Dear Editor,
I am dismayed and offended that we are still flying the American flag at our Town hall.
I have written to council requesting it be taken down and received responses from almost everyone. All agreed to keep it up for the following reasons: American friends who visit are apologetic about their president and are comforted to see their flag; we want to encourage them to purchase our goods; we are a magnanimous and graceful people; we don’t hate Americans; we have friends and families who live in the U.S.; things will get back to normal.
I share many of these sentiments. I have no desire to insult Americans. I also hold a fervent belief that we don’t need to fly their flag to be true to our values and encourage tourism dollars. Collingwood, Owen Sound and Town of Blue Mountains do not fly the U.S. Flag. Their flag policies reflect a neutral position on municipal properties. I propose we follow suit.
Our historical relationship with the U.S. is broken. As a couples counsellor by profession, it is my job to help people stay together as long as both parties agree to negotiate in good faith. Factors such as domestic violence, addictions and betrayals of trust are deal breakers. Research by the Gottmans (renowned couples counsellors) also found that the most destructive trait in relationships was contempt.
It is not a stretch to see how our relationship with our old allies is both destructive and beyond repair. How much contempt, humiliation, betrayal, threats to annex us, and bullying would it take before we decide we are holding on to a past that is damaging us? Staying loyal is a classic example of someone staying in an abusive relationship in the hopes it will improve, or terrified to leave.
For those who believe we can wait it out. Let’s not forget that we thought this when the present administration was first elected. Then came the disrespect of the U.S. electoral process and the Capital Hill riots. What followed was an even stronger mandate to support this government. There is no going back. It will only get worse.
Let’s be magnanimous, graceful and generous while remaining neutral in decisions to fly Canadian affiliated flags only. Thanks for listening to this proud Meafordite.
Sincerely,
Lee Ogden, Meaford
Editor’s Note: Per the published agenda, council will be discussing the flying of the American flag at their first meeting after their summer break, which will take place on Monday, September 14. The recommendation in the staff report to council is to remove the American flag from Market Square.
