Eye opening editorial: "They did their duty"

[military granny]

http://www.edmontonsun.com/Comment/Commentary/2006/08/04/1720014.html

From the Edmonton Sun.

 

[Sig_Des]

That was actually a good editorial...Thanks for the post, Granny

 

[McG]

I hope all Canadians are reminded of what we are doing and why we are there in words like these.  Deaths were forcasted before Op ARCHER roto 0 launched and the forecasts were regularly repeated up until the first death in mid January.  Canadians supported the mission when death was just a forcast, and they should not become squeamish now that the forcast has come to be repeatedly accurate.

More than any yellow car magnet, Canadians can show they support their troops by continuing to show support for what their troops are doing.  Canadians want a stable & peacefull Afghanistan (and one that will not provide a safe home for terrorist organizations that might attack Canada).  We have started paying the price for a peacefull & safe Afghanistan (and it is a terrible price), but if we cut & run now that price will be lives already lost for nothing.

 

[military granny]

+1 MCG

 

[simysmom99]

Thanks for sharing that editorial Granny, it was great.
On a major TV station last night, the question of the day was something along the lines of "now that more people have died, do you still support the mission?"  How is it that we can get Canadians to realize that they don't necessarily have to support the mission, but please support our troops?

 

[Booked_Spice]

Mg,

Thanks for the post.

This reminds me of a conversation I recently had with a co- worker. She asked me how I felt about Hubby being over there and she goes on to say that she doesn't agree and she was ashamed of being a Canadian because our government sends Our Boys over to die.

Here is my response to her. Before this tour I was proud to be a Canadian and Now enduring everything that this tour has put on the plates of all families across the board. I am even Prouder to be a Canadian. It is unfortunate that the average Canadian doesn't get to read all the good stories that our Troops do and the Media is just focused on the ultimate sacrifices of Our Brave Men and Women. I wish just once that people who have these opinions can see with their own eyes the good we are doing for the people of Afghanistan. But they won't and  they will continue to spit out these thoughts without even having enough information to form these negative opinions. This is their right to do so. However I told her just remember everytime you are allowed to voice your precious opinion please remember that it is the Men and Women of the Canadian Forces paid for that right in Blood.


I was in Superstore. They had some Canadian Flags on sale. I gave my daughter and my son one. We went through the check out. My daughter was singing her version of OH Canada. The cashier looked at her and me and said isn't she very patriotic. My 3 old daughter turned to her and said. My daddy is a a soldier. He is in Afghanistan protecting the kids from the monsters. My heart swelled with pride. The cashier stood for a moment. Her nationality was Muslim. She called another cashier over and said to the 2nd cashier. I can't serve them because her Husband is a murderer. I was shocked to hear this. But I am very grateful that my child did not hear these remarks No at this point I didn't say anything because of my children. However I did rectify it the next day.

I told my husband about these incidents and his reply was that is what worries the Boys over here. They are worried how they will be treated when they get home.

Why should they have to worry about this. They should be accepted and feel honor when they step on Canadian soil. I am just angered with some people who have the nerve to call themselves Canadians. You do not have to support the Mission, But we need to stand behind our Troops 100 percent.

 

[Good2Golf]

Booked_spice, you have every reason to be very proud of your daughter! (Hubby too )

She called another cashier over and said to the 2nd cashier. I can't serve them because her Husband is a murderer. I was shocked to hear this. But I am very grateful that my child did not hear these remarks No at this point I didn't say anything because of my children. However I did rectify it the next day.

Such a comment is DISGUSTING!  It is totally uncalled for.  In the legal world, they call such a defamatory statement "slander", and you would be entirely within your (and your husband's) legal rights to pursue a civil legal action.  I hope you were satisfied by the way in which the store dealt with the issue, none the least of which should have involved a sincere apology from the cashier! 

Cheers
Duey

 

[George Wallace]

It is also good that you didn't lower your dignity to turn the tables on her with a similar comment in return.  Did you lay a complaint or just leave, never to shop there again?

 

[TangoTwoBravo]

Unbelievable.

 

[Booked_Spice]

I went back the next day and asked to speak to the manager. I did not have my kids with me. I explained the situation. I said that I was appalled because alot of their business is from Military Personal. It became a heated discussion and others in the store just stopped and listened. However, He promised that the situation would be dealt with and he offered me an apology over and over again. I feel that he handled the situation perfectly. Heck I am proud of myself because I did not loose it but handled it very respectfully. I did add that I would expect a written apology from the cashier. However that may not come but I want her to realize her actions and how they affect families. I think what bothered me the most is that my 3 yr old could of heard her comment and that is something I never want her to hear. I want her to feel proud of her Daddy and of her Country.

