Thank you for sharing this story about your grandmother because, as you’ve said, history repeats itself. My grandmother & grandfather on my mother’s side were from Ireland. One was Catholic & the other Protestant. They fled to Glasgow because they were both harassed terribly about marrying someone from the opposite religion. My mother had to be shipped away from her parents to the country as a child during WWII to avoid the bombing. My father was from Holland & his family had almost died of starvation during WWII as his town was under seige. He managed to escape being arrested and sent to a forced labor camp thanks to the Dutch Underground. He escaped to Dundee, Scotland and joined the Dutch navy there. After the war both my mother & father were thrilled to come to Canada and have the opportunities to nurse and teach in such a wonderful country. I was so lucky to grow up in Canada but ended up following my husband to the US for his career. I have always noticed such a difference in the US culture (guns, less socially responsible, more militaristic etc) and feel so blessed that we’ve now been able to move back to Canada for our retirements. Our American friends are so jealous of us, now that Trump and his MAGA supporters have taken over the country. I worry about them, but I also worry that the Maple MAGA’s don’t destroy everything here. We need to remember the lessons of the past & always be vigilant to protect all the good things that Canada stands for. Thank you for being so outspoken in standing up to Trump and his attempts to take over Canada & threaten our people.
This is a very scary time. I hope you have good body guards because I’m sure there are some people who would love to shut you up! Our son is a pilot in the Cdn Air Force and we’re very proud that he is serving to protect Canada. We are doing all we can as private citizens to actively participate in Canada’s political processes because we know it takes work to keep The True North Strong & Free! God bless you!
Many of us are blessed to have elders who hold sacred memories of our real histories, the essence of community, and the need to be ever vigilant in the face of rising hate and injustice everywhere. We need to listen carefully and heed their wisdom more than ever before.
Thanks for sharing. Now I understand where your passion for justice comes from.
What’s next for Charlie Angus whenever this term expires? How can we help ensure that your voice continues to be heard, both across our nation and those of others who are only just beginning to grasp Canadian exceptionalism?
Charlie, your article is proof positive that the wisdom of our elders must be listened to. Only then can we make informed and positive decisions based on the history and value of that information. My Grandparents were the same with sayings like; "Don't just look before you jump, but also think and consider the consequences"...! Logic in its wisest form...!
I always enjoy your columns, Charlie, and your dedication to the values that built this country. The Czech dissident novelist Milan Kundera analyzed the takeover of his country by the Soviets in “The Book of Laughter and Forgetting” - “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.”
I am so glad to read your posts. You say all the things I wish ALL our leaders would & could be like you Charlie. Reading your posts as well as Viktor Kravchuks of Ukraine are so inspiring & even comforting at times. Comforting because it's so good to know that your courage and determination to be victorious is seen and heard by millions of folks who need to hear it and those that want to hear. Hats off to the Greivous Angels with music providing the same wonderful messages.
Alot of U.S. are gratefull for you filling a void that will hopefully be filled one day soon.
There is just so much to unpack and process in your writings. First, how about a forewarning to grab a tissue before listening to Sarah Gordon, the incredibly moving video and song you wrote for your grandmother and thank you so very much for sharing those memories of your Granny and the wise words and history lessons she passed forward. It reminded me of my when my grandpa or father enjoyed bending the ears of other politically minded folks he meet at our farm or at one of the weekly trips to the Sales Barn. Usually ending with a few laughs and talk of fishing. It is so very important we never forget the ones before us who served and survived and the ones before us who served and sacrificed for our rights and freedoms. The 1547 Battle of Pinkie and The French and Indian War(s) headed by Silvanus Cobb are both reminders of inhumane acts of greed, raping of lands and slaughter of the innocent. Greed is still alive and striving in this world, but they replaced their armor for suits and ties. The famous quote from the once knighted Robert Burns is timely "Man's inhumanity to Man makes countless thousands mourn" . Keeping the elbows up to link from coast to coast to coast, In solidarity, DL
In my ancestors' story of war (a revolution, not an invasion), my widowed great great grandfather sent all his daughters and babies to the big city and stayed behind with the older sons to protect their ranch. Government took it from them anyway 😔
My great grandmother didn't talk much about it, she was just a child when this happened. It's easy to forget our story when no one passes it along to the new generations. I bet her father was brave, but couldn't avoid injustice. I just wish I can be as brave now that someone's threatening our land, and I will tell my kids his story and our story, so they know we are resilient, and we always fight against abuse and injustice.
