Richard’s Rant

"I learned the truth at seventeen…, We all play the game, and when we dare we cheat ourselves at solitaire…"  (with apologies to J. Ian for politicizing her lyrics.)

We Canadians learned the truth about the seventeen, didn’t we?  I haven’t heard too much in the press lately, so what gives? 

A little over a month ago, what did we Canadians do?  We went and arrested 17 individuals, and charged them with terrorism.  Most of them are still teenagers, or in their early twenties, the youngest being 15.  They were arrested because they bought fertilizer from the RCMP.  They were tracked down because they were sending inflammatory messages back and forth over the internet.  Very little has been told to the public about these individuals, or about the charges, all in the name of state security. 

As a citizen of Canada I’d like to know more.  The problem is that the public is not allowed to know, in the name of "public security."  We are being kept in the dark and told that this is a serious matter.  Trust me, says the Prime Minister.  Trust me, says the Minister of Public Safety.  It reminds me of what the world was told in February and March 2003, just before the "coalition of the willing" invaded Iraq to neutralize "weapons of mass destruction."  I understand that the "weapons" have yet to be found.   

Are there really 17 terrorists living in the Toronto area?  Everything that I have heard about them, and our security services, reminds me of the title of a book, namely, "The gang that couldn’t shoot straight."  What I have read in the press leads me to believe that this was more of a set-up by the "security services" then an actual conspiracy.  If it was a conspiracy, then the conspirators were incredibly naive. 

We are all aware that the Internet is an open book, so to speak.  Virtually anything you view or say on the ‘net can be traced.  The Canadian press reported that much of the "evidence" against the conspirators was gleaned from visits to chat rooms.  I think that if I were planning a terrorist attack, my communications would use a much more discreet media.

The press also reported that the conspirators bought 3 tonnes of fertilizer, the ingredients to construct an explosive device, from the RCMP.  Sounds to me like a "sting" operation.  If this group was under surveillance, why sell them the ingredients?  Why not keep them under surveillance until they make the purchase on their own?  Maybe this has more to do with "security" budgets then anything else.  Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada is certain to get a humongous increase in their budget next year. (Note that this is the ministry that oversees the RCMP, CSIS, etc.)

The press also talked about the age of the conspirators, 5 of whom are under the age of majority.  One of them is 15, and I understand that his crime was to go and play paint-ball.  Well, it seems to me if he were affiliated with a right-wing WASP group (oh! we don’t have any of those in Canada!) and went and played paint-ball, nothing would be done.  Maybe he was practicing for a career in the Canadian Armed Forces!  There’s no life like it!  

I was also quite amused with some of the individuals that the press interviewed.  There was one religious Muslim who went on about all the youth wearing camouflage fatigues to local mosques.  He professed that wearing this type of garb somehow makes them radical, or suspect.  With that logic, we had better start checking what is being worn in all places of worship.  I saw no less than four teenagers wearing camouflage fatigues at the United Church last Sunday.  What is worse, we had better start checking our police wardrobes.  I saw a constable in Gatineau dressed in camouflage fatigues a couple of weeks ago.  She really stood out because the two other constables with her were in jeans!

But what is the upshot of all this hoopla?  We, in Canada, are buying into the fear-mongering tactic that is prevalent south of the border.  We are buying into the "state security" bull roar.  We are going to cut back on social programs, and spend more on the implements of murder and mayhem, all to make the world a safer place.  And again we give in to the entrenched views of the military-industrial complex.  They are the ones that need these "conspiracies"…. 

Maybe we should stop with the paranoia and talk openly and honestly with our fellow Canadians, rather than incarcerate or kill each other.

A few weeks ago I heard Stephen Harper, the Prime Minister of Canada say, "Make no mistake about it."  This is a phrase I have heard before, many times.  Usually I hear this line when it comes to George W. Bush trying to make a point.  That’s right.  It is patently a George W. Bush saying.  It is also my opinion that when spoken, it immediately precedes or immediately follows an untruth.

