Jason Kenney is on a roll

He is a small little man who will be remembered in history for being a petty and chauvinistic creep catapulted into authority by a system so flawed only the mediocre and shamefully weak may rise to power.

I am so choked.

I just left the "pithiest" of comments on the G&M and though it says there are 315 comments posted, not one has appeared.

Is the Globe afraid of this one ?

Perhaps they ought to be. I have to say I was stunned at this. 

I haven't read the Star yet but apparently Kenney was quoted by his spokesman as describing Mr Galloway as a popinjay. I had to laugh.

Popinjay.."A vain or conceited person, one given to pretentious displays."

Does anyone think that any of the morons in the Harper crowd would use this word ?

I need a break.. time to google Kenney.

What a jackass. 

The wisdom of Alykhan Velshi:

This guy is a real piece of work. Why is he in my country? 

Actually, that was a word that Galloway himself once famously used to describe Christopher Hitchens. 

Ahhhh.

Thank you M. Spector !

Interesting background on that. However did you manage to dredge that out of your memory ? :-)

It clears up what was a bit of a mystery for me. I was baffled at the use of the word by a Canadian in what I presume was somewhat of a press release..

I entered this discussion from reading the Globe article and did not mention that as the basis for my post.

http://tiny.cc/lQrjL

I hope his views are soon given more prominence. I think Canadians need more exposure to this minister.

 edited to apologize for re-using Jingle's phrase. Although immitation is ,.. etc ..:-)

I ran across the same Velshi piece Jingles quotes above, but I think this one he co-authored may actually be more relevant to the current decision by Kenney.

In it, Velshi and his co-author take issue with a judge's decision that the Bush administration was unconstitutionally proscribing charitable donations to "Specially Designated Global Terrorist" groups, or SDGTs.

Note these two paragraphs, in which the now-famous Cromwell allusion had an early run:

There is, however, a compelling basis for a government ban on any assistance — even self-described humanitarian aid — to terrorists. Because terrorist organizations are not known as models of corporate transparency, there is no way of knowing whether a terrorist entity’s humanitarian arm is funneling money to its militant one. What is more, the fungible nature of money means that donations to the peaceful arm free up money to be spent by the militant arm.

It is similarly absurd to believe that a terrorist organization’s political and humanitarian services can excuse its terrorist activities. Hezbollah is the exemplar of this strategy. Although it holds itself out as a legitimate political party, because its political demands are backed by the threat of force, its political wing has a symbiotic relationship with its military one. Without their heavies in the hills, Hezbollah politicians would be street-corner Cromwells, guilty of their country’s blood but powerless to spread their poison inside the Lebanese government.

In an interview with British media, Velshi seemed to imply that Galloway's recent delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza counted as support for terrorism, not surprisingly given this earlier essay.

Another theme stressed by Velshi in this piece is the need for broad discretion by the executive authority to fight terrorists (hence his unhappiness with the judge's ruling that the discretion to define SDGTs was unconstitutionally broad).

Canada doesn't have the same three-branch structure as the US of course, but the recent action of the CBSA under the Conservatives could be seen as a similar broadening of the government's power.

Perhaps Velshi and Keney are importing US-style attitudes and views of government into Canada:

Palpably, the government must not let a flawed judicial decision that relaxes restrictions on terrorists stand unchallenged. Nor can it afford to be passive in defense of our foreign policy while the cold, lacertian [lizard-like] eyes of our enemies watch for any flicker of hesitance.

He's a fucking fascist.

The firestorm is growing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAm7rfHKSyY

where we can watch Galloway in a televised debate with Meir Weinstein, director of the JDL Canada.

Weinstein is nasty. Its funny, out of the blue he brings Iran into the mix. He also rants on about children being influenced by terrorism.

(The British government is resuming talks with Hezbollah shortly and Tony Blair spoke with Hezbollah yesterday)

 More shameful words from the "spokesman" Alykhan Velshi, ..."We're going to uphold the law, not give special treatment to this infamous street-corner Cromwell who actually brags about giving 'financial support' to Hamas, a terrorist organisation banned in Canada," he said. "I'm sure Galloway has a large Rolodex of friends in regimes elsewhere in the world willing to roll out the red carpet for him. Canada, however, won't be one of them."

It might have been posted already but this comment piece in the Toronto Star (I don't what page it ended up on) is the best, so far, I've seen in the mainstream media...though I don't believe Kenny is some abberation in the micromanaged Harper government :
====
Mar 21, 2009 04:30 AM
Banning British MP a clumsy, dangerous move

Jason Kenney has gone over the edge. The increasingly erratic immigration minister made headlines last week when, in a fit of pique, he cut off funding to an Arab organization that helps newcomers learn English. Now, Kenney has banned British MP George Galloway from entering Canada, on the spurious grounds that he supports Middle East terrorism.

