Sir Bandelot

Oh sure. I bet thats a rare exception, otherwise what would we do about all the "co-lateral damage" we kill from the air? Man, we would have to stop the war just to be able to press all the charges. But I thought that in this case, he was accused of throwing a grenade that killed a US soldier. The soldier was a medical officer, but maybe Khadr didn't bother to ask him for his ID. But seriously, what I'm wondering is- Why did the US let him get away, if he was a murderer? Especially if he murdered one of their own people. It never went to trial, as we all know, and yet they had so much time to do it. Even when the election was coming, when it would have been politically advantagous to get the trials done quickly, before there's a regime change in the US, they still didn't do it! What can we conclude from that... I'll tell you why they don't want him back here, because they know there's nothing they can do to keep him in detention. They have analyzed the case and looked at their legal options, and they got nothing, no murder, no treason. If it could be proved in court they would take him back and lock him away. Worse, he will sue the government of Canada when he comes back, with Maher Arar as his lawyer.

Now me, I don't drink or take any drugs, because I live a very healthy lifestyle. But I know someone who smoked pot daily for about 30 years, then he got tired of it and quit. Just like that, didn't seem to have withdrawl problems. He's a pretty smart guy too. Good at technical stuff, and not forgetful. Not like tose cliches you have heard of. In fact you would never know or guess that he was a major "pothead" once. Even judges, even presidents admit to trying it. And some prime ministers, want to try it. So i would conclude that although its probably not totally harmless, its pretty low down on the list of dangerous substances. Hey Sharkman, do you ever have a drink after a hard days work, or anyone in your family smokes cigs? Once upon a time, you would be considered a dangerous criminal for taking a drink.

No kidding, murder in a war zone? Who'da thunk it

I wonder why all those other prisoners from western countries were taken back already, but not our boy. You hope that? Good for you.

To those who are concerned with the immediacy of their own needs. The "me" generations wants it now, and wants it to be convenient and, cheap. Damn the future! And damn the torpedoes

I don't know, it seems like some here do. Read the posts. Exactly, it is necessary to keep the government in check when they are not conforming to the law. Voting cannot be the only means to hold them accountable. We cannot wait for them to call a vote on every issue.

Somehow this whole things seems to be overblown. Only a few dozen deaths so far worldwide, but unknown numbers of people who have contracted it and will survive. Likely that far more will die from common influenza this year. Is it another knee-jerk reaction by out-of-touch MBA's, as we saw in the dreaded SARS outbreak, or a government fear tactic to distract the public?

Products like nylon and polyethylene, while they may work well are not biodegradable. An important consideration if tons of the stuff must be produced is how to eventually get rid of it.

If people are asked a question, they should be allowed to express their opinion, which she did. Just because the law recognizes gay marriage, or just because there are gays living in your neghbourhood doesn't mean you have to like it or agree with their lifestyle. As long as they mind their business and keep it provate, I have no qualms but that doesn't mean I like it, or support it politically. So, good for her, she did well. The gay guy just showed what an ass he is by taking a hissy fit. Hey, don't ask the question "Do you believe in... " if there's only one acceptable answer. Those are beliefs.

Perhaps there is an ulterior motive here, with this propaganda about terrorists coming from Canada. There is really no way that these people could have mis-spoken when they uttered these statements... and inevitably later retract them. By now everyone at these high levels knows the facts. If you know them, if I know them, how could they not? But the ulterior motive could be to prepare the public for a new initiative, to install more fortifications at the Canadian border. Despite the fact that there never was a problem, its necessary to justify this by inventing one, through lies and propaganda as a means to get the funding. The use of fear is a typical tactic in getting results. Are they planning on building fortress America? This is what I suspect they are up to. It's either that, or as a means to justify why American security is needed north of the border. Change you can believe in...

But people can presumably grow their own, and not sell/give to others. The same thing goes for beer and wine here, you can make your own, for your own personal consumption but cannot sell it, without a licence. And it is still illegal to make strong liquor in any case. As to whether beer is dangerous, or marijuana there is a saying "In the hands of a wise man, its medicine. In the hands of a fool, poison."

Speaking of taking Canadian citizenship seriously, our government has certain obligations to the citizens that it currently does not live up to, and this case is one example. THe last westerner in Gitmo, apparently, and they don't want to allow him back, even without hard evidence or fair trial. People should be given due process, else every one of us is vulnerable to the abuses of some Ministers personal ideology, And immigration is not a problem for millions of other people who come here.

