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| A helicopter with the presidential insignia flies over Cairo. The fly over was meant to intimidate protesters. Whatever else it was, at least the Egyptian government did something. |
I've devoted my writing this past week to crafting letters of dismay to members of the federal government.
I've already posted about their lack of concern for Canadians stuck in Egypt, but I wanted them to know my displeasure directly.
At the back of our passports we are advised to go to the British consulate for help. On the one hand it's nice to have back up, but really, is Canada its own country or not?
Clearly my country is run by a blustering pack of posturing capons hiding behind the skirts of Mother England.
Canada, I am dismayed at this. We brought home the constitution almost 30 years ago. Grow up. Cut the cord.
I wrote to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon, Liberal Foreign Affairs critic Bob Rae, and my Member of Parliament Blaine Calkins.
I told them of my husband and I are disappointed and dismayed and being abandoned in Cairo.
I do not expect anything of them in return.
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Two non-contiguous sentences from my letter to the Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada:
"It is abundantly clear to us that the Canadian government has no interest in helping its citizens abroad in times of crisis."
"We love our country, sir, but we are ashamed of our government."
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As for what I read, well, I caught up on the news. I've still got some jet lag so there is no point in trying to enjoy recreational reading.
I've been busy getting all the information I need for an insurance claim for our trip interruption.
Here are two non-contiguous sentences I read from Lufthansa confirming the cancellation of our return flight January 29:
"…could not take this flight due to:"
"flight was cancelled due to the political unrest in Cairo/Egypt."
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12 comments:
Bravo for writing the letters. Unfortunately, I agree with your assessment of the situation in that I, too, believe nothing will be done to rectify the apathy and indifference our politicians show toward the people of this country. The only reason, it seems, for people to enter politics nowadays is for their own personal gain. When it comes time for decisive action, they are all too busy trying to gauge what impact their actions will have on their popularity to actually accomplish anything. In a situation such as this, non-action is worse than the wrong action! Instead of taking steps to ensure that Canadians were evacuated from a potentially life-threatening situation, our politicians dithered about, fearful of offending someone.
Thank you, Bag Lady. You are exactly right. They care about re-election and feeding at the public trough.
Good for you for not just saying, "All's well that ends well" and letting the issue lie. Speak up, and if enough other people speak up, something might change.
Thanks, Messymimi. We won't know until we try.
Lordy, Leah!
I've been so out of the loop in a haze of a new job, I had no idea you'd been stuck there!
You look tremendous with the scorpion on your hat, but that's the closest to chaos I like imagining you.
Too late for Gratitude Monday? I'm glad you're home!
Good for you for trying to bring attention to the situation and to call your gov't to account.
Lordy, Leah!
I've been so out of the loop in a haze of a new job, I had no idea you'd been stuck there!
You look tremendous with the scorpion on your hat, but that's the closest to chaos I like imagining you.
Too late for Gratitude Monday? I'm glad you're home!
Good for you for trying to bring attention to the situation and to call your gov't to account.
Good lines, lets hope someone with pull actually reads them. Sadly, I doubt anything will come of it.
Clare, thanks re: scorpion and for me being home. I'm doing what I can with the government, but I think I'd get a more honest response from the scorpion.
Reb, they'll be read. That's about all.
Oh the frustration!
It's exhausting...this "trying to make an impact" and getting points across to the "ups" in government.
I'm proud of you for writing....if nothing else comes of it I am happy there are still people like you who stand up for what is right....or rather..."what SHOULD be, even though it isn't"!
Thank you, Dawn. I had to do something.
If you wrote a single letter with all the addressed government officials outling your concerns including those under the Charter, you should receive a response.
Canada is part of the Commonwealth, and yet is also a country on its own with its own Constituation as you well know. Although our illustrious Stephen Harper tried to dissolve our Constition a while back which should remind citizens of how our government feels about its citizens as a whole, I appreciate being part of the British Commonwealth. I sympathize with your concerns over the lack of communication. Our country's government policies are not working for us because of other citizens who refuse or are unwilling to vote in national or provicnial elections. The government tends to have the same apathy of its citizens.
Barbara, which Charter rights do I cite? The argument didn't occur to me.
About voting, the Egyptians risked their lives in their protests to get Mubarak out and have a fair election. We can't be bothered to cross the street to vote.
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