It's a clumsy move, designed presumably to bolster the Conservative government's support among voters who ardently back Israel.

But in a roundabout way it does illustrate how absurdly broad Canada's new anti-terror laws are and how dangerous they can be in the wrong hands...."

http://www.thestar.com/article/606073 [12]
=====
See, as a corrective, to the "it's mainly Kenny" slant, this piece in the Pacific Free Press

"Little Jason Kenney Roars for Likud Lobby in Galloway Ban
Written by Chris Cook   
Saturday, 21 March 2009 10:07

".....
Though I agree with the tone of Walkom's piece, which correctly depicts Kenney and the Conservatives as the idiotic provincials they are, there is nothing "erratic" about the direction Canada has moved under Stephen Harper's leadership. Canada's border police consistently bar anti-war voices from being heard in this country, and their antipathy to any that would criticise the Harper world view, a world view now entirely in disrepute, is unswerving.

Over the last few years, Harper's new government has barred rap singers, folk singers, activists, writers, educators, and now a prominent politician entry into Canada. The one common denominator in these barrings, all made to protect the sensitive Canadian populace from odious and possibly infectious bad ideas emanating from said miscreants, is the anti-militarist, anti-war views these people hold and promulgate publicly.... "

http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3894-little-jason-kenney-roars-fo... [13]

Who told him to bar George? Think!

Michelle?

Bernie?

Jack Layton condemned Kenny's banning of Galloway today on CTV's Question Period, as well as Kenny's English/French requirements for new immigrants - explaining that his wife's mother spoke very little English when she came over and worked in hotels for 30 years.

Good for him. Of course, on-line, there is no mention of it.

Good.

This is one of the most blatent pro-empire moves this government has made.  I really hope they have stepped over the line of what Canadians find acceptable.  I hope Canada has a line.

Yes, it is good that Layton spoke up about l'affaire Galloway and Reformatory immigration policies.  Did he say anything about the government's cutting of funds to the Canadian Arab Federation's language training for immigrants program?

Does anyone else find it disturbing that this régime, which is backed by the corporate class and other monied interests, is attacking a small, defenseless ethnic and religious minority, claiming it is a threat to national security?

Where have we seen this before?

Many westerners, including me, had grandparents who couldn't speak  English when they came to this country.  Think about this ignorant little man and his little ideas all you productive,  hard working descendents of those brave people.

Funny thing eh, how embolden the Harpo Cons are after Iggy took control of the Liberals?

Whole new playbook this week.

I applaud Jack Layton for taking a principled stand.

Yes, bravo Jack! Well done. 

I went on a tirade about all this on my radio programme tonight.  Then I played a song that I dedicated to the guy I called " a tinpot little brownshirt."  The song was Die Fahne Hoch.

Then I sat back and waited for the hostile phone calls.  None came, but one guy phoned in and said he was in the Hitler Youth for six years and had to sing that song every day.  I didn't see that one coming. He agreed with what I said about Kenney, too.

Jane Tabor was controlling the flow of questions, and she didn't ask this particular one.

Organizers plan confronation for banned Brit MP

Updated Sun. Mar. 22 2009 9:47 PM ET

The Canadian Press

TORONTO -- Organizers of the four-city speaking tour of British anti-war MP George Galloway are going to challenge the decision to bar him from Canada in court.

The organizers also say if that fails, they've already prepared plan B.

Organizers are to announce Monday they will file an emergency injunction in Ontario federal court on Tuesday seeking to overturn Citizenship and Immigration Canada's entry ban on the outspoken politician.

Should that fail, a delegation of Canadian MPs, lawyers and activists is assembling to escort Galloway from the U.S., where he is on tour, across the Canadian border.

"Our hope is the decision will be overturned by the courts when it actually looks at the merits of the decision of the government," said organizer Laith Marouf, national branches co-ordinator of Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights.

"But also ... we're not going to stop at that. We will mount our physical confrontation.

"On Monday the 30th in the morning, Mr. Galloway will attempt to cross the border. It has not been decided yet which land crossing -- most probably in Quebec," he said.

"He will be met by throngs of supporters on the other side."

 more ...

YES!!!

Wow!

thanks for that piece of news, saga!

Kaiser or onion and can we get him TO GO? 

Excelent. Are there busses planned for this possible confrontation?

Fabulous news!  Thanks for posting!

