2007-11-18

war resisters and no comic relief in sight

So the Supreme Court of Canada rejects the appeal of two American soldiers deportation ruling,
no reason given, speculation is because in returning to face the charges of desertion, they would face neither the death penalty nor cruel and unusual punishment.
Isn't everyone aware that U.S. policy approves of torture as a reasonable weapon in it's war on terror? And if we don't KNOW this do we not have great suspicions?
Were Canada to show some guts, we would have sought action in the World Court over the kidnappping of Mr. Harar, and his transport to Syria (by the Americans) to undergo torture in order to extract information about terrorism he wasn't privy to. This would not only show that this country will act in the interest of it's citizens, but would also leave room for the Courts to rule in favour of granting refugee status to American soldiers and others who seek asylum from
political or ethnic persecution.
Our Government's silence in all of this is shameful, our collective silence is damning. At least 68% of Canadians are in favour of ending our mission in Afghanistan, few believe that we are safer now than before we began a war against Islam. Yet we continue, and we are not marching on the streets, we are not screaming our voices hoarse, we placidly sit back and allow ourselves to be engaged in a destructive imperialist U.S initiative.
One could almost competely ignore all of this save for the hardy, tenacious, and ever so timorous souls who perch themselves in Kensington Market, and I am sure in equal numbers in other well-travelled yet off the beaten path spots throughout this country. These optimistically jaundiced souls have my deep respect, they may not have the answers, but at least they are asking the right questions.
The rest of us are too preoccupied with the fate of the loonie for much else. With our dollar out performing the American dollar at record levels, why these are heady days indeed. We need to keep in mind that a Jim Morrison-less Doors reunion is out performing the U.S. dollar. Pia Zadora, could make a triumphal return from obsurity and out perform that act. But we are too busy waiting for WalMart Canada to sell us our junk at American pricing, to let anything as mundane as justice creep into our heads.
We get the government we deserve, and what we deserve is a good kick in the ass, and if this government isn't good it is at least a kick in the ass.
When I first started to blog, I felt that I would write a humourous, wry look at the world, I haven't been too funny as yet, (don't let your expectations rise too high), once I get some things that I obviously didn't realize that I felt so strongly about off my chest, I'm sure that I will be hilarious. Okay amusing, maybe smile inducing, okay, okay less strident. Or I could tell you about my bunk-chair idea.....

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more.

Emma said...

It is to early, hold onto the bunk chair for later - or never.

I agree with everything you just said. This government is a kick in the ass, but somehow no one seems to be noticing the beating we're taking.