Condoleezza Rice addresses Meher Arar

[mikedavid00]

They have little Mosque on the Prarie, next show coming out of the CBC will be Little Sikh's in the Surrey.

But all kiding aside, did anyone hear about Condy Rice and Arar?

Basically the news reported only that Rice admitted that Arar was treated unfairly and deported when he shouldn't have been.

Well those were Canadian news orginzation lies.

Condie (who I respect and ador) said that Mehar made CLAIMS to torture, and that the US and Canada have a difference in opinion to the threat of Arar and he will continue to be banned on the US no fly list and is NOT allowed in the US because he poses a threat to US security.

She said that the commincation between Canada and the US could have been handled better, but that's ALL SHE SAID. She made no appology and did not say that Arar was not a threat.

The CBC had a lovefest all day proclaiming that this was some victory for Arar and really slanted the story and cherry picked the news bytes.

I honestly hate no one in this world. But Mehar Arar is an exception. It scares me a bit that I have true hate for someone, but I think I can say so confedantly about Arar. I really do hate him. I have feelings for him that I do not have for anyone else I know. I would give every possesion I have to get him and his family out of the country. And would probably even give up my house and car. I did email him saying I would pay his air fair to get him to leave if he revoked his citizenship.

I truly hate him for what he has done to the country and the tax payers. Those are just personal feelings though.

I congradulate the Americans for keeping him out of their country.

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/10/24/rice-arar.html

Edited October 25, 2007 by mikedavid00

[geoffrey]

Why would Condi admit anything when Arar is suing the pants off the US government?

[maldon_road]

Why would Condi admit anything when Arar is suing the pants off the US government?

I heard Condi speak and the only "error" she admitted to was communications - that is, the US didn't tell Canada that they were planning to ship him off to Syria. Big deal.

[Topaz]

The world knows how corrupt the US can be and like someone said the guy is trying to sued the US. One of the US congressman said he would see to it the Bush apologize to him and make things right, I can't see Bush do any of that! One of the reasons that the US isn't taking him off the fly zone is they say he was seen in Afghanistan with this other guy who has terrorist connection. When it comes to the US, it may be true or could be just way of keeping him off!

[mikedavid00]

One of the reasons that the US isn't taking him off the fly zone is they say he was seen in Afghanistan with this other guy who has terrorist connection. When it comes to the US, it may be true or could be just way of keeping him off!

And that's good that they have proper leadership and security principles.

I don't want trash like him in my country either.

He's now a multi-millionaire off my tax dollars.

Tainted blood victims? Walkerton water victims?

meh.. who cares.

[old_bold&cold]

And that's good that they have proper leadership and security principles.

I don't want trash like him in my country either.

He's now a multi-millionaire off my tax dollars.

Tainted blood victims? Walkerton water victims?

meh.. who cares.

You have said that you are from immigrants that came to Canada, and you spout off about your country not wanting people like Arar here? I has already been shown that the Canadian people like having Arar here as a Canadian citizen. But now begss the question, would we also be so wanting of you, after reading your posts and rants. How would we feel about you being a Canadian citizen. I would think that we would wish if we could, that you learn much more tolerance, and balance. But as you are already a Canadian citizen I can only hope that in time you assimilate to a more Canadian point of view.

[Borg]

You have said that you are from immigrants that came to Canada, and you spout off about your country not wanting people like Arar here? I has already been shown that the Canadian people like having Arar here as a Canadian citizen. But now begss the question, would we also be so wanting of you, after reading your posts and rants. How would we feel about you being a Canadian citizen. I would think that we would wish if we could, that you learn much more tolerance, and balance. But as you are already a Canadian citizen I can only hope that in time you assimilate to a more Canadian point of view.

More and more Canadians are turning to the "hard" side when it comes to immigration and immigrants.

Your response may actually put you in the minority.

It seems you are quite prepared to be as harsh on your side of the argument as MD00 is on his.

Perhaps you would like to address this rising attitude which has reported here on this board now more than 50% of Canadians are espousing MD00's attitude?

Or perhaps we will stay away from that and ask you your opinion of Quebec and their new attempt at a "final solution?"

Seems to me you are simply showing a different side of the same sheet and at the same time showing you need to look in the mirror when you speak.

In all honesty, I am wondering how we can justify this payment to Meh on pure hearsay and ignore our own "in country" and home made and heavily documented travesties? How can you do this?

Divert? Divert? Divert?

Borg

[guyser]

More and more Canadians are turning to the "hard" side when it comes to immigration and immigrants.

Your response may actually put you in the minority.

It seems you are quite prepared to be as harsh on your side of the argument as MD00 is on his.

Divert? Divert? Divert?

Borg

Well , mikeD likes to say that immigrants are............

