Lowell Green And I – The Red Friday Video And The Idea To Sell Prints Of The Parliament Hill Photo

Mulder

The one benefit I have when I work from home is the luxury of recording my calls to Lowell Green whom I respect to no end for his service to our community.

Today, after hearing how Le Droit Newspaper in Montreal was reporting only 2000 people on parliament hill and the CBC and CRV reporting that there was only 3000, I called Lowell to

a) tell him that the number was far greater. (He confirmed that the official count was close to 30,000)

b) tell him about the hundreds who had viewed my video already over the internet

and

c) resuggest that CFRA sells prints of the photo with proceeds going to the Legions or to some sort of fund that supports the families of soldiers who have died overseas.

Lowell thought it was a great idea. He also was incredibly generous and let me say my website name online.

As many of you are here specifically to view the videos, I have put a set of links to the right under the Red Friday’s ribbon so you can view the 7 parts. The granularity of the video is not that great as I tried to keep the file size down for those who may not have a good high speed connection.

I do want to take this opportunity to apologize about the shakiness in the videos as well. I had no tripod with me and with the crowd, it wouldn’t have done me any good anyway so what you see is basically the camcorder on my hand being held up in the air for approximately an hour straight. (my arm paid for it the next day)

Why The Long Gun Registry Needs To Go

Mulder

Since the Dawson College tragedy, many people are questioning the current government’s plan to scrap the long gun registry. But I have noticed the press is quite one sided in this.

To date there is story after story outlining the tragedy and displaying a view from the pro gun control lobby, yet the flipside is only flippantly displayed. The only thing that I have heard in defence of the government plan is that the current gun laws did not prevent the Dawson college incident.

Stephen Taylor exposes the one sided reporting by Julie Van Dusen of the CBC.

What I find quite interesting is the lack of news coverage on what the long gun registry exactly is and what it is used for and how much it costs. I think a layman’s cost analysis is needed here.

The gun registry is a database with information on every gun, who owns it, their contact info and the serial numbers of said guns or gun components. It is used by the police to search to see if an address they may be approaching has guns.

a) The database portion of the gun registry could have been set up for less than $500,000 which would have included a full blown database with top notch internet or extranet security depending on what is desired. The bandwidth limitations could have been made such that thousands of police officers could have accessed it simultaneously without any problems.

b) The maintainance could have been managed by 5 to 10 workers to enter the paper registrations at a nice salary of $75K a year for a further $500K.

c) The advertising aspects could have been the biggest cost. But when it comes to paying Liberal ad agencies to sway the minds of people who do not want to spend a billion dollars, cost was apparently not a factor.

The bottom line is that this gun registry is a expensive joke. Most people have not registered their weapons, the cost to set it up and operate it have been ridiculous compared to what a business would pay for such a database. It makes me sick thinking of how many people’s pockets were lined for this program.

I have a simple solution to add fairness to the MSM stories. For each and every story that discusses the Tory plan to scrap the gun registry, please just repeat the following two points.

a) The Liberals said it would cost 2 Million to set up and then be self sufficient

b) Under Liberal majorities, cost increase after cost increase was approved so that the program has now cost tax payers between one and two BILLION dollars.

It’s as simple as that. Just add these two points when you get on your soapboxes defending this farce of a registry.

What My Red Friday Was Like

Mulder

After taking all the video footage that is in the previous 7 posts, and working for a few hours to get it online, I discovered that I had not quite explained what my Red Friday was like.

After leaving the office I started making my way downtown an was listening to Lowell Green on CFRA the whold ride down. I managed to find parking on the top floor of a lot in the market and made my way towards the Hill. While walking up Sussex I noticed police motorcycles strategically placed …ummmm….everywhere. As I got to the corner where the Chateau Laurier sits the armoured cars and armoured SUV’s with full motorcycle entourage started coming around the bend and took off down Sussex behind me towards the PM’s residence. I am 99% sure this was Karzai’s motorcade.

The number of people milling around wearing red was about 1 in 5 or so but as I got closer to the Hill it was pretty much everyone. I knew I was feeling good when I stepped on the Hill and the first thing that stood out was a guy dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit. (Either that or the big guy showed up himself).

