One of the things I’ve noticed in the protest movement in general and in the latest “freedom convoy” iteration is how they coopt positive-sounding words and expressions to camouflage dangerous intentions.
And it drives me nuts when I hear politicians and news media use the same words. Don’t you realize that you’re legitimizing an army of lunatics?
The first is “freedom”. It’s been the rallying cry of the “protest” movement from day one. It has also been the biggest piece of bullshit and the funniest. When the police rounded up the last of the dissidents in Ottawa recently, a small group of adults was left with the choice of leaving or staying. They chose to stay and mill around like zombies wailing “freeeeeedommmm”. If you can find a better example of the Bleating of the Sheeple – PLEASE let me know!
Several times, the occupiers were given clear instructions to clear out. They decided they were a law unto themselves and they did not obey. When they were finally forced out after weeks of occupation, they proceeded to whine and cry about police brutality. They adopted the mantle of victimhood that was completely unearned.
When public safety is put at risk by your personal “freedom” it means your freedom comes at the expense of mine. This is not freedom but a tug-of-war contest with the loudest winning. If freedom in a society is not protected for both of us, the overall concept of social “freedom” is untethered and subject to corruption.
You declare you’re protecting my rights which should include my freedom of expression aka. free speech. One would therefore not expect death threats when one expresses one’s opposing views. And yet, the free speech crowd will threaten, bully and harass those who disagree like Porta Potty lady: Or by doing things like jamming 911 as per MPP Randy Hillier. Think long and hard on that one.
I do not need anyone to liberate me from the freedoms I already have. I do not accept that *you* are doing this for *me*. I can and do speak for myself through my own words and through the people I elect. When I tell you I don’t want you to speak for me, I mean it. Fuck right off.
Speaking of liberators let’s talk about the self-designated, Canadian “patriot” who flies our flag upside down and marches WITH terrorists, racists and separatists to the beat of the Braveheart soundtrack. This well-funded mercenary descends upon our nation’s capital to oust a democratically elected government. You can call yourself the prime minister for all I care. You are not a patriot. The same goes for the “I support the police” bullshit. This is basic flattery to buy their support. You are sure as hell not supporting them when they are arresting you.
This movement is steeped in hypocrisy. It uses terms like peace, love, freedom etc to reassure the more moderate among them that they are doing nothing wrong or violent but then uses expressions like “war room” and strike slogans like “hold the line” to attract militants, the hardcore and very angry people. What their followers fail to address is that you can’t have it both ways. You can’t be peaceful and hold a gun and threaten people. You can’t protest your point of view to the government you want to dismantle. You can’t avow democracy when your tactics are fascist. You can’t support the police and then spit at and swear at them when they don’t do what you want.
I can’t stress this enough. The words chosen are no accident. This is a deliberate campaign. Built on lies.
These words are not endearing but – they are real.
bully
hater
hypocrite
misogynist
racist
insurrection
terrorist
occupation
division
fascist
separatist
illegal
violent
ignorant
insurgent
repression
traitor
Use them to tell the truth.
Photo credit Disha Sheta, Pexels