LOG CABIN CHRONICLES
Protest ... where it counts!
How do local protestors expect their actions to affect Quebec-wide law
and its enforcement?
Several told this newspaper that since Pontiac's
covid caseload is so low, the restrictions which hurt local businesses
are unnecessary -- and infringe personal liberty.
Fort Coulonge lost much of its retail business years ago, since so many
locals drove to Pembroke to shop; if Coulonge residents were demanding
access to "local shops", where would they be? Or do these folks consider
shopping in Ontario as "supporting local business"? A little late,
decades late really, to protect local businesses! Where have these
protestors been shopping over the years? Locally, in Fort-Coulonge? We
wish.
Plus, if the protestors want their communities opened up, is it so we
can suffer the same infection rates now bombarding Gatineau, Aylmer,
Ottawa, and Renfrew? If Gatineau and Ottawa are "red", changing the
Pontiac to orange or yellow would be a big invitation for city people to
head up here -- bars open, large gatherings permitted, etc. Local
protestors want city crowds here?
Speaking out, protesting, is everyone's right -- and duty, sometimes --
but there are other ways to object to rules without endangering the
protestors' own and others' health. The pandemic will not be over
quickly, even with vaccines, so restrictions will be with us. We have
elections coming -- and they are the effective way to obtain real
change. Municipal elections are here this fall, and a federal election
may be on the agenda; Quebec is next year, at the latest.
Elections are designed to effect long-term change. To be effective, we
should be preparing now -- what are each party's proposals? -- for the
pandemic, the recovery, and their entire legislative programs? Focusing
on a single issue leaves too many other issues hanging. Single-issue
action can lead to shell games, not improvements.
Second, if we wish to use our critical abilities, there is no better
place than being critical of what we ourselves are doing on social media
-- our own posts and comments, what we listen to, believe without
research, and pass along to others. These protests were apparently
organized on Facebook amid a mish-mash of opinions on all subjects,
starting with pandemic response. Be critical toward what we are reading
on-line -- and what we ourselves are posting.
Speaking up is obligatory for citizens of a democracy, but with
researched opinions. What we wish, suspect, or fear are not objective
facts about the world itself; shooting our mouths off because we feel
angry doesn't do much good, even if it's a "right". It spreads this
terrible virus.
Copyright © 2020 Fred Ryan/Log Cabin Chronicles 2.1.21 |