As an Albertan, I was alarmed by a newcomer’s letter (re: Aug. 22 publication) stating she was “extremely disappointed … you allowed a “pro-Trump submission to be printed” (re: Aug 8 publication).
The newcomer’s letter was disturbing for a few reasons.
First, her response was based on a gross misunderstanding of the Aug. 8 “pro-Trump” submission.
Second her comments revealed a lack of critical thinking.
Third, and most concerning, she seems to believe that the freedom of the press is good only as it agrees with her views. What a travesty!
Upon reviewing the Aug. 8 submission, I was surprised she understood it as simply “pro-Trump.”
In reality, and on a deeper level, the submission is not so much a “pro-Trump” letter as it is an admonishment of Trudeau’s incompetence.
Particularly, Trudeau’s poorly designed business and tax policies which have led to businesses (and billions of dollars and thousands of jobs) fleeing Canada for the lower tax and better business reality of the USA, a reality which Trump has instituted since taking office.
The so called “pro-Trump” submission is lamenting our own leadership’s lack of foresight and skill to compete effectively with Trump’s economic policies.
The “pro-Trump” writer does state that Trump, in creating a competitive environment, is showing leadership – leadership that is sorely missing here.
Furthermore, the newcomer’s statements regarding Trump clearly reveal her own bias and lack of discernment.
She obviously has bought into the media’s dialogue without discerning its validity.
She has seemingly embraced misinformation uncritically. She needs to look beyond Trump’s bombastic personality and the media’s frequent inaccurate reporting to the reality of what is happening there.
Is she aware that black unemployment is currently at its lowest in history?
Is she aware of the growing Blexit movement?
Is she aware the immigration policies of the southern border were put in place before the Obama years and Obama did nothing?
Or that the Democrat party was the party of the KKK, slavery and segregation? And that current Democrat policy in inner cities has resulted in poverty and despair?
Perhaps it is this newcomer who is truly out of touch with reality?
Perhaps she should garner facts before she spews an uninformed narrative?
Finally, and most concerning, is the newcomer’s desire to silence those of differing opinions. That is a sentiment closely aligned with Fascist Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. This is both alarming and sad.
The newcomer does not seem to value, as the majority of Albertan’s do, the rights of all to freedom of thought, freedom of conscience and freedom of speech.
She also doesn’t seem to value discourse based on facts, discernment and knowledge.
Please continue to uphold our rights of free thought, conscience and speech, and our right to truth.
The security of Canada’s future depends on it.
Janis Abel