And, welcome to babble, "thanks". :)

I have read an allusion to this, but haven't been able to spot the actual reference on Babble. So here it is:

Toronto Star
March 21, 2009
THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY - Immigrants who can't speak English or French well enough should be denied citizenship, says the federal immigration minister.
In a speech to an immigration conference yesterday in Calgary, Jason Kenney said Canada needs to improve its efforts to integrate newcomers and "one area that we can ask immigrants in the country to make a greater effort (in) is that of language."
Kenney later told reporters that immigration needs an overhaul and an effort must be made to ensure immigrants and those who want to become citizens speak French or English competently. He said the requirement exists but isn't being enforced enough.
Kenney worries that granting citizenship without guaranteeing language skills puts a new Canadian at an economic and social disadvantage. And he wants to know how some people who can't speak either of Canada's official languages got through the system."

How about if we advocated that speaking any First Nation language be made an alternative option?... 

Good for you Al Q, it is about time the media played a role in stopping/exposing this Harpo con BS, as opposed to tolerating it, or encouraging it.

And the response from the German fellow is interesing, do you think they have overstepped their bounds, in the demographics that are usually Conservative, but hate police states?

Fascist freak. 

If that were the rule when my grandparents came here, they wouldn't have gotten their citizenship, at least my grandfather wouldn't have.  It took him a long, long time to learn English.

Ya, there is no doubt of that, and one would think that those who would normally vote Con, but would've been impacted themselves through this speaking English or French crap, would be turning off of the Harpo cons and their police state actions.

And the Prairies would be practically empty... including Alberta... it'd be a pretty funny thought, if this asshat wasn't in a position of power. 

One of the pundits on CTV's QP yesterday said this move was to get Conservative support back in Quebec. Fat chance of that happening is my guess.

Really? Are they so short sighted, oh well, I guess the answer to that is obvious.

I'm a newbie here, Babblers, so hope I'm doing this correctly. Here's a message from the wee outraged mannie Galloway hisself:

http://www.zmag.org/znet/viewArticle/20951 

Must say it's such a refreshing change to hear someone express himself with humour and coherence... as opposed to the goose-stepping stiltedness of Harper Inc's speech/prose. 

 I hope the boarders aren't repelled at the border by our guardians of right-- I'm very curious to see how much deeper the Gauleiter might dig himself.

I also appreciated the Rabble article on the CAF funding cuts.... as usual, better than the mainstream, largely detail-less crap that was on offer first thing this morning. 

uh...except for all the Blackfoot, Blood, Tsu T'na, Cree, etc, etc.

But they didn't speak English, so Kenney would want to deport them.

Kenney was on Newman's show tonight, what a jerk - smug, condescending, self-righteous. Blamed the Galloway mess on a border guard who decided Galloway was a threat under new existing terror laws, and Kenney says he has no choice but to support that decision - just following the law - and kept repeating the tired mantra that Hamas is an illegal terrorist organization (and that Galloway was aiding and abetting them).

If I remember correctly about the English/French language requirements for immigrants, he said that was in a speech he made, was reported incorrectly, but still insists that without French or English skills, immgrants can't get jobs here. Maybe it's on the CBC website?

ESL programs are now being scaled back because of the funding cut, and of course jobs are going to be lost.

I wonder if Kenney had considered how his policies are affecting good, clean white Canadians.

What a lying liar Kenney is!

Welcome Green Grouch, here is the rabble article he/she was referring to:

http://www.rabble.ca/blogs/bloggers/uzma-shakir/canadian-arab-federation-lose-federal-funding

Galloway was delicious on The National tonight!  He positively skewered Kenney. Kenney responded that he will not be swayed although he has the power to overturn Galloway's banning, he will not. What an ignoramous.  

Where are the monarchists when we need them.  This is an outrage.

About 6sq" of space in the Toronto Sun today buried with Newsflashes.  No political or media suppression, none.

Sure is on a roll:

http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2009/03/21/8839971-sun.html

Ok. Well. He's a moron.

The scary part is this almost seems planned.

What do you mean? Planned?

I personally think the abuse of administrative power to repress political dissent is a natural and almost accidental outcome that results in the aftermath of a coup, such as the one we just had in December where the reigning government manipulated the vestiges of monarchal power inherently vested in the office of the Head of State in order to cancel democratic process until the time as a more pliant leader of the opposition could be installed.

So, I am going to disagree with you there, and sharply, because I am not of the sort who is particularly beholden to the mastermind kind of conspiracy theory that requires absolute foresight and the power to act with total accuracy, but more one who sees the invisible hand of greed and power and ideological conviction coalescing as a tendency that forms in a discrete and incremental process that only appears clearly as tyranny in hindsight.

