Mr. Kusche, who's letter appeared in the Oct. 1 edition of The Cochrane Eagle, is absolutely correct that council is wasting precious time on Marni Fedeyko's’s inclusivity statement, when there are far more serious problems confronting Cochrane. Absolute inclusivity is an illusion. Perhaps Fedeyko’s inclusivity statement should reflect the simple Christian principle of Love Thy Neighbor as Thyself? If we adhered to more of these principles wasted time would not be necessary.
Councilman Nagel is correct when suggesting that people are justified at fearing government encroachment in the development of social policy. Indeed Nagel is right when stating, “government has no role in shaping and controlling culture." Our federal government could take a lesson from Mr. Nagel on that score because it is already interfering in changing Canadian culture with its self righteous obsession with differences in gender, sexuality, class, race and appearance, while totally ignoring the economic and financial issues that are destroying this country, particularly Alberta.
On a personal note, I served with dozens of Black and Indigenous Canadian soldiers during 15 years of army service across Canada, in Europe and throughout the Middle East. I loved these men as I did my white brother soldiers. Inclusivity statements be damned, Canada is not a racist country and it is disingenuous and shameful to even suggest that it is.
The Charter of Rights and Freedoms provides all the protection people need with regard to equality and inclusivity. For letter writer Mr. Cunin to suggest that not everyone has equal access to this charter is ludicrous. Cunin's suggestion that more discussion is needed is evidence that he doesn’t have enough to do. It’s interesting that Cochrane has just established the “Garbage Police” and Canada already has the “language” and “politically correct” police, soon we’ll have the “racism” and “culture” police. Could it be that Mr. Cunin is aiming for the role of chief of the inclusivity police? This entire discussion only creates more division. It is identity politics run amok! Get on with important issue resolution please.
If anyone wishes to challenge common sense, you know where I am.
L. (Tex) Leugner, Cochrane.
