Image Credit: Igor Dolgov / Dreamstime

By James Peters

Two & Out

PETERS: Now we see the true face of tyranny

Feb 25, 2022 | 4:14 AM

ALL THOSE PROTESTERS crying “Tyranny!” should feel pretty sheepish right about now.

The occupiers who said they were willing to die to fight a government they felt was acting in an authoritarian manner are now being shown what dying for your way of life actually looks like.

It looks like Ukraine, where citizens going about their daily lives awoke to a full-scale Russian invasion Thursday.

This type of unprovoked military action by one nation against another hasn’t been seen since World War II.

And what we have seen this week is just the beginning.

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

5h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

23h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is calling on NATO member nations to fight alongside his troops, but that’s nearly impossible without sparking a much broader conflict.

Zelenskiy has forbidden all men aged 18 to 60 from leaving the country, preparing to conscript them to the fight.

Accountants, shopkeepers, factory workers – sons and fathers and grandfathers – all may be sent to the front lines to fight against an organized, trained military behemoth. The losses will be catastrophic.

Meanwhile, 10 to 15 per cent of Canadians were not able to eat in restaurants for a few months.

In Russia, thousands have attended anti-war demonstrations, only to have them swiftly shut down by authorities. More than 1,700 were arrested for their dissent as of Thursday night.

Here in Canada, demonstrators blocked border entry points and occupied the capital city, becoming incensed when their activities were brought to an end after three weeks.

The atrocity in Ukraine should give us enough perspective to reflect on our own privilege. Even those who oppose the continuation of COVID-19 measures must now have the good sense to tone down their rhetoric. Talk of authoritarianism, fascism and tyranny in reference to mandates and restrictions is placed in its proper context.

And about our prime minister, the leader of the party that has been democratically elected three times in a row now, including as recently as five months ago. Perhaps he is placed in the proper context as well.

Justin Trudeau may not be a hero but, when viewed beside Vladimir Putin, he is certainly not the villain he is made out to be.

Thousands of Canadians have decided to project their anger and frustration at their lot in life onto one person – the leader of a minority government.

Trudeau himself may be performative, he may be cynical and he may occasionally be a complete dolt, but he does not bear responsibility for all the ills for which he is blamed.

How easily we festoon our pickup trucks with, “F*ck Trudeau.”

If this week has shown us anything, it’s that there are far greater evils at play in the world.

F*ck Trudeau?

F*ck Putin.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.