That said I think you are onto something in a general sense: Yes indeed RP, that thing you are seeing in the corner of your eye is indeed an elephant.

Fuck Cueball, I like it when you shoot straight, now I have to go read that over 5 times because I'm getting conflicting messages.  I'll give you 5 to fix the typos.

If you insist.

So, we don't vote?

Apologies, that was glib, I'm just stuck for thoughts.

Vote? Don't vote? Hmm, maybe that is the wrong question. 

Let's review: 

Who is this Ignatief guy who suddenly took it into his mind to take a jaunt up to Canada after many years hob-knobbing with Washington crew, to take up parliamentary politics, even though he has no history in that field, or displayed any inclination toward it before. What is with that? And how did he suddenly get appointed to be the leader of the opposition without even the consent of the rank and file of the party. 

It is strange. Democratic process subverted in two major political processes, in a row. Just like that. The Prime Minister had no authority to rule based in the power of the house, but rules in any case because of some backroom meetings he had, and then again, the leader of the opposition even has no mandate to be its leader but for a few backroom meetings with political insiders: Strange confluence of events. 

Who makes this decision? An "excecutive committee" of party power borkers decides. That is who.

And then there is item three, which I will offer as a dramatic point to explicate another: The coup is not even announced in the national press. 

I ask you: When is the coup ever announced in the national press? Never. Did the newspapers in Chile in 73 announce: "Allende shot! Palace bombed -- Pinochet subverts constitution and seizes power?" Not at all, they covered sports.

The lack of coverage of what are obvious abridgements of constitutional authority is ominous indeed. So maybe the first question should more properly be "what is the question?" Is it vote/don't vote or leave/stay?

This is way more interesting than Kenney and Spenny.  Please just one more tidbit to gnaw on my mind before my restful sleep.

Resistance is never futile.

Have a great day Cueball and everyone else.

" I am not of the sort who is particularly beholden to the mastermind kind of conspiracy theory that requires absolute foresight and the power to act with total accuracy, but more one who sees the invisible hand of greed and power and ideological conviction coalescing as a tendency that forms in a discrete and incremental process that only appears clearly as tyranny in hindsight. "

Would you object terribly, or demand compensation, if I used that line over and over?  It is brilliant.

Maybe this is the place to tell a story -- or make that a confession.

On Feb 13, I had a friend who became a canadian and we all were at the ceremony which was held at the museum of civilization. Kenny was in speaking to the cermony.

I noticed how the langauage of the ceremony had changed- no longer do we thank immigrants for the gift they bring to this country -- the greatest gift-- which was the way it was put a few years ago. Now we tell them that the greatest gift is the citizenship we give them. Indeed there was no thanks at all to the people who came to make a new home in Canada just a message of you should bow down and thank us for accepting you.

After it was all done the judge and Kenny went over to the photo op place and people were taking pictures. We went over and I was taking pictures of my friend with the judge and Kenny got in the shot. I reached out and said don't you want one with just the judge and asked Kenny to get out of the shot.

The picture is great. The look on the judge's face is wonderful- I think we made his day. Kenny's look was also good but is only recorded in our memories.

Sean, great story.

Kenney is basically a no-nothing who's politics are at the right place and the right time.

My story about him is from a few years ago. He was invited to attend, on behalf of the federal government, a banquet held by a Chinese community organization I'm connected with. Needless to say there was tons of internal conflict about inviting him, or any member of the Conservative party. But the Head Tax Redress had just been done, and certain people felt it politic to kiss some Tory ass at our annual community celebration. From my table I planned to lob various items at his head as he spoke, but was discouraged by my seatmates. Not sure if they wanted to avoid a confrontation or doubted my aim. He gave a speech. Surrounded by Chinese people, new in cabinet and without any allies around, he was uncomfortable, outnumbered and out of place. The best part of his speech was when he stopped talking.

And, by the way, I want to get a t-shirt that says "I hated Jason Kenney Before It Was Cool".

Actually, the least I can do is make that my Facebook status. 

Not at all, actually I am just paraphrasing Stalin...  ... kidding, though he would probably agree. He was after all a master at that kind of thing.

By the way, if anyone wants to give Jason Kenney some feedback about what he's doing, and make sure he gets it, here's his blackberry e-mail address:

I am not sure we should do that for our own personal safety given Weinstein's comments.

Quite the opposite. He has to be massively and publically opposed openly.

If society is really at the stage where a cabinet minister is using petty backstreet bullies like Wienstein as his attack dogs and he can not be opposed in this way, then he wins. It is that simple.

Jack Layton should be asking Kenney if he is really in the pocket of special interest groups listed as terrorist organizations by the FBI.

