Posted on 03/19/2006 9:18:00 AM PST by Heartofsong83
Our reputation for promoting peace, is at risk, says Linda McQuaig
Mar. 19, 2006. 01:00 AM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- There's a campaign afoot to convince Canadians we aren't loved in the world. As prominent military commentator Jack Granatstein recently put it: "Canadians are targets, no matter how we try to convince ourselves that the world loves us. It doesn't."
Similarly, Gen. Rick Hillier, reportedly told The Globe and Mail's editorial board that "it's folly to think terrorists will pass us by because we're nice."
Convincing Canadians we're just as hated as Americans has a purpose: It helps make the case that we should join the U.S. "war on terror," because we're targets, too.
In fact, Canada enjoys a good reputation in the world — and that has positive consequences for us.
We're well-regarded, for instance, in the Middle East where Canada is seen as an "honest broker" in the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. This explains why Palestinian militants, after discovering last week that they'd taken a Canadian hostage, immediately released him, with one of them declaring: "We love Canada."
But Canada's reputation for fairness can be tarnished if we cease to behave fairly.
Unfortunately, we moved in that direction earlier this month when the Harper government voted against a non-binding UN resolution requiring Israel to allow Palestinian refugee women and children to return to their homes, in compliance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Canada abstained on an identical resolution last fall, but this time joined the U.S. — the only two countries on the 44-member UN council to oppose the resolution.
Similarly, we've moved in a dubious direction in Afghanistan. Since August 2003, our troops were part of a NATO-led peace support mission, with a UN mandate.
Following a decision last spring, our troops have recently joined the U.S.-led, war-fighting mission, Operation Enduring Freedom, which seeks to capture and kill insurgents.
This mission relies on support from local warlords — fierce anti-women fundamentalists, many of whom stand accused of committing atrocities. The mission is also inextricably linked with serious violations of international law in the torture and indefinite detention of prisoners in Afghanistan and Guantanamo Bay. While Canada has an agreement that allows us to hand over our captives to the Afghan government, rather than to the U.S., it's likely that the Afghan government, which is controlled by Washington, will pass along any prisoners America wants.
Inexplicably, the Harper government has indicated support for Guantanamo, despite a damning UN report last month, and increasingly strong calls from Western allies to close the prison.
Canada has developed a reputation in the world for waging war resolutely when necessary — as we did in World War II, which we entered years before the U.S. — but for promoting peace and justice without war, whenever possible.
Sadly, we don't always live up to our good name.
But to casually disregard what we've managed to create — as the Harper government is doing with our deployment in Afghanistan and our rejection of Palestinian rights at the UN — is reckless and utterly contrary to the interests of Canadians.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Linda McQuaig is a Toronto-based author and commentator. lmcquaig@sympatico.ca
Typically canadian. A nation of pansies. The only thing wrong with canada are the plethora of biting insects and 27 million canadians. Otherwise, it would be a great place.
She's worse than most of them...except maybe if you go to Toronto the Bad.
Pay per view?
The Toronto Star's reputation for promoting inappropriately placed commas, is not at risk.
Thanks for the history lesson..
Would you say that the suppression of the Southern (Confederate) States in
the 1860's,who were seeking freedom and liberty was cosistent with your concept of America's raison d'etre??
Just trying to understand..... ;)
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Typically canadian. A nation of pansies. The only thing wrong with canada are the plethora of biting insects and 27 million canadians. Otherwise, it would be a great place.>>>>>>>>>>
I would agree with what you say except my math would be different, 27 million minus the Scots conservatives who keep the faith.
Hey, she should head out to Palestine, get herself captured as a hostage so she can get an exclusive interview with a jihadi group , and watch herself on television getting her head amputated at the neck,when no one comes forward to pay her ransom.
Then maybe she would understand what is in the best interest of Canadians!
The utter nonsense of a liberal commie whacko!
Right, but the whole question is too glib to bring any understanding. As a Canadian who educated himself on the Civil War and now teach it in highschool, I can say that the major cause of the war between the states was not slavery as is the popular belief. The real cause was two different economic systems, the North Industrial, the South Agricultural, vying for the upper hand in how new territories were to be established. The North wanted to follow the spirit of a constitution of a nation conceived in liberty, while the south wanted to secure its culture and autonomy by seperation based on an exclusionary definition of humanity, and maintain a system of economy which required intensive human labor.
Quebec is like the south, and you will see such echos in her seperatism, essentially nationalism which sequesters humans , Francophones are more human than English troglodytes. Unleash that thinking and let it gain momementum, and the Quebecois would become raving Confederates who whistle dixie. Of course they deserve to have their asses kicked by Canadians who so far have genuflected and bent over for them, just like the north did here for 100 years. One day that will end and there will be a final reckoning, just like we had in the USA in the 1850s.
The liberal federal government and mandarins who populate the civil service know that, which is why Canada is being disarmed through gun control.
The Southern States were not supressed, the just returned to suck on the Northern Tit one time too many, looking for special concessions and exemptions while threatening to leave the union. The Northern states were surpressed by a history of over accomodation to a life style , language and culture whose time in the Western hemisphere had passed, just as Quebec's already has.
A few summers ago, I went to the Port Elgin area for a wedding of a good friend. Since I was there on a Sunday and I am a practicing Presbyterian, I decided to take in one of the local services. I did find a small Presbyterian church that had not been assimilated by the United CHurch of Canada. Several men in this small church I decided to attend were wearing kilts as part of their Sunday dress! When you say conservative Scots, your description is an understatement. I suppose being 1/4th Scottish (Graham) is where I get my own, Canadian-grown, conservatism.
I' not sure some of them thar good ol' southern boys would
characterize their return to Yankee style liberty and freedom
as a liberation.
I'd like to see you teach THAT concept in a few Southern schools.
I got a feeling you'd get a burning cross shoved up yer butt.
"Yah never know when the Yanks may decide to make another
ill-advised incursion into the Motherland and we'll need to kick their butts back across the border (again). ;)"
Before or after we torch Toronto (again)? ;)
Damn, are we gonna hafta blow up the Powder Magazine at Fort York again??? ;-D
Fort York? Damn, I missed that one! ;)
Port Elgin . You talking Bruce County . Paisly , Glammis , Cargil , Burgoyne, Kincardine, Holyrood .
And I suppose being a Graham , I hope the Montrose variety , you might be a descendant of James Graham and Bonne Dundee too. I don't know how conservative they were but they both ended up dead. One killed in battle. One hung and cut in quarters.
From the greed of the Campbells
From the ire of the Drummonds
From the pride of the Grahams
And from the wind of the Murrays
Gude Lord preserve us.
here is the news to self indulgent Canada...you guys never promoted peace..ever
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