 

[GAP]

I went back the next day and asked to speak to the manager. I did not have my kids with me. I explained the situation. I said that I was appalled because allot of their business is from Military Personal. It became a heated discussion and others in the store just stopped and listened.

Booked_Spice

I respectfully disagree. The day we do not stand up and defend our way of life, in the face of people who would have it otherwise, is the day they start controlling us. The cashier's action was disgusting, and she should have been called on it right there, right then and very, very loudly.

As for the children, surprisingly, they can be explained to, and it's amazing what the rug rats understand.  ;D  Don't get me wrong, I am not criticizing you for not doing so, I am suggesting an alternative. Some people can do it, some can't.  You sound like a strong person, unfortunately, you are Canadian and are infinitely polite, and try to settle things by going through the steps. That is our society's problem, WE TRY. They Don't.

 

[Jack Neilson]

I am writing (using hubby's account) as the proud wife of a Canadian Army Veteran and sister of two serving members of the Forces.  I am appalled  disgusted and upset that something like this could happen in Canada and especially in Edmonton where so many of our troops are posted.  Can you imagine what would have happened if you had something along the lines of "I don't want this cashier to wait on me because she is a muslim and some muslims are terrorists"?  I feel that the cashier in question should have been immediately chastised and made to apologize and had she refused, to have been immediately dismissed.  You don't expand on the "heated discussion" with the manager but in my opinion no manager should have engaged in such but should have immediately tried to rectify your complaint.  Perhaps a boycot of the store by all military personnel and a letter to the head office of the Company would also have been in order.

Jacquie Neilson
Kingston ON

 

[Good2Golf]

I am writing (using hubby's account) as the proud wife of a Canadian Army Veteran and sister of two serving members of the Forces.  I am appalled  disgusted and upset that something like this could happen in Canada and especially in Edmonton where so many of our troops are posted.  Can you imagine what would have happened if you had something along the lines of "I don't want this cashier to wait on me because she is a muslim and some muslims are terrorists"?  I feel that the cashier in question should have been immediately chastised and made to apologize and had she refused, to have been immediately dismissed.  You don't expand on the "heated discussion" with the manager but in my opinion no manager should have engaged in such but should have immediately tried to rectify your complaint.  Perhaps a boycot of the store by all military personnel and a letter to the head office of the Company would also have been in order.

Jacquie Neilson
Kingston ON

+1

I agree, Jacquie.

Booked_spice, Jacquie makes an excellent point about the duality of the cashier's comment to you vs what would likely have occurred had you made a disparaging comment about the cashier's racial heritage.  It is of course your choice to deal with the matter as you feel appropriate, but for me, this would be a letter of "Extreme Concern" to the President of Superstore....imagine that one hitting the news:

"Self-proclaimed 'un-patriotic' Muslim cashier at Edmonton Superstore accuses father of little girl buying Canadian flag of being a murderer."

This crap is absolutely reprehensible!  :rage:

Duey

 

[HDE]

I agree

    Apart from being entirely unprofessional this is just the sort of unacceptable behaviour that has to be challenged.  I sometimes think one problem Canadians have is that we're far too quick to "turn the other cheek" and tolerate ignorant behaviourtoward us from self-styled victims.  Whether or not the cashier is or isn't a Muslim she is obliged to accord her customers an appropriate level of service.  I'd love to see how the media tried to figure out the right spin for this issue ;D

 

[Sub_Guy]

WOW  I all of a sudden I have this feeling of wanting to crush someones skull.


Anyway, I really do think that you should write a letter to the head office, be detailed, give names, dates, and don't leave any detail out. This is off the charts, you kept your cool, unlike myself who probably would have jumped the counter right there and drove that flag down her throat.......  My wife is in the military too, if anyone called her a murderer in front of my kids...... I would use the the old "ear muffs" trick for the kids (Old School) then let loose....... I know that is wrong and nothing gets solved, but that bitch will think before she speaks next time...........  I need to flash up some Grand theft auto......... 

Send letters out, heck I bet that would even make the local media, and the superstore doesn't need that bad press, especially when they keep telling us that they are the "Real Canadian Superstore"  I would predict that if local media were informed, and this hit the airwaves, that there would be a massive showing of support, and that cashier would probably get terminated..........  Just because she is a minority though I suspect people will tip toe around her..... BS

+1 for the kiddies waving the flag and singing!!!  We need more youngins who are proud, infact we need more youngins that can recite the national anthem..............

