Thread by @sunnshiiny

The response to this desperate request for federal coordination and extreme targeted measures to save maximum number of lives is disturbing to say the least!

https://twitter.com/cbcalerts/status/1383027572343242755

There has been a coordinated strategy to divide the nation & destroy the unity of a national identity. I’m devastated that it seems to have succeeded.

Conservative politicians have relentlessly incited animus while exuding arrogance & haughty derision on progressive Canadians.

We have a visceral and palpable physical reaction to politicians like Ford, Kenney, Moe, Pallister, Legault. Horgan is also in this group, and receives less bile, but that’s a disturbing phenomenon on its own. He doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt.

Perhaps Covid, in all its catastrophic impact, can be used to teach citizens how to judge character. Because it seems we have forgotten how to assess leadership and how to extend empathy to people who find themselves in devastating circumstances through no fault of their own.

Polarization has created disunity. Incidentally, this has been the objective of conservatives and left libertarians. To divide. To destroy compassion and empathy. Characteristics which Canadians, in fact all human beings, are known to exhibit during times of crisis and calamity.

The level of obstructionism, disinformation and propaganda distribution, the use of inexplicable conspiracy theories and the refusal to operate except by strict adherence to ideology is the cause of the volatility of current politics and the inability to adhere to health advice.

Leadership is not exhibited by creating chaos, mistrust, rage & disgust. Yet this is precisely the emotions being elicited by many provincial & federal leaders in their zeal to impose ideological policies, increase their popularity or decrease the support for opposition leaders.

Politicians who dehumanize their opponents are creating turmoil and destroying the social fabric that unifies us as a nation. We are one nation, made up of several distinct cultures, whose commitment to social democracy, human rights and centrist moderation keep us united.

It’s precisely those three foundational democratic requirements which are being attacked relentlessly on a daily basis by left libertarian & far right toxic demagoguery.

The result is a nation divided.

Canada is not alone. This is occurring in every social democracy globally.

But those resonating with the demagogic rhetoric from the extremes do not perceive the malice intended. They wholeheartedly believe their existence is threatened and rejection of all compromise, cooperation, palpable rage and obstructionism to force their agenda is justified.

That’s why we have anti mask rallies, demands to remove covid restrictions during the third wave, civil disobedience, unrealistic expectations for immediate change, citizens confused about jurisdiction and constitutional purview and growing hatred of the “other.”

It’s manufactured. By the far right AND the far left. Aided by a plethora of Social Media conspiracy theories, disinformation, manipulative propaganda, and anti democratic rhetoric.

This is not an accident. It’s a strategy.

Who would have imagined Newfoundlanders who demonstrated to the world their kindness, compassion, empathy and strength of character would resoundingly reject helping their fellow Canadians 20 years after 9/11? None of us. Except those who engineered this animus globally.

I’m from Alberta. Born and raised. My family has been here for millennia. Some more recently, but still at least seven or eight generations.

But Alberta has opened its doors to many many Maritimers who have temporarily or permanently relocated. And we are all the better for it.

While a few opportunists, egotistical and arrogant, have relocated to Alberta, the vast majority of Maritimers I’ve met are compassionate, loving and excessively demonstrate good will towards others. They’ve been friendly and earnest.

Exactly what was demonstrated for all the world to witness during 9/11. Industrious, hard working, “give you the shirt off your back,” humble, reliable and kind. I especially enjoy the kindness. Regardless of their political persuasion, kindness is an intrinsic cultural identity.

But our nation has been transformed over the past 20 years. Maritimers have been hit hard by economic instability. Fish stocks depleted, forcing many to seek employment elsewhere. Fort McMurray has been known as a “Newfie” retreat for decades. Full of east coast migrants.

What has changed Canadian culture?

Domestic and foreign political interference.

It’s been insidious, incremental & horrifically devastating to the Canadian cultural zeitgeist.

We tend to blame the far right for all our woes. But that’s not true. The left is complicit also.

We are all to blame. Every citizen has dropped the ball and permitted domestic and foreign manipulation of our beliefs and values. I’m not blaming the “victims,” but I am describing a profound systemic shift in society wide perception & awareness which we all allowed to occur.

I also researched how it’s been done & I’ve documented the effort in great detail by researching and connecting the disparate aspects that have contributed to this outcome.

Yet I can’t seem to effectively communicate what I’ve found & verified to other Canadians effectively.

It seems no matter the method chosen, I can’t stop the waves of discord plaguing social democracy. Im only one grain of sand on a globally sized beach.

Also, divisions between us prevent openness to facts & truth. We’re all convinced of the validity of our indignation & rage.

If those over 30 years of age would just take a step back from the daily onslaught of disinformation, and think back to how the world has changed since 9/11, maybe we could escape the manipulation of perception being conducted for nefarious and Machiavellian reasons.

That’s all it will take. A larger frame of reference, a bigger picture view, and a comparison to where we started as a unified society twenty years ago to where we are now. And most importantly, courage to face the truth.

I cannot force people to take a step back and assess the entire situation. I’m not that powerful.

I don’t know how else to approach this situation. Everything else has failed.

I apologize to those under 30. Your perception has been clouded by your youth and inexperience.

This is NOT a sentimental longing for a mythical past. The world really was different prior to 9/11.

We’ve changed. Not for the better. We hate more, we trust less. And we invited demagoguery to represent us politically.

We need to remove the cause of that cultural change.