Back in the day, many of our mothers and fathers told us to avoid talking religion and politics.
But frequently, we would have interesting and respectful conversations at school and on the streets, with friends, friends of friends and strangers.
We often disagreed, but we rarely got upset, nasty or belligerent.
Now, I spend a lot of time in front of the old Court House, and speak to many passersby from Niagara, Canada and “across the river.” And other world citizens.
Only occasionally do I discuss politics, because it’s just not worth it. Most people are now wearing blinders and earplugs, and are incapable of listening to, understanding or respecting opposing ideas.
Yesterday morning, under autumn-coloured maple trees, an older gentleman from Wisconsin said to a sharp lady from Florida who had a Trump-Vance badge on her sweater, “Even for town councillor or school board trustee, how can you vote for a bully, pig, sexual predator, unabashed liar and convicted felon?”
Her clever and trite response was, “He speaks highly of you. And, the alternative is a socialist.”
At that point, I suggested we start our free walking tour of Canada’s self-described prettiest town.
I told them that on Dec. 10, 1813, the departing Americans burned every wooden house in town, and that soon after, we torched part of Youngstown, Buffalo and Washington, D.C.
Even after all that pain and suffering, over the ensuing years, we have found a way to get along.
I do a pretty good job of staying out of the political fray. Donald Trump and Pierre Poilievre delight in name-calling and clever slogans like “axe the tax.”
I am trying to ramble without stooping to their nasty levels, but I would rather vote for a self-admitted occasional knucklehead than an unlikeable lying candidate for vice-president.
As my fraternity brother and great pal Bob Potter says in battleground state Pennsylvania, “A vote for Trump is a vote for president Vance.”
Yes folks, Trump is aging in front of our eyes, and J.D. Vance would be one heartbeat away from being president of the world’s most powerful nation.
One learned pundit posits that if elected, Trump will be out within a year.
Food for thought, eh?
Almost the entire political scene is negative in North America. Just this week, at the Trump rally in a packed Madison Square Garden, speakers made disgusting and demeaning references to Puerto Ricans, Hispanics and Black Americans.
Some audience members booed, but the majority laughed, waved their signs and went along with the mood.
Rambling to a totally awkward conclusion, I continue to find it odd that in our wee and beautiful NOTL, with miles of Lake Ontario and Niagara River shoreline, we cannot figure out a practical and safe place to launch kayaks.
Many times each week, I gaze at kayakers enjoying time on the water, gliding along in front of sturdy trees and lovely waterfront homes.
I learned years ago from my day, “Free advice is usually worth exactly what you paid for it,” but in this seemingly endless sad situation, I will suggest, “Figure it out.”
Surely our hard-working and competent and conscientious elected and volunteer leaders can creatively locate and design a workable kayak launch pad, with parking options fairly nearby.
Rambling now closer to ending this column, I note that the portable toilet has arrived at the old Parliament Oak school, which surely indicates that the demolition crew is ready to commence the sad but unavoidable and predictable work.
Plenty of signs warn us not to trespass, but there must be a way to pass along souvenir yellow bricks to past students and parents.
And, John Parker and his coworkers are steadily readying our historic cenotaph for its coming out event on Nov. 11. This year, Remembrance Day is on a Monday, and I predict the weather will be perfect.
Let’s all make every effort to attend, lest we forget. I have been assured that the sound system will be excellent.
I talk to numerous wise people in front of the Court House, in aisle four of the Valu-mart (I know, the Independent) and at Sweets & Swirls in the community centre. The majority join me in loving the opportunity to live here.
Niagara-on-the-Lake is not perfect, but it’s pretty darn good.