The cancellation this week of the agricultural all candidates meetings in Arthur and Aboyne is very disturbing.
The Wellington Federation of Agriculture and its partners, the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario and the local chapter of the National Farmers Union, have held those farm-related meetings for federal and provincial elections for many years.
They are generally serious affairs, with the audience members asking civil and sometimes difficult questions, and then sitting back to ponder the answers they receive. There is little in the way of applause or catcalling, as might be expected elsewhere. Farmers often are a thoughtful bunch.
Part of that, we suspect, is because politics is an important part of their lives in ways urban people cannot understand. Events around the world, like a super abundant corn harvest or a severe drought, will have a major impact on local prices. So farmers, because it is their business, truly try to keep on top of things. We suspect hours of riding the tractor or doing other chores also provides adequate time to ponder just what is happening in the political world – in ways urban dwellers seldom do.
Wellington Federation of Agriculture president David Parker is correct when he laments losing what he sees as the right to speak to politicians when those meetings were cancelled.
The Advertiser obtained some of the letters that caused Mr. Parker and his group to cancel their meetings. He talked about escalating rhetoric. We have to admit, after seeing a few of the letters, we wondered if he was being just a little alarmist. But the third had a picture of a boxer and words like “All colours of the political spectrum will be ‘duking’ it out” and at the bottom, “It promises to be exciting.”
That brought to mind another group of protesters in years gone by who hyped their event with advertising that “TV will be there.”
Parker, by his own admission, leads a bunch of “grey hairs,” men and women in their 60s. He sees no reason why they should be subjected to placard waving demonstrators. He also, rightly, has concerns for the safety of the candidates and others who might be injured if something goes amiss.
Having been caught on the inside of a mob a couple of times over the years, we appreciate how scary and dangerous it can be. Both times the violence came with no warning.
Sadly, some of those letters purported to come from a local group, Oppose Belwood Wind Farms, although there were no signatures attached to the ones we saw.
First, it must be said, that group has legitimate beefs with the provincial government. It has held peaceful protests. It has done a number of civil things, such as letter writing campaigns and lobbying. It has booked halls and invited speakers. But the call to carry placards now, we suggest, is too much. One letter asked people to bring their own, but added the group has lots for those who need them.
As of Tuesday, some were saying a new meeting would be held Sept. 14 in Arthur, hosted by Wind Concerns Ontario, another protest group, but moderated by a local, neutral person. Since the candidates had already been informed of the cancellation, is it not unreasonable to suggest they re-booked their time for other areas? Or is that meeting just an opportunity for a protest?
To the wind turbine opponents, we have some advice. Lobby hard for the candidate of your choice. Work for that candidate.
But it is time to put away the signs and placards. It is time to stow the rhetoric. It is time to discourse civilly with those you want to convince.
Anyone who wants to oust the current government should realize waving a sign and shouting insults is not going to get the job done. For every sign and every shout, we suggest one more voter will be turned off. Not only will such antics not work, they will work to the detriment of the candidates trying to unseat those supporting wind turbines. Think for a minute.
When was the last time anyone passed a picket line and offered sympathy? Those who seriously want to defeat a political opponent are advised to do it with logic and civility. Asking nasty questions in a sneering tone of voice is not going to do it. Being polite and civil will demand a polite and civil response. Loud boos and disruption of meetings will gain nothing but disgust from those who are attending and interested in other issues.
And remember there are other issues in this campaign that are important to a lot of people. Civility demands that everyone have a chance to question the candidates – without disruption, catcalls or booing.
Using such tactics will backfire in the long run.
