Listen Up! It’s hard to be optimistic | Commentary

I was grumpy this past week and a little depressed. It took me a few days to figure out why. Things were good with my family and friends. My wife and I are relatively healthy, although I have learned that getting older is not for sissies. I generally enjoy what I am doing and very seldom feel sorry for myself. I lead an active and enjoyable life. We treasure our children and grandchildren. So, why, I asked myself, was I feeling down?

Part of it, I think, was due to the double murder and apparent suicide just down the street from us in Huntsville a little more than a week ago. A friendly neighbourhood dog was killed as well.

 Police were pounding on our door late at night, telling us there was an “incident” in the area and we were to turn off our lights, lock our doors and go to the basement. We learned only later that the reason we were told to go to the basement was because associated with the “incident” was the threat of a gas explosion.  

This, of course, was a terrible tragedy. Whether it sprang from unchecked mental illness or pure anger is now moot because nothing will bring these poor individuals back to life. I admit that I was stunned to know that something like this could happen so close to home, but of course, it could. 

That tragedy was the catalyst that caused me to recognize how much life has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic now several years ago. 

Generally speaking, we are not the happy people we once were four or five years ago. We are, in my view, more inclined to find fault in others, particularly those who are in a position of power where it is easier to dump our frustrations and anger. We tend, I think, to be more critical of others and yet, ironically, at the same time, more tolerant of those who spread disinformation and promote violence.

 Just a day or two ago, former President Donald Trump called Liz Cheney, a prominent Conservative politician who happens to strongly oppose him, a “war-hawk” who should have nine barrels directed at her face, a thinly disguised reference to a firing squad. He also said he would “finish off” Americans who don’t support him. “We are in great shape to finish off these people,” he said. 

Five years ago, in my view, those statements would have caused an outrage if not prosecution. Today, on the cusp of an election, barely a whimper. 

The week ahead will undoubtedly be an interesting one. The outcome, whichever it is, will have serious consequences for Canada, the United States, and the rest of the world. 

Donald Trump has made no secret about what he will do if elected again as President. He will get even with his perceived enemies, he will reward his friends, he will cater to the rich, he will protect women “whether they like it or not.” 

At times Trump is incoherent and shows signs of confusion. His biggest problem, however, is that he absolutely believes in himself. It is a core belief that transcends everything else. It was there twenty years ago when I knew him, and it is there now. He is better than anyone else, smarter than anyone else, and more competent than anyone else. That is why he admires despotic leaders like Putin and Jinping. That is also why he believes he can do anything he wants to. 

The astonishing thing to me is that there may be enough people in the United States who buy all of this and, in spite of it, could have the numbers to once again catapult him into the catbird seat. For this to happen or even to potentially happen, there must be a level of anger, hate, and frustration in America that trumps (pun intended) any kind of rational thinking or commitment to democracy. That is frightening.

There is currently a huge amount of anger in Canada as well. The result is a significant decrease in public discourse and a lack of respect for the opinions of others.

Canada’s Parliament is dysfunctional because members won’t talk to each other. We have demonstrations and vandalism all across the country that, for the most part, go unpunished. Racism and antisemitism are at a record high. 

Recently, I saw something online that disturbed me, in part because I have also heard similar comments from others.

“What a shitshow this country is becoming. It’s sad. Growing up I used to really enjoy Toronto. Now, I couldn’t care less if I never see that city again.”: Ryan Gerritson.

So much for Toronto the Good, and again, I say, I doubt if you would see such negative language as this prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Finally, our anger and frustration, combined with the plethora of disinformation, are causing us to second-guess some of our basic democratic principles. Examples of those are free speech and censorship. What do they mean anymore?

Today, there was an interesting article online by Elizabeth Thompson of CBC News. It read in part, “Internal documents say the Mounties will use fake online profiles to pursue extremist activities. The RCMP is planning to conduct undercover surveillance online using fake persons to investigate ideological extremists in Canada, states an internal strategy document. Experts in ideologically motivated violent extremism in Canada say the strategy is overdue at a time when online extremism threatens to spillover”.

Really? Has it come to this? Does it undermine free speech?

The honest answer is, I don’t know. On the one hand, it says to me that Big Daddy is watching, and entrapment is a possibility. On the other hand, the safety of our society is paramount and a key responsibility of those in power. 

What I do know, however, is that our country has changed over the last five years or so, and activities that were frowned upon then are more acceptable, if not necessary, now. 

With all of the above, it is perhaps understandable that I have been somewhat down during the past week or so. When I looked at the whole picture, including two ongoing wars, for a while there, and to my great surprise, I saw the glass as half empty rather than half full. 

But at heart, I am an optimist, even though that can be difficult at times. I know that this week will be challenging, but I also know that we will find a way through it. What goes around, comes around.

Canadians, collectively, have a proven spine that will meet any challenge.

As for happiness?

There is always Taylor Swift! 😊

Hugh Mackenzie.

Hugh Mackenzie has held elected office as a trustee on the Muskoka Board of Education, a Huntsville councillor, a District councillor, and mayor of Huntsville. He has also served as chairman of the District of Muskoka and as chief of staff to former premier of Ontario, Frank Miller.

Hugh has also served on a number of provincial, federal and local boards, including chair of the Ontario Health Disciplines Board, vice-chair of the Ontario Family Health Network, vice-chair of the Ontario Election Finance Commission, and board member of Roy Thomson Hall, the National Theatre School of Canada, and the Anglican Church of Canada. Locally, he has served as president of the Huntsville Rotary Club, chair of Huntsville District Memorial Hospital, chair of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, president of Huntsville Festival of the Arts, and board member of Community Living Huntsville.

In business, Hugh Mackenzie has a background in radio and newspaper publishing. He was also a founding partner and CEO of Enterprise Canada, a national public affairs and strategic communications firm established in 1986.

Currently, Hugh is president of C3 Digital Media Inc., the parent company of Doppler Online, and he enjoys writing commentary for Huntsville Doppler.

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