A Good Liberal on Caledonia
June 8, 2006 · By Peter Rempel
Reporter Matt Wolcott was assaulted, robbed, and extorted by the peace-loving native protesters at Caledonia. Even a “good liberal” apparently has his breaking point:
What is going on in Caledonia is not a noble struggle of members of an oppressed minority asserting their civil rights. This is not a 1960 sit-in at a Georgia Woolworth’s lunch counter. This is a gang of militant thugs victimizing the law-abiding citizens of Haldimand County, emboldened by the timidity of a province and country paralyzed by political correctness and the fear that one of the occupiers might get hurt.
Which is a view that more and more Ontarians are coming around to, not to mention the view that Mike Harris, in sharp contrast to McGuinty, knew how to deal with criminals:
The Ontario government has responded to the crisis as if it was a teachers’ strike, sending in David Peterson to negotiate. But the occupation is not a political dispute; it is a long-running criminal act.
We do not negotiate with bank robbers or drunk drivers. We arrest them and throw them in jail. If they resist? Well, that’s why cops have handcuffs, nightsticks and tear-gas grenades.
I stopped my car on the other side of the street, away from the disputed property. I clicked the button and prepared to be on my way. How foolish of me to believe the laws of Canada were in effect in Caledonia. Then he’s assaulted and robbed. ViaThe Politic. It’s no better for the cops on the line; …officers who have been told not to wear riot gear or tactical uniforms when dealing with native protestors, are being sent out without proper back-up and are left wondering if commanding officers and the
Whew, good thing his journalist instincts kicked in or they may have taken his lunch money too.
Dalton McChicken. This government has deliberately avoided the issue because it is Liberal and tries appeasement as its tool. Well we all know what appeasement does. Nothing. Time for McChicken to bow and and get some balls. Or is it McQueer.
You forgot to include the fact that McGuinty is going to hide from a legislature vote to have an inquiry into his handling of it. Now Mike Harris’ lawyers are threatening McGuinty with legal action due to his statements on Ipperwash before the verdict is back from THAT inquiry.
“Now Mike Harris’ lawyers are threatening McGuinty with legal action due to his statements on Ipperwash before the verdict is back from THAT inquiry.”
McGuinty is very cautious when dealing with criminals, but entirely reckless when dealing with a former Tory premier. I hope Harris sues his pants off.
I read Matt Walcoff’s column may 31/06 KW Record. It did not suprise me much. The government is scared silly when it comes to the natives and the know it. I suspect a lot of the so called peaceful warrior group is not a resident of that reserve.They sell Native Brand cigarettes on that reserve and they come out of the good old United States of Americian.Other reserves will not touch them. David Peterson will give the store away.He could not run a government with two or three hundred tax increases so he will just throw money at them then apologize on bended knee.
Apparently OPP officers are telling journos they are not allowed wear riot gear or tactical uniforms when confronting the protesters. Apparently McGuinty would prefer the status quo to being compared to Harris in even a tangential way.
McGuinty can’t hide forever on it. And he feds aren’t too eager to help him out, especially considering it isn’t really an issue for Indian Affairs—or at least Indian Affairs doesn’t HAVE to deal with Caledonia. This speaks volumes about the legitimacy of the occupiers; they don’t have a legitimate land claim whatsoever.
I suspect if this goes on for much longer, McGuinty may have a backbench revolt or something. Things like this gone too sour could make his party unelectable for the next ten years. But I guess Ontario Liberals have been too enamoured with the federal party as of late to get real provincially.
[...] – A reporter is assaulted, robbed, and extorted; – A cameraman is assaulted to the extent that he requires stitches to close a head wound; – An elderly couple is attacked in their car. The old man, who suffers from a heart condition, is rushed to hospital; – Occupants of a vehicle were dragged from their car, beaten, and narrowly escaped being run down by the stolen vehicle. [...]
I dont think the Natives negotiate with Land Robbers (Launders), or Land Squaters that havn’t paid for any land in the area.
The funning thing about the Reporter getting beat up is he was beat up by a 65 year old women and a 11 year old boy whom had both been just tazered.