I only heard about Red Friday a few minutes before it started. I’m sure it started out as something non-partisan and non-political, but Lowell Green was promoting it on his right-wing, redneck morning radio show and to me it just reeked of mindless American copycat patriotic fever. [click photos to enlarge]
IÂ was within spitting distance of the Prime Minister, but I restrained myself.
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 The pretend Mountie flashed me the thumbs up and I flashed him a peace sign.
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 The Right doesn’t get out to demonstrations and rallies much, and I guess it proved a bit much for some of them. Thank goodness there was somewhere to sit and rest their weary bones!
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I only saw one person I know there. He offered me a red jacket, but I declined: I was happy in black. He’s not a redneck but he supports the troops, whatever that means in this day and age. I think Bush has co-opted and totally corrupted the meaning of supporting troops. Anyway, I think I snapped this picture of him when the speaker asked everybody to cheer for the buses lined up behind us. Yay buses! What’s the world coming to when we cheer buses and boo the NDP?
 I like peace, so this quiet, peaceful little gathering at the foot of the hill made feel better.
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This was started by two military wives. I support them and wear red when I can remember to. It initially had nothing to do with politics and hopefully can continue mainly that way.
This was started here by two military wives, from Petawawa, I think. I support them and wear red when I can remember to. It initially had nothing to do with politics and hopefully can continue mainly that way.
Gillian, I know what you mean…but I think it has deviated a long way from its original non-partisan roots. It’s never a good sign when Lowell Green gives his stamp of approval to a cause.
Honestly, In Canada, it hasn’t had time to deviate. I don’t think it’s been here for more than 4-6 months. I don’t think you’d find that many here who are doing anything but supporting their own…friends, family or just someone they’ve met. Perhaps I’m the naive one. And even LG isn’t always wrong.
Gillian, my first clear indication that this was NOT a non-partisan event was when Harper mentioned that it was a non-partisan event and named several MPs from the other parties who were in attendance. As soon as he mentioned the NDP, the crowd roared “BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO,” and did not stop until Harper asked them to stop.
Gillian, where’d you go?
Your “pretend Mountie” is actually a real one…