One of my favourite quotes from Churchill is about courage: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak. Courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." And right now we need some courage from our Liberal government. This week our school boards came out with one voice to plea for a lifeline. But our premier isn't even taking their calls. The thing is, we are Quebecers as legimiate as any other. We have the right to be here, Quebec is our home. We have learned French. Our children are more bilingual than francophone kids and most of us would live no where else.
Anglo MNAs should take a stand
But in order to survive as a community, we need a vibrant school system. All we are asking is to open up the school house doors just a little. Just enough to keep us going. And this goes way beyond the Bill 104 debate. What would be wrong with allowing students from English-speaking countries like the U.S. the UK or Australia to study in English in Quebec? And Mr. Charest should take a close look at a poll this week finding two thirds of francophones favour freedom of choice in education for their children. It's time for our English-speaking MNAs to take a stand. You ignore us at your peril. We aren't going to go away. Bravo to our school boards. Now all we need is some of that courage to do the right thing.
Hoodlums emerge after Habs game
I would be willing to bet that most of the 41 hoodlums arrested after the Game 7 win probably could not name three members of the team. But this is what the world saw this week. This is what the world saw of our beautiful city. I would also venture to say that these malcontents would have been there looking for trouble even if the Habs had lost. Really, who shows up to the party with a mask in their back pocket? It's not Halloween. The usual suspects. Surely many of the same ones who riot and destroy every year on anti-police brutality day. Some seriously angry individuals who nurse grudges and really need some therapy and herbal tea. And if found guilty, they should be made to pay in both time and retribution.
Celebrating an improbable win
The overwhelming majority of people celebrating were there precisely for that. To share the job of a most improbable win from a most improbable Cinderella team. The Montreal police did a pretty good job under difficult circumstances. They have learned from past mistakes. There will be more parties this season no doubt and 99.9 percent of us will celebrate in a reasonable, law-abiding way -- and that's wonderful. Eight wins to go...halfway there to become the first team from Canada to win the cup in 17 years. And that team of course was the Habs. Bleu blanc rouge. Undoubtedly, Canada's team yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
