We care a lot... nevermind

I yearn for the rebellion of ideas. To see the passion of people in physical terms. I miss the crying out of a community shouting "we care", or perhaps I only dreamed of it.

The Tamil war is over, burned by the very government whose repression they tried to escape. It was perhaps the only outcome for a quarter-century old violent struggle where neither side was interested in playing by the "fair" rules of war.

What was Canada's response? Silent diplomacy and annoyed commuters.

The Tamil's started their protest on Parliament Hill. They pleaded with the government to intervene and seek a peaceful end to the slaughter. They pleaded with the very party that wanted the Tiger's listed as a terrorist organization when in opposition. Poor Ottawa white-collar workers simply had to be patient as they were delayed in traffic for an extra 15 each morning. It is the price they pay for living in the nation's capital.

Then the Tamil's protested in Toronto. They first took the Gardiner, then the greens of Queen's Park. "Sorry for the trouble, please understand our struggle", they told commuters. A slight delay in their day to bring awareness to those slain. Again, commuters reacted with impatience, frustration and a lack of understanding. How dare these people get in the way, when work, Starbuck's and Goodlife are just blocks away.

No wonder people don't vote. If they can't be bothered to show respect for those who die in far off lands, why would they care who runs the government. After all, government is a bureaucracy and not an instrument of change. Politics is a game of arrogance and smugness between similar parties of varying relevance. Gossip over policy. Leader is a title without meaning.

Life is about my comfort and security. It is best if you just let me be. So goes the sentiment in the community, for society has embraced complacency.

Imperialism died with Versailles. Fascism died with Hitler. Communism died before Stalin, but socialist autocracy continued to paralyze millions. Internationalism grew to hold states accountable, but failed to account for nationalism. Nation-states let individualism rule the day. This history of the twentieth-century is just to say that we are now ruled by complacency.

Although this post is on the problems in our society, John Allemang eloquently captures the symptoms in this case scenario:

Those Tamil folks have gone too far -

How dare they try to block my car

And aim to make me contemplate

Their bloody war? I'm running late,

And don't have time to spare a thought

For conflict in some foreign spot

Where true Canucks would never go,

And we can't tell who's friend or foe.

Some wars are just too far away.

Afghanistan's become okay

For reasons I won't try to state,

Since, like I said, I'm running late,

But, on the whole, these Third World types

Should not distract us with their gripes

About their second cousin's fate -

Just shut up when you immigrate.

Canadians believe in peace,

But why the heck won't the police

Arrest these folks and clear a path

For those of us who don't feel wrath?

Your foreign war will never end,

So be like me, my Tamil friend -

The moment that you cease to care,

The world will start to seem more fair.