Large Fierce Mammal

Every Autumn brings with it a metaphorical expression of how Justin Trudeau views Canada — A shadow of its former glory, felled in the face of a waning season, now dying on the ground waiting to be run over. (Source)

“As I have watched Justin Trudeau flummox his way through his time as Prime Minister of Canada, now highlighted by his leadership of the government in the face of the current pandemic crisis, he has done nothing to change my impression of him as a creature of pure ego and ideology, at least insofar as his public life has intersected my private one. As such, he has shown himself ever willing to seize credit for a popular outcome in the moment, even as he defers the inevitably negative fallout for a time when getting re-elected is not going to be an option anyway.

“In this latter behaviour he differs not at all from the general herd of politicians who know their tenure comes with an expiry date so there is no time to waste padding the nest before that happens. Where he does differ is in a way that seems endemic to him — his decisions clearly spring from the belief that as long as you and those under your command are convinced the cause is noble (meaning it fits their world view), then any act of policy is justified and not only can, but must, be pursued with utmost vigour, sidestepping as necessary any pesky entanglements with how things are supposed to be done. Questionable motives exposed, there is always the path of contrition, and I have never seen any politician, let alone a serving prime minister, so prone to self-absolution by disingenuous apology.” ~ Enough. Is. Enough.

I wrote those words back in July of 2020 and so far he’s done nothing to change my opinion. Quite the contrary on a daily basis.

The title of today’s poem is taken from an ancient practice, defined by Oxford as:

“… a loud cry calling for the pursuit and capture of a criminal. In former English law, the cry had to be raised by the inhabitants of a hundred in which a robbery had been committed, if they were not to become liable for the damages suffered by the victim.“ (emphasis added)

It came to mind during the past week (particularly the emphasized part — who wants to be held liable for the actions of a thief?) as I watched governments twist, squirm, and evolve in their thoughts, words, and deeds under the unrelenting pressure of the powerfully and righteously successful Freedom Convoy.

I mean the real Freedom Convoy, and not the racist, misogynist, science denying, anti-vax, terrorist, seditious, white supremacist, violent, child endangering, existential threat to democracy and the public good government narratives have painted them.

This is in honour of that. Godspeed Ladies and Gentlemen.

Hue and Cry

By LFM

For things in Nature, big and small,
There is a guide that rules them all,
From under rocks to grandest hall —
Adapt, migrate, or die.

Though Man may think beyond the plight,
And stay his hand from fight or flight,
The choice demands an end in sight,
Or know the reason why.

Know this, who’d claim the right to lead,
From fractiousness to common creed —
The clock ticks down upon their need,
And they will call the lie.

As dripping water wears the stone,
Impatience tears at flesh and bone.
Denied to some exclusion zone —
Expect the hue and cry.

Whatever cards you hold today,
Take care the chips are yours to play,
Lest he who’d lead be led away,
Forever to deny.