Better known as, what were you thinking, when did the stupidity gene kick in or the infamous three-letter acronym – you know the one that I mean? Starts with ‘W’ and ends with “F”. It is obvious to me that you have lost your sense of perspective and what is right.
Remembrance Day has nothing to do with religious freedom and everything to do with celebrating the freedom we have to practice whatever religion that we believe in.
During World War II, my father fought his way through North Africa, Italy and Northern Europe. He was a young soldier doing what was asked of him by his country at a time when his country was largely going it alone. He never considered taking the easy way out. He answered before the call and stayed until the job was done and beyond. He was one of the British soldiers who spent time in Palestine. He didn’t have to go. But, he did. He never talked about his experience unless it was on Remembrance Day when we took the time to remember his comrades in arms who were killed in the line of duty, those who suffered from injuries obtained doing their ‘job’ and those who suffered from the invisible injuries that none of us could see. NO ONE comes home from these events the same as they left. He didn’t.
Let’s bring this to my very real point. When someone makes the decision to serve their country as a soldier, sailor, pilot, peace officer, fire fighter, or other service, they make a decision that could cost them their life and leave their family without a loved one. They take this risk because they believe that they have a responsibility to ensure that we have the freedom to practice our religion, read what we want, say what we want (no matter how stupid or ignorant), to live as we wish (within the law), to vote as we wish, and to grow into the person we can be without constraints. I can’t understand the ignorance of anyone who would object to remembering the sacrifice of others based on a religious freedom argument.
My message to those who would opt out; you have my permission to opt out of my province, my country, and if it could be arranged, the planet. If you can’t remember those who gave their all so that we can live in a progressive and safe country, you have my support to find another country to live in. All religions on the planet remember and celebrate the history and contributions of their members. Those who died in the service of Canada came from all religions, ethnic backgrounds, genders, and families.
Without their sacrifice, you wouldn’t be the Premier of Manitoba. If Canadians had lost the War of 1812, we would be part of the USA. If the North West Mounted Police hadn’t sent members west, who knows what would have happened. If Canadians hadn’t stepped up during World War I, World War II, Korea and other conflicts, we wouldn’t be the country we are today.
Mr. Selinger. You are my Premier. I can honestly say that I am seriously ashamed of you. This was a time to stand up and be counted. So from my position on the tally sheet, you took the cowards way out. I will work for anyone who asks even you. You have just placed you and your party are in “the need to prove yourself to me” column. You should have said what is right.
What is right you might ask? Let me explain it in words that you might understand.
“Every person, who sacrificed their all in the service of their country, deserves to be remembered and their contribution celebrated. If someone can’t find it in their hearts and in their minds to spend 2 minutes in a moment of silence to remember those who died in the service of their country, maybe Canada isn’t the place they should call home.”
You might want to watch the following video, in the words of Terry Kelly; it is a pittance of time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4NZsD0zjAQ
When you have listened to the song, reflect on the lack of character that would abdicate the responsibility to those who sacrificed their all. If you can honestly find a reason why you can take the position that you did, your moral compass is seriously out of whack.
Remembrance isn’t for the religious; it is those of us who consider ourselves caring human beings.
