Lloyd Axworthy posted again to the Winnipeg Free Press. This time he was commenting on the reaction to his "Dear Condi" letter as well as the state of Canadian/US relations. Once again I think he nails it. You can read the whole letter here. It appears even tho he was aware that the web possessd amazing potential to reach people until he was was the focus of attention he did not fully realize exactly how powerful a force it was. Welcome to the club Lloyd.
Hmm maybe I spoke to soon about blogger. I am missing all my easy edit buttons as well as the preview button. Argh.... Oh well I'll soldier on, partial access is better than none.
I happen to agree with him as well about the appetite in America to hear views like those that he voiced last week. Half of America did not vote for the Bush Crime syndicate and those people are starved to hear opposing points of view. Especially since even some Democrats appear to be afraid to speak truth to power out of fear for retaliation either from conservative voters (as if conservative voters were ever going to support a democrat in the first place, you can't lose a vote you never had guys)or from the administration ( I got news for ya there as well. This administration is never going to side with you. They are going to USE you and then throw you away)
Here's a taste of his article:
I had certainly read often enough about the revolution in communication that was underway, and had even lectured about the potential that information technology offers for global education, fostering world-wide understanding and exchange. But until one is personally and directly impacted, as I was this week, the full power of cyberspace connection is hard to grasp.
[...]
Most striking is the volume of messages sent by Americans from every part of that vast and diverse country, and most particularly the tone and substance of those messages. What most are saying is that they appreciate receiving a point of view from Canada that is different from that offered by their own government -- and one that is rarely seen or heard in their own media.
[...]
How ironic. Those Canadians who deride the decision of the Martin government not to join in the missile-defence program because it might hurt Canada-U.S. relations -- as well as the current crop of cynical commentators who bemoan the supposed loss of Canadian influence in the world -- ignore the keen appetite of many Americans for alternative points of view, and their applause for Canada's exercise of its independence.
[...]
Could it just be that, by focusing too much attention on the positions and preoccupations of the current government in Washington, we are foregoing the opportunity to make common cause with many like-minded folks in the United States? And might such direct associations help Canada get its positions heard and accepted in the U.S. far more readily than the high-powered delegations we send to skulk around the halls of Congress?
[...]
There is more than adequate proof that there is an audience with an appetite to communicate with us. As another "Dear Condi" reader from the U.S. noted: "No doubt you are aware that there are many of us 'south of the border' who are horrified by the current administration's march 'forward to yesterday'. We deeply long for a return to the community of nations in addressing the truly critical challenges of our time."
So, to all those who have "blogged" me, using this medium to extend the distribution of my 'open letter' beyond our geographic borders, thanks for the encouraging glimpse of a global community united through the common currency of communication and commitment.
Bravo Lloyd, once again you speak truth. I am glad someone with the status to be noticed by the MSM is speaking out on this. We need more like you.
IA
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