Speaker should be offended by tempest in a teapot
Editor:
I am saddened and dismayed about the Nov. 13 Creemore Echo editorial about the Legion’s Remembrance Day service and the subsequent letters on Nov. 20.
I had hoped for a more balanced reasonable response. I feel the editorial does more harm than good, raising issues not under question. For example, the value of Creemore Legion and its support of veterans. It even mentions the Legion Ladies Auxiliary, whose exemplary work is known to all.
The poet John Donne (1571-1631) said it best: No man is an island.
We are all responsible to each other, for freedom, safety and I would even suppose to protect our culture. Because of this, I feel morally obligated to defend Creemore’s Remembrance Day service and George Jonescu. The truth needs no defence.
I was at the event. I thought it was wonderful, all of it. It certainly was a moving tribute to fallen soldiers.
Exclusivity of any kind was not promoted. To say one felt like leaving demeans the service more than anything else. Mr. Jonescu’s remarks lasted five to 10 minutes. He exercised his freedom of speech and concerns in a small period of time.
Why discard all else that was good because he ruffled some feathers? To call his remarks disparaging and hateful – how sad. What I heard from Mr. Jonescu was a man concerned for Canada. I heard a man brave enough to voice a warning, a warning we would all be wise to take note of. His was not a warning per se of governments or religion but about decisions made on our behalf and the care that must be taken in making these decisions. What better place to voice these concerns than in the presence of some of our Armed Forces? Soldiers who would be called on to deal with any of Canada’s conflicts, whether in this country or out should they arise.
Mr. Jonescu referred to immigrants and refugees. Canadians are humanitarian people and would be willing to give refuge to acceptable people. What Canadians want is prudent and wise decisions made on their behalf in this matter.
Wherever I go I hear Christian Canadians lamenting the fact that their longstanding beliefs and customs are being stripped away. For example, the Lord’s Prayer is only allowed in certain situations, nativity scenes are a no-no, and oh, we mustn’t say Merry Christmas as it might offend some.
Mr. Jonescu had a message. Why do we try to kill the messenger? When someone stands up to defend our rights, why do we slap him down? We want transparency in everything. Why then allow repugnant cover ups?
Most people want to come to Canada because it’s a wonderful country. Let me say here, refugees and immigrants from England in the early 1950s are a million light years from some that come here today. Why do some try to change our country in questionable ways. There is a saying “when in Rome, do as the Romans”. When we stay in other countries we obey the rules. Canada deserves the same consideration.
Surprising to me from the editorial was the statement that Canadians had gone to war because of bigotry. I thought Canada fought her wars to keep our great country strong and free. Free from invasion and domination by others with less than noble goals on their agendas. And yes, we need progress but surely it should be circumspect. Change is always with us. Let’s make change for the good of all Canadians. I would think that is our dear departed veterans returned to Canada today they would be hard pressed to recognize Canada as the country they fought and died for. Will it get any better?
Mr. Jonescu in his remarks gave it his best shot. He has been misunderstood and harshly criticized in a public way. He is the one who should be offended by this tempest in a teapot. Anyone who thinks they could do better should consider applying to be the Remembrance Day speaker in 2016. The editorial promoted sharing sensitive issues, no cover-ups. That is what Mr. Jonescu tried to do. In a small way, and at some cost to me, that is what I in this letter, have tried to so as well.
Billie Power,
Mulmur.
