Sid Ryan of Cupe Apologizes for Comments on Israel

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

Indeed. So do yourself a favour by fully obeying God's law and turning from the sin of hatred.

Having concern for people who sin and are non-followers of Christ is NOT "hatred" nor is it a sin. You're line of reasoning is simply an attempt to box Christians into a corner where they basically have to sibscribe to a non-Christian attitude towards sin and evil. Go figure, an anti-Christian trying to bring down Christians.

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

You speak for God now?

But isn't that what every follower of Christ is expected to do? Spread the Word?

Smallc · January 10, 2009

It depends on how it's done. It always seems to be done in some form of damnation. I doubt that's what God intended (though I ould be wrong, as I don't speak for him either).

Edited January 10, 2009 by Smallc

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

It would just be replaced by another..."Christ's teachings" are way overrated.

So the big Bush/Cheney devotee isn't among the stereotypical "Bible-thumping" religious right? Interesting...

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

Stating that Jews and Muslims can all kill each others and that anyway less of them will mean more converts is not showing concern for them. And God has not stopped, is not stopping and will not stop showing concerns for all sinners; that is all of us. I for one will at least try to do the same.

Showing concern for sinners does NOT necessitate accepting their sinful lives and self-serving, disingenuous lies and excuses, their belief in false prophecy and evil beliefs. The Gospels clearly show that their are requirements for salvation and eternal life; it's not something that is open to all for simply being alive--one has to work towards the that goal...

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

It depends on how it's done. It always seems to be done in some form of damnation. I doubt that's what God intended (though I ould be wrong, as I don't speak for him either).

The Gospels clearly state that there are negative consequences of being a sinner, call it what you will; there's a huge difference between a person screaming that sinners are going to burn in hell right here/right now if they don't change, and simply pointing out what the Gospels state awaits those who choose to continue to sin.

Smallc · January 10, 2009

The Gospels clearly state that there are negative consequences of being a sinner

Good for the gospel. I think I'll continue to live my life and have my own beliefs. I'm not going to be told what to do by a book that men wrote. Regardless, we're getting a little far off topic. Nt every thread has to degenerate into an argument about what God said and meant.

Ontario Loyalist · January 10, 2009

Good for the gospel. I think I'll continue to live my life and have my own beliefs. I'm not going to be told what to do by a book that men wrote. Regardless, we're getting a little far off topic. Nt every thread has to degenerate into an argument about what God said and meant.

It's not about being "told" what to think, though... But is you're disdain towards Christianity stem from the fact that you're a feminist? Interesting.

Smallc · January 10, 2009

It's not about being "told" what to think, though...

Oh, but it is.

Feminist?

CANADIEN · January 10, 2009

Having concern for people who sin and are non-followers of Christ is NOT "hatred" nor is it a sin.

Of course it is not. That being said, only a fool would believe that stating that Jews and Muslims can as well kill each other since there will be less of them is showing concern of them, or be blind to the hatred behind that kind of attitute.

You're line of reasoning is simply an attempt to box Christians into a corner where they basically have to sibscribe to a non-Christian attitude towards sin and evil. Go figure, an anti-Christian trying to bring down Christians.

:lol: :lol: :lol: News to you. I AM a Christian. Don't be fooled by the fact that I understand that Jesus' commandments to love each other like he does love ALL of us is incompatible with bigotry, racism and hatred.

CANADIEN · January 10, 2009

Good for the gospel. I think I'll continue to live my life and have my own beliefs. I'm not going to be told what to do by a book that men wrote. Regardless, we're getting a little far off topic. Nt every thread has to degenerate into an argument about what God said and meant.

So... your belief that the Bible was merely written by men means that you are a feminist? If you fail to see that logic, you're not alone.

Mr.Canada · January 11, 2009

Good for the gospel. I think I'll continue to live my life and have my own beliefs. I'm not going to be told what to do by a book that men wrote. Regardless, we're getting a little far off topic. Nt every thread has to degenerate into an argument about what God said and meant.

