Thanks for your thoughtful comments. I agree that “only” is probably the wrong word to use in this context. A complex situation requires a complex response. My outrage is fueled by the total disregard for Charter rights displayed by our elected representatives at all levels of govt. As you rightly point out – they come from all 3 major political parties. I am particularly disappointed in the mayor. I volunteered on both of his campaigns, but would not support in any way after his comments unconditionally supporting police conduct yesterday.

Let me make a case for outrage though: we don’t maintain our liberties and fredoms by politely requesting them. Powers need to understand that there will be consequences both at the ballot boxes and on the streets if the core rights of Canadians are disgarded. And when I stay “on the streets” I am not talking about sexually frustrated middle class youth with bandanas and hammers taking their un-laidness out on a heavily insured corporate awning. I am taliking about legal, large scale civil disobedience as protected in the Charter

Because what happens next? Politically, there doesn’t seem to be an answer. This past weekend was a collective failure of leadership by a Conservative Prime Minister, a Liberal Premier and an NDP Mayor.

My circle of friends seems to run the gamut of opinions on this past weekend. Everyone seems determined to pin nametags identifying the good guys and the bad guys. And anyone who disagrees with you is one of the bad guys.

And I think outrage manifests itself in so many ugly ways. We’re a less civil society. We have life-and-death battles over traffic slights. We cannot engage each other in debate without exposing ourselves to trolls. We become so angry about unfairness that all we seem able to do is lash out at anything that seems to get someone else ahead because it’s not fair to us.

I’m not sure I’m articulating this well. I guess I just feel there’s got to be something more than just outrage. And I wish I knew what the hell it was.