The Beowulf Award

I was debating on whether or not I should give Christopher White the Beowulf award.  After all, what has he done except exercise his democratic right to protest?  In fact, isn’t it really the responsibility of all Canadians to guard our democracy?

As I looked at the facebook site he had created, it hit me.  Not only Christopher, but all of those people who contributed really do fit the criteria.  They have taken on the monster of apathy, the evil of the assault on democracy, the defeatist attitude that average Canadians cannot effect change and they got this incredible momentum going, never stalling in the face of criticism or ridicule as others tried to trivialize what they were doing.

It is not necessary to succeed completely to win the award, it is only necessary to have made a stand, and Christopher White, along with all who joined in have done that.

But they also succeeded.  Regardless of how the rallies go, they woke up many Canadians, drew attention to our ailing democracy, inspired thousands, established a network of activists and concerned citizens that will no doubt outlive the prorogation issue.

So the winners of the Beowulf Award are:

Christopher White, creator of the facebook account “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament;”

All the legitimate members of Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament (excludes trolls), special mention to the many who are working so hard organizing events, doing research, up-dating us on events, informing us of articles of interest, setting helpful links, networking, finding speakers, getting material together for rallies...;

All of those who support the rallies in any way, either by showing up, spreading the word, organizing, donating, or taking the time to become informed;

All of those who have written letters to newspapers, posted on blogs, written to Parliamentarians or other people in a bid to fight for our country and rights in this instance.

I have personally seen people go from feeling they could do nothing against Harper’s onslaught on our rights and freedoms to getting very involved in helping prepare for the rallies, distribute information, convince others of the importance of getting involved, and most important, realizing that we citizens have power and are responsible for shaping our democracy.

What Christopher White and those who have worked so hard as a result of his initiating this movement will help us create a healthier democracy if we continue what they have started.

Mandatory Poilievre

Pirate Fish says:

Pierre Poilievre is clueless.


But Pierre Poilievre, Harper's parliamentary secretary, said a recent poll suggests Canadians are indifferent to the prime minister's decision to prorogue Parliament.



I'm a Canadian, and I'm not indifferent.  Neither are the 60,300+ (and climbing) members of Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament.

And they signed up over a few days. 

We aren't all indifferent, Pierre, you pompous little shit, and we are busy educating other Canadians on your vile, undemocratic tactics and how those are undermining all of our rights.

While it may please Pierre and his master to keep Canadians as ignorant as possible, a healthy democracy depends on an informed and educated population which engages in shaping policies.

Pierre is overall offensive, but this statement more so since it seems to suggest that if Canadians aren't aware of how the actions of a government affects them, then who gives a damn?

National Post columnist John Ivison (said), "This (facebook group) is not a groundswell of public opinion."

Not yet, Ivison.  But that's how groundswells start.  A small rise that is fed, and grows and grows and grows.  Nor does that one facebook account stand alone in its protest.  And as these groundswells grow, more people will pay attention.  Kind of hard to ignore them if you're tripping over them constantly. 

Pirate Fish says:  We are on a mission.