, 570 News reports that Waterloo Region has opted not to support the troops with decals; unlike Toronto, who caved to public pressure.

The Record reports that Chairman Ken Seiling worries that this would be "unfair" to other groups, and cites an Ontario Human Rights Commission ruling as his excuse. (Click Record - Front - Region Refuses Yellow Ribbon. I'll supply direct link in comments.)

Anyway, we see in the Record story that Kerry Townson is still in the news spotlight; this time with a photo. She is advocating that municipal employees be allowed the option of showing their support:

Kerry Townson, spokesperson for Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan said supporting Canadian soldiers shouldn't be lumped in the same group as "a cause" or a charity.

"We're talking about duty, about emotions, empathy and understanding. We're not asking for money. It's not a campaign to get elected. It's not about policy.

"We simply want Canadians to understand that these are men and women who are doing what we've asked them to do and are risking their lives doing it."

At the end of June, Toronto city council voted unanimously in favour of extending the one-year term of yellow ribbons on ambulances and fire trucks.

Shame on you, Waterloo Region!

Totally disgusting.

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Update: Jeff Allan will be discussing a variety of "Red Friday"-related topics this morning, including this one.

You can listen live by clicking the link at the top of the main page.

Upperdate: If you join the 570 Insider Club, you can sign the Yellow Ribbon petition requesting that Waterloo Region change this policy and allow a choice. Code word is "troops".

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Related: Canada is fighting the right war - Gazette

An Envoy Explains Why (Ottawa Citizen):

"I fully believe in the righteousness of what we are doing in Afghanistan, whether for us Afghans to try and rebuild our country, or our international friends, who are there to lend us a hand.

(That all segued rather nicely.)

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570 News Update: Police Say No To Support Our Troops Stickers. Yet London Police have found a way around it. Too bad Waterloo Regional Police can't.

Puffery exposed

Ontario Government - World class smokescreen.

H/T National Newswatch.


Meanwhile, the Ontario Environment Minister is busy planning her four-car garage. Well, she's gotta spend that raise somewhere...

Update:

Oh here's a good one - Ontario schools to receive Gore's ‘Truth':

Ontario Environment Minister Laurel Broten says the former U.S. vice-president's film will inspire students to “reduce their environment impact.”

Tides Canada Foundation director Tim Draimin says the film helps viewers think about the long-term implications of lifestyles.

Could someone please drop off a copy to Laurel? Perhaps she could play it for the kids when driving around in one of those four vehicles. I'm sure one has a DVD player.

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Thursday Update: Blizzard - Marin: A Rottweiler who needs to be unleashed. (H/T Bourque)

The Legacy of Ipperwash

I don't have anything especially profound to contribute to the release of Justice Sidney Linden's Ipperwash Inquiry report. I do, however, agree with the National Post's editorial this morning (Ipperwash, 12 years later):

Since 1995, politicians have been afraid to confront native criminals who set up barricades and seize private property -- for fear that someone will get hurt and another Ipperwash will be laid at their door. Through their inaction, our leaders have encouraged a proliferation of native lawlessness, such as the ongoing disgrace at Caledonia, Ont.

It is time for that to change. Dudley George's killing was a tragedy. But it should not continue to be used as a pretext to turn a blind eye to criminal behaviour.

It is no secret that this is exactly what is motivating the politicians who bend over backwards trying to appease various native factions. The natives themselves are obviously well aware that the deck is now stacked in their favour. Resolution will not come cheaply, nor easily.

Don Martin explains the politics of native protest (Disruption works; placards do not):

...Fifteen months after natives began illegally occupying a private developer's land, a dispute Ottawa insisted was not a bona fide land claim dispute and thus not a federal responsibility, the feds helped negotiate a proposal that works out to $6,250 for each of the reserve's 20,000 residents. And there's talk that's not good enough, so the tab could inevitably rise.

The Ipperwash inquiry, which condemned successive federal governments for the snail's pace of progress on land claims, was the result of a police action to end the illegal occupation of a provincial park. Now the feds are stumbling over themselves to offer a resolution that's bound to reward the protesters with millions more, possibly within a week.

So there's precedent for a payoff instead of a penalty when natives disobey the law and dare the police to enforce it...

Lorrie Goldstein points out in today's Sun that the McGuinty government, which ordered the inquiry is no doubt disappointed in the results. Mike Harris has been found guilty of uttering a racist comment and perhaps being impatient, but not much more. McGuinty would have liked to point to a complete condemnation of Harris' actions as a way to justify his weak efforts regarding Caledonia.

I invite your comments on this issue, but I do ask that everyone please refrain from racist remarks on both sides of the spectrum. We need to get beyond our anger and frustration.

On the other hand, I think that all provincial and federal politicians are fair game.

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Update: PTBC - "Everybody is to Blame - except the natives". (H/T SDA)