Dec. 5, 2006
Christine McHale
Today David Ramsay commented on the attempt to raise Canadian flags in Caledonia last Saturday saying that perhaps a better place should be chosen, one where there is no conflict.
Perhaps Mr. Ramsay needs to be reminded that our troops are currently laying their lives on the line and many have already paid the ultimate price in Afghanistan, a place of conflict. These proud men and women carry our beloved flag, a symbol of the freedoms and rights we, as Canadians enjoy so much and cherish so dearly, into the very heart of conflict. They do not look around for a better place to display the flag of Canada.
Our troops are in Afghanistan not just to battle the Taliban, but far more importantly, to bring about a chance for people who have precious little freedom to finally get their share of the freedoms we, as Canadians enjoy so much.
It is our flag, the flag of Canada, flown high, flown with pride and honour, that is the symbol of this freedom. By flying our flag in the very face of conflict, we, as Canadians, show that freedom and our rights under this freedom we call our democracy, must be protected and, if needs be, fought for because these things are so very dear to us.
We love our freedom not just when all is calm and peaceful, but also when conflict arises. Freedom is not something to be protected only when all is calm and peaceful, and not only in places where no conflict exists. Freedom cries out to be protected at all times, in all places, under all circumstances!
The Canadian flag was not raised in any gesture against the natives in Caledonia, but rather, to show all of Canada that we will not stand by quietly nor will we hide while our rights are stripped away from us. By flying our flag high and proud in this very place of conflict, not the 'better place' as David Ramsay would prefer, we are sending a message to all of Canadians to fly the flag of Canada as high as you possibly can. We are sending a message to our troops that all of us will stand up to safeguard our freedoms and rights, not just our troops in the middle of conflict, but all Canadians here at home, whether in a place of calm or in a place of conflict.
By doing this we all say, we are proud to be Canadian, proud to fly our flag high, love and cherish our freedoms and rights and we will not stand idly by and let any politician or any police force take these freedoms and rights from us.
And by the way Mr. Ramsay, while you scrounge around for a better place to fly our flag of Canada, we will be here, yes even in a place of conflict, looking out for the freedoms and rights that you too enjoy as a Canadian, eh!