Poll: Freedom Convoy and Related Protests

[Josh]

And also, it’s Canada in February. I’ve found it’s actually nice to wear a mask outside when air is freezing and I imagine that’s even more true up there.

Sure. Choice or mandate?

I'm saying that residents of Ottawa and Windsor should be able to wear masks if they choose to, (for whatever reason) without protestors harassing them for doing so.

Is there any evidence this is happening? This is a made-up left wing accusation, right next door to claiming the protesters are anti-Semitic, transphobic, homophobic, and racist.

[Josh]

"My freedom ends where your nose begins." Or to paraphrase... "My freedom ends if it impedes my fellow citizens ability to provide for his or her family." This is no more than the Golden Rule.

Jesus obviously taught the Golden Rule. This is the least that a person can do. But Jesus also calls Christians to a much higher standard. That of loving others as he loved us.

Which is why I’m against mandates they prevent my fellow citizens from being able to provide for their families. Like it or not, Jesus never taught to obey vaccinate mandates for vaccines with aborted baby parts.

I've certainly not promoted vaccines or vaccine mandates. Neither do I endorse making vaccines from aborted baby parts.

These people are protesting mandates.

Like it or not, protests and demonstrations are part of how our democratic society works.

[Ernie]

Like it or not, protests and demonstrations are part of how our democratic society works.

I have no problem with that. I do have a problem with making life uncomfortable for others who have not contributed to the debate nor wish to be involved in the debate. There are ways and places to do protests and demonstrations, that do not result in people being harassed, in people not being able to go to work, and people needing to drive several hours to use another bridge, etc.

[Ernie]

I'm saying that residents of Ottawa and Windsor should be able to wear masks if they choose to, (for whatever reason) without protestors harassing them for doing so.

Is there any evidence this is happening? This is a made-up left wing accusation,

It has happened but I did not bookmark a link for this.
Here is one example of how the illegal activity of protestors ends up making life difficult for local residents and entities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/s ... -1.6347513

[Ernie]

I don't think any of us would support high school students blocking the door of a classroom, forcing the other students and teachers to exit the room through a window, simply because some students didn't like that the school district requires vaccinations in order to board the school bus. We would call this petty and childish. (If they have a beef with the school district's decision, there are good and legal ways to address this.)

Yet somehow it is ok and even good for adults to act like children, and throw a temper tantrum to get their point across.

The same goes for looting businesses and burning property to get one's point across.

[Soloist]

I don't think any of us would support high school students blocking the door of a classroom, forcing the other students and teachers to exit the room through a window, simply because some students didn't like that the school district requires vaccinations in order to board the school bus. We would call this petty and childish. (If they have a beef with the school district's decision, there are good and legal ways to address this.)

Yet somehow it is ok and even good for adults to act like children, and throw a temper tantrum to get their point across.

The same goes for looting businesses and burning property to get one's point across.

How would you address a law you believe is unjust when you think that you have no voice?

[silentreader]

I'm saying that residents of Ottawa and Windsor should be able to wear masks if they choose to, (for whatever reason) without protestors harassing them for doing so.

Is there any evidence this is happening? This is a made-up left wing accusation,

It has happened but I did not bookmark a link for this.
Here is one example of how the illegal activity of protestors ends up making life difficult for local residents and entities.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/s ... -1.6347513

I doubt very much that you are going to get an unbiased report from the CBC, possibly not even a trustworthy one. It used to be different, times have changed....Just sayin...

[Ernie]

I doubt very much that you are going to get an unbiased report from the CBC, possibly not even a trustworthy one. It used to be different, times have changed....Just sayin...

You are closer to Ottawa than me, so I would be glad if you would visit Shepherds of Good Hope and do your own interview. Plain News would be glad to publish it. Probably...

[Ernie]

How would you address a law you believe is unjust when you think that you have no voice?

1. Pray

2. Billboards (written in the form of an appeal)

3a. Letters of appeal to anyone who may be able to do something about it. (Can you imagine what would happen if every person in North America who objected to the vaccine mandates would write a letter of appeal, to about 25 different officials, and do so in a respectful manner? (maximum cost of $50 per person) There are news agencies that would be glad to film Canada Post trucks backing up to the front door.

3b. If you wanted to take this a step further... If people can drive to Ottawa or the border, and spend days there, they could certainly drive to at least some of the offices and deliver their letter. Imagine a mile long line of people on the sidewalk waiting their turn to drop off a letter. There are news agencies that would love to cover this as well. All of this can be done legally and without hindering local residents from going about their business.

3c. Can't deliver your letter in person, hire a courier. The millions that are being collected could be used to hire couriers instead of blocking streets and blowing horns and filling the air with exhaust. While waiting in line to deliver the letters, those in line could hold signs explaining what they are doing and why (without being disrespectful or demanding.)

3d. Fax a letter of appeal to the offices.

4. Request a meeting with people who can do something about the law you believe to be unjust. (Anabaptists have generally sent representatives to meet with government officials when they believed a law was unjust, but I don't know that it would hurt if individuals would do this as well. If someone claims to be Anabaptist, I hope they would not misrepresent Anabaptists by engaging in a manner that would bring disrepute to the name of Christ, so it may be good if they get their church's blessing or permission before heading off for a meeting. Meetings could be requested by phone, email, fax, or in-person. (Again, imagine what would happen if a several hundred thousand people attempted to do this.)

And... The officials will not know how many people want the vaccine mandate dropped until they actually get the numbers. Groups who are raising cash could volunteer to collect the names and numbers for the government. The numbers are likely to be in the hundreds of millions.

5. If all of those failed, I may resort to holding a sign (with an appeal) where the official might see it. This is legal and would not inconvenience local residents.

Appeal always achieves better results than a demanding spirit.

[Ernie]

Let's think of some respectful, appeals that could be put on the sides of trucks, billboards, or hand-held signs.

e.g.
Mr. Trudeau, we appreciate the good that you do for our country. (US, We appreciate the good that you do for our brothers and sisters in Canada.)
Would you also please do us a favor by rescinding the vaccine mandate?

Can you imagine what would happen if a simple appeal like this was made by hundreds of millions of people using multiple methods, mail, fax, email, hand-held signs, truck signs, bumper stickers, and billboards? If nothing else, Signtist would get a lot of business.

I think most relational ills in the world could be solved by some very simple, creative strategies. But this can only be attempted by people who can think redemptively, rather than those who act out of vengeance, anger, or pride.