The Oka Crisis was the biggest military confrontation on Canadian soil in more than a century. On its face, it was about a golf course expansion. But for the Mohawks who took up arms, it was the culmination of a centuries-long fight for recognition of their sovereignty and their land.

   

Incidents like Oka piss me off to end, and I'll explain why. The FN want sympathy for their cause and want respect from Canada and Canadians, but then occasionally go and do something stupid instead of using diplomacy in any way or form. Just when I personally might start feeling for the FN and their plight, they go off half-cocked and start being reactive instead of proactive.

Same goes with the Wetsueten and their rail blockades in recent times, and the same also goes for the FN people that have vandalized buildings, defaced historical monuments/statues, and ripped down other things. I'm not going to mention Ipperwash because the FN could have pulled back and been reasonable, and the OPP didn't have to unholster any weapon (much less bring any) in their response.

I've been saying from the fecking beginning that there needs to be respect on BOTH sides of this, and everyone involved needs to check their goddamn egos and attitudes at the door if we're ever going to move forward with anything. Unfortunately, people on both sides (no matter their political leanings) are so focused on blaming the other that they can't see how foolish they ALL are.

Political gamesmanship and 'one-upping' another is just going to keep people divided as time rolls by, with nothing ever getting done. If no one out there is willing to see past hate and distrust, then what the hell is the point?

Seriously.

-J.

   

You may want to listen to that then. As someone who was there I did appreciate the thoroughness of the journalism.

   

You were there as part of the military force?

-J.

   

1st English platoon on position.

   

Respect!



-J.