joseph's blog

The word "censorship" gets tossed around a fair bit.
Given how emotionally charged this term is, and how frequently it gets used to stifle speech rather than protect it, I thought it'd be worth unpacking a bit.

Foreign governments, the mega-rich, and well-organized far-right activists are interfering in Canadian domestic politics.  Their aim?  To weaponize disaffection and frustration with pandemic restrictions to sow division, distrust, and chaos, to spread toxic disinformation, to polarize communities, and ultimately to disrupt our democratic norms.

On Wed, Feb 2., a community member sent a private message encouraging others to "flood the lasqueti list"  with messages in order to "make it cumbersome" to moderate list traffic.

I have been trying to let this incident go, but seems some, at least, refuse to see this act for what it is:

A vaccine-hesitant acquaintance asked why I chose to get vaccinated.  

Health care workers harassed and demonized at their workplace.

People blocked from attending medical appointments.

Ambulances carrying critically injured patients delayed from reaching hospitals.

Paramedics and nurses leaving their jobs due to stress.

How did we get here?