Disgraceful Retreat

After the usual sturm und drung orchestrated by Quebec separatists, the National Battlefields Commission has succumbed to defeating itself and the expectations of some 2,100 history buff re-enactors from the United States, Europe and Canada who had planned for months to mount a grand event to honour the 250th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Who might have anticipated that Commission chairman Andre Juneau would do other than wearily shrug shoulders and proceed?

But no, he expressed a concern that the commission wouldn't be able to "guarantee the safety of the public". Fearful of facing off against the vociferous opponents of historical re-enactment to honour history in an objective manner, because of his apprehension of their "veiled threats of violence". Well, what else is new with that disaffected, ever-aggrieved lot of buffoons?

Since when does a federal body succumb to placating sovereigntist groups who bridle and defy authority or other peoples' rights to observe historical events because, in a country like Canada, we would fear the eruption of physical violence? Has it come to this? Again? Sovereigntist Le Reseau de Resistance du Quebecois, aided and abetted by the Bloc Quebecois and Parti Quebecois leaders of perpetual whining misery launched their offensive, and the Commission imploded.

Well, hey, then came Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff riding to the defence of the debate: "What I don't like, frankly, is that sovereigntists are trying to dominate a free debate. As someone who likes Canada and knows a thing or two about its history, I want to have my say". He did, he had his say, and painted a nice line in the sand, and it's really a warm comfortable feeling to hear this prime ministerial-aspirant avow his liking of the country.

But what the hell? Did he confer with his provincial counterpart, Liberal Premier Jean Charest, and let him know he's a jackass? The good premier strutted the stuff of appeasement, letting it be known that he had no intention of attending the re-enactment. "It's not enough [to wait] 150 years to do that. Maybe at 300 years or 350, or maybe never." Really? He feels that acutely humiliated?

So, the separatists prevailed, and Quebec City will not be the site this year, as it has on quite a few earlier occasions, of the battle commemoration. Nor will it reap the benefits of tourism and the dollars that brings in, allied with the planned re-enactment in honour of history; not defeat, not victory, but reality reflected by history. No matter, the separatists remain aggrieved.

And they reserve their right, as citizens of a free society (never mind that they option to constrain others; they must have their freedom to protest) to mount another tedious protest at the seat of government. Their strident demands were met, yet they will proceed nonetheless with a demonstration on Parliament Hill.

Moreover, Imperatif Francais and Societe Saint-Jean Baptiste de Montreal insist that all federal involvement in other scheduled events commemorating the 250th anniversary events be withdrawn.

Why? Because they say so.