Archive for the ‘Iraq’ Category.
8th September 2008, 06:08 pm
Your editorial of August 31 laments Russia’s violation of Georgia, which was apparently undertaken to guarantee a dependable supply of oil and to strengthen Russia’s position in Europe and Asia.
I agree that this action is extremely regrettable, and potentially threatens world peace.
Two or more can play that game, however. And we do. Some examples:
1. Many of us believe that the main reason for the American invasion of Iraq was to secure the supply of oil from that region.
2. I understand that missile bases are being placed near the borders of Russia, and the American government denies that they are aimed at Russia. Can we expect the Russian government and people to accept that denial?
3. Our newspapers (some of them) publish cartoons that ridicule other people’s religion in the name of freedom of expression. Do we really expect the targeted people to smile and be happy?
Some of us would call such actions “war mongering”.
Published in the Chronicle Herald, Sunday, September 7, 2008
10th November 2006, 09:20 pm
The Hon. Monte Solberg,
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Government of Canada.
Dear Monte Solberg:
Just in case you missed it, I am enclosing a copy of a recent article published in the November issue of The United Church Observer, in support of those members of the United States Armed Forces who have taken refuge in Canada.
Many of them joined the Forces under the mistaken impression that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction and was connected to the 9/11 attack on New York. Or they thought they were recruited only to provide humanitarian aid and assist in reconstruction following natural disasters or to defend against invasion by foreign powers. It has been said that in any war the first casualty is truth. In this case the American Government flagrantly contributed to the demise of truth, and as the truth has dawned on these military people they have found themselves in an untenable position, where they are expected to murder the innocent. How many more such members of the Armed Forces have given in to military commands, and so are suffering pangs of conscience and debilitating mental stress as they follow orders to kill? And how many innocent civilians have been massacred in recent years because of those orders?
Canada must do the right thing!
I realize that if every person who comes to Canada seeking refugee status were to be successful in his quest, our present balance in countries of origin would be seriously affected and we would be letting in some criminals or potential criminals. But because our refugee panels consist of only one person and there is no appeal, these panels are the only courts in Canada that can send an appellant to his death on the decision of one person. I am sure that hundreds – perhaps thousands – of would-be Canadians have been sent to their deaths by such panels.
Yours for a more compassionate Canada.