1) ALL on welfare , every last one of them

2) Coming to Canada only for health reasons

3) That those coming have AIDS , when in fact IC tests for that and decline them

4) That immigrants sponsor parents that are deathly ill to come, when in fact IC tests and declines

5) That "sponsored" immigrants are on welfare and sucking tax cash, when in fact the sponsor has to guarantee that lodging, food and incidentals must be supplied by host sponsor.

6) The reason our health care is in crisis is due only to immigrants.

7) All immigrants want to do is change Canada to suit them.

8) all immigrant festivals are a tax sucking waste when in fact all festivals get some financing.

So, sure if you want to back him go right ahead.

Canadians should be getting hard on immigrants since we know we have to have them to provide growth to this country. So lets be smart and get the best of the best. Nothing wrong with that.

Mike equates what happened to Arar to Walkerton. Yea...back that idea why dont you. Considering of course one was the Govts direct action causing harm to a citizen, and the other was caused by a couple of drunk brothers who fudged tests and lied through their teeth.

As for tainted blood, some relief has been made, although I am not satisfied by what has been offered.

[Leafless]

Mike equates what happened to Arar to Walkerton. Yea...back that idea why dont you. Considering of course one was the Govts direct action causing harm to a citizen.

There is no proof to what you are saying, either from Arar's lawyers nor the federal government or the payoff could have been $400,000,000 million dollars, eh?

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/field100406.htm

[Borg]

Well , mikeD likes to say that immigrants are............

1) ALL on welfare , every last one of them

2) Coming to Canada only for health reasons

3) That those coming have AIDS , when in fact IC tests for that and decline them

4) That immigrants sponsor parents that are deathly ill to come, when in fact IC tests and declines

5) That "sponsored" immigrants are on welfare and sucking tax cash, when in fact the sponsor has to guarantee that lodging, food and incidentals must be supplied by host sponsor.

6) The reason our health care is in crisis is due only to immigrants.

7) All immigrants want to do is change Canada to suit them.

8) all immigrant festivals are a tax sucking waste when in fact all festivals get some financing.

So, sure if you want to back him go right ahead.

Canadians should be getting hard on immigrants since we know we have to have them to provide growth to this country. So lets be smart and get the best of the best. Nothing wrong with that.

Mike equates what happened to Arar to Walkerton. Yea...back that idea why dont you. Considering of course one was the Govts direct action causing harm to a citizen, and the other was caused by a couple of drunk brothers who fudged tests and lied through their teeth.

As for tainted blood, some relief has been made, although I am not satisfied by what has been offered.

I did not say I agree with all of his statements from the past - I also do not necessarily disagree with him on some of his past topics - however in this case I am with him.

Try not to expand the argument beyond the topic. It is simply another divert.

Borg

[guyser]

There is no proof to what you are saying, either from Arar's lawyers nor the federal government or the payoff could have been $400,000,000 million dollars, eh?

http://www.canadafreepress.com/2006/field100406.htm

Huh?

The feds and Harpy would never have paid the money if they in some way shape or form were not responsible for the wrongful inprisonment of Arar.

And if not, why did they give him the money?

[Leafless]

And if not, why did they give him the money?

Good question, but probably to get the yapper off of their backs by an inquiry started by Paul Martin and the Liberals.

[noahbody]

Huh?

The feds and Harpy would never have paid the money if they in some way shape or form were not responsible for the wrongful inprisonment of Arar.

And if not, why did they give him the money?

The issue was politicized, that's why. I don't think Arar would have much of a case against Canada or the US in a court of law. Yes, he was a victim of circumstance, but he did contribute to his situation giving false answers during interrogation. The moral of the story: If a suspected terrorist signs your rental lease, don't let it slip your mind.

[guyser]

The issue was politicized, that's why. I don't think Arar would have much of a case against Canada or the US in a court of law.

If he did not have much of a case , and the Govt has all the money in the world to find out just how the case would likely go....then why give the money.

If there was a sniff that he would not win, then the gov would have taken their chances. I happen to think they looked at the file and the lawyers said to Stevey... pay him.

And Leafless, a yapper does not need $10M to shut up. It just donesnt make sense that there was nothing to his claims and lets give him money.

[Higgly]

...Condie (who I respect and ador)....

Lie down with dogs, get up with fleas, I suppose.

Is that a French conjugation of the verb adorer? I don't believe I recognize it. Note that the subjective pronoun "who" is being used in the objective, so it should be whom. Here's a link.

I personally am very happy that Arar was paid compensation, and I am especially happy that some of MikedavidDoubleZero's taxes went to pay for it

[capricorn]

Huh?

The feds and Harpy would never have paid the money if they in some way shape or form were not responsible for the wrongful inprisonment of Arar.

And if not, why did they give him the money?

I'm not clear who you mean by "the feds"?

Canada screwed up, paid up and apologized. Harper's government was not in power at the time Arar was sent to Syria by the US. In that respect it cannot be said he is "responsible" although it's evident his adversaries are trying to make him wear it.

