Poll: Freedom Convoy and Related Protests

[Szdfan]

Meh. The Pentagon Papers were stolen. Wikileaks released stolen information.
I think the fact that almost half of the money raised by the “Freedom Convoy” came from outside Canada is a newsworthy item — it suggests some of the ways the protests are being co-opted by the right in the US and how they are now interfering with Canadian politics.

And most the money raised to elect Senator Warnock in Georgia came from outside Georgia. This is an issue that happens a lot of places. Only way to fix it is to limit people's freedoms.

I think out of state money for political races is problematic. I think it's even more problematic to send money to another country in order influence their politics.

The money that is being sent from the US to support these protests is a sign of how the "Freedom Convoy" protests are being co-opted by American conservatives. I wouldn't be surprised if we see copycat attempts in the US.

[Ernie]

Doing more good, while also doing bad, does not even the scales

Can you share what bad you see the truckers in Ottawa doing?

For clarification, there are trucker protestors and there are other protestors in Ottawa. When I am talking about the bad of the "Freedom Fighters", it refers to both.

Truckers:
I think it is bad to park in the middle of the road for a long time.
First it is illegal. Second, it is inconsiderate of people who would like to drive on that road. Thirdly, it is inconsiderate of those who do not want to breathe lots of diesel smoke. Fourthly, the unlawful protest has resulted in some businesses and local residents losing income.

Other bad things: (not necessarily done by truckers but likely includes some of them)
Urinating and defecating on lawns
Littering
Shoving residents off "their turf" if the resident is not a pro-Freedom Fighters.
Shouting and displaying profanities
Mocking or verbally abusing people who wear masks outdoors.
Overwhelming stores with maskless people, even though the government and businesses require this.

The majority may not be involved in this latter list, but protests of this nature generally attract even more disrespectful people.


Again, I'm not in favor of mandates and I don't doubt that some of these freedom fighters have done some good things.

I support adults using self-restraint, courtesy, and obeying the laws of the land unless they violate the higher laws of God.

[temporal1]

Meh. The Pentagon Papers were stolen. Wikileaks released stolen information.
I think the fact that almost half of the money raised by the “Freedom Convoy” came from outside Canada is a newsworthy item — it suggests some of the ways the protests are being co-opted by the right in the US and how they are now interfering with Canadian politics.

And most the money raised to elect Senator Warnock in Georgia came from outside Georgia.
This is an issue that happens a lot of places. Only way to fix it is to limit people's freedoms.

I think out of state money for political races is problematic.
I think it's even more problematic to send money to another country in order influence their politics.

The money that is being sent from the US to support these protests is a sign of how the "Freedom Convoy" protests are being co-opted by American conservatives. I wouldn't be surprised if we see copycat attempts in the US.

1) The Canadians seem focused on, 1) nonpartisan Canadian interests, 2) lawful actions/responses.

2) The convoy in Canada was NOT the first in the world. It’s gotten a LOT of attention on this forum. The others, not mentioned.
i don’t know anyone IRL that knows about Canada.

3) There have been additional rallies in other countries following Canada, but impossible to know if they were being planned before Canada.

4) There are rumors of a U.S. rally, but, from what Canada’s primary convoy leaders describe, Canada’s gov has been far more over-reaching. i have no basis to think otherwise.

5) Rumors are, U.S. leaders are preparing to deal with a possible rally.

6) i’m ambivalent. i never said any former rally, march, protest, etc., should not happen. i don’t attend - it’s not my way.

7) i loathe when violence, destruction, looting, etc., happen. i’ve witnessed a lot since the 1960’s. it’s no good.

8) the aftermath of 2020 in the U.S. is costing lives. it’s continuing, on “the down low” - media is mostly ignoring costs, human+material, in the billions. media+politicians are grappling with horrible outcomes while attempting to escape responsibility.

9) i do not support formation of organized political blocs that become powerful, monied ENTITIES of their own. these entities are not human, they exist to take+bully. they are often inhumane. i believe these entities are particularly against Jesus’ teachings.

10) Canada’s entire population is comparable to California.
While the land mass is huge on a map, it’s really a very different country from the U.S., with a very different system of government. Since i recently realized this about the population, i think of Trudeau as more of a governor .. his job really isn’t “too much” compared with other countries. Sure, Quebec had a blowup in the 70’s about French. But, overall, this country of civil people should be entirely governable.

In the U.S., in prior times, presidents and other elected would vie for votes. They would lie for votes. Once elected they would attempt to represent ALL THE PEOPLE. Which meant campaign promises were often ignored.

Today, the elected (and losers, like hillary) call their opponents nasty names, they openly insult+dismiss substantial numbers of citizens, division is palpable, Trudeau has taken this stance.

i agree with Robert.
the “governor” of Canada should have met with truckers early-on, or later, and not insulted them from the get-go.

Trudeau’s response suggests he has no interest in ALL the people in Canada, and he+his investors have no intent of negotiating interests they feel wholly entitled to. $$$$

Follow The Money.

[ohio jones]

I was reading tonight that over $300 million of economic activity pass over the Ambassador Bridge a day. Blocking traffic on the Bridge caused shutdowns at auto factories because the bridge is a major route for the auto supply chain industry. I think there’s been some significant economic damage caused by the blockade.