No, I am sorry I cannot, at this time, given Weinstein's commentary. The implictions of his words are disturbing, say nothing of terrifying.

Heh. Then he wins. The point of Kenney's actions, and Weinstein's comments are to intimidate and silence. That was the point.

Moreover, if they would be tracking people in email, they will certainly be able to get all the IP information from this site and everything else they require.

PS: I am not moralizing here. Just making the point. Everyone has good reason to be afraid, and must be guided by their personal situation.

Yet you are advocating not voting, the ultimate voice silencer. ;)

a) Demanding that Jewish people are somehow responsible for Weinstein's fascist remarks is a problem for me.

b) I entirely disagree with you on issue of parlimentary politics. The recent events reinforce my position. I have always advocated building strong social organizations that are capable of defending peoples right directly, and see no parties or politicians who are taking these issue seriously and having measurable effect. Nor do I think it is possible to seriously influence these thing through that system. The coup only underscores this point. 

Damn, when did this country suddenly become a fascist dictatorship?

I made no demands, nor stated Canadian Jews were responsible for his remarks.

I stated that I felt they should be freaking out about Weinstein, as he is now basically stating he is the voice and chief actioner of Canadian Jews.

And I feel that they should be freaking out about the CON government, not supporting them, as they are no actual friends of Canadian Jews, or even Israel, as end of days Christians they want to see Jews and of course non-Christians, non-exist and anything that could bring that about, would work for them.

 I know that Weinstein is not the voice, however average people in the street do not and I have been hearing broad brushing anti-semitism  recently, more than I ever have before, and know that when something like this gets out, well...it is going to get much worse. Which in fact impacts me, just as much as full fledged Jews, cue. Which is perhaps why I am terrified to say anything.

What in the world is an "actioner"?

Actioneer?

Either or, ;) as he is leading actions, or threatening to, against Canadians.

I am not really wanting to fight abou this but Weinstein's Jewishness, or his pretentions about his place in the Jewish community have nothing to do with this. He is a Canadian Fascist plain and simple, as is evidenced by his recent comments, and the past associations and practices of the organization he is in charge of.

Jews can make up their own minds based on simple democratic principles as Canadians, as to what they think about Weinstein. They don't really need advice from him, or the peanut gallery. By the same token, Canadian Muslims are not obliged to denouce Osama bin Laden, or any other such persons.

True enough in respect to your last sentence, but did I say denounce though?

ETA: And it was expected of Muslims to dennounce Bin laden and indeed for everyone to dennounce the "Taliban".

Freaking out to me means deeply concerned internally, and in turn not wanting to support even tacitly.

Nor do Christians go around routing out the KKK.

What you say makes sense, cue. 

Extremism exists everywhere.

 I do not know now, I have been giving this whole denounce thing some thought since cue brought it up. If they feel compelled to denounce Israel's actions in their name, and the CJC's, why not Weinstein's actions and words in their name? Just askin?

I have heard a lot of stories come out of the activist community recently about people receiving harassing phone calls from the JDL and also being physically assaulted. This group needs to be taken to court.

Frankly, they are guilty of hate crimes.

Brilliant stuff, Cueball. Keep it coming

this guy should be allowed in the country if only because he is an MP from a another democratic country. But thats not really the point. Its only a technicality that Kenny and friends are using to keep him out and even then I'm not sure I understand the technicality. He brought food and aid to people in Gaza via Hamas conduits. Thats a stretch  to consider that asfunding terrorism.

Lying liar Kenney cowers behind border thug's aprons:

Another gutless bully runs

I sent the following email to Kenney 4 days ago:

To:kennej@parl.gc.caDate:Sat, 21 Mar 2009 8:49 am

Obviously, I used my real name, street address and email address in my email to this little man.  I have received no reply.

You are brave JR.  Thank-you.  Why am I scared to confront the government?  Must think about this.

Like babble, I am all in favour of free speech, even if I disagree.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfwjiITrXaQ [89]

[90]

Heh, more reason to thiink.

It always amazes me how much money you guys have for your promotional material. I have to write everything out word by word, each and every time. You just have some prepackaged U-tube commercial you can link to and plonk: Instant propaganda.

 Wanna try explaining that piece and why you put it here?

I think it's a reasonable thing for him to post, as long as he supports the right of Galloway to come to Canada.  Surely he isn't a total hypocrite, like the CJC and B'nai Brith, who support free speech for war criminal terrorist Netanyahu, but not for peace-promoting Galloway.

I have no problem with people like Netanyahu coming here to speak.  I also have no problem with people protesting when he comes, as long as it isn't with the intent of stopping him from coming - I think it's a mistake to make that the goal, because people with state power (or heavy influence on state power) will always turn the tables on us.

