Saturday, June 12, 2004
Farewell to Ronnie:
Ronald Reagan is widely regarded in Canada as the best American Presidential friend we have ever had. I remember quite well his time as President. At the time I, like many, would often poke fun at him. Lines such as Bedtime fir Bonzo, and nicknames like Ronnie Raygun come to mind. I think what sticks out most in my mind, though, was his sincerity and the impression that he truly aimed to serve his country in the best way he could. A very admirable quality compared with the feelings we are left with in relation to today's politicos. Suffice to say that today's top politicians are most often regarded with great suspicion, we are always trying to figure out what there hidden agenda might be. This is particularly true of Bush. Isn't it time for our leaders to at least attempt to listen to the will of the people and act accordingly? Unlike Bush, Ronnie will be missed in Canada, very much. While we pride ourselves on our differences from the U.S., there are many Canadians who miss our former relationship with them. Good friends should feel free to debate and differ without it causting the loss of the friend. This has not proven exactly true under Bush. While we may not agree on the decision for going militarily into Iraq, we do not wish to see young American men and women dying there simply to secure future oil reserves or to satisfy a grudge held by the Bushs'. George W's motives and actions have proven highly suspect and to date we still don't know the truth in this matter and likely won't for years if ever. This is definitely not the way to run a democracy. In the end, Canadian and American alike, we really can't blame to leaders to much as it is us who has placed them in this position in the first place. We seem to be learning. In Canada distrust of politicians is at an all time high. I predict a change of Government in the coming elections. Future leaders, are you listening? The only people we trust less are the major banks- there only motive is profit at all costs, making it very easy to suspect everything they do. They one thing we can be absolutely sure of with the banks is there complete pettiness and lack of concern for doing anything positive. Ahhhh.... Big Money, Big Corporations, Big Political Power, smells somewhat similar to a septic system doesn't it? Ooops, that's right, septic systems are a natural product that performs an important function, didn't mean to insult them by putting them together with this group. Perhaps a more appropriate comparison would be toxic waste.
But, enough of that. We'll miss you Ronald. We may have poked fun at you a lot, but friends do that. We respected your integrity, devotion, and humor. We wish you all the best at the start of your next journey. In Canada we will mourn along with our American neighbors for your loss.
Ronald Reagan is widely regarded in Canada as the best American Presidential friend we have ever had. I remember quite well his time as President. At the time I, like many, would often poke fun at him. Lines such as Bedtime fir Bonzo, and nicknames like Ronnie Raygun come to mind. I think what sticks out most in my mind, though, was his sincerity and the impression that he truly aimed to serve his country in the best way he could. A very admirable quality compared with the feelings we are left with in relation to today's politicos. Suffice to say that today's top politicians are most often regarded with great suspicion, we are always trying to figure out what there hidden agenda might be. This is particularly true of Bush. Isn't it time for our leaders to at least attempt to listen to the will of the people and act accordingly? Unlike Bush, Ronnie will be missed in Canada, very much. While we pride ourselves on our differences from the U.S., there are many Canadians who miss our former relationship with them. Good friends should feel free to debate and differ without it causting the loss of the friend. This has not proven exactly true under Bush. While we may not agree on the decision for going militarily into Iraq, we do not wish to see young American men and women dying there simply to secure future oil reserves or to satisfy a grudge held by the Bushs'. George W's motives and actions have proven highly suspect and to date we still don't know the truth in this matter and likely won't for years if ever. This is definitely not the way to run a democracy. In the end, Canadian and American alike, we really can't blame to leaders to much as it is us who has placed them in this position in the first place. We seem to be learning. In Canada distrust of politicians is at an all time high. I predict a change of Government in the coming elections. Future leaders, are you listening? The only people we trust less are the major banks- there only motive is profit at all costs, making it very easy to suspect everything they do. They one thing we can be absolutely sure of with the banks is there complete pettiness and lack of concern for doing anything positive. Ahhhh.... Big Money, Big Corporations, Big Political Power, smells somewhat similar to a septic system doesn't it? Ooops, that's right, septic systems are a natural product that performs an important function, didn't mean to insult them by putting them together with this group. Perhaps a more appropriate comparison would be toxic waste.
But, enough of that. We'll miss you Ronald. We may have poked fun at you a lot, but friends do that. We respected your integrity, devotion, and humor. We wish you all the best at the start of your next journey. In Canada we will mourn along with our American neighbors for your loss.
# posted by Wil Smith : 6:44 a.m.