Charlie is like a diamond shining brilliantly from a pile of coal, or something worse. Nice tune, too. (“Grievous Angels” makes me think of Gram Parsons.)
Charlie, I heard similar stories from my McDonald side. Although we came to Canada during the clearances in the 1830s, the treachery at Glencoe and the Great War being the English king's fued with his cousins were two tales very much in my grandparents' rotation. I don't know what experience made her feel this way, maybe it was the family's intermarriage with Loyalist settlers, but whenever Grandma used the term "Yankee", she meant a fast-talking chisler (usually a peddler) who wasn't to be trusted. We live in a different world and I have American friends and admire many... but I know what Grandma would say about the current situation if she were still alive.
Good morning Charlie. What a wonderful story. I very much enjoyed it. Thank you.
Many years ago when they ran a small motel in. Hope, British Columbia, a wee Scottish gentleman from Glasgow happened into my life by accident and I wrote a little blog piece about his amazing story and my brief but wonderful time with him. I have included a link. If it doesn't work, simply Google.... Parcas Chosen blog Scotty Boal.
I know you don't have much time on your hands but I think you would really appreciate his story. Thank you for everything you do. You remind me very much of this lovely man.
Thank you for sharing this story about your grandmother because, as you’ve said, history repeats itself. My grandmother & grandfather on my mother’s side were from Ireland. One was Catholic & the other Protestant. They fled to Glasgow because they were both harassed terribly about marrying someone from the opposite religion. My mother had to be shipped away from her parents to the country as a child during WWII to avoid the bombing. My father was from Holland & his family had almost died of starvation during WWII as his town was under seige. He managed to escape being arrested and sent to a forced labor camp thanks to the Dutch Underground. He escaped to Dundee, Scotland and joined the Dutch navy there. After the war both my mother & father were thrilled to come to Canada and have the opportunities to nurse and teach in such a wonderful country. I was so lucky to grow up in Canada but ended up following my husband to the US for his career. I have always noticed such a difference in the US culture (guns, less socially responsible, more militaristic etc) and feel so blessed that we’ve now been able to move back to Canada for our retirements. Our American friends are so jealous of us, now that Trump and his MAGA supporters have taken over the country. I worry about them, but I also worry that the Maple MAGA’s don’t destroy everything here. We need to remember the lessons of the past & always be vigilant to protect all the good things that Canada stands for. Thank you for being so outspoken in standing up to Trump and his attempts to take over Canada & threaten our people.
This is a very scary time. I hope you have good body guards because I’m sure there are some people who would love to shut you up! Our son is a pilot in the Cdn Air Force and we’re very proud that he is serving to protect Canada. We are doing all we can as private citizens to actively participate in Canada’s political processes because we know it takes work to keep The True North Strong & Free! God bless you!
Many of us are blessed to have elders who hold sacred memories of our real histories, the essence of community, and the need to be ever vigilant in the face of rising hate and injustice everywhere. We need to listen carefully and heed their wisdom more than ever before.
Wow.............Sarah Gordon..........Wonderful voice!!
Thanks for sharing. Now I understand where your passion for justice comes from.
What’s next for Charlie Angus whenever this term expires? How can we help ensure that your voice continues to be heard, both across our nation and those of others who are only just beginning to grasp Canadian exceptionalism?
Thank you for sharing your granny with us!
