The past couple of weeks have been hard for me to collect my thoughts enough to write a coherent post. Constant updates on both the pending Russian invasion (a continuation of one they began in 2014) and the so called "Freedom Convoy" creating chaos across Canada have kept me busy reading but never catching up.
The Freedom Convoy is doing exactly what it was intended to do, play on people's anger in the name of freedom. It had nothing to do with the cross-border vaccination mandate which was the same for bother Canada and USA. That was a smoke screen, designed to give some measure of legitimacy and attract truckers to the cause. No one has ever used big rigs as heavy weapons before though the organizers tried it in 2019. The fact that it has the support of the extreme right in Canada, America and elsewhere in the world, should make it clear it is NOT about freedom.
Then there is Ukraine which after centuries of colonial domination by Poland or Russia, is trying to be free to set its own course as a nation. A free and democratic nation (even such as it is) on the Russian border is a great threat to Putin. And since Putin cannot bring Russia into the 20 century, never mind the 21st, he is determined to take the rest of the world down to their level.
The western nations led by USA are correct in calling out Putin's aggression as an immediate danger for two reasons. If they downplayed it and Russia did attack us, it would be political suicide, especially after Biden downplayed the DoD's call for an advance evacuation plan of Afghanistan. It also puts the West in control of the narrative and Russia is left to deny deny deny and in fact change their plans if they were indeed exposed.
I will write a decent post about the Freedom Convoy sometime. Just not right now.
Thank you. I was relieved to see this post today. You and your family have been in my thoughts often.
ReplyDeleteMy city has a similar 'freedom convoy' shouting absurdities to anyone within earshot at the moment. Hiss and spit is the nicest thing I can say about them.
Your assessment of your convoy is spot on.
DeleteSo far we are ok
I've been reading interesting pieces on the Internet about the dark money funding the freedom convoys. The murky funding raises interesting questions, but I'm thinking the actual drivers involved must be owner-operators because no way would corporations like Canadian National or Bison decide it would be just fine if company drivers decided to divert a tractor and trailer from a route for an indefinite period of time.
ReplyDeleteYes, they are owner operator though some have the company logo that they drive for. Money raised will not get to the people actually involved in protesting. If it is freed up it will be used to fund far right causes and activities in Canada
DeleteI worry about you and your family so much.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jackiesue
DeleteI too was relieved you're okay and have a Plan that will be implemented. Yes, so much is going haywire in various parts of the World, it's quite disheartening and often has nothing to do with whatever smokescreen is up to give pretense of the reasons behind any of it. Be Safe, I cannot even imagine how difficult this all is for you, Virtual Hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dawn. The reasons given are rarely the real ones. It is sad.
DeletePlease stay safe. Scary world there.
ReplyDeleteThank you
DeleteOnly politically naive dupes think the "Freedom Convoy" has anything to do with covid restrictions and "freedom." I've said right from the beginning of the pandemic that the anti-maskers/anti-vaxxers were a front for Canada's right-wing extremist fringe of racists and neo-nazis to organize and recruit the stupid but angry.
ReplyDeleteOh, did you get that right. Once the Republican Jesus Christians are on side, you know where it is going, just not how it will end up.
DeleteI agree with you and with the comments from your readers, the convoy and the blockades are not fighting for freedom, or against vaccinations, it's right wing extremists stirring up trouble.
ReplyDeleteGot mt fingers crossed that Putin sees sense. Thinking about you and your family. Nasty situation all round.
Thank you. I hope so too. And if you look at the four main organizers, all are right wing extremists, which I don't understand why people refuse to see that. I'm glad you do
DeletePutin and Trump is stuck in past. We're living in rocky times.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on and stay safe
Rocky is right. Thank you
DeleteI am watching Ukraine with bated breath. Because of your blog it puts a face to what otherwise would seem 'a country over there.'
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
the Ol'Buzzard
You have been many more places than I have and seen much more of the world. I am glad I have made Ukraine a real place for you. You have made Alaska more real to me than anyone else.
DeleteWe are well, than you.
I've been thinking of you and Tanya and family a lot these days. Fingers crossed as hard as they can be...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Diane. We are OK and we have a plan
DeleteThe Right is about Freedom. Just not the accepted notion of freedom being shared by everyone. They want the uninhibited freedom to free to run things. And as long as we fall in line, we are free to stay.
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot on your plate. Take a breath.
That seems to be the message from the Right all over the world. Really, it is called privilege.
DeleteYes, take a breath. Breath in, hold, breath out, hold... Sometimes I need to do that quite often.