Because I arrived around 1145 and because the traffic was probably holding up a lot of folks I managed to get a decent spot about 20 meters in front of the stage, and as you can see about 10 or 15 feet to the right of Private Michael Spence (when looking off the stage).

I really enjoyed a bit of gabbing and smiles with the people around me and I enjoyed thanking man of the folks from the Legions. The video tells you what I saw.

After the event was over I managed to run into mayorial candidate Larry O’Brien again but my digital camera was dead on batteries so the photo his assistant tried to take did not happen. I also ran into Kanata North Council candidate Matt Muirhead (who I actually saw at the Carp fair again today).

Outside of that, I really just absorbed it all and felt the pride oozing from everyone. The positive vibes coming from every part of the Hill was great. I was also very pleased to see so many MP’s behind the PM and others while the speeches were on. It was quite a treat. Even Peter Stoffer was there. (I think he should run of leadership of the NDP one day!!)

I guess that covers it. If I can think of anything else, I will add it later. I want to thank Lowell Green, Steve Madely, CFRA, the Legions, the police force, the Hill staff and everyone else who made the day happen. I know it will make a great show for the troops.

Now for my one suggestion. I think that CFRA should make some sort of nice print of the photo and sell it to generate money for the local legions or for some fund for the families of those lost in the Afghanistan war. I would buy one, frame it and display it proudly if they do.

In fact…I just came up with a new Poll idea…

Red Friday – Part 7

Mulder

In the final part of this video collection the armed forces chaplin says some words, and then the red sea photo is taken. I am sure it will be a doozy and when the troops overseas see that so many people gathered just to show them a bit of support they will get a big morale boost.

I am one who was ecstatic that I could take part in such a gathering and I hope that everyone who made it gives themselves a big pat on the back. For those that could not make it, have no worries. You can show your support by wearing something red on Fridays. A shirt, a jacket, a hat, a ribbon, an armband, a tie… whatever. Just do it. It’s the least we can do to tell our boys overseas that we care and it’s the least we can do to show the loved ones of these soldiers that we care and that their jobs matter to us.

God bless all of them and may they all return home safe and sound when their mission is over.

If you can’t see the video above, try clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fu3VEQ8ap08

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Red Friday – Part 6

Mulder

This segment is a very touching one. It is the speech given by the two military wives from CFB Petawawa who started Red Fridays. When you hear these two talk from their hearts it makes you feel so proud of the men and women who put their lives on the line every day not just for us, but for humans around the world in the 19 countries where we have forces.

Don’t forget to rate the video.

If you can’t view the above video, click on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51HV6p0rJyg

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Red Friday – Part 4

Mulder

Below is part 4 of the Red Friday video. This segment is highlighted by the speech given by the Minister of Defence, Gordon O’Connor. Near me a protester tried to make her way up but seemed to chicken out when she saw the security and a security guard standing beside me for much of the event sidled up behind her.

Following Minister O’Connor, a representative from the Canadian Afghani community expresses his thanks as well.

If you cannot view the above video try clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwSXhSeGADE

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Red Friday – Part 3

Mulder

This is the third part of the complete footage from the gathering on Parliament Hill.

This clip is the speech by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. He cracks a joke, he sends a message to the media and he shines…as he always does.

If you cannot see the above clip, try clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbX0apXK90

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Red Friday – Part 2

Mulder

This is the second installment of my video from the rally on Parliament Hill in support of our troops overseas and families here at home. This segment is primarily focussed on the speech given by General Rick Hillier, the head of our armed forces.

This is a great speech. Worth the 10 minutes of time.

If you cannot view the video above, you can try clicking the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSFhX7XMoeg

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View Part 7

Red Friday – Part 1

Mulder

I had the luxury of being on parliament hill today to take part in Red Friday. I brought my camcorder with me and the next few posts will be short clips from the event.

The first is a bit of the preamble on CFRA, the crowd, the national anthem, the walk in of the Legion and a soldier wounded in Afghanistan and some signs from around the crowd.

If you can not see the above video, tryi clicking on the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgecvNujzDI

View Part 1
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View Part 4
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View Part 6
View Part 7