Politicians ignoring problems in Caledonia

RE: Tolerance for illegal protests must have limits (Sept. 7)

Thank you, Spectator and Howard Elliott for your appeal to reason. Sadly, it is unlikely that your voice will be heard by politicians or the national media. Last month, while the most recent blockade was still standing, our PM was moving students at McMaster and hugging groupies in Winona. No sight of him anywhere near Caledonia, ditto for Kathleen Wynne. When it comes to Indigenous protests, both follow the footsteps of their predecessors Harper and McGuinty who avoided Caledonia like a plague during the previous land dispute about 10 years ago.

It’s nice to see our local politicians speak on behalf of residents — but, again, is anyone listening? The residents themselves are fed up but quiet, lesson learned from the past when those who spoke up paid the price, got nowhere — and were tarred as agitators and racists by the warriors and other defenders of Indigenous rights to do whatever, whenever. People who don’t live anywhere near the protest site in Caledonia.

Back in 2011, I bought a book titled “Helpless” by journalist Christie Blatchford. I couldn’t bring myself to read it until last year. I knew it was about the protest of 2006 and beyond. The author has been accused of exaggeration and I wish I could agree — but I can’t. From cover to cover, it’s nothing but truth, facts, and events as they unfolded plus interviews with Caledonia residents and some police officers who were just as gobsmacked as anyone by the mishandling of the protest by people (supposedly) in charge. A gripping, though depressing read. Even worse is the realization that nothing has changed since. Lenka Hlavenka, Caledonia