It is interesting reflecting on your own assimilation, slowly becoming conditioned over time to change your behavior until you do not realize change has occurred. Only when you remove yourself to a safe haven, hopefully not too late, do you have the opportunity to emerge from your shackles and bask in freedom again. And even then you may not even recognized you have escaped the clutches of the agents of change. I ponder this as I entered SFO for my flight back to Cary to be confronted, yet again, by the blaring the speakers. "We are now at threat security level orange. Please report any suspicious activity or any unattended baggage's."
For those of you who don't have the pleasure of travelling through the US now a days, this has become the norm. A perpetual state of fear and suspicion pervasive at many public institutions. Slowly conditioning travelers to become the next layer of security. To become more cautious and nervous leading to a heightened sense of fear. This is further reinforced through the overbearing presence of security staff and the on-going screening. I have lost count of how many dangerous nail files have been confiscated.
There is an industry of fear gaining the upper hand throughout the country. An industry that benefits from this perpetual state of alertness. The masses in the country. The ones that don't travel seem to go on with their day to day lives without any concerns. The fear mongers gaurding the borders, institutionalizing their police state, relish their new role in spreading doom and gloom. And profiting from it.
Contrast this with the multiple ferry trips we made last week through Victoria. No armed guards, no security screening, no baggage searches or x-ray machines. Liquids and gels; bring them right on board and enjoy the view. Watch the Orca's accross the harbour. Just march on board, drop off your luggage and relax. It was quite the pleasant change. The atmosphere was friendly, engaging and relaxing. There was a feeling of peace and bliss. I only realize this now as yet another security alert is broadcast through the airport.
Fortunately we had our own Amber alerts in Victoria. Several of them at the Swan Pub. I toast you BC for common sense, a sense of community and the ability to resist the fear mongers who would have you succumb. Essentially achieving in proxy what they claim to protect us from.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
A Canadian in the South on Independence Day – a contrast in celebration.
As a weary Canadian traveler, heading to the South for some much needed R&R, I was looking forward to the opportunity to consider the Canadian celebratory style for Canada Day versus the American celebration of the birth of the world’s greatest democracy [sic]….eh! We, being the quiet, cultured nation that we are, are prone to more quiet, dare I say, cultured celebrations of the day upon which we became a nation – yes that’s right, Queen V. actually signed the BNA on July 1, 1867, which set in motion the alignment of moon and stars which lead to our gradual, and I mean gradual, development as a fully fledged nation. Maybe it’s our stiff upper lip birth or our relaxed “whatever” culture, but our celebration of the birth of our nation pales in comparison to our neighbours to the south.
The week kicked off at our local bank, a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, who invited us down, and I mean with written invitation, to celebrate Canada Day with Tim Hortons coffee and donuts. How could we resist as truly patriotic Canadians. We donned our best red and white apparel, and sashayed down to our local (bank) (see future blogs about the perils of walking in Cary, or anywhere in the US period) to enjoy the hospitality of our somewhat bewildered, but oh so pleasant bank manager. The bag from Timmys was on display, beside the coffee urn, along with a wonderful assortment of donuts, the likes of which have never been seen north of the 49th parallel. Our personal bank manager was so enthused to see us, especially noting our red and white apparel; he joined us for a coffee. That’s when I began to get suspicious. While I am a true Canadian, I must admit I have never really developed a taste for Tim Horton coffee. You see, I drink coffee black, and I think Timmys is designed for double/double people. I find it a little harsh. However, this coffee was delicious. I then noticed the seal was not broken on the coffee bag, and I spotted the Krispy Kreme box under the table. I sensed a Krispy Kreme Konspiracy. The KKK was once again at work in the South. I whispered,” Run for it! Assimilation has begun. “
No one can ever accuse Canadians of being “over the top” when celebrating our nation’s birth. Who ever heard of “Canada Day Eve”…I kid you not, I have seen posters advertising “Independence Eve” activities, bands, picnics, gatherings in the local parks…we pale greatly by comparison. For the majority of Canadians, Canada Day is an occasion best spent on one’s deck, with family and friends, with fireworks in the backyard. In the mighty US of A, it would appear commerce rules; you only have the day off if you are a government employee or upper management. Stores are open; life goes on as usual for the majority of Americans. One wonders if they celebrate Independence Day on their next day off. That being said, there is a great show of patriotism in this nation, flags everywhere, recognition of service to the country, a feeling of collegiality – everyone seems to have somewhere to go to celebrate their country.