Sure, he/she can post whatever he/she likes. The piece is based in a pretty complex social situation, and also make some pretty dark historical parrallels. For example, it basically associates Arab student protestors with the minions of Adolph Hitler. Therefore I thought it some kind of explanation and outline of the purpose of the piece and its meaning and why it was posted here at this time was in order.

I also question some of the assertions made in the piece. For example, at one point a voiceover of a couple of women wearing Hijab and veil in front Palestinian flags alleges that "You guys banned Hillel. You are the first people to ban a Jewish student union on campus since Austria in the 1930's."

Forgive me if I am wrong, but I don't seem to remember Hillel being banned from Concordia. I remember that Hillel status as a campus organization was temporarily revoked, pending an apology, because it was allegedly recruiting young Canadians to join a foreign army.  The "ban" was explicitly temporary and only required Hillel to appologize for distributing IDF recruiting material on the campus.

The youtube "trailer" makes it sound as if the move by the CSU was completely gratuitous attack upon Hillel of the kind that happened in the 1930's in Germany, because it was a Jewish organization, without even airing the reasons upon which the decision to temporarily revoke Hillel's status on campus was made, according to the CSU.

I remember also that there was secondary offer from the CSU where Hillel was simply asked to sign an undertaking, signed by their Palestinian counterpart, to not distribute racist material on campus, and Hillel refused, prefering it seems to sue. I have no idea why Hillel would have a problem signing an undertaking not to distribute racist material at Concordia, it would seem to me that would be pro-forma, especially since it was not being prejudicially singled out. But for some reason, Hillel wanted no conditions limiting the content of what they could distribute, even protocols that Palestinian activists had already agreed to sign.

The voice over about Austria in 38 and the chosen video underlay make the implication clear. Arab palestinians students are being associated with Nazi Brownshirts.

I think this really deserves some backgrounding from the poster in terms of what message s/he thinks s/he is conveying.

As foul winds rip through bloodied rectal fissures, the acrid miasma enflames the distressed veins and lining, swelling to the point where the ensuing retentiveness spawns a renewed cycle of pressure and release, resulting in a self-perpetuating sequence of torment and misery.  And so it is with Jason Kenney, whose disgusting utterances resemble the tortured affliction of haemorrhoids.

Kenny's hiding behind the alleged decision of border security raises an issue which, as far as I know, has not been discussed in the media.

That is, how much sovereignty has Canada given up in signing with Israel what amounts, in part, to a "border  agreement" with a nation half way round the world?

(More details on thatin this thread
 http://www.rabble.ca/babble/media/galloway-canada-israel )
 
For example, do border security agents get a "security threat--no entry" list from Israel which must be acted upon according to the terms of the agreement?  Galloway's humanitarian caravan to Gaza would certainly guarantee he was on such a list. 

Interesting parallel between the two. Both are elected officials who just wanted to give a speech. One was allowed in (then prevented from actually speaking by thugs), one was unilaterally barred. Both uses of thuggery to silence the exchange of ideas are appalling - whether the thuggery of smashing windows and harassing speech-goers in MTL or the "polite, civilized" thuggery of political staff stopping people from entering.

Interesting parallel but also a huge distinction. The first was illegal - thus with no national sanction and the result of anger mostly by people who feel directly agrieved -- the second was the position of the state not based on emotion but on a real willingness to reduce public debate not from a single location but the entire country. It was done not in the name of an angry person throwing insults but in the name of you and me and all Canadians.

I am glad you put civilized in quotes because of course in a civilized society we recognize that some people can get angry and demonstrate and may even cross the line and then be held accountable. But in a civilized society we expect that the government would not do so- there is a world of difference between a demonstration of a segment of society with a grievance getting out of hand and a state using its power to withhold freedom of information and debate. It is not as newsworthy that some peopledemonstrated against free speech as it is that the government acted against it.

I have very mixed feelings about the middle east and its many paradoxes as do many other people. I am sympathetic to all sides of a conflict many are caught up in but have no sympathies for those in this country far away from the realities they comment on manipulating freedoms as they see fit. The only way out is through greater exchanges of ideas, especially those we do not currently hold. I do not agree that voices who could help inform me be kept away from me because my government is trying to block me from making an informed independent opinion. 

howdy, stranger

oh how wish I had've dreamt up that handle!

I'm a newby, hereabouts, and as-such I hope you don't mind my gate-crashing this conversation, but I just had to say that your posts have rendered me somewhat relieved and encouraged - which ain't that easily accomplished, considering (although, in retrospect, I got the same encouragement last November, too...)

but just knowing that there are Canadians, out there, like yourself, and others on these boards, who are as-aware and concerned about all this, more or less, as i am, gives me hope

yer talkin' my language! I can breathe again!

