Paul Martin visits Brenda Martin in Mexico
Bravo to Paul Martin for visiting Brena Martin (not related), the Canadian who has been imprisoned without a trail for two years. Say what you want about Paul not being in the HoC and doing various international projects, arguable outside the scope of duties to his local constituents, but I admire his ability to make a timely decision (since his nickname was Mr. Dithers...this should be especially admirable to his critics) to visit Brenda since he was in the neighbourhood, so to speak, when her story hit the news this morning. I give credit when credit is due. I really hope his influence will release this poor women and bring her back to Canada.
After the numerous media stories about Canadian deaths in Mexico and general bad experiences from friends and family about vacationing there I've decided I will likely never travel there.
While I can't imagine what this woman is going through, however, seeing movies like Brokedown Palace and hearing stories like Brenda's reminds me how lucky I am to live in a country like Canada. We talk a lot in this country about "rights" but we forget the other part of citizenship, which is "responsibilities." One of the fundamental duties of being a citizen is to exercise your voice/vote. With the latest voter turnout rates and the willingness people trade trash reality to TV to watching political engaging shows, it's clear that citizens are not engaged in current politics. (And really, who can blame them when our politicians play partisan games all the time).
But there comes a point where we must acknowledge and not take for granted the democratic rights, freedoms and responsibilies we do have. I hope my generation can place more emphasis on the democratic responsibilities and less about rights. Perhaps the mentality of the enviornmental movement will help in this regard. On the other hand, I am in the "me" generation, which has been generated being characterized as being very selfish.
So, the next time you consider whether it's worth you're going to go out to the polls or you're trying to convince a family member that never votes, tell the story of Brenda Martin and realize how grateful you should be to live in a country like Canada. Sure, we're not perfect, we have issues, but it's not a country that will lock you up without trial for two years for no wrong doing. (Then again, counter-terrorism legislation and Git-mo could counter this argument).
Ralphael Alexander has written more about this with some interesting links.
After the numerous media stories about Canadian deaths in Mexico and general bad experiences from friends and family about vacationing there I've decided I will likely never travel there.
While I can't imagine what this woman is going through, however, seeing movies like Brokedown Palace and hearing stories like Brenda's reminds me how lucky I am to live in a country like Canada. We talk a lot in this country about "rights" but we forget the other part of citizenship, which is "responsibilities." One of the fundamental duties of being a citizen is to exercise your voice/vote. With the latest voter turnout rates and the willingness people trade trash reality to TV to watching political engaging shows, it's clear that citizens are not engaged in current politics. (And really, who can blame them when our politicians play partisan games all the time).
But there comes a point where we must acknowledge and not take for granted the democratic rights, freedoms and responsibilies we do have. I hope my generation can place more emphasis on the democratic responsibilities and less about rights. Perhaps the mentality of the enviornmental movement will help in this regard. On the other hand, I am in the "me" generation, which has been generated being characterized as being very selfish.
So, the next time you consider whether it's worth you're going to go out to the polls or you're trying to convince a family member that never votes, tell the story of Brenda Martin and realize how grateful you should be to live in a country like Canada. Sure, we're not perfect, we have issues, but it's not a country that will lock you up without trial for two years for no wrong doing. (Then again, counter-terrorism legislation and Git-mo could counter this argument).
Ralphael Alexander has written more about this with some interesting links.
posted by Spitfire at 3:55 PM
6 Comments:
I thought baby boomers were the "me" generation?
True enough, but the eco-boom/Gen Y (my generation) are the baby boomer's kids, so their 'me' sentiment has rubbed off on us in a big way, IMO. My generation is so used to getting what we want, that we truly have a sense of entitlement, and less of those attitudes of valuing hard work etc...
Something really needs to be done about Mexico. What the Hell is going on there these days???
I hope the feds (who have been sorely lacking on this file) will step up to the plate finally, and that bloggers across the political spectrum will start advocating loudly on Brenda Martin's behalf.
This is beyond unacceptable. It's shameful.
While Paul Martin certainly deserved to be tagged as Mr Dithers during his confused tenure as PM, he has done the right thing here. By the same token, it is an embarrassment to the government that it has not acted effectively in this matter; or humanely - Helena Guergis could have at least visited Martin in jail on a recent trip to Mexico.
LKO,
I do wonder if it's media-inspired issue with most recents discussions about Mexico. This is in by no means undermining the issues of Brenda or Canadians killed in Mexico; however, there have been numerous media stories in the past 6 months to a year about "another Canadian killed in Mexico". Are these events really happening more often or just being reported more often? In any case, there are important issues and questions that need to be addressed. We shouldn't just lose our perspective that is only happening in Mexico.
RA,
Agreed, a definite embarrassment that the fed government hasn't done anything to bring this issue to anyone's attention. Let's be honest, if this woman was an "important person"'s daughter or son who was on a missionary trip and went missing, certainly more decisive action would have already taken place.
Sorry I can't join in the chirping for Martin. What finally got the fire in his butt?He hasn't cared enough to show up in the HoC and now he runs to Mexico?I'll wager he already had the vacation planned and decided to get in a publicity stunt...nothing more. Remember he's the guy that trampled people on the beach in Sri Lanka to get the post-tsunami photo ops.He's never been one to be motivated by the concerns of little people.
bluetech
Post a Comment
<< Home