Better yet, lets ask why he never went to trial and spent years in a prison, only to be released. Does he now have the opportunity to sue this government or another? Regardless of the particulars of his situation, I think he should. Because if theres anything to be learned by the government its that when detaining someone, either put up or shut up. In other words, get on with it!

I wouldn't generalize to say that the majprity of society is corrupt. I think that there are people who believe in real fairness and justice, in any society and there are those who don't care for anything beyond serving themselves first and foremost, regardless of law or civility. Now ask yourself which side of the fence you're on

So now we are starting to learn that all the outrage over Abu Ghraib, the shame placed on soldiers like England were misdirected! She and others were simply scapegoats to protect the people at the top, maybe at the very top, so that the truth would be concealed. And Donald Rumsfeld's comments just before he left office that "Clearly the worst day was Abu Ghraib, and seeing what went on there and feeling so deeply sorry that that happened, I remember being stunned by the news of the abuse." were lies. He knew what was happening, and he himself possibly authorized it. But he had no problem letting the blame fall on others at the time, as this story indicates- Abu Ghraib head finds vindication in newly released memos --- Taking a broader view again, what does this all say about a political system, where the party in power abuses its authority and manipulates the media, lying, to cover up their transgressions? We have to wait until another party gets power to find out the real truth of what happened a few years ago? And if McCain had won and become president, and the GOP retained its power would we have known this? I am not picking on only the GOP here. It says we have a corrupt political system, not open and transparent but self-serving, to maintain their hold on power and wealth.And to the people in charge there are a different set of rules. It's not which law you break that matters, it's who else knows about it!

For now it seems they are getting more serious about investigating the Bush administration: 'No one is above the law,' Holder says of torture inquiry Story Highlights "We are going to follow the evidence," attorney general says Holder weighing whether to prosecute Bush officials over interrogations Interrogators themselves won't be charged, he says Several investigations into interrogation techniques are under way Interesting.

Fine, I accept that criticism although it does not invalidate what I said in my earlier post. Sometimes I present certain points, that does not mean that I support those people in their cause. But the comparison of killing civilians in either case, jew or non-jew was worth noting, since the majority of people are not likely terrorists or want anything to do with violence. And so if we take a broader view on this, why haven't we sent our troops in there as well, to help that government establish peasceful secure democracy.

Excerpts from an article today- RCMP sorry for inaccurate account of Dziekanski death VANCOUVER -- The RCMP apologized Tuesday for what it says was inaccurate information that misled the public about the circumstances of Robert Dziekanski's death. The force has been under fire for almost two years since Dziekanski died after being stunned several times by a Taser at Vancouver International Airport. The Mounties' media strategy now is being dissected at the Braidwood Commission inquiry into Dziekanski's death. "In this case, during the course of the investigation we found that there was some information that was provided and made public that was not accurate," Shields said. "And for those inaccuracies we apologize and we are sorry." The apology came as the Mounties' chief spokesman during the initial phase of incident insisted he never intentionally misled reporters about what happened to Dziekanski. Sgt. Pierre Lemaitre testified he saw a crucial part of the video that recorded Dziekanski's fatal confrontation with RCMP before he met reporters. After the video was released publicly, Lemaitre came under fire from critics who allege he misled the media and the public about what prompted RCMP to stun Dziekanski with a Taser. The video shows Dziekanski being shocked just seconds after four Mounties surrounded the agitated man at Vancouver airport's international arrivals area. Dziekanski died Oct. 14, 2007, after being stunned several times. Just hours later, Lemaitre gave interviews that suggested Dziekanski was combative with officers who struggled with him. But the video, shot by traveller Paul Pritchard, shows Dziekanski seeming to back away from the Mounties and holding an open stapler just before being stunned. He then staggers, flails his arms and falls to the ground, with the Taser repeatedly used on him until he is handcuffed. Lemaitre insisted Dziekanski was stunned twice while the video -- backed by a woman who witnessed the incident -- indicated he was shocked more than twice. Evidence would reveal it was five times. Lemaitre said he learned months later it was more than twice after investigators analyzed the Taser used on Dziekanski. He clung to the incorrect figure despite reporters' questions regarding what the woman witnessed. Lemaitre, who now works in the RCMP's traffic division, admitted the furor over Dziekanski besmirched his reputation. But he had no way to publicly correct the inaccuracies. "You know what," he told Kosteckyj, "being a police officer -- and I believe that you were at one time -- you grow a thicker skin. -------------------------- Five times? Seems like the whole gang wanted to try out using their toys on this man. And what, no officer would admit to using their taser more than once or twice? And Lemaitre testifies that he witnessed the video PRIOR to speaking to the media, but then gave them a different account of what took place? So either they are incompetent, or lying. Which one is it? Because either way, charges should be laid.

