The Ottawa truckers leader spoke of his rights to protest. But he did not realize a right also has duties as well as privileges.
In order to sit on a parking spot he must pay for that right – and by the minute! In order to park on a highway and block the rights of other riders to use that roadway, he has no right, he can go to a special rest area but he must leave the roadway open for other drivers.
With our rights do come privileges, but we cannot expect that we can only have those privileges. Our rights must be paid for through taxes or licences.
In a downtown area our parking space is also meant for a specific use: parking spots for parking only. It is not to be used for an amusement tent or cooking pit, etc. or other short-time activity.
There is a vast difference between a right and a privilege (perhaps teachers should teach these differences to students in civics class). Hopefully this will be evident to the next generation!
Sytske Drijber,
Rockwood