It's Time to Push Back

Against the Separatist Movement before it's too late.

Individual members of the Reboot Alberta community are contacting private and public venues that are renting facilities for the Separatist Alberta Prosperity Project events.

Their message is, as proud Albertans and loyal Canadians, they are disappointed that the venues are enabling efforts to have Alberta separate from Canada.

Individuals are contacting host venues and expressing disappointment that they are enabling the spread of misinformation on Alberta’s relationship with and within Canada.

Publicly owned and operated venues should not hesitate to rent to such events. That is the price of our freedom of expression in a free and democratic

society. Private operators have a choice to rent or not to Separatists events.

However, we are reaching out to local politicians where community-owned facilities are being used to spread misinformation and disinformation about the implications and consequences of Alberta leaving Canada.

We are asking them for their personal stance on Alberta's Separation from Canada. I expect some will dodge the question if they respond at all.

The easy “political answer” is that the Separatists Referendum Petition is under provincial jurisdiction and has nothing to do with local election issues. So, they may decline to answer the question.

The first part is true: Separation is a provincial issue, at the Referendum stage. But the second part, about their personal position about Separation, is relevant.

A Candidate's Character is always on the ballot at election time. Personal attitudes about Separation are a character issue, amoral issue, AND a political matter for all Albertans, be they pro or con.

WE ARE ALL ABOUT FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Freedom of expression has limits in law. We are not out to stifle the Separatists' freedom of expression. We do want to know which private organizations, and local candidates, are supporting Separatisrs and why. We will judge them accordingly.

Merely being politically disagreeable, contrarian, or iconoclastic isn't a legitimate reason to limit one's personal right of freedom of expression.

Spreading Trumpist Alternative Facts, Conspiracy Theories, Misinformation, Disinformation, Lies, and Deceits, in a political context, aren't necessarily legal issues either unless, of course, fraud is involved.

However, such behaviour is always a moral issue in a political context, and therefore, a significant concern to those of us who want to protect and promote a viable, free, and democratic society.

So, to be clear, we do not object to leasing venues to Separatists on legal grounds. In fact, I expect most would to adhere to the spirit of the famous Evelyn Beatrice Hall quote: “I don't agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”

We object on moral grounds because the Separatists are too often distorting data when they have any. They are misinforming fellow citizens about the practicalities of separation and the consequences of even pursuing the possibility.

We've learned that countering the 15% of hardcore Alberta Separatists, with facts and logic is a waste of time and energy. The same is true for the 15% who are Alberta First types, and for the 10% of rabid Canada First folks who are at the other extreme.

So, where does that leave the 60% of us who are proud Albertans and loyal Canadians? We aren't the mushy middle. We are the Pragmatic Dualists, who are simultaneously Albertan and Canadian. We refuse to make a choice between them because we are decidedly both. We are all Yes/And people, not Either/Or types.

We see the threat of Separation as a clear and present danger to our democracy, our family's well-being, and the current and future prosperity of our Province.

Some of us are at the “mad as hell and not going to take it anymore” stage. We are done with ignoring or “tolerating” the Separatists' manipulations and misinformation.

We are waiting patiently for the pro-Canada Referendum Petition to get certified so we can start gathering signatures to say we want to stay as Albertans within Canada.

That doesn't mean we accept the status quo. We will press for the legitimate changes we see as needed as assertive and engaged Albertans. We will be intent on building a strong province and a strong country, going forward.

THE CALL TO ACTION

In the meantime, as individual citizens, we will use the October local elections to make our personal anti-Separatist stance known. We will become known to local government candidates all over Alberta. We will ask them where they personally stand on the issue of Alberta's Separation from Canada. Their answers will help us decide how to mark our ballot.

At election time, power shifts from the politicians to the citizens. We Pragmatic Dualists need to use that power of our citizenship to defeat hardcore far-right candidates for local councils and school boards in October.

They are organized, well-funded, dedicated and determined to take over Alberta's local government and school boards.

Apathy is not an option. Responsible, informed, energized, and effective citizenship is the only way forward.

It's time to show up, stand up, speak up and act up. There is no time to waste.

If you want to participate email me ken.rebootalberts.com with Push Back in the subject line. I will need your hometown too. We will be in touch on how you can make a difference in your local election.

Looking forward to hearing from you.