Human life is for praising God and living by His laws. It's sad that you refuse to admit that Jesus Christ died for your sins who was born from the Virgin Mary. Tomorrow is Sunday Smallc, go and pray for God to forgive you and your choices. He will forgive you if you are repentant, you can be angry with God, He understands.

Smallc · January 11, 2009

Tomorrow is Sunday Smallc, go and pray for God to forgive you and your choices.

No thank you. I'll talk to him tonight, before I go to bed...as I do every night. Now, back to the thread about the very terrible suggestion by Mr. Ryan.

reasonoverpassion · January 11, 2009

Ok lets try to steer this back to the topic...

I was shocked to hear to hear Sid Ryan's comments. Banning academics from a particular country with a particular set of beliefs strikes me a un-Canadian. We have freedom of expression within this country and academics from all countries should be welcomed here to defend their position within the free and democratic society we know and love.

Some of the criticism of Mr Ryan's comments were also disturbing, however. No country's actions are beyond criticism. There also needs to be freedom to condemn actions and decisions made by countries especially when military force is used. Might does not make right. Israel has the right to defend itself, it does not have the right to conduct military operations in a way which goes beyond the norms of accepted conduct, if this is indeed happening.

Israelis will not have the peace and security they crave without providing justice for the Palestinians.

As for the digressions to the topic...

I am Christian myself. Christ did not tolerate self righteous attitudes very well. He also didn't like people who condemned others without examining their own lives. Clearly his message was to help others, especially the downtrodden. This idea that "my interpretation of the word is the only one" or "you must believe what I beleive or you are going to suffer eternal damnation" runs contrary to the basic Christian message, in my opinion.

Mr.Canada · January 11, 2009

Mr. Ryan is a raving anti-semite and he is a main leader of the socialist movement in his dream of a Soviet Canada. If I had said these things I'd be jumped on immediately and called a racist so why is Ryan getting the golden pass?

Smallc · January 11, 2009

Palestine is an apartheid state now. With Arabs treated as second class citizens. I find it funny that people here are against racism and discrimination in Canada but it's fine for Jews to discriminate against Arabs and that is perfectly acceptable. Hypocrisy of the left wing, typical.
If the US stopped sending Billions to Israel every year in cash and military equipment Israel would be gone in less than a year.

So what are you then?

Mr.Canada · January 11, 2009

So what are you then?

More fear of saying anything against your beloved leader who can do no wrong. ALl you know is to attack me, sad.

Smallc · January 11, 2009

My beloved leader?

Edited January 11, 2009 by Smallc

Mr.Canada · January 11, 2009

My beloved leader?

Yet more deflection, running scared.

Mr. Ryan is a raving anti-semite and he is a main leader of the socialist movement in his dream of a Soviet Canada. If I had said these things I'd be jumped on immediately and called a racist so why is Ryan getting the golden pass?

Smallc · January 11, 2009

so why is Ryan getting the golden pass?

What are you talking about? Go back and read the thread again.

capricorn · January 11, 2009

Mr. Ryan is a raving anti-semite and he is a main leader of the socialist movement in his dream of a Soviet Canada.

IMO Ryan is not an anti-semite. Like a lot of others, he simply has blinders on when it comes to Israel. That does not mean that all of those people are bigoted.

If I had said these things I'd be jumped on immediately and called a racist so why is Ryan getting the golden pass?

He didn't get a pass. There was plenty of public outrage over his comments and he has apologized for his comments comparing the bombing of a palestinian university to actions by Nazis. For Ryan, that was a humbling experience.

I don't agree with Ryan's position on the conflict and the actions he and CUPE advocate. But he does have the right to free speech as we all do. He was called on the comments he made that were hurtful to many. I'm sure he has learned a lesson in all this.

