"Could spread into weeks..." Very interesting! Just how do they plan on doing this? Cutting rails? Picketing across the tracks? And what are Canada's rairoads doing to prepare themseves for this?
They normally block the tracks. It's happened quite a few times in the past in Quebec and Ontario. There was one instance in Quebec where it went on for quite some time as an argument over a housing complex went on. Charlie
Maybe a good time to carry teargas grenades in the loco.... That should break up any blockages.... mg:
Although I have specific comments regarding this, in order to prevent this from getting political or religious I will just say that I don't understand the motivation of some folks and why they target things like railroads. Yes it is the main transport system in Canada BUT in long run this won't get them what they want. John
It might. It's subject to opinion of course, but it has happened in the past, especially in Quebec and Ontario and Canada deals with things pretty diplomatically and would be less likely to use force to end something like that than would be the case in the U.S.. Charlie
Yes this is quite political. I think the Government of Canada has over the years attempted to correct past wrongs with the first nations. That being said the current Conservative Government is pretty hard nosed who knows what their reaction will be Although we tend to handle these things in a diplomatic manner I think the Canadian publics opinion is enough is enough.
It's like a post from 150 years ago. In the US, they'd just move it to notch eight and start ringing up the score. Seriously though, as long as their not hurting anyone, this sounds like perfectly acceptable nonviolent protest. Around here, instead of protesting, the Indians would just build a casino and get "The White Man's" money that way.
Jut about every Indian tribe in Oklahoma that has any sizeable land has a casino. The Choctaws were the first, and ae the most successful. Taking America back, one nickel at a time..........
It is wierd up here like that. If I went to Lodgepole Neb. and blocked the transcon to protest something I would be either jailed or a UP snowplow smear in minutes but up here they let them shut down the main for days. Almost every "nation" already has a casino here too.
I know that they've deregulated up there quite a bit, but is the land still government and therefore public property? Maybe that's the difference. Down here, UP could have you arrested for tresspassing. The actual act of stopping industrial complex to protest is of more nebulous legality. We'd all be working in sweatshops since the age of 10 were it not so.
In the US, the rail corporations would get an injunction against the Indian Tribe, which would require the police to forcibly remove the protesters blocking the tracks. The corporations would also sue the tribe for whatever money they had, however little. Jail and seizure of property to satisfy a suit have a sobering effect.
Wasn't there just a similar blockage of mainlines by one of the first nations in Quebec? I'm sure I read of it within the last few weeks.
I love and respect each and every person's creed and color.I really do! Each of us is from some 'tribe 'or another if we go back far enough..It too seems to me that almost all of them(us) have elevated themselves up and out of horrid predicaments they were in throughout history and became successful,productive citizens through assimilation,education,and inventiveness in art,science and literature..The north American indian always seemed to be concerned with the natural land and spirituality.But,he is no different than anyone else when it comes to suffering..Why then does this group think it has a right to be subsidized by governments and given free,untaxed housing til the end of time?..If there is so much poverty and alcoholism in its realm due to this suffering,why does it stay this way,living on hand-outs and gambling casinos??..I'm sorry Mr.American Indian that you were ripped-off.Get over it like the Black,Jew,Mexican,Armenian,Italian,Iragi and Irani and enter the world of the living by being productive(again)and spiritual(again) instead of remaining in the vicious syndrome you seem to want to remain in or be entitled to.Change it from within,not by immoblizing a railroad and affecting the livelyhood of others,others who have suffered and paid dues,too !!:lightbulb:
This was intended as a post that would be of interest as a fairly major news event relating to railroads. We don't need to debate or analyze the semantics of it. That will get us nowhere. Charlie
So far the focus here has been on the Indians (Native Americans), has anyone heard what the reaction of the railroads has been or what they plan to do about it? John
Here is another link with further information and more links and articles at the bottom of the page. http://zoeblunt.gnn.tv/blogs/22659/First_Nations_to_Shut_Down_Canada_s_Rail_Lines
Are CN and CP the only railroads involved? What about commuter lines? I presume that because of the distances involved that trucking would not be able to replace the interrupted shipments?