[daniel]

...I personally am very happy that Arar was paid compensation, and I am especially happy that some of MikedavidDoubleZero's taxes went to pay for it

Rest assured that MD's and other like-opinions on this discussion forum are not shared by the general population.

[guyser]

I'm not clear who you mean by "the feds"?

Canada screwed up, paid up and apologized. Harper's government was not in power at the time Arar was sent to Syria by the US. In that respect it cannot be said he is "responsible" although it's evident his adversaries are trying to make him wear it.

The govt of the day.

Apologies, I in no way meant to say that Harpers govt provided the info to the US. We know it was the LIbs that screwed that up, with some help from the RCMP.

But steve sure was in power when arar was paid him off.

Arar's case must have merit in order to be paid such an extraordinary amount. I know nuisance suits, and 10M is not nuisance territory. That is " oh my the govt screwed you" territory and here is some money.

Edited October 26, 2007 by guyser

[Fortunata]

Canada screwed up, paid up and apologized. Harper's government was not in power at the time Arar was sent to Syria by the US. In that respect it cannot be said he is "responsible" although it's evident his adversaries are trying to make him wear it.

Who do you mean by adversaries?

It's true this happened at the time of a Liberal government; keep in mind, however, that Arar was already in Syria before the RCMP/CSIS briefed the government.

Also keep in mind that the then Opposition leader Harper and his minions jumped on the Arar-is-a-terrorist bandwagon.

[mikedavid00]

If he did not have much of a case , and the Govt has all the money in the world to find out just how the case would likely go....then why give the money.

If there was a sniff that he would not win, then the gov would have taken their chances. I happen to think they looked at the file and the lawyers said to Stevey... pay him.

And Leafless, a yapper does not need $10M to shut up. It just donesnt make sense that there was nothing to his claims and lets give him money.

Harper did many things to make certain problems 'go away'.

-Quebec as distinct nation to not attatch that stigma to his party.

-Chinese head tax to shut that group up.

-Arar $10m to not make his party like anti-islamic.

Arar has nothing but claims. He has no evidence, no case, and oh yea.. no job.

[Higgly]

Rest assured that MD's and other like-opinions on this discussion forum are not shared by the general population.

No kidding. What we have here is a failure to matriculate

Edited October 26, 2007 by Higgly

[capricorn]

The govt of the day.

Apologies, I in no way meant to say that Harpers govt provided the info to the US. We know it was the LIbs that screwed that up, with some help from the RCMP.

But steve sure was in power when arar was paid him off.

Arar's case must have merit in order to be paid such an extraordinary amount. I know nuisance suits, and 10M is not nuisance territory. That is " oh my the govt screwed you" territory and here is some money.

Thanks for that clarification guyser.

Obviously, Harper believed Arar had a good case. Yes 10 million is a lot of cash. Arar was asking way more (I think 40 million). As a taxpayer, I'm glad the government decided to settle on 10 million. Had there not been agreement on the settlement, the case would have dragged on who knows how long and to everyone's detriment.

[capricorn]

Who do you mean by adversaries?

It's true this happened at the time of a Liberal government; keep in mind, however, that Arar was already in Syria before the RCMP/CSIS briefed the government.

Also keep in mind that the then Opposition leader Harper and his minions jumped on the Arar-is-a-terrorist bandwagon.

As a keen observer, you would know that in politics the opposition tries to paint the the sitting government in the worse possible light. The opposition takes an adversarial role and so do others who disagree with the Conservatives' approach to governing and their policies.

Although the Conservatives have used the diplomatic route open to them to ask the US for a reversal, the opposition will continue hammering at this, especially in Question Period.

Day said Thursday that the government has taken every opportunity to convince U.S. authorities that Arar is not a threat to U.S. security.

"At every diplomatic level from the prime minister to the president, from our foreign affairs minister to the secretary of state, from me to the head of homeland security, we have asked that Mr. Arar's name be removed from those lists," Day said during question period.

But opposition critics said Day's response to the U.S. was "not good enough."

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/stor...025?hub=QPeriod

And so it will continue.

I agree with you that the Conservatives have said things in the past related to the Arar case that they sorely regret.

[mikedavid00]

Yes 10 million is a lot of cash.

And most of it probably went to Arar's legal team. His HUGE legal team. A couple of million doens't take you far these days. That gives you $80,000 a year gross with 4% return not including taxes.

He doesn't believe in work so he's dumb enough to blow it all in one place.

The money is in suing the US and Arar knows this. His legal team knows this too.

[Guest American Woman]

The ten million was over and above Arar's legal fees.

"In January, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a formal apology to Arar while announcing he will receive $12.5 million in compensation.

The package includes $10.5 million for pain and suffering and another $2 million for Arar's legal fees." Link