So, this year’s Canada Day has been a bit of controversy all over the web, it seems. From Matthew Good criticizing the state of child poverty to what I find a bit more interesting: the presence of the Canadian Military at the downtown celebration. 

Some people have gone out of their ways to condemn the way that the military had set up booths and tables so they can interact with the public, calling it a glorification of violence and war. 

Now, I don’t really oppose the presence of Fire, Police and Military booths or tables at public events. I actually think that it’s a very good thing and that if the public and the people in uniform spend a bit more time together in situations where one side isn’t trying to push against another, you might have a lot less animosity from either side and the two might be more willing to cooperate more often.

It’s also important for citizens to be aware of what their military is actually doing with their money and resources and what kind of people are representing us overseas in preace-keeping operations. it’s often a very good thing to know what your army’s mission statements are and who it is that’s saying them. 

But, sadly, this past July 1st was not one of those instances and this is the point where I go back and contradict everything I just said. 

When you have a section of your event dedicated to letting the public pick up and feel what it’s like to properly hold shoulder-mounted rocket weaponry and be instructed on how the basic controls of an anti-aircraft cannon work? that IS glorifying war and violence. 

This isn’t making good with their public reception, this is hyping up for potential recruitment, in a very lecherous and distasteful way.