Terror in Manchester

I understand why when tragedy strikes, and I am referring to the terrorist attack in Manchester England just now, the response is sorrow, anguish, anxiety and even anger. These are normal responses. But to lash out like a child as Morrissey did in his tirade towards the government leaders and the Queen is regrettable and misplaced.

The United Kingdom’s immigration policy is not one government’s policy or one period’s policy. It may need to be revamped, but that is not something that can or should be done quickly or carelessly in a country that respects human dignity. And as for the alleged need to cancel scheduled events, I only have this to say:

Morrissey himself is very unlikely to have cancelled a sold out concert at the last minute if he had had one. Manchester United did not cancel their game in Sweden, nor should it have done. And neither should the Queen have cancelled a garden party to which people had come from all over the UK and indeed the world. This was not some frivolous personal party for the enjoyment of Her Majesty. It was a way of recognizing the small and great accomplishments of young and old. To cancel events such as these would only give the terrorists another victory. Disruption of our lives is what they want.

The appropriate response was given: the act condemned, the memory of the victims honoured and the courage of citizens praised.

Thoughts Born of a Royal Visit

I am tired of people who complain about the “plots” of the elite, or the state of the environment, or of youth, or First Nations and then do nothing constructive about it. I am tired of people who think the world owes them a favour; but contribute nothing but criticism or cynicism to it. I am tired of people who complain about the status quo or tired old politicians with ties to the multi-nationals and whose response is not to participate in the political process. And I am tired of talk about reconciliation and then the failure of people to look to the future rather than the past long gone. Complaining about the slow pace of reconciliation and then failing to participate in a moment of reconciliation is counterproductive if not outright silly. As one Royal has stated: “Hindsight is a poor judge of history”. I would add that hindsight will accomplish little if one does not participate in making the present and future better by attention to it.

We could all dwell in the realm of victimhood if we wished. It is easy to blame something or someone for our failed condition. Yes, colonization did a lot of harm. It also did some good. Yes, industrialization did some harm. It also accomplished some good. We have all been conquered at one time or another in our people’s various histories. Dwelling in the role of the vanquished with self-pity is not going to accomplish anything for the better.

Yes, the natural world is awe-inspiring. It can also be cruel and terrifying. Balance is hard to achieve. Justice is hard to achieve. Peace is hard to achieve. But hope and then striving, looking to what is good rather than to what is bad, to what is possible rather than to what was a failure in our collective past are the only things that can bring an individual any sense of purpose or fulfillment. It is the only route I see to a better and more inspired world.