A Rant

I don’t get out much these days and after two years of coping with a global pandemic I’m actually okay with that.  My social circle has shrunk to a place where only a few people fit into my bubble.  I’m totally fine with the mask wearing thing – I will probably continue to wear one even after the mandate is lifted.  I’ve become leery of large crowds and germs other hands have left on my shopping buggy but I’m more careful than fanatical. It turns out I’m okay in this new world but I accept the fact others are not.

There are people in my circle who can’t wait to be set free again and I honestly believe those days are coming.  We are getting a handle on this virus, we are learning how to treat it, stay safe from it and cope with it.  One day soon the world will look like it used to, almost.  But for now….

I’ve been watching the 2022 Winter Olympics.  I feel for the young people who have worked so hard and competed their way to be among the best in the world – their commitment to their sport and the flag they wear on their jackets is only to be admired.  The fact they had to travel around the planet to compete without the physical support of their families and fans breaks my heart.  The empty stadiums, the deserted village, the party atmosphere that was supposed to follow them has left their Olympic experience lacking thanks to the pandemic.  But there they are – trying their best, wearing masks and putting their patriotic hearts on their sleeves.  They are having to cope in this new world too and they are doing it graciously.

Now let’s talk about the headlines making news right now – our Olympic athletes and their accomplishments are being usurped by angry truckers.  People  aren’t waving Canadian flags for the young people competing in Beijing – they are waving them in support of a noisy group of radicals protesting in Ottawa. 

This is Canada – we have the right to free speech, we have the right to protest – we do not have the right park ourselves and our giant trucks on the streets of our nation’s capital and hold a city hostage under the guise of exercising those rights.  The spotlight should not be on this mess – we’ve got better things to talk about. This is not patriotism – this is embarrassing.

I want to say “Get a grip mother-truckers!” but I won’t – I try to keep my vulgarities to myself.  Instead as a patriotic Canadian I will say “We heard you truck driver people – point taken – now please go home.”