Charlie, your article is proof positive that the wisdom of our elders must be listened to. Only then can we make informed and positive decisions based on the history and value of that information. My Grandparents were the same with sayings like; "Don't just look before you jump, but also think and consider the consequences"...! Logic in its wisest form...!
I always enjoy your columns, Charlie, and your dedication to the values that built this country. The Czech dissident novelist Milan Kundera analyzed the takeover of his country by the Soviets in “The Book of Laughter and Forgetting” - “The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.”
I am so glad to read your posts. You say all the things I wish ALL our leaders would & could be like you Charlie. Reading your posts as well as Viktor Kravchuks of Ukraine are so inspiring & even comforting at times. Comforting because it's so good to know that your courage and determination to be victorious is seen and heard by millions of folks who need to hear it and those that want to hear. Hats off to the Greivous Angels with music providing the same wonderful messages.
Alot of U.S. are gratefull for you filling a void that will hopefully be filled one day soon.
💙☮🇨🇦☮🇺🇦💙
Thank you, Charlie. 💕
There is just so much to unpack and process in your writings. First, how about a forewarning to grab a tissue before listening to Sarah Gordon, the incredibly moving video and song you wrote for your grandmother and thank you so very much for sharing those memories of your Granny and the wise words and history lessons she passed forward. It reminded me of my when my grandpa or father enjoyed bending the ears of other politically minded folks he meet at our farm or at one of the weekly trips to the Sales Barn. Usually ending with a few laughs and talk of fishing. It is so very important we never forget the ones before us who served and survived and the ones before us who served and sacrificed for our rights and freedoms. The 1547 Battle of Pinkie and The French and Indian War(s) headed by Silvanus Cobb are both reminders of inhumane acts of greed, raping of lands and slaughter of the innocent. Greed is still alive and striving in this world, but they replaced their armor for suits and ties. The famous quote from the once knighted Robert Burns is timely "Man's inhumanity to Man makes countless thousands mourn" . Keeping the elbows up to link from coast to coast to coast, In solidarity, DL
In my ancestors' story of war (a revolution, not an invasion), my widowed great great grandfather sent all his daughters and babies to the big city and stayed behind with the older sons to protect their ranch. Government took it from them anyway 😔
My great grandmother didn't talk much about it, she was just a child when this happened. It's easy to forget our story when no one passes it along to the new generations. I bet her father was brave, but couldn't avoid injustice. I just wish I can be as brave now that someone's threatening our land, and I will tell my kids his story and our story, so they know we are resilient, and we always fight against abuse and injustice.
I greatly enjoyed this very personal piece.
Thanks for all you do. You’re helping me to be a better Canadian.
Charlie is like a diamond shining brilliantly from a pile of coal, or something worse. Nice tune, too. (“Grievous Angels” makes me think of Gram Parsons.)
And quoting my favorite Canadian musician Bruce Cockburn! "Kicking at the darkness..."
Charlie, I heard similar stories from my McDonald side. Although we came to Canada during the clearances in the 1830s, the treachery at Glencoe and the Great War being the English king's fued with his cousins were two tales very much in my grandparents' rotation. I don't know what experience made her feel this way, maybe it was the family's intermarriage with Loyalist settlers, but whenever Grandma used the term "Yankee", she meant a fast-talking chisler (usually a peddler) who wasn't to be trusted. We live in a different world and I have American friends and admire many... but I know what Grandma would say about the current situation if she were still alive.
Good morning Charlie. What a wonderful story. I very much enjoyed it. Thank you.
Many years ago when they ran a small motel in. Hope, British Columbia, a wee Scottish gentleman from Glasgow happened into my life by accident and I wrote a little blog piece about his amazing story and my brief but wonderful time with him. I have included a link. If it doesn't work, simply Google.... Parcas Chosen blog Scotty Boal.
I know you don't have much time on your hands but I think you would really appreciate his story. Thank you for everything you do. You remind me very much of this lovely man.
Cheers from Alberta! ❤️
http://parcaschosen.blogspot.com/2014/09/a-scottish-tale-life-is-boal-of.html