It's also endcouraging that Canadians are, apparently, somewhat resistant to the Big Bull-Tweedie! I love it!

(excluding, of course, my ex-wife - of good Berliner stock, don'tcha know - who I hadn't seen or spoken to at all, since just prior to the November 2000 US "election" debacle - and subsequent MESS in Mesopotamia and elsewhere ( I've been transfixed by it all)

 and who has, over the past eight years of wall-to-wall, anti-Muslim propaganda, been methodically brainwashed! - while watching (she tells me) almost exclusively the CBC-TV "News", no less - into actually voting FOR the Cons the last two elections...  I was genuinely shocked by the transformation she's undergone, over that period of time, apparently falling for all of the subtle rhetoric like a stone...

I saw her again last week, coincidentally at the very start of the Galloway ban flap, and, upon mentioning it to her, she began reciting all the PNAC/NeoCon talking pts. -  a tad disconcerting, since, for cryin' out loud, I had already heard it all, backwards and forwards, for years, and seen through all of it, from the start ....! 

My first impulse we'll leave aside, but my second one was to immediately sit her down, at a computer, and roll the "Galloway vs. U.S. Congress" video for her.

Coincidentally, I also have a little photograph, on my fridge, of "Harpo" bustin' out of that little leather vest, and after the video played she looked up at me and blinked!

I gestured toward the little photo of Steve the Peve - she blinked again -  then back at Galloway - she blinked -  then back at Steve-0

She blinked again! Meaning, of course, that her inate sensibility was kickin' in!

then I said, "Can we have sex?" (neither of us ever having gotten enough), to which she responded, blinking, "Next week" 

so, like, I really think that things are looking UP folks - and that we (both her and I, AND Sanity, and Justice, and humility and peace) are on a roll!

congratulations to us all!

(PS: let's just hope  - & may as well pray - that they (we) don't opt for Iggy, as some kind of "viable alternative" to the Harper/Kenney "noble lie" approach, to "governance", because, of course, it seems that Iggy - by his comments re: Galloway, among others - is as-dyed-in-the-wool Straussian as the Cons)

thanks again for being there - all of you

The Galloway ban IMHO is to attempt to Stop sponge-like Canadians from actually hearing anything approaching a passionate, informed, and logical argument FOR getting the HELL OUT of Afghainstan, period

they know how disasterous that would be for their little ruse

I'm guessing it backfires wildly on the fascistic goons.

No small thanks to George (not Stromobopolous), Pepe(*) (not Gonzalez), and all of you !

Here's hoping we give them - and Iggy too, of course - "what-for", shall we? a lesson in democracy?

(* http://bit.ly/Pepe_Escobar_best_of )

Wow! I didn't know about that. How creepy. The Harper regime has signed a security agreement with a racist state, on one hand, and a trade agreement with another state, Colombia, that murders its own citizens for bonuses. Incredible. So much for the media, eh?

You know FM I have to agree for as much as we bash the americans and it's denizens for watching Fox or CNN, we aren't much different. Yeah we talk a big game but we believe we aren't seeing the same crap they are. The differance is the package is better. Our looks porfessional, we are much better at propaganda on our own citizens then we like to give ourselves credit for. All the while our politicos who are on the take put their fingers in their ears and sing la la la la la to the stuff they can't convince the people on.

OTHERSWISE  WE WOULDN'T BE DYING IN AFGHANISTAN 

But hey as long as it isn't them in the front lines, it's all good baby!

thorin: It sounds like you're suggesting we are in Afghanistan because of the Canadian people's misguided support for the war. Sure some people do, but we are in Afghanistan precisely because in our political system what the people support or don't is irrelevant to the actions taken by our government.

Those who did, or still do, support the war in Afghanistan do so because of what this government and its lap-dog media have told them. Very few Canadians have any first-hand information about Afghanistan or the various factions that are struggling against each other in that country.

 Those that support our soldiers being blown to bits while attempting to kill Afghans only do so because they have drunk the cooliade supplied by Harper and the Canadian MSM (both of whom get their marching orders from points south of the 49th parallel).

Thorin's point (96) is very valid!

Red T: Oh okay, taken that way I agree too... I just thought there was an implication in thorin's post that if Canadians opposed the war in Afghanistan that would be enough to end our involvement there. I totally agree about why some Canadians support the war, I just don't think that their support is the reason we are there. We're there because our government doesn't care what the people think, not because some people support the war. That's all I meant to say.

