Our neighbours must finally learn from their history

Americans are over-policed and under-protected, says Mike Shaikh.

Spanish philosopher George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Over the last week we have sadly witnessed the truth of what Santayana wrote.

This past weekend we watched, as into a clear blue Florida sky a SPACEX/NASA rocket rose on a white plume. More than half a century earlier, NASA was building its way to the moon. Meanwhile, in cities around the U.S. black plumes of smoke were rising into the skies over a country in near civil war.

More than half a century ago, America was in tumult as well, cities were on fire for the same reasons as 2020, treatment of minorities.

Over more than 50 years, there were steps to address civil rights, but the momentum seemed to be lost. President Barack Obama’s election in 2008 resulted in enormous, unrealistic expectations.

Eight years later America has, at best, been leaderless. Donald Trump’s stunning incompetence has created an environment and a first, an administration focused on taking America back to 2008 or further, if possible.

At an important time in history for America and the world, the president, the leader of the United States, has absolutely no conception of leadership. His telephone lecture of governors is not how you lead.

Over the last number of months, Canadians have had a unique opportunity to see genuine leadership against the complete failure of leadership. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada’s provincial premiers need to be heartily congratulated for their leadership in the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trudeau provided national leadership, each of the premiers provided leadership in their provinces and territories without the usual acrimony that sometimes plagues federal/provincial relations.

Unfortunately, more than 100,000 Americans have paid the price of Donald Trump’s incompetence.

To Americans: Canadians can see what you are going through. Normally, the Trump presidency has been an international laughing stock but right now we are worried, sad, we weep for you.

During the Second World War, President Franklin Roosevelt likened his Lend/lease program, providing material to support Britain’s war efforts, to letting a neighbour use your garden hose to put out their house fire.

The American house is on fire, it has been before, perhaps all too often, but there is little we Canadians can do with your big issue: living together. If there is something we can help, it may be with your police forces.

Canadian police officers are better trained and noticeably more restrained than their American counterparts.

So often in the United States, it is police-involved incidents, almost always involving minorities, that have sparked widespread violence. The names of the victims will echo through history; three recent being Rodney King in Los Angeles, Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and now George Floyd in Minneapolis.

Canada has had its own incidents but statistically very much smaller and of a much different magnitude and consequence than what we are seeing and have seen.

Calgarians in particular can take pride in their police service. Foreign anarchists attempted to disrupt the World Petroleum Congress and the G-7 meeting without success and without police violence. Even volatile situations like hockey’s Red Mile, which have teetered between riot and raucous fun, remain enjoyable because of the professionalism of our constables and their leadership.

Americans, your government has failed you. Your politicians have failed you. Money has failed you. Even law enforcement has failed you.

Americans are over-policed and under-protected. Take a city like New York. The City of New York has some 30 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. And that’s down from about 35.

Americans, we have known you for generations. Some of our friends and family members live with you. We recognize Donald Trump does not truly represent you, so we will stand with you.

But our solidarity with you is not without condition.

You must learn the lessons of your history this year, the 1960s, and even the more recent events. You must change because we cannot continue to support you should this happen again.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

Mike Shaikh is the former chairman of the Calgary police commission and has friends and family living in the U.S.