No, I don't. The border between these two neighbouring countries is not controlled in some areas people freely migrate from one to the other. Some tribes span the borders, family have relatives living on either side. The religion and customs are shared. How does NATO forces fighting influence or change this? Certainly, they would view the pakis as their friends long before they welcome us. The comment about rose petals alludes to our lying government media outlets that try to convince us they are making worthwhile progress in Afghanistan, and that the majority of ordinary citizens welcomes us. Yet Karzais own comments, and the enactment of certain laws which WERE passed and still remain in effect indicate that western ideas of equality are in conflict with their own cultural and moral values. We are talking about people who are somewhat like in the stone age compared to us, yet our naive government expects them to embrace democracy and womens rights. Why that is so important to Canada I still don't understand. And considering hundreds of other countries are equally harsh regimes, still begs the question. So, more bad news about the Taliban rising. Excerpts of an article today- ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (CNN) -- Taliban militants who implemented Islamic law in Pakistan's violence-plagued Swat Valley last week have now taken control of a neighboring district. "Our strength is in the hundreds," said Moulana Mohammad Khalil, as heavily armed men openly patrolled the roads in pickup trucks, singing Islamic anthems. The militants had taken control of the area to ensure that Islamic law, or sharia, is properly imposed, Khalil said. Last week, the Taliban imposed sharia law in Swat Valley as part of a peace deal with the government. Under the Taliban's strict interpretation, the law prevents women from being seen in public without their husbands or fathers. In the days after the government's April 13 decision to implement sharia law in Swat, pro-Taliban clerics have staged rallies in Swat and Islamabad. They have demanded the imposition of Islamic law across Pakistan and beyond. Speaking before an audience of tens of thousands in the Swat Valley town of Mingora on Sunday, cleric Sufi Muhammed declared democracy and Pakistan's judicial system "un-Islamic." A Taliban spokesman in Swat went a step further Tuesday, calling anyone opposed to his strict interpretation of Islam a non-Muslim. "Let the judges and the lawyers go to Islamic university," Muslim Khan said. After "they learn Islamic rules, Islamic regulation, they can continue to work." Khan said if his vision of an Islamic society is fulfilled in Pakistan, terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden will be welcome to travel and live openly here. "Sure, he's a Muslim, he can go anywhere," Khan said. Khan added that he would like to see sharia law implemented beyond Pakistan, even in America, a country he knows intimately. For four years, the Taliban spokesman lived in the United States, working as a painter near Boston, Massachusetts. Taliban claims victory near Islamabad

As a kid I used to love to watch the Air Show in Toronto. We would sit on a hill near High Park where we had a good view of the water. One time a large delta-wing bomber called "The Vulcan" flew right over our heads. I'll never forget the sound it made- a terrifying roar!

It seems to me that this thread is not about holocaust denial. Its about trying to understand why these Tamils are protesting so fervently for weeks. "Volunteer protest organizer Ragavan Baladarui said the effects of the war on his family in Sri Lanka compelled him to act. "My aunt was killed in the war zone. She was killed when she was trying to cook food for the children," he said. "And since then I couldn't stay home, I've been protesting." The demonstrators want Canada to do more to force the Sri Lankan government to end its offensive against the last stronghold of the Tamil Tigers. The offensive has reportedly killed thousands of civilians, although casualty figures are impossible to verify because the government has barred reporters from entering the war zone." http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090421/.../tamil_protests Sounds like a holocaust all of its own.

I think Obama has realized that crimes were committed, and he's faced with the choice of suppressing the information (and thereby accepting his own complicity in a crime) or bringing it out in the open to be dealt with by the law. I agree it's his only choice, and should be prosecuted to the full extent. Else there is no real law.

I prefer that they stop playing the anthems entirely. Most good teams, whether they're a Canadian or a US team, are made up of Canadian players anyway. And down with discussing the war or showing soldiers during intermission.

Holocaust denial is a crime in some countries. Even to suggest it... or post it on the internet, could be considered a crime. This website might even be held liable if it allowed certain views in some circumstances. I know this is true in places like France and Germany, but to some extent in Canada too. See Ernst Zundel. Not that I agree with such harsh restrictions on free speech. My attitude is that it only drives it underground, giving credence to conspiracy theorists. I think its preferable to debate it openly and get to the real truth, if thats even possible. Point is, in some countries you could go to jail just for saying whats been said in this thread here.

By the same, ludicrous comparison of which tragedies are worthy of being remembered, only about 2500 or so died on September 11. So could it be that there is another scale for making this kind of assessment?