Actually I know my grammer blows, but it's the fact that canadians don't want us to be there(the majority), yet the politicians and media have put their fingers in their ears and went la la la. Thus convincing some of the "support the troop" people we have a valid reason to be there. DESPITE public opposition or evidence to the contrary.

Our media is doing a bang up job saying how much good we are doing with no evidence to back it up, still the public isn't biting. Take away their puff pieces and the fallen family memebrs that DO support the mission and they are in deep shit. Some family members have spoke out, Aynes Dyer(SP sorry) family spoke out about it a lot, you don't hear about them though. Tonight another puff peace about one of the engineers using an RC car and some remote cameras for sapper units...woopee we found a new way to keep our troops safER from EID's they would be a whole lot safer if they were not there to start with. Why haven't we been shown the school we built? cuz there aren't any. How about the girls we are sending to said schools? stuck at home because warlord we helped 'get elected' won't let them.

All we have done is trained some of their people on how to be better armed thugs instead of regular thugs. All the while turning a blind eye to the crimes their police(that we trained) commit. Yeah us, we are such a force of good!!! Give me an f'n break. So instead we see Tim "american owned" Horton montage, Don "clown suit" Cherry, Rick "sellout" Mercer and sad families that say we must stay so THEIR child didn't die in vain. Which is great because misery loves company. Too bad for the families of those yet to die(and yes they will).

Remember we went there for bin laden, what the hell is our mission now....oh yeah pipelines. Whooops we aren't suppose to talk about trying to fuck over the chinese.

Did some googling on Alykhan Velshi to try to figure out who he is and found this interesting tidbit on the blog "Creekside"

http://creekside1.blogspot.com/2009/03/jason-kenney-spokesthingey-alykha... [107]

He wrote this article for the right-wing magazine "National Review" about charities who allegedly fund "terrorist groups" back in December, 2006

http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=YzFiZGVkN2E3YzQwOGZmZjc5N2E5MTg4NTB... [108]

Is it any wonder the Canadian Arab Federation saw it's funding cut off with this dude working in Kenney's office?

But Alykhan Velshi cries crocodile tears for none other than...Conrad Black.

I'm serious...read about it here:

 http://www.newenglishreview.org/custpage.cfm?frm=3894&sec_id=3894

I didn't check my email for a couple of days so some of this is dated...

 Canadian Arab FederationLa Fédération Canado-Arabe      ACTION ALERT    March 27, 2009

Attend CAF's Federal Court Hearing

The Canadian Arab Federation (CAF) has filed an application in Federal Court to challenge the decision of Canadian Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Jason Kenney, to cut funding to CAF's immigration settlement Language Instruction for Newcomers (LINC) program. CAF has decided to take legal action due to the false allegations made by the Minister that CAF promotes hate, anti-Semitism or terrorism. The hearing will be open to the public, so we need to have as many supporter as possible in the courtroom to show how much opposition there is to the recent attacks on free speech and the Canadian Arab Federation. Seating is limited therefore we kindly ask that you arrive early.

WHAT: Court Hearing
WHEN: Monday, March 30, 11:30amWHERE: 180 Queen Street West (Queen & University)

CAF also urges you to continue calling, faxing and e-mailing Minister Kenney in addition to e-mailing your local MP to express outrage of this unprecedented decision to cut funding to the Canadian Arab Federation.

Contact Jason Kenney:Constituency Office:
1168 137 Ave SE
Calgary, AB
T2J 6T6
P. 403-225-3480
F. 403-225-3504

Ottawa Office:
325 East Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
P. 613-992-2235
F. 613-992-1920

Email:
kennej@parl.gc.ca Contact your MP:        

You can find your local MP and their contact information by entering your Postal Code in the link provided below:http://www2.parl.gc.ca/Parlinfo/Compilations/HouseOfCommons/MemberByPostalCode.aspx?Menu=HOC [120]

Tarek Fatah, for one, thinks Jason Kenney is a great Immigration Minister:

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1437143

""What is different with him is, with previous [Conservative] immigration ministers, both have been pussycats; this guy is a tiger," says Tarek Fatah, an author, prominent Liberal supporter and founder of the Muslim Canadian Congress. "He's standing up for Canadian values. I would like every politician to stand up for this country the way Jason Kenney has."

Tarek Fatah, eh? I'm sure his inspiration is Petain.

I fired off a letter to kenny yesterday after the court decision. Won't make any differance. I would say the more letters that pore in the more they will stick to there guns. We are a decisive government when it comes to racism! That is us being racists of course.

Commit me already.  Fuck!

I didn't see this one posted.  From a March 20 speech in Calgary right on our own Gov't's website.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/speeches/2009/2009-03-20.asp