I haven’t written for a while. It’s been hard to think straight. I live in Ottawa, you see. The city occupied.
People who don’t live here probably find it difficult to understand how this came to be. How could we let the truckers just waltz into our nation’s capital and occupy? Well here’s why.
Pretty much every day there is a “pro-test” on Parliament Hill. [Pro-test: to testify FOR something.] In the BEFORE times when I strolled around downtown on my lunch breaks, I passed people marching and hollering about something every day. We are so accustomed to people saying to themselves, “Why, I’m mad as heck about _____. I’m stomping off to Ottawa to shout about it!” We really didn’t pay much mind to an incoming convoy.
Of course, we did expect them to leave again, politely. We are still waiting for both the leaving and the politeness.
Many, many of the comments by supporters of this movement are full of obscenities or incomprehensible ravings. Lots of ranting about MSM [Mainstream media] [That is, media where information is fact-checked and sources verified.] Or, here are other popular options:
It’s a struggle to stay positive in the midst of this. The negativity and hate spread like a virus.
Hey, wait a minute. There’s a solution to the spread of a virus. A vaccine! That’s it!
But what is the vaccine for hate? I must find it and inject myself so that when someone replies “Honk honk” to my comment I don’t reply with, “Pithy.” Or when they reply with a string of trucks, I don’t answer with, “That’s great! Maybe someday when you grow up, you’ll learn to spell.”
No those wouldn’t be kind responses. I’d be allowing myself to be infected by the hate virus. I must build immunity. I must inoculate myself with an injection of kindness.
Ah yes, I feel better already.
On the first weekend of the occupation, I skated on the Rideau Canal. A gorgeous, sunny day. Perfect ice conditions. But when I reached the end of the canal downtown, this was the sound.
That was what residents in downtown Ottawa listened to, ALL DAY and ALL NIGHT, for 10 DAYS. An injunction means the truckers can no longer sound their horns at night, but the days are still mayhem.
Supporters of this movement repeat that this is a “peaceful” protest. If you think so, please, let me know where you live.
I will bring some friends and block access to your street so that you cannot come or go. We will blare our horns outside your home 24 hours a day. When challenged, I’ll say, “But I’m being peaceful!” And because I said so, it will be true. If you don’t believe me, I’ll blame MSM for making me look bad.
Oh, there I go. I can feel the hate virus building strength again. Time for a kindness booster.
Oh, yes. Kindness. I recommend the shot for everyone.
Somerton Smith 
A chill pill would also be useful!
Canadian truck horns almost sound musical 😊
Well, we Canadians are usually polite in a lot of ways, but even our truck horns sound obnoxious in the middle of the night.
🙂
Well written Arlene. When I first read about this I expected they would be gone in a day or two. I didn’t realize we had so many nutcases in Canada, but then I live between two border cities, and the trucks are coming across the border in droves to join the protest in Ottawa. So they close one bridge to truck traffic, and they all go to the other bridge and it goes back and forth. I didn’t realize it was so loud. I’ve been avoiding the city since this started, think of all the businesses who have lost money because of this. It’s like hijacking a whole city, and now I read online that they may try the same stunt in US cities on SuperBowl Sunday!
We’ll all need fresh doses!
You tackled a timely topic with the most sensible title possible. The only permanent way to counteract hate is with kindness. Hugs! ((( )))
Shining light into the darkness! Thanks, Marian.
hate virus and kindness vaccine – love this Arlene! It will take us a while to unpack everything that is happening…my goodness, never saw this one coming. Dave has been down there making his way into work – he says it truly needs to be seen (and heard and smelled) to be believed.
Oh yes, this won’t be forgotten for a LOOOONG time, and it’s going to forever change access to the streets close to the hill.
I’ve been reading about the truckers on one of those wacko mainstream media websites “where information is fact-checked and sources verified.” Made my day with that line. I like your idea of kindness injections, like a vaccine. Could be that we’ll need boosters every year even. Just imagine.
I think I need a booster about every five minutes for the next while. Then I hope the immunity will build.