59 Years and counting.Despite the best efforts of its detractors.
I used to get bitter about the fact that nobody at Confederation Building considered it worthwhile to send out a Press Release marking the most important anniversary in Newfoundland's history.
But things have changed. For example, just today, the Premier's office issued two - on literacy, and funding for seniors.
Earlier this week they raised the minimum wage.
Hmmm... money to encourage literacy... programs for seniors... minimum wages. THE VERY THINGS THE NATIONALISTS AND THEIR BACKERS IN THE MERCHANT CLASS CAMPAIGNED AGAINST.
Maybe Joey isn't rolling in his grave after all.
5 comments:
Nice to see someone else remembered.
One of the most important anniversaries in Newfoundland's history, certainly. But "the" most important? Nothing in the 400-plus years before that?
Absolutely.
It was like Edison inventing the lightbulb, the eradication of Tuberculosis, small pox, other devastating diseases through modern medicine, an end to sporadic periods of starvation, the introduction of the written word to some, the advent of democracy and the end of serfdom. All in one glorious afternoon.
I realize in some corners that's nowhere near as important as the day the bishop stitched together three bits of cloth into a silly old flag, but hey, you're entitled to your opinion, too.
Oh and the Day that ODP rid us of our shame and weakness by bestowing upon us such great gifts as "pride" and "strength" etc. I guess those days are pretty big too. Imagine having no pride for 500 years and then one day Danny just comes right out and gives it to us. Man, that was a big day.
Peter:
What would you nominate instead?
Mark: a bishop sewing a flag? Must you always assume you're dealing with one of those nutty nationalists? Talk about stereotyping.
Joining Canada was a monumental step ahead for Newfoundland, there's no denying. All I ask is that before you bow at the altar of Confederation, you may wish to examine some of the long, rich history of this corner of the universe. It didn't start in 1948, and the world didn't begin in 1867.
I'm not going to throw ideas out there just to get ridiculed. Perhaps you could take an honest stab at it.
(and it's Jackson, not Whittle)
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