Thursday, September 11, 2008

It's a beautiful autumn day here in Tweed, Ontario, Canada. The leaves are starting to change colours and there are a few scattered here and there which give a very satisfying 'crunch' when you step on them. But something is very different.

There are Canadian Flags flying all over town.




Now, Canadians are not like you Americans. My father was always joking when I was growing up that any excuse an American could think of they would wave their flag. In my experience, not many Canadians I've met are patriotic. We haul out our flags on July 1st faithfully, but after Canada day you seldom see one other than on government buildings. When I drove through the downtown core on Monday I was overwhelmed by emotion. There were flags everywhere. Everywhere! I think they should stay.

Not only is this town flying the flag, but most every town. This is because throughout this week, 1200 more of our troops are being deployed to Afghanistan. This week, after we've just repatriated our 97th slain soldier. This week which just happens to be the 7th anniversary of 9/11.

All this week, people have been arriving to greet the troops as they cruise through town. There are stations set up at Tim Horton's (love of Tim Horton's is just something that's ingrained in our culture--there's even one in Kandahar), and people set up their lawn chairs on the sidewalk downtown. Everyone has a flag and is wearing red and white. (I'm not even judging people for wearing white pants this far into September--I however, will not go that far). School closes down as all of the students are lining the sidewalks waiting for the convoys to appear.

I'm not even the type, but I'm out there too. I'm wearing a red Roots t-shirt right now, because I just came home from seeing them off. I've been out there this week greeting troops with a full face of makeup and a smile. Jeremy was teasing me and said that I was 'trolling for soldiers'. I'm not Lydia Bennett, I'm doing what I can. Smiles are free, after all, and I have time on my hands.

The climate around here this week makes me think of how it must have been when young boys were being sent off for the World Wars. Proud, yet sad. And angry. Still very angry. Frustrated. Scared. You name it. I fear that we're headed into a World War and many of the signs point to that.

When was the last time that Canada, the U.S. and Japan all had an election at the same time? If I'm not mistaken, it was right before World War II, the consequences of which are still evident in me. Even at my age, I was raised with a war mentality. I eat everything on my plate and I save scraps of string, for goddess sake! Right now since it's fall I've been heavily into preserves and stocking up on lentils, rice, salt, sugar and tea. If only I could stock pile gasoline I'd be all set.

I don't know why, but I feel very emotional about this week. Even though I'm decidedly anti-war, I happen to be supportive (this week at least) of this one. I'm trying not to feel as I once used to, that these soldiers are dying because George Bush is an idiot. This week I feel proud. I feel proud that they are willing to make such a sacrifice for us here at home. That we may live here in our cozy little country in our cozy little lives; watching what is happening on the news, talking about how awful it is and then turning our backs again to resume eating our dinners. At least there are people out there who are willing to defend our right to live the way we do. To keep us safe. To keep my babies safe.

I've changed my views on this war because I don't feel that these Taliban people can be reasoned with. How can you reason with someone who is mental enough to fly planes into buildings because they're convinced that God has told them to do so? The thing is, you can't. All we can do is to try to defend our own way of life and hope that we have the men and the resources to win out over the enemy.

I don't think the war should have been started, but for fuck's sake, finish it! So very non-Buddhist of me to say this, but kill the fuckers! I'm sad and I'm angry and I just want these people to be able to come home and say that they were successful. I don't want 97 Canadians to have died in vain.

Is it too much to ask?

11 comments:

Leah said...

Love your writing as always.
It would be nice to see more Canadian flags flying.
I don't understand why we are so unpatriotic. Canada Rocks!

Twills said...

I have since changed my mind and want the war to end. Again. But I still think that we should be proud of these people and that the flags should stay!

Anonymous said...

I agree. We have a Canadian flag and a Newfoundland flag flying now. Mom sent me one this week. Garth put it up a couple of days ago for us. Next time you do a drive by gawking or actually come for a visit you'll be able to see it. Miss you.
Treen

Anonymous said...

Yer not foolin' me...

And no, that wasn't about patriotism, which I'm in favor of.
Good blog.

Twills said...

There are still bus loads of troops coming through and I just feel sadder and sadder for them each time I see them. Liam was out again today with his class from school to see them off.

I'm not a war monger this week either, but still feel that we should support what they're doing for us personally.

And yes, patriotism is a different matter entirely.

Pina said...

I made it here from Buddha Mama's, and I'm glad I did. Your comments are always hysterical, but I wasn't aware you were Canadian as well. +++
I'm in Vancouver, and after I read this blog, I spent a couple of days looking around. I always knew we as a country didn't fly our flag much, and to be honest, it sometimes feels like Vancouver is less a part of Canada, because most people who come her come from small towns back east, towns with communities that would be more likely to fly the flag or see the soldiers off.I understand your sadness, and your anger, and I applaud your patriotism to send those boys off (possibly to their deaths) while I hang my head with more than a little shame that we do not do the same here.

Twills said...

Thank you for coming, Lori. It does feel as if this country is disjointed most of the time, doesn't it? And I'm not just blaming it on the French like most people do. This craziness that's going on in the House of Commons at present is another example! I am scared of where we're headed.

Pina said...

Do you blog anywhere else? Myspace? Facebook? Flickr?
I have like 90 pages, and when I meet someone cool, I usually add them everywhere.
If you don't feel comfortable, that's cool. But you can find me here

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=515007383

There are links to my blogspot page and my flickr on my facebook page as well. Not that I think you have the desire to rummage through my junk, but I don't like secret spots.
I am exactly who I say I am, and it is why I have very few friends on myspace.

Twills said...

I'll look you up.

Robot Nine said...

Yes, we are patriotic, I suppose, but sometimes almost too much. Sometimes it means you can't voice a dissenting opinion without fear of simple-minded abuse. That patriotism led to Iraq, where no weapons of mass destruction were discovered as promised. That sucks.

Twills said...

Yes, that does suck.

We seem to be so unpatriotic that we have a Separatist political party. Figure that one out.