I went to the Ottawa Writers (I struggle with apostrophes. Apostrophe’s? Apostorphes’?) Festival two nights ago to hear former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien speak to a cult-like-glazy-eyed enraptured crowd of fans who gave him the longest standing ovation. Before he even said a word.
He hesitated at the start, and I worried that he would become yet another of my inspirational idols who was losing their mind. He was toying with us. He was sharp, quick witted, and had us laughing and guffawing and snorting non-stop for over an hour.
It was a bittersweet moment as it has been a very long time since Canada has had a charismatic leader. We would benefit from pirouettes, leaders who can speak straight from the heart, and admonishments that make it clear that our Prime Minister is nobody’s baby.
Mr (the Right Honourable?) Chretien spoke of patriotism. And nationalism. And then patriotism.
I agree with him. Whether we are from the Nation’s Capital (YAY OTTAWA), or Quebec, or the Maritimes or a french speaking family in New Brunswick, (I have left out the West Coast on purpose), under this great Canadian sky, we are all Canadians. And that matters.
I keep hearing Trump-governed Americans saying “This is not who we are”. Guess what? It is.
If you haven’t revolted, stormed the White House or found a way to take him down, that’s who you are. The pity party is over and it’s time for them to wear it - the reality of who they are. Many of them are old enough to remember Hitler. Isn’t that enough of a cautionary tale? People are literally dying due to Trumpian-fuelled hate. Including an early blow in Canada with a shooting in one of our mosques, merely two months after Trump’s election.
I hope that means it is not who we are. What would I do if we had a Trump travesty in Canada? I certainly wouldn’t have time to blog. I would be mobilized and mobilizing. That would be a hill to die on.
Or maybe I wouldn’t. I hope I never have to find out. I find the moral high horse very comfortable.
Many skies blew across my window this aft
In this picture, 7 different variants at the same time!