Driving north of Toledo on I-75 Friday morning, before I had heard anything about the Ambassador Bridge blockade, the road signs gave detour instructions:

TRUCKS TO CANADA
USE PORT HURON CROSSING
DETROIT BRIDGE CLOSED

So yes, Port Huron is out of the way for most traffic and had long wait times because of the overflow, but did remain open. The economic activity was rerouted and delayed, but not cancelled.

As for the automakers, this was a minor blip compared to the chip shortage. That's been the real industry headache for the last year and will continue for months before there's any significant relief.

[HondurasKeiser]

I was reading tonight that over $300 million of economic activity pass over the Ambassador Bridge a day. Blocking traffic on the Bridge caused shutdowns at auto factories because the bridge is a major route for the auto supply chain industry. I think there’s been some significant economic damage caused by the blockade.

A wise person once wrote: "Because what matters most is capitalism."

[temporal1]

I was reading tonight that over $300 million of economic activity pass over the Ambassador Bridge a day. Blocking traffic on the Bridge caused shutdowns at auto factories because the bridge is a major route for the auto supply chain industry. I think there’s been some significant economic damage caused by the blockade.

Driving north of Toledo on I-75 Friday morning, before I had heard anything about the Ambassador Bridge blockade, the road signs gave detour instructions:

TRUCKS TO CANADA
USE PORT HURON CROSSING
DETROIT BRIDGE CLOSED

So yes, Port Huron is out of the way for most traffic and had long wait times because of the overflow, but did remain open. The economic activity was rerouted and delayed, but not cancelled.

As for the automakers, this was a minor blip compared to the chip shortage. That's been the real industry headache for the last year and will continue for months before there's any significant relief.

Thanks, oj.
This is what many peoole are so disgruntled about: INTENTIONALLY INCOMPLETE reports.


truncated pyramids.

[Ernie]

Driving north of Toledo on I-75 Friday morning, before I had heard anything about the Ambassador Bridge blockade, the road signs gave detour instructions:

TRUCKS TO CANADA
USE PORT HURON CROSSING
DETROIT BRIDGE CLOSED

So yes, Port Huron is out of the way for most traffic and had long wait times because of the overflow, but did remain open. The economic activity was rerouted and delayed, but not cancelled.
As for the automakers, this was a minor blip compared to the chip shortage.

So yes, a blip, but possibly not for the many individuals and families who rely on the bridge being open?

And I assume that even though it is a blip for the automakers, you still wouldn't justify the actions of those who shut down the bridge?

[Szdfan]

I was reading tonight that over $300 million of economic activity pass over the Ambassador Bridge a day. Blocking traffic on the Bridge caused shutdowns at auto factories because the bridge is a major route for the auto supply chain industry. I think there’s been some significant economic damage caused by the blockade.

A wise person once wrote: "Because what matters most is capitalism."

I have my moments. I'm just pointing out that the protests have impacted people in substantial negative ways despite what's being asserted here.

I don't support the cause of these protests, but the purpose of protest is to get attention, and the way that protests get attention is through disruption. Shutting down a major trade route is disruptive and gets attention.

[Szdfan]

Driving north of Toledo on I-75 Friday morning, before I had heard anything about the Ambassador Bridge blockade, the road signs gave detour instructions:

TRUCKS TO CANADA
USE PORT HURON CROSSING
DETROIT BRIDGE CLOSED

So yes, Port Huron is out of the way for most traffic and had long wait times because of the overflow, but did remain open. The economic activity was rerouted and delayed, but not cancelled.
As for the automakers, this was a minor blip compared to the chip shortage.

So yes, a blip, but possibly not for the many individuals and families who rely on the bridge being open?

And I assume that even though it is a blip for the automakers, you still wouldn't justify the actions of those who shut down the bridge?

It wasn't really a "blip." Or perhaps it was a blip compared to the chip shortage, but it was a costly blip. One report estimates that the auto industry lost $300 million from the Ambassador Bridge protest.

https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/ambass ... -in-losses

Protests that shut down the Ambassador Bridge inflicted almost $300 million in financial losses to the auto industry, an analysis of the border disruption found.

According to a study by an East Lansing-based research firm, lost wages in Michigan, Kentucky, Ohio, Alabama, as well as in Ontario added up to a costly week for the automotive sector, following the blockage of one of the busiest border crossings in the country.

From Feb. 7 to Feb. 15, direct wage losses totaled to around $144.9 million - mostly in Michigan and Ontario.

GM, Ford, Stellantis, Honda, and Toyota suffered losses of $155 million.

"Within hours of the trade disruption at the Ambassador and Blue Water bridges, we observed shortages and then slowdowns at assembly plants," said Patrick Anderson, Anderson Economic Group’s Principal and CEO. "Only some of that lost production can be made up given the tightness of the auto industry’s supply chain right now, so these are real losses to the men and women working in this industry."

The trade disruption's timing only worsened an already precarious situation for automakers, which have been hit hard by parts shortages and the pandemic.

When I worked in manufacturing, anything that caused a slowdown or reduced efficiency could be the difference between making money and losing money on a job, especially when it came to tight profit margins.

[Szdfan]

I was reading tonight that over $300 million of economic activity pass over the Ambassador Bridge a day. Blocking traffic on the Bridge caused shutdowns at auto factories because the bridge is a major route for the auto supply chain industry. I think there’s been some significant economic damage caused by the blockade.

A wise person once wrote: "Because what matters most is capitalism."

Also, I assume you're being sarcastic, but being called "wise" (even sarcastically) made my day.