Hmmm, before we reject, in practice and in principle, the freedom rebellion that is unfolding in our country, there are a few things we need to take into account in our thinking.
The Canadian Chart of Rights and Freedoms
On April 17, 1982, the Charter came into force addressing “fundamental freedoms” – namely, freedom of conscience, freedom of religion, freedom of thought, freedom of belief and freedom of expression.
Under Legal Rights, the Charter states that “Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.”.
Under Equality Rights, the Charter states that “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination…”
The Charter applies to the Parliament and government of Canada and to the legislature and government of each province. In other words, no level of government is exempt.
Wilfred Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada from 1896 to 1911
A quotation from Laurier is circulating on social media right now and warrants considersation:
“What is hateful is not rebellion but the despotism which induces the rebellion; what is hateful is not rebels but the men, who, having the enjoyment of power, do not discharge the duties of power; they are men who, having the power to redress wrongs, refuse to listen to the petitioners that are sent to them; they are men who, when they are asked for a loaf, give a stone.”
Howard Beale, “The Mad Prophet of the Airwaves”
In 1976, in the landmark movie Network, fictional newsman Howard Beale, having endured all he can about the state of the nation and the “bullshit” of American life, unleashes a rant on the network news with the now immortal words:
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
His speech resonates with the public who begin to scream the words from their windows. Forty years later, it resonates again throughout the protests currently underway.
Now the final word. You and I are both free to condone or condemn the tactics being employed in the freedom rebellion. Pay attention now because we are coming to the heart of the matter. The current rebellion is in fact about protecting and defending that freedom for all.
We can take issue with the tactics. But can we realistically disagree with the principle at the heart of the rebellion?
~ Now Available Online from Amazon, Chapters Indigo or Barnes & Noble: Hunting Muskie, Rites of Passage – Stories by Michael Robert Dyet
~ Michael Robert Dyet is also the author of Until the Deep Water Stills – An Internet-enhanced Novel which was a double winner in the Reader Views Literary Awards 2009. Visit Michael’s website at www.mdyetmetaphor.com .
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Tags: Charter of Rights and Freedoms · freedom rebellion · Howard Beale · metaphor · Michael Robert Dyet · Wilfred LaurierNo Comments