Mr.Canada · January 11, 2009

IMO Ryan is not an anti-semite. Like a lot of others, he simply has blinders on when it comes to Israel. That does not mean that all of those people are bigoted.
He didn't get a pass. There was plenty of public outrage over his comments and he has apologized for his comments comparing the bombing of a palestinian university to actions by Nazis. For Ryan, that was a humbling experience.

I don't agree with Ryan's position on the conflict and the actions he and CUPE advocate. But he does have the right to free speech as we all do. He was called on the comments he made that were hurtful to many. I'm sure he has learned a lesson in all this.

This is a very good post and accurate. I just dislike everyone on MLW falling over themselves to defend Sid Ryan.

CANADIEN · January 11, 2009

I just dislike everyone on MLW falling over themselves to defend Sid Ryan.

Bizarre, I just went though the whole thread and didn't find anyone defending Sid Ryan. Certainly not anyone saying how swell and perfect of a man he is. Arguing that what he said wasn't racist does not equate believing he's right (he most certainly is not), nor those defending his freedom of speech.

Mr.Canada · January 12, 2009

Bizarre, I just went though the whole thread and didn't find anyone defending Sid Ryan. Certainly not anyone saying how swell and perfect of a man he is. Arguing that what he said wasn't racist does not equate believing he's right (he most certainly is not), nor those defending his freedom of speech.

Hilarious. Would a KKK member be defended on this board if he said the exact same words?

capricorn · January 14, 2009

Sid Ryan defends CUPE Ontario's proposed action to ban Israeli academics, saying it "builds on our existing policy aimed at bringing about Israel's withdrawal from the occupied territories and a negotiated peace in the region".

As our members examine academic boycott initiatives by other organizations around the world, and similar actions that helped end apartheid in South Africa, it has become clear that the focus is not on banning individuals but rather on refusing to collaborate with or support academic institutions in Israel. That will also be our approach.
This is not an action any of us undertake lightly. However, as we helplessly watch the destruction of people, their homes, their educational and other infrastructure – and have learned from recent history in Iraq, Afghanistan and other parts of the world that military responses aimed at beating an entire people into submission do not work – we feel compelled to act.

http://www.cupe.on.ca/doc.php?document_id=675〈=en

Heck, throw in all the world's conflicts while you're at it, Ryan. His comments regarding Afghanistan are particularly noteworthy. Our soldiers deployed in Afghanistan are doing their best to help secure the building of schools and protect students yet Ryan implicitly accuses them of "beating the Afghans into submission". This is too revolting for words.

CUPE's National President has issued a statement with regard to Sid Ryan's proposed resolution regarding the banning of Israeli academics.

CUPE National would like to state its position on the January 2, 2009 media release by CUPE Ontario announcing a plan to introduce a resolution to ban Israeli academics from Ontario universities unless they condemn the “assault on Gaza.”
As the national president of Canada’s largest union, with over 580,000 members, I can say that none of CUPE’s over 2,000 chartered bodies – including CUPE Ontario – have adopted such a resolution. I believe such a resolution is wrong and would violate the anti-discrimination standards set out in the CUPE Constitution. I will be using my influence in any debates on such a resolution to oppose its adoption.

The statement also contains CUPE's present national policy on the Israel/Palestinian conflict.

CUPE’s national policy on the Middle East was fully debated and adopted at our 2003 National Convention and reaffirmed at the 2007 National Convention. That policy states that we:
“Demand that the Israeli Government immediately withdraw from the occupied territories and abide by UN Resolutions 242 and 338;

Call for and actively work towards an end to all acts of violence that take the lives of innocent people, whether they be Palestinian or Israeli; and,

Help develop a peace process based on equality between Israelis and Palestinians and based on the implementation of United Nations resolutions and international law.”

http://cupe.ca/npo/CUPE-National-oppose

There is a serious policy disconnect between CUPE National and CUPE Ontario. Sid Ryan and his cohorts will not back down from their position. If internal wranglings over CUPE's constitution come into play, this matter will not be resolved any time soon. I think it's time CUPE members paid closer attention to what their Executive Officers are up to.