Well, I attended the protest on Parliament Hill yesterday at noon.

As usual, the press focussed on a few minor acts of violence, and ignored the fact that the overwhelming majority of protesters were peaceful...

What struck me about this whole circus, was the very overt security measures.
Police, helicopters, snipers, CSIS and RCMP video surveillance.
Barricades on Parliament Hill preventing citizens from access to our main symbol of democracy.

All in all, a disappointing day for democracy.

Hearing comments about protesters being dirty AND jobless bums.

Hey, I had a shower before I went! I'll admit to being jobless, since I retired from the civil service, though.
Except for some low paying jobs as a part time musician...

Some other thoughts...

Watching our "Elite" smiling and joking with Bush and company at the state dinner last night. Kissing the emperor's feet, it seemed.

Reading rants by our goose stepping political columnists this morning,decrying the protest.

Wondering whatever happened to the America that supposedly cherished the right to speak out. Has it all distilled simply to the "right to bear arms" in support of politically correct causes?


I supported the American invasion of Afghanistan...but by I decry the human cost of this pet war in Iraq.
Some have estimated up to 100,000 civilian deaths. It leaves me with the uncomfortable feeling that many Americans believe other human lives don't have the same value as their own.


All in all, it helped me clarify and re-affirm my principles. From now on I will vote for our democratic socialist party, and encourage Canada to reach out to other countries more-- and to the United States, less...

Marion, sorry I missed you there; but the CD will be on its way to you by mail.


RichM