+1 for you, and not losing your cool right there, and for being a military wife keeping things going while hubby away.

-10 for my complete and total anger right now.............

 

[the 48th regulator]

Mg,

Thanks for the post.

This reminds me of a conversation I recently had with a co- worker. She asked me how I felt about Hubby being over there and she goes on to say that she doesn't agree and she was ashamed of being a Canadian because our government sends Our Boys over to die.

Here is my response to her. Before this tour I was proud to be a Canadian and Now enduring everything that this tour has put on the plates of all families across the board. I am even Prouder to be a Canadian. It is unfortunate that the average Canadian doesn't get to read all the good stories that our Troops do and the Media is just focused on the ultimate sacrifices of Our Brave Men and Women. I wish just once that people who have these opinions can see with their own eyes the good we are doing for the people of Afghanistan. But they won't and  they will continue to spit out these thoughts without even having enough information to form these negative opinions. This is their right to do so. However I told her just remember everytime you are allowed to voice your precious opinion please remember that it is the Men and Women of the Canadian Forces paid for that right in Blood.


I was in Superstore. They had some Canadian Flags on sale. I gave my daughter and my son one. We went through the check out. My daughter was singing her version of OH Canada. The cashier looked at her and me and said isn't she very patriotic. My 3 old daughter turned to her and said. My daddy is a a soldier. He is in Afghanistan protecting the kids from the monsters. My heart swelled with pride. The cashier stood for a moment. Her nationality was Muslim. She called another cashier over and said to the 2nd cashier. I can't serve them because her Husband is a murderer. I was shocked to hear this. But I am very grateful that my child did not hear these remarks No at this point I didn't say anything because of my children. However I did rectify it the next day.

I told my husband about these incidents and his reply was that is what worries the Boys over here. They are worried how they will be treated when they get home.

Why should they have to worry about this. They should be accepted and feel honor when they step on Canadian soil. I am just angered with some people who have the nerve to call themselves Canadians. You do not have to support the Mission, But we need to stand behind our Troops 100 percent.

Surreal,

I just read a post on another forum, that the situation was the same.  The Gal who posted had a husband in Iraq....talk about how parallel situations happen...the cashier did the exact same thing...

What superstore was it?  Maybe we can take some action of sorts.  I am sure any good Canadian owned company would not put up with that kind of shenanigans!

dileas

tess

 

[Booked_Spice]

Thank you everyone for your posts.

To say the least, I am not shy or your typical polite Canadian. For those that know me would testify to this. With that said, I wanted to handle the situation right there and then. But that is not something I want to teach my 3 yr old daughter. The last thing I want to teach her is that violence solves everything. Furthermore by me reacting to the situation any differently it would affect my children. This tour has caused enough anxiety with my daughter and I did not want to add to her stress.

Also, You would be surprised about how this situation or situations like this happen. I have  talked to some fellow wife's and they have experienced situations like these. Should they happen. No, However I believe it comes down to the main thing that the average Canadian does not understand the mission.

Furthermore, Action is being taken beyond me talking to the manager. I am not the type of person to let something like this slide. It sickens me that these things happen. However this is one incident among many positive things that I have encountered throughout this tour. It gives me hopes that Yes, in fact some Canadians do understand and appreciate our Armed Forces.

 

[Gunner]

I can't say I have ever heard of this happening in Edmonton, which is about as pro military as they come in Canada.  Just a couple of weeks ago, while in uniform, the gas station attendant at Save on More thanked me for serving Canada.  Left me with a loss of words because the kid looked barely 18.  I suppose at the end of the day, freedom is why we serve and it extends to all Canadians.  Disagree with the policies of government but don't blame the soldier.

 

[JackD]

Sad to say, it's nothing new - I lost my job at the University of Saskatchewan in the 1990's as some of my colleagues commented "He was in the army and he's a killer - we are afraid to be in the field with him" - it's that post-Vietnam syndrome. The woman concerned will not of course be fired or disciplined as the manager cannot risk it - but I do think the top Management of Superstore will apologise - if not raise the issue with the Royal Canadian Legion. I think it is time for people to say in Canada - that they are Canadian first, anything else second.

 

[silentbutdeadly]

She, being the cashier most likely just got off the boat from Lebenon! but thats a whole other thread! plus i hate the Superstore just for that reason!