I must question the Prime Minister of Canada.  Is he trying to emulate George W. Bush, or is he just trying to flatter the President of the United States?  I hope that other Canadians see this copycatting for what it is.  An attempt to move Canada further towards the American model of government.  In doing so, Mr. Harper is not only proposing American ideas, he himself is acting like an American.  Worse, he is emulating one for whom I hold little faith, little respect and entirely no hope for humankind.

Currently, the Canadian government is a minority government, so the party in power has to govern with a modicum of respect for the views of other political parties, and those of the Canadian public.  However, this has led to a certain number of what I would describe as "fluff bills" being brought forward in the House of Commons.

To start, let’s have elections every four years, just like in the good old USA!  What a concept, elections every four years!  Fixed election dates!  What is wrong with our homegrown five year term?  What is wrong with a bit of gamesmanship in government, the Prime Minister having the ability to dissolve Parliament and call an election?  No.  Look how well the American system works.  Let’s be just like George. 

One of Mr. Harper’s "platforms" is to get tough on crime.  So, he has decided that he will lower the age of trying youth in adult courts.  Another of his platforms is to be more "moral" and cater to the religious right.  So he has decided to raise the age of consent.  So, a fifteen year old is not old enough to understand enough to consent to procreation, but is old enough to understand that when committing a crime, he or she will be charged, tried and convicted as an adult.  Makes sense to me!  You can’t fuck ‘cause you’re too young to understand, but we’re going to crucify you ‘cause you’re old enough to know better. 

Mr. Harper’s "get tough on crime agenda" seems to be striking a chord with the public, at least in Ottawa.  A young homeless man was murdered just steps from Parliament Hill a couple of weeks ago.  I was dumfounded that this tragedy was used as an argument by many, proposing to close a pedestrian underpass where many homeless teens sleep.  Close it!  Get them from our sight!  If we can’t see them, we don’t have a problem. 

It seems to me that there are two issues here….  One, a murder case, that I trust will be dealt with in the courts.  Two, a societal issue, that of the homeless and all the reasons that so many youth feel like outcasts in our society.  And our response is to sweep them out of the way where they can’t be seen.

And our government, in its wisdom, decides that the real important issue for Canadians is "street racing" and has tabled a bill that will stiffen penalties for people caught racing their cars on public highways.  In Canada, the provinces are responsible for licensing and policing of motor vehicles and drivers.  The Highway Traffic Act of each province sets out the rules and penalties within provincial jurisdiction.  I have checked several of the provincial statutes and found each to have penalties for "street racing".  Perhaps the penalties are not stiff enough, but this is an issue for provincial legislators.

Yeah.  Let’s get tough on crime.

Just over a year ago, the Canadian Parliament voted to "legalize" gay marriage.  Now, this question will be reopened in parliament during the fall sitting.  Mr. Harper has decided that there will be another vote….  Will this vote resolve this issue?  No.  If lost, it will just be brought back for another debate and vote.  If won, it will just be brought back for another debate and vote.  I think that there are more important issues to debate than not allowing two adults to get hitched, regardless of their sexual preferences.

This government is really in tune with the Canadian public, and is pushing an agenda that the public wants.  Make no mistake about it!

First the roses.  A young Canadian women died today in Afghanistan.  16 and a 1/2 years ago, 16 women died at l’Ecole Polytechnic in Montreal. 

Today marks the debate in the House of Commons regarding the Canadian military presence in Afghanistan.  May our Members of Parliament remember the price that will be paid should they decide to extend the commitment of Canadian troops for an additional two years.

Another debate will soon commence, that of the gun registry.  I am a hunter, and I really don’t like the cost to me personally for the registry.  By that I mean the fee I have to pay to register my rifle and shotgun.  However, I am not opposed to firearms registration, nor the requirement to procure a firearms acquisition certificate or firearms possession certificate in order to purchase or carry a firearm.  I just don’t like the cost…, to me personally, and to all Canadians with respect to cost overruns in building the registry.

Now that it is built, the government of the day seems to be planning to dismantle certain parts of the registry.  Don’t.  I don’t want to sully the memory of 16 young women in Montreal.