Redneck Neanderthal racists are Western separatists. They are far right and have white nationalists in their midst. They don’t understand modern concepts of open borders, care of our fellow man, openness and tolerance of others no matter what they believe since separatists are all neo Nazis…

You’ll never know how hard that was for me to write because I know it isn’t true. Or is it?

We are told by the media that every time there is an assembly of Westerners protesting the murder of the oil industry, Justin Trudeau’s visit, unfair equalization or just wanting to become free of eastern domination our ranks are full of skin heads or worse. And when that doesn’t discourage they either wildly underestimate the crowd size or accuse us of being a violent bunch that is not representative of western Canadians. After all, everyone knows that “real” Canadians love Canada and support our Liberal government, right? We all know that simply by voting Conservative all our problems will be solved and we’ll be equals in confederation, right? Of course we all know that it is positively un-Canadian to speak badly of Quebec and about our dislike unchecked illegal immigration. Oops! Did I say illegal? I surely meant to say “irregular”.

We are in a critical juncture in the independence movement. In fact so critical that it may spell the end of the movement all together. What is it, you may ask? Well, it’s actually a bunch of things, some mundane, some insane, some internal, some external. Some will sound like a rehashing of old issues, some we’d rather not talk about.

It is a given that every movement must endure a certain amount of internal and external torture and bloodletting before emerging as a finished product. It’s like sharpening a knife. In the sharpening process it’s inevitable that unwanted metal is cast aside in order to make a keen edge.

Where to start…

Let’s go external first.

According to the Edmonton Journal,

“Stupid, stupid Albertans. So out of touch with the rest of the country. Live and die by your federal conservative mentality. The ‘blue wave’ is isolated and dead and only two supporting provinces share the legacy of ignoring change. Now we all suffer for your ignorance. Shame on you.”

According to VICE,

“There is a persistent belief among many of the separatists that no one outside this in-group of “real Albertans” should get any say in daily life here. Alberta belongs to the True Albertan (presumably, a white dude riding a horse around a farm or a giant truck around the oil sands) and everybody else—Eastern Bastards, First Nations, immigrants, leftists, and Muslims—can get fucked. What can we say? Here in God’s Country, the right leans white.”

And then of course, there’s the National Post headline,

“Why Alberta separatism is the dumbest political movement in Canada today”

Says it all, doesn’t it?

And this is just a sampling of what we are up against. We are not taken seriously but constantly watched for signs of whatever “ism” can be applied to us, real or not. We seem to attract an inordinate amount of scrutiny for something so inconsequential and laughable. As Western Separatists it is important, nay vital, that we are always on guard to those forces observing and reporting on us. Contrary to popular belief, they are not our friends!

So why do we give them ammunition to fire at us?

And internally,

This is perhaps the more difficult issue to address. There is so much internal squabbling between the various groups that I just don’t know where to start. Let’s just use as a starting point that everyone wants independence for the West in general but these days for Alberta in particular. From here on the road branches out in different directions and under different influences.

A disclaimer! Much of what I say here is second or third hand information, some substantiated and some not. I leave it to you, dear reader, to sort this out in your mind. My intention here is to show that just before a provincial election, confusion reigns supreme and there is much ammunition for our foes to pick from. Now if I were watching from the outside….

The RCMP and CSIS are watching. Part of their responsibilities is to protect Canada against destructive forces from outside and inside the country. Separation for the West from Canada by organized groups? Sounds fishy better keep an eye on them and make sure they don’t get too far. Check √

One leader has been publicly open to discussing personal family issues that have been rectified and no longer pose a problem…or so he thinks! We all know that the more uncompromising and perhaps nefarious amongst us simply will not allow that to stand! Internal finger pointing and nastiness.  Check √

Rather dark forces of intolerance have made some inroads into the movement. Leaders assure us that this is not the spirit of the cause and they don’t represent the party/group/movement. Denying publicly without public action equals mistrust in the public. Check √

Refusal to accept all into the movement. “I don’t want those (insert race/ sexual preference/ religion/ colour/ origin here). This movement is for real Westerners! Whatever that is…  Time travelers to 1958 simply cannot deal with issues in 2019.  Check √

Refusal to join in a common front to achieve independence for all. Fragmentation. Check √

Turf wars between individuals within the same group or party not staying on message. This shows poor leadership and control. Check √

Well? You do see what I’m saying, right? We are simply not yet ready for prime time. Sure, the goal is good and right but the packaging is shoddy and the food unpalatable.  We are not a threat to Canada, no matter what we think. It’s more than just needing a leader, it’s needing a common mindset.

I lived in Calgary for about eleven years, Edmonton for 5. My Mom and sister live in Calgary. Alberta holds a special place in my being. I lived through Pierre Trudeau’s National Energy Program and knew of people who lost their jobs, their homes, their families and more. We are now suffering through yet another Trudeau and if some polls are to be believed, he may have another term. Although I now live on Vancouver Island, I go back to Alberta at least several times a year. There’s no place like it.

As The Polite Separatist, I am often approached to give my take on various things as they apply to Western independence. Sometimes it’s a positive comment, sometimes not, but always appreciated as it broadens my view of situations facing Westerners today, be it political, social, logistical or as a prognosticator (crystal ball time).  Many times I feel I can give an honest assessment because I am familiar with the issue in question. Other times I am not quite sure but will give it a good stab. On occasion I am just plain wrong but thankfully I am usually the first to admit it. Being wrong is always a good opportunity to learn and hopefully not make the same mistake again.

I’ve been asked to speak about the Alberta Independence Party which is fielding candidates in the upcoming Alberta provincial elections. Everyone knows the NDP simply has to go, it’s a given. No party has done so much harm to a place with so much going for it since…well, ever!

The AIP espouses an uncompromising commitment to Alberta independence. Of course many groups do but I don’t think I have seen many with an organizational edge that they do. The Interim Party Leader, David Bjorkman, has a solid team that is well organized along the areas of specialization required to mount a serious political endeavor. I have long said that independence cannot be achieved via a one man show. It takes many to cover all the tasks and responsibilities that lend credibility to a party.

A good look at the AIP policy platform reveals something for everyone and is balanced in its approach. How long it will take to bring about these changes is anyone’s guess. Naturally, a successful election run followed by an equally successful referendum is the prerequisite to independence.

So, am I endorsing the AIP? Good question indeed! Independence has to have a starting point and of the groups I have seen in Alberta, the AIP looks to be better prepared than the rest of the field and that in itself is its own endorsement.

They need candidates in the Calgary ridings! ALL hands to action stations! Now is the time, it always has been but now the future is calling to you. If you can be a person of action with the desire to make Alberta a place where others aspire to be like. If you really care about the future of our descendants. If you want to contribute instead of allowing others to make your future without your say… Then perhaps you are the one that is needed to bring Calgary into the an independent future.

Give it a good look, the website is, https://albertaindependence.ca/

The time is now. Are you up to it?

Just a quick followup on my last post. After a week, there have been exactly 4, yes four, replies saying they would attend such a meeting.

Well, 5 if you count me.

So let’s just say the question has been answered quite plainly and move on. The offer is withdrawn, I’ll leave the bun fights and turf wars to carry on and it looks like a mighty portion of the 40 thousand supporters on over 22 Facebook groups are largely tepid air.

I do hope independence comes in my lifetime but at this point I seriously doubt it. I noticed some lamentations on the Yellow Vest group that nobody shows up to protest how Canada is going. Well, maybe people don’t really care or perhaps they don’t want to have to do anything…or maybe it’s just the weather.

I am going to take a break for a while. Have fun all! Enjoy the internet!