Of course – sunsets, sunrises, shapes of air and water, shadows of land are important. Who knows? Maybe they are the most important or even the only things important, when everything is counted and done? Who knows?

But time and again, we are reminded that politics (local and national and international) do have a power (often used) to invade our pristine soulful life.  And I am reminded that I am a political animal. Always was. Since the time I was fourteen or fifteen and typed on a manual typewriter (with  carbon papers to fill as many pages as possible) anti-government (at that time it was anti-communist) slogans. Later I would personally visit as many as possible press clubs in Warsaw (they were called Empiki –  clubs to read free of charge national and international newspapers) and insert these subversive texts  between pages of popular periodicals. They didn’t use cameras at that time in public spaces as they do now everywhere, LOL. I was not afraid that someone might denounce me – that work was mine alone, a lonely wolf. Organized anti-government work came few years later, in the “Solidarity’ movement.

For the past forty five-odd years I do the same. But openly, under my name. In press, on social  (as this one) channels, in various organizations, different roles. But mostly as the lonely wolf again. Don’t trust governments and politicians. But do trust independent judiciary and legal system. Independent, public commissions, inquiries.

For some weeks now, I observe with full attention the Federal Inquiry on the recent use of Emergency Act (what used to be called War Measurer Act).  We all lived through it. We all were (to a point) traumatized, when it happened and traumatized by the events that led to it. I will not list events that led to it. At that time, as majority of Canadians, I strongly supported it and believed that all possible other resources and actions failed to bring resolution to the situation and it could not be allowed to continue anymore.

photo by Brett Gundlock for CBC News, from Wikimedia Commons

That it is not to say that I was happy to see it used. It is a tragedy, when a government is forced (or otherwise makes that choice) to suspend certain (or possibly most) freedoms of citizens.  According to what we all witnessed through TV channels, all mass media, pictures, videos, live reporting – all regular levels of security and policing (local, provincial and federal) failed and were powerless to stop the anarchy. Stakes were extremely high on national and international levels (blockades of extremely important border-crossings with USA). Tensions were raising.

But, when the dust settles, one needs more answers. More than just news reports and live coverage. Were all possible resources used, were all policing and enforcing applied using regular laws and Acts? Just because a politician say so – is not good enough.   The Inquiry itself is a good thing and it is very good that the Inquiry has to happen whether the government or Opposition wants to or not.  Such Inquiry is part of the Act and has to happen every time the Act is invoked. That is very good. It speaks volumes of the maturity of our democracy in Canada.

Until now majority of witnesses were police commanders or high ranking police officers from city (Ottawa), Province (Ontario’s OPP) and neighboring similar agencies. It proves to be interesting. The police officers tend to be … hmmm, full of themselves. Probably a mental professional luggage. We had a good plan! It could have worked! The other (read: Ottawa Police) force was disorganized, not us (read: Provincial Police)! If we had more time or intelligence we would not failed! Yes, the Act was helpful, but telling the truth we could have achieved the same using existing, regular laws! At times I have hard times to comprehend their statements. Is is possible that their memory is so fragile or do they portray another reality? Only when pressed by questions of legal counsels, the self-assurance weakens, softens. Or crumbles altogether.  This time a recorded history of events, cameras and reporting helps. You could have had … but you didn’t. That is a fact. Not an opinion. It is possible that you would have finished it. But when? After a fire bombs would start exploding? Remember that each of the huge trailers were full of gasoline, not water. After street fights between terrorized citizens of Ottawa and bands of ‘freedom fighters’? After someone would have died? There was a plan but … . But it didn’t work Mr. Commander or it couldn’t work. Otherwise there would be no Emergency Act and no Inquiry.

I find it very disrespectful of Canadians that premier of Ontario, Doug Ford refuses to testify. There is a legal battle now, whether he can be forced (as the Inquiry demands). One of the most important politician, premier of the province where it was happening. One, who endorsed the Act. But now it is inconvenient politically to enrage fellow right-wingers?

Politicians should testify as it is the politicians, who make the decisions, not the commissioners of Police Forces. Looking forward to hear from PM Trudeau and other federal ministers. They already said that they will absolutely testify. Hopefully other ones, too. In order to learn, to avoid unnecessary use of the Act in the future.  It should always be the last resort, not a convenient way to settle political discontent. Despite my own understanding that the Act was at this time right answer (perhaps it should have even be used earlier) to the situation – I am also open to the possibility that it wasn’t necessary, that other solutions existed. And as a citizen I have a right to know it. After all, any extraordinary suspension of any freedom is a very dangerous proposition.

That the ‘Freedom Convoy’ was a disgusting  display of arrogance and an assault on Canada, our democracy, our institutions is clear to me beyond any doubt. But whether a right tool was used to squash it – is not a forgone conclusion, yet.