Often I listen to Ontario Today, especially on days that I have 1:30pm meetings in Kanata. Today was one such day and I was listening to the call in about “What You Like About Canada.” Now, before I go any farther, I like Canada. It’s got a lot of great stuff going for it (and I’m particularly glad to be moving up to Thunder Bay, where much of it is.) But, the ex-American guy from around Thunder Bay who phoned in today, got me thinking about something…

As the case usually is, the things I find most annoying in other people are the same things that I don’t like about myself. I’m not one for confrontation. In fact, I avoid it whenever I can. Now, there’s nothing wrong with being a nice guy, not being argumentative, getting along with all people as best as one can, but I’m not always “peaceable” for those (or other) good reasons. Often, it’s just because I’m a chicken and don’t want to get into a fight, even if it means not speaking up when I should.

The caller on Ontario Today contrasted Canada and the States by saying that Canada has a global reputation for being a peacemaker, while the States has the reputation of being self appointed global police. Here’s what I think (and tie it in with Bill 38 if you want…) Canada is like me, it’s chicken of confrontation. While most of the time this makes it look like a peacemaker, sometimes it’s at the cost of standing up for what’s right. After all, why offend anyone and cause a fight? The States, on the other hand, takes a stand and acts like an ass on the world stage. But it does so (hopefully because of principles) and isn’t afraid of the confrontation.

This gets me to my point: Peace and Justice. Both are good and necessary characteristics for people and countries. Perhaps I, like Canada, sacrifice justice for the sake of peace sometimes, as the States sacrifices peace for the sake of justice, sometimes—both are flaws. And this is a bit too lofty for me right now.