February 1, 2022 Message to the Membership

So apparently there’s a trucker’s convoy that’s settled in to our nation’s capital. Maybe you’ve heard about it.?

Of course I’m saying so tongue in cheek, but despite what this week’s theme is all about, I’m actually trying to tamp down the Truckers Convoy as much as possible. Not the movement per se, (I am a free speech kind of guy after all) but the rhetoric around it. I just don’t think another voice is going to add much to the screaming already out there, and my goal with this is to not inflame but rather is to de-escalate the whole thing.?

Reason being, I can’t recall a time when an issue has been as angry, venomous, toxic… whatever as this one has been. Even within my own family; I have three adult children and two are of one train of thought and one is the other. And not just by a little, but vehemently opinionated.?

Wow… of all the things that my disjointed family can fight about (and believe me, there’s lots… we put the FUN in dysfunctional) and this is the one that’s got the family text chat flaming? Really?!?! That’s crazy.?

On the other hand, I get it. By that I mean I get both sides of the argument. They can argue their points well and they’re both valid. But like so much in this stupid, crazy COVID world that we now live in, there’s little room for compromise. It’s like it’s got to be one or the other.?

Despite outliers and fringe crackpots within their circle, the Truckers Convoy obviously has some merit, or else they wouldn’t have been able to convince thousands of truckers to gather from across the country (and raise millions of dollars in support) to voice their opinions… and by extension, get advocates on Facebook sharing anything and everything they can about personal rights and freedoms. But when you think of it, by virtue of them being free to gather and protest kind of diminishes the crux of their protest, stating their freedoms are being taken away from them, doesn’t it??

Then there’s the whole painting with one brush to include all. Which is to say that they’re all rednecks, racists, neo-Nazi’s etc. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth. But in today’s black and white world, where nothing is grey, that’s the image being perceived by those against the Trucker’s Convoy.?

What really confuses me is how at the start of the pandemic, when we were all hiding under our covers in our homes, there were those like health care workers and grocery clerks and other essential services, and yes, the truckers, were perceived as heroes. Indeed when the majority of the rest of the world was afforded the luxury (OK, forced) to stay in their homes, at the very least to limit their out-of-home excursions (to grocery shopping, medical appointments etc.) these road warriors were out there when we all weren’t. And we were scared to be out there. Meanwhile the truckers had no stops or restrooms available to them. Think about that. No places to eat or use the bathroom. And still they went to work every day so these other essential service providers had the goods so they could do their jobs. Like your groceries, your face masks, and yes, even your toilet paper.?

Did you ever stop to think about that? That every consumable good in your possession at one time in the supply chain spent time in a truck to get to you? Even if it’s shipped by air, by rail or by sea, it took a truck to either get it to or from that airport, that station or that port. So let’s give that some time to digest.?

Now, as for the jackasses (I have stronger words, actually) that are flying Confederate and Nazi flags, and desecrating the War Memorial and Terry Fox statues etc., they should be weeded out by the truckers. If the truckers are genuine in what I’ve heard them say, which is that those doing such things are not part of their core group, then fix it. Stomp it out, never to return again. It’s not exactly helping your cause.?

As for the lesser (but still highly disrespectful and counterproductive) terms desecrating our Prime Minister, I’ve got a little news for you, that’s not the best strategy when it comes to lobbying. Take it from someone who’s been doing it for a little while now. Nothing will close a door faster and for longer periods of time than to disrespect the person with whom you’re trying to not just get an audience, but actually convince them to change policy. It’s called biting the hand that feeds you. Again, not a great strategy.?

So, my point to all this is to say, there’s a lot of room for some common sense to take root in this particular cause, regardless of which side of the fence you’re on. Hopefully some true leadership on both sides of the cause will start to emerge and they’ll have true dialogue and some effective responses and results.?

What say you? Feel free to let me know, just don’t scream at me.?

Until next time, be safe, be smart, be considerate, be well, but most of all, be kind.?

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Keith Moen,?

Executive Director?

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