Canadian Forces and peaceniks get messages out on Canada Day
In recent years, Canada Day has become a vehicle for the federal government to promote the work of the Canadian Forces.
And this year at Canada Place, there was once again a display of military hardware, which attracted hordes of passers-by, including many children.
What six-year-old boy wouldn't get excited to hop in a simulated cockpit of a CF-18 fighter plane? Or hide behind a camouflaged bush and fire an unloaded machine gun?
However, this blatant celebration of all things military is also a longstanding irritant to Vancouver peace activists.
Once again, a few StopWar.ca members showed up to hand out stickers opposing militarism.
One of them, Kimball Cariou, told the Straight that this year, they decided not to try to enter the massive Canadian Forces showroom.
He said he didn't see much point because in the past, activists have been prohibited from engaging military personnel in any discussions.
For a glimpse of what the display looked like, check out the video below.
Comments
3 Comments
DavidH
Jul 1, 2013 at 1:42pm
I think it's reasonable to see the glorification of military power as equally wrong to the abandonment of military power. Neither side is ultimately "correct" because circumstances matter.
The problem we face now is the absence of balance. Our government would have us believe that military power is fundamentally important to our national identity ... because that is what the Conservative base believes.
Sadly, the Conservative base also believes that brown people belong in brown countries, every white male should own a firearm, gay marriage is sinful, and abortion for any reason is murder.
In a "Real Canada", both sides would find common ground and compromise. In Harper's "Surreal Canada", that just isn't possible.
There is always middle ground, if honest adults are willing to look for it. But Harper is not an honest adult. He is a dictator trapped in an inconvenient democracy.
Forest
Jul 1, 2013 at 2:34pm
Wow. That's both bizarre and depressing.
Rob
Jul 5, 2013 at 5:20pm
David, I have no idea what world you live in, but I'm a conservative and have absolutely no problem with brown people, black people or even plaid people in my neighbourhood. I don't own a gun, but I don't dispute the right of my neighbour to own one for hunting. I don't see a purpose for handguns for anyone other than law enforcement or armoured security. I do support the military, because I value the freedoms I have and am fully aware that there are people out there that would willingly take it from me. Your rainbow soaked reality only exists in the fake woodstock you still live in, which probably doesn't have overdoses and overflowing portapotties. Grow up dude.