For what it’s worth, a shameful display of force

I noticed one thing final week that simply despatched me reeling.

One thing devastating and unjust. One thing that angered me.

It left me in disbelief as to what has occurred to our as soon as nice nation.

My pal Faron witnessed all of it on the best way again from Lake Louise.

A gaggle of about 150 Canadians, exercising their proper to peaceable protest in opposition to the carbon tax on Hwy. 1, the mighty TransCanada.

Watched over by virtually as many RCMP commandos, Okay-Division’s most interesting, with computerized weapons and Glocks.

Peaceable protesters sharing Tim Horton’s and taking part in guitars! No one inflicting an inkling of bother nor any trace of bother.

These are individuals who in all probability store at Costco to stretch a greenback. Laborious-working souls, making an attempt to remain above water. Apprehensive about how they’ll feed their children and pay their payments.

Simply exercising their democratic rights and nothing extra.

It was then I spotted the police, the Yellow Stripes, as I name them, had been turned in opposition to us. In opposition to the folks.

Very similar to Cuba, the place protesters have been overwhelmed, very similar to Russia, the place protesters have been arrested, very similar to each horrible dictatorship.

And now, in our personal yard.

It sadly jogs my memory of lyrics from a Crosby, Stills, Nash and Younger (CSNY) tune known as For What it’d Price:

There’s one thing occurring right here,
However what it’s ain’t precisely clear,
There is a man with a gun over there,
Telling me I received to beware …

Fortunately, no one made the improper transfer to ignite a horrible tragedy.

The one ones who benefitted have been the Yellow Stripes, who in all probability have some good time beyond regulation cheques coming.

However the intention was apparent. You folks, are dangerous. We, the Mounties, will arrest you when you misbehave.

What else would that wall of weapons, counsel? Am I improper?

I am not saying the brand new Commissioner Rob Hill gave the shoot to kill order.

However … hey, in case you are armed to the tooth, in opposition to salt-of-the-earth Canadian households, what does that say about our shaky democracy?

Ask your self that query.

Bullets kill folks. Computerized weapons are scary. Why have been they armed to the tooth?

If something, this needs to be totally investigated. What intelligence did they’ve? I believe we deserve the fitting to see it, if they’ve it.

And precisely what orders did the Commish give? And why have been so many officers on scene? If there was a menace, show it.

Present us the related paperwork. And do not black out something underneath the guise of being labeled.

It’s only honest, that full transparency be noticed.

Why? As a result of we pay their salaries, that is why. As a result of they’re imagined to be defending us, not threatening us.