Vic’s letter for food
HodgePodge by Charlie Hodge
As many HodgePodge readers are aware my older (and only living) brother is an Anglican Minister, but I try not to embarrass him by mentioning that in ink often. After all, what Minister can hold any high standing amongst his brethren with a former full-time journalist, municipal counsellor, and mark master mason in his family?
Still, he is a tough little bugger (his term for me) and has suffered far more hazards to his reputation than little brother can muster.
We actually share a number of traits, many good as well as, well…
Amongst Vic’s greatest attributes is his deep love for people, for fairness, and for compassion. If something is cruel or wrong, he has always been willing to poke his nose in to change it – or make it better. Sometimes it is through seeking a solution, a simple prayer, or a well-tooled sermon. On an occasion, when motivated he reaches out to other ‘higher powers’.
Last week brother Vic took pen to hand himself and sent this off in the mail.
Here is a letter I just sent to the leaders of all Federal Parties.
Dear Federal Leaders
I am an Anglican Priest serving in Sarnia, Ontario. I am deeply troubled by the ongoing siege of Gaza and the fact that for two months no food or other essentials for life have been permitted through the Israeli lines. To use starvation as a military tactic is a violation of the Geneva Convention…. and it is simply barbaric. And yet, for the most part, the nations of the world have simply been watching this situation unfold and saying nothing.
I have been to Israel/Palestine, (also Egypt and Jordan) many times over the past 30 years — I often lead pilgrimage groups with upwards to 35 or 40 Canadian Christians from various denominations in a tour. Because of this, I have friends in Israel and in Palestine — mostly in the Christian communities there. The ordinary people of these lands only want to live in peace and security. I think that both the Palestinians and the Israeli’s are badly led. Their leaders who care not for the needs of their people but are motivated only by their need to keep power. I pray that Canada will find her voice once again and make very clear that we consider the present situation unacceptable. The world needs to act to stop this genocide.
Parenthetically: I have observed a shift in the past few years in how the people of the Middle East view Canadians. Until about 20 years ago we were seen as fair brokers who would speak truth to power — calling out bad behaviour whether it was the Palestinians or the Israeli’s. However, in the more recent past Canada has sounded more like the USA, apparently approving of Israel’s behaviour, no matter what they did. It is time to regain our voice — the Canadian voice of reason — calling out bad behaviour no matter which party is the offender.
Vics letter motivated friend, Dwayne O’Neill.
Dear Federal Party Leaders
I beg each of you, as leaders of your respective parties, to present an all-party motion to Parliament as soon as it reconvenes on May 26th.
Canadians urgently request the Netanyahu government to immediately resume food aid deliveries to the people of Gaza and remove the blockade that was imposed in early March.
The world watches as the men, women and especially children of Gaza needlessly suffer.
Dwayne O’Neill
Sarnia, Ontario
Vic wrote Dwayne saying he fully supports an ‘all party’ motion.
So, I am now taking up the challenge and going to make a copy of Vic’s letter adding the ‘all party’ support ideal. I am then going to send it to Stephen
Fuhr, other Valley MP’s and the Prime Minister. I encourage you to join me,
Can we get it done?
