Well, well. Iran in yesterday’s elections chose a moderate, who wishes to embrace the world, build peace, and who rejects outright extremism. In other words, Iran voted for the opposite of Trump. What an interesting world we live in!
 
Moderate Iranian President, Hassan Rouhani, won a decisive second term against a decidedly extremist and intolerant candidate, Ebrahim Raisi. It is my sincerest wish that Rouhani winning a second term will be a turning point for Iran. What is of great joy is that huge numbers of Iranians came out to vote, and in Tehran the number of voters was double that of the last election. Even the executive branch in Iran has limited powers; it was the only area in which the hardliners did not control. It is of course also the only area in which the people have somewhat of a true say in matters. Never the less, the people have spoken and hopefully this will lead to a more open and free society!

Marine Le Pen is a right wing racist extremist in France, which I am assuming because she can not attract a majority in her homeland has come to Canada to spread her vile diatribes here.
 
She will for sure have an audience in Quebec, the Parti Quebecoise and Separatists have welcomed her with open arms, even thought the leader PK Peladeau claims to know nothing of his parties meetings and agendas. One could ask, what kind of leader is this?
 
She has claimed that our accepting of 25,000 Syrian refugees in Canada is a grave mistake. She stated “the consequences could include accelerating the demands of religious minorities, such as providing space for prayer or the establishment of religious courts”. I can only assume she means Muslim prayer rooms as I have not seen her to be very outspoken about Christian prayer.
 
I have to assume she is also unaware than many Christian refugees are also being brought here to Canada from Syria.

“A multicultural society is a society in conflict,” quoted Marine Le Pen
 
I wonder if her family is multicultural as she seems to have more conflict within her whole family than all of France!
 
As she had her meetings here with like kind, I wonder if she should maybe meet some Native American Indians.  They too might wish the immigrants to leave and I would bet they would toss her first on the boat back.
 
Now her racism and extremism is well known, her lack of education, maybe not so well known. The societies here she claims are in conflict, have been multicultural for hundreds of years. Canada was indeed formed, not on identity but a set of common values, often differing from those in Europe. So possibly she could in fact take a lesson from us here, and maybe go back home and preach more tolerance and understanding.
 
I should also point out, there is no right or wrong, and that societies may in fact do things differently, as long as the outcome is harmony, peace, well being, productivity, then all the better, for with diversity we discover these ends.
 
To compare our issues and problems in society with those of France is ridiculous. We have not the same borders, nor the same ethnic mix as those of Europe and France. Indeed there are serious issues and problems that need addressing, but these solutions will not be brought about by racists and attitudes of intolerance, no matter where this resonates from.
 

She of course supports the Separatists of Quebec, as division is always the goal of an extremist. Canada was formed on common values, multiple cultures and as such no society is perfect, but in spite of all our issues, we have managed to maintain a free and democratic society. It is ironic that in 2016 fascism still remains a popular strategy of many politicians. I say, no matter the outcome of solutions we as humans must seek, it should always be framed in the context of building bridges and not fences.
 
One may discuss the policies and needs of integration of all within society; however tolerance of all people is a necessity on all sides. It is within this framework, we shall find solutions, and not with the rants of extremists such as Marine le Pen or Donald Trump.
 
On closing, I would like to point out, there were some Quebecers there to protest her speaking here, and I commend them for standing up and speaking out against intolerance.
 
Marine Le Pen, Go Home!

March 21, News from RCI

Even the Parti Quebecois is backing off from all the backlash Marine Le Pen has been receiving, Thankfully she has no audience here!

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