I can think of not one positive thing to say about Julian Fantino. Apparently, Toronto Star readers can't either:
Fantino ‘absolutely regrets’ clash with veterans, Jan. 30
There is no possible excuse for the shameful treatment of our veterans by the federal Conservative government. Veterans Affairs Minister Julian Fantino’s arrogant and disdainful behaviour with a delegation of veterans who met with him to lobby for keeping eight regional Veterans’ Affairs offices open is another low point of his career. He should resign or be fired.
These veterans put their lives on the line for our country without questioning whatever political motives sent them into hellish battlegrounds. At the very least, we owe them our gratitude, certainly our respect, and whatever medical, personal and mental-health care that they require.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has already taken a terrible toll with eight veterans’ suicides within two months. The government now callously wants to claw back $581 in disability benefits from the husband of a service woman suffering from PTSD who committed suicide. And now they are closing eight regional offices that veterans depend on for health, mental health and service-based issues.
Is this any way to treat those who fought and were prepared to die for our country? This shameful betrayal of our veterans may well tip the balance of Harper’s government losing the next election.
Simon R. Guillet, Guilletville
The cutbacks to Veterans’ Services, as outlined by Julian Fantino, are not only unacceptable, but are shameful. The individuals affected by this ill advised decision are not just your normal “run of the mill” citizens, but are men and women who this country holds in its highest esteem. Making their life more difficult, after their sacrifices to make make ours better is, disrespectful and irresponsible. Mr. Fantino’s attitude in this matter is also disrespectful. I agree with former soldier Bruce Moncur, that this decision will reflect in the ballot boxes in 2015.
Dave Summerton, Allenford
The Harper government’s treatment of veterans is unconscionable. It does not support young vets returning from war with PTSD, leading to far too many suicides. Now it is closing service centres for our older veterans. And on top of that they send a letter to a grieving husband demanding a clawback of benefits for his newly deceased wife. Where is their compassion? Where is the promise to take care of all our veterans? This behaviour is inhumane and their words are empty.
I felt awful watching our older veterans on television tear up and choke on their frustrations. Fantino has no heart just like the government he serves. We need a government that puts people before the economy. These guys don’t care how many people are hurt by their budget cutting.
June Mewhort, Woodville
UPDATE: Meanwhile, if Retired Sgt. Major Barry Westholm is any indication, the backlash has begun.
The HarperCons have always practiced wedge politics and a fundamental aspect of such politics in Canada is that there is somewhere between twenty-five and thirty percent of those who actually will always vote Conservative under all circumstances. They know that the vast majority of service members are in that group, and that they don't constitute a significant voting bloc anyway. However, this is really a war of attrition (pardon the pun) and it is each little act of hatred, arrogance, corruption, and thuggishness that must chip away at the swing voters. That is the only way that these monsters will be ousted. (Provided that they don't stage a coup, of course)
ReplyDeleteIt is my hope that as the symbols fall, Kirby, so will the base support. Already outraged by how the Cons have violated almost everything they claimed to represent since they first went to Ottawa, some of the base may in fact just not vote in 2015, which, given our notoriously poor turnout at elections, may be just the edge we need to oust Harper.
DeleteI think you may be right, Lorne. However, it is unfortunate that we might have to rely on low voter turnout to oust a tinpot dictator.
DeleteIt is indeed an ongoing source of frustration for many of us, Kirby.
DeleteFantino was in a police chief mode and he thought that he was dealing with a bunch of rowdy members of the public. It did not occur to him that he was dealing with veterans as a minister.
ReplyDeleteI think there is only one way Fantino and his ilk see the world, LD. You are either with them or against them. If the latter, they have no use for you other than as targets of dismissive ridicule and contempt.
DeleteThe reformers had a high of 18%. Anything higher was old PC votes. These Pcers are being sorely tried these days.
ReplyDeleteOne can only see Fantino in light of the elites ( PM, Cabinet, General Staff in England a century ago. These clowns saw the Tommies as only cannon fodder to be sacrificed for their own political and social agrandisemennt.
That, rumley, nicely sums up the Harper cabal's attitude to almost all of us.
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