Poor O Canada -- will no one ever learn the words?

Opinion
Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

It's not a French or English thing!  It is a Canadian I am too busy with my own selfish little world  to bother to learn the words thing.

If Canadians forget the Words, then it is the fault of society as a whole.  Sports Arenas such as Hockey are about the only place O Canada is sung, the Lords Prayer is now only sung at a soldiers funeral.

I remember a day, not too long ago in the 60's as child to the late 70's as a teen, when in school, mornings always began with a Canada Flag raising as we entered the classroom, upon which soon after the entire classroom would stand up, "Hand over Heart" and sing "O Canada" , followed by the "Lord's Prayer", somehow in the 80's we lost both, we then lost our patriotic way, and as the years progressed into the 80's to the present we continue to lose everything we ever stood for!   We are a country of Cliques, with everyone in their own isolated cultural ghettos, speaking their own language and not bothering with the rest of the country we all call Canada. 

So much for this 1970's Liberal Trudeau Multicultural Inspired Melting Pot we were told would be Peachy Keen for Canada!  How many here can say they know everyone in the neighbourhood? How many have tried?

Canada a place, once, where everybody knew and helped their neighbours.  Today, you would be lucky to even know your neighbours after a decade, if they didn't fear a home invasion.

We lost our simpler times, unlocked doors at night, kids could play in the streets unmolested by drugs dealers, a kid could carry a pocket knife to school and Swat teams and School lockdowns were unheard of because of it.
We never had a neighbourhood watch, parents looked out for all the neighbourhood kids. Neighbours knew everyone. Meals were eaten at the family table, so was conversation, not in front of the TV or fast food establishment. 

Meaningful conversation was not on My Space! It was in person.

Crime was still prevalent, but Prisoners actually went to prison and served hard time.

We had summer camps, TV was a late night treat, daytime was for play, Daycare was unheard of, families were families not worker drones with both parents stressed out where their next meal or check would come from from a factory closure. Work was plentiful in this country as well as National Pride.

Places of Worship were well attended, now they are watched on TV by people who feel the bigger their hairstyle the closer they are to God.

O Canada, and the excuses media state, we forgot the words or are confused smacks of complacency, if you truly had pride in your country, you would endeavour to learn the words.

We live in an instant gratification society, where work ethic and what can you do for me it is the Buzzword of Youth.

An American said it best about National Pride as said, Ask not what my country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.  To that, someone disagreed and buried that American.  Soon followed by another American who "Had a Dream", which too turned into a nightmare for a nation who buried him as well. 

Canada remembered those words, we had National Pride, but I fear in recent times we will never get it back, due to political correctness, I never knew it was politically incorrect to love one's country, sing it's praises and show your National pride.

But then I never voted , nor understood Canada's Liberal Correctness who started it all.

Kennedy at least, was the last good Liberal in both our countries.

And after all is said and done is it any wonder our kids have no direction?

To that I leave you this....Let's Hope for a Better tomorrow..
 
Happy Canada Day!  And Happy Independence Day!

God Bless us all!