Ottawa

Patriotism celebrated, worlds apart

Tease the day: Canadians and Egyptians wave flags on July 1

Hassan Ammar/AP Photo

Patriotism, celebrated en masse, comprises cheering crowds, flags, lots of smiling, and maybe an aerial display. In Ottawa, that means a polite crowd, drenched in red, watching the Snowbirds and their favourite astronaut and their favourite singers do what they do every year: wave the flag and smile about the country they truly appreciate. When night falls, thousands of eager souls pack every corner of the nation’s capital with a view of the Ottawa River. Fireworks, even during times of austerity, cuts, and uncertainty about how much the country can actually afford, always impress.

Meanwhile, in Egypt, many thousands in Cairo’s Tahrir Square, and millions elsewhere in the country, revelled in their own “delirious parties of celebration,” as the Associated Press termed the demonstrations demanding President Mohamed Morsi step down. Fireworks shot out from the square. Helicopters, trailing Egyptian flags, circled overhead to the delight of the crowd. Egyptians loved Egypt, a world away from Canadians loving Canada.

For his part, Morsi is ignoring the army’s demands—given via a public statement—that he honour protesters’ wishes. The army gave Morsi 48 hours to acquiesce or it will, in the words of the National Post, “intervene to put forward a political road map for the country and ensure it is carried out.” There’s no time for peace in Egypt, but there’s all the time in the world for love of country.


What’s above the fold this morning?

The Globe and Mail leads with the Egyptian army’s ultimatum, urging President Mohamed Morsi to meet protesters’ demands within 48 hours. The National Post fronts the unrest in Egypt. The Toronto Star goes above the fold with the potential coup d’etat in the streets of Egypt. The Ottawa Citizen leads with potential reform to retired public servant benefits. iPolitics fronts the Egyptian army’s ultimatum. CBC.ca leads with news organizations’ attempts to convince a judge to unseal police warrants that may indicate Toronto Mayor Rob Ford’s involvement in a police investigation. CTV News leads with widespread mourning for 19 firefighters killed in Arizona. National Newswatch showcases a Halifax Chroincle Herald story about Defence Minister Peter MacKay’s uncertain future in the portfolio.


Stories that will be (mostly) missed

1. Access to information. Canada Day marked the 30th anniversary of the country’s access-to-information laws, and critics say Parliament—which is exempt—should be brought into the fold. 2. Cancer research. Scientists at two Canadian universities discovered that white blood cells meant to fight infection end up strengthening cancer cells that become more aggressive.
3. Turks and Caicos. Edmonton MP Peter Goldring, a longtime advocate of annexing the Caribbean islands, is trying to ignite a conversation about creating a new Canadian province. 4. Aboriginal Canadians. The 2011 National Householder Survey indicated enormous growth in the aboriginal population, a trend attributed to growing pride among young aboriginal people.
5. Xinjiang. China blamed a violent streak of Muslim extremism on members of Syrian opposition forces, who Beijing says are originally from Turkey and fought the Syrian government. 6. Chad. Hissene Habre, the former leader of the African nation from 1982 until 1990, faces possible war crimes charges more than two decades after a military coup ousted him from power.

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