Kids in Cages!

 

Latest news I hear from Ottawa is that the authorities are suddenly concerned that there are so many children with the protesters. They are, after all, are in danger from carbon monoxide emissions. They have apparently sent in Children’s Aid. 

Problem: the big rigs are just sitting there, and even largely restricting traffic, meaning there are few carbon monoxide emissions—fewer than you would normally expect in an urban setting. If there is any danger to these children, it would seem to be from the government.

The government tried to cut off fuel supplies to the protesters. In these sub-zero temperatures, that is the chief threat to the children’s safety.

The fuel confiscation has luckily failed. Not just because everybody started carrying around jerrycans; a judge has ruled the confiscation illegal, as it obviously was. A smart lawyer has pointed out that it was even in violation of international law, the Geneva Convention. The police have been forced to return what they took—although, allegedly, they returned the confiscated jerrycans half-filled with water. No doubt in hopes of sabotage.

So much for the children.

The real problem is that the authorities want to go in and get violent. They realize the PR would be awful if they got some kids hurt doing so. So they want to clear the children out.

It won’t work. As Matt Gurney recently reported from the scene, everybody is down there livestreaming with their smartphones. The PR will be just as bad if they show children being dragged away from their parents, with the children in great emotional distress. Kids in cages!

Unless the authorities can think of some other dodge, it still looks like checkmate. The only intelligent approach is negotiation with the protesters. The government is acting hysterical.