What would a celebration be without fireworks; and boy, do they like their fireworks! Now, some of us have firsthand experience purchasing fireworks as we made our way north through the hillbilly country of West Virginia, however, for the most part, Canadians tend to buy our fireworks from the variety store or the service club(i.e. Boy Scouts) that sells them under license in the days approaching Canada Day. TAME! The largest box we were ever able to buy at Costco, is the starter kit here at the local store. I am beginning to suspect this is how the military sells off their surplus ordinates. This is why everyone drives Hummers down here. You strap the supersize box from Costco on the roof, (I’m sure there’s some ex –military rockets in there) and if you hit a bump, and happen to fire off a few rounds, no one suspects a thing. It’s a Hummer! Ewald’s baby SUV (Japanese) just won’t do it, it would be immediately suspect as a foreign (read terrorist) vehicle. Also, I wonder, in a litigious society such as this, where people sue over nothing, no one seems concerned about the military grade fire power in the home fireworks kits. Especially coming from country where we are lucky if the town we live in is able to host picnic/fireworks, due to insurance costs.
Mocking aside, one has to admire the fact that even if they have to work all day on the 4th, they come together as a community and nation to celebrate their existence – and they do so as a united people.
The week kicked off at our local bank, a branch of the Royal Bank of Canada, who invited us down, and I mean with written invitation, to celebrate Canada Day with Tim Hortons coffee and donuts. How could we resist as truly patriotic Canadians. We donned our best red and white apparel, and sashayed down to our local (bank) (see future blogs about the perils of walking in Cary, or anywhere in the US period) to enjoy the hospitality of our somewhat bewildered, but oh so pleasant bank manager. The bag from Timmys was on display, beside the coffee urn, along with a wonderful assortment of donuts, the likes of which have never been seen north of the 49th parallel. Our personal bank manager was so enthused to see us, especially noting our red and white apparel; he joined us for a coffee. That’s when I began to get suspicious. While I am a true Canadian, I must admit I have never really developed a taste for Tim Horton coffee. You see, I drink coffee black, and I think Timmys is designed for double/double people. I find it a little harsh. However, this coffee was delicious. I then noticed the seal was not broken on the coffee bag, and I spotted the Krispy Kreme box under the table. I sensed a Krispy Kreme Konspiracy. The KKK was once again at work in the South. I whispered,” Run for it! Assimilation has begun. “
No one can ever accuse Canadians of being “over the top” when celebrating our nation’s birth. Who ever heard of “Canada Day Eve”…I kid you not, I have seen posters advertising “Independence Eve” activities, bands, picnics, gatherings in the local parks…we pale greatly by comparison. For the majority of Canadians, Canada Day is an occasion best spent on one’s deck, with family and friends, with fireworks in the backyard. In the mighty US of A, it would appear commerce rules; you only have the day off if you are a government employee or upper management. Stores are open; life goes on as usual for the majority of Americans. One wonders if they celebrate Independence Day on their next day off. That being said, there is a great show of patriotism in this nation, flags everywhere, recognition of service to the country, a feeling of collegiality – everyone seems to have somewhere to go to celebrate their country.
What would a celebration be without fireworks; and boy, do they like their fireworks! Now, some of us have firsthand experience purchasing fireworks as we made our way north through the hillbilly country of West Virginia, however, for the most part, Canadians tend to buy our fireworks from the variety store or the service club(i.e. Boy Scouts) that sells them under license in the days approaching Canada Day. TAME! The largest box we were ever able to buy at Costco, is the starter kit here at the local store. I am beginning to suspect this is how the military sells off their surplus ordinates. This is why everyone drives Hummers down here. You strap the supersize box from Costco on the roof, (I’m sure there’s some ex –military rockets in there) and if you hit a bump, and happen to fire off a few rounds, no one suspects a thing. It’s a Hummer! Ewald’s baby SUV (Japanese) just won’t do it, it would be immediately suspect as a foreign (read terrorist) vehicle. Also, I wonder, in a litigious society such as this, where people sue over nothing, no one seems concerned about the military grade fire power in the home fireworks kits. Especially coming from country where we are lucky if the town we live in is able to host picnic/fireworks, due to insurance costs.
Mocking aside, one has to admire the fact that even if they have to work all day on the 4th, they come together as a community and nation to celebrate their existence – and they do so as a united people.
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