Refugees

Refugees arriving in Munich were met by welcoming crowds.Thumbs Up to Angela Merkel of Germany. Sorry but Thumbs Down to Stephen Harper of Canada.

Dear Prime Minister Harper, you said the root cause of the refugees was ISIS. No, please look back, way back, before ISIS came to existence. The root cause was Uncle Sam's Militarism and Interventionism, in meddling around with the affairs of other countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and more. You broke the vase, or helped break the vase, so you own it. There is no excuse not to fix it. Even if you think you did not break the vase, you must still help the refugees. Why? Many reasons, but here is one simple reason: because we are Canadians, and you are the Prime Minister of Canada.

    

Chinese Stock Market Crash ?

No, I don't think it was a Chinese stock market crash, but yes, it was a big drop which did affect the economies of the whole world, especially those of the resources-based exporting countries like Australia and Canada.

China's economy is slowing down. It doesn't want to buy your coal and oil, so what you gonna do? Even with the slow down, China's economic growth is still 7% more or less, an envy of many countries.

How well has Canada been doing economically? Not very well, but not very bad either. Election is on, so if you ask the leaders running for the Prime Minister's office, you'll certainly get different political answers. Tom Mulcair of the New Democratic Party (NDP) and Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party (LP) will tell you that Stephen Harper of the Conservative Party (CP) sucks, but of course Stephen Harper will tell you that he's been doing a great job and you should continue to let him be your prime minister. 

The world economy is a big monster. Nobody is able to manage it alone. We should rather focus on our own personal economy, our own finances, to maintain and improve our ' financial health '. 

Omar Khadr versus Stephen Harper

Omar Khadr is free on bail. Thumbs up to his lawyer Dennis Edney ! The argument of Stephen Harper's Government that setting Omar free would hurt U.S. and Canada relation has been rejected by the Court.

Examples are plenty, that Stephen Harper's get-tough-approach didn't seem to respect and care about Canada's constitution and judicial system, international laws, and the UN Charter. Our prime minister seems to be just following, copying, obeying and taking orders from Uncle Sam. He seems to have been Americanizing and militarizing Canada. He has made Canada join the American Fighting and Killing Club, whose war hawk leaders seem to have a never ending agenda for fighting, killing and wars. Canada under Stephen Harper's rule is not the same Canada of peace and peacekeeping that we used to know. Sometimes I wonder if Stephen Harper is a closet dictator and would-be war hawk, or what ?     

In the case of Omar Khadr, Stephen Harper's approach is typically an American macho-man approach, with little Canadian compassion and sensitivity. Omar was a child soldier. He was only 15 years old when he allegedly killed an American soldier in Afghanistan. Even if he did kill an American soldier, he was still only a child. He was labelled as a terrorist and illegal combatant by Uncle Sam, and certainly Stephen Harper concurred.   

This case of Omar Khadr smells strongly American, not Canadian. Stephen Harper had chosen not to seek extradition or repatriation, despite the urging of Amnesty International, UNICEF, the Canadian Bar Association, the Federal Court of Canada and other prominent organizations. What does this tell you about Stephen Harper and his not-so-Canadian way of treating Omar? Did all these respectable recommendations matter to him at all? Was pleasing Uncle Sam more important than everything else?

Omar's lawyer Dennis Edney accused Stephen Harper of being a bigot, but I won't go that far. However, I do feel that under Harper's Government, it seems that Canada no longer treats its citizens equally. In a few cases, Stephen Harper seemed to be biased and selective, in deciding which Canadian citizens to protect, and which just to ignore, when they got into troubles in foreign lands and needed help.  

There are 2 undeniable facts about the case of Omar Khadr: (1) Omar was a 15 years old child soldier. Calling him a terrorist or illegal combatant did not change the fact that he was only a minor at the time, and (2) Guantanamo Detention Center in Cuba was the hell hole and military base outside the legal system of Uncle Sam, where Omar was imprisoned, tortured and grew up. 

Regarding democracy, freedom, human rights and international laws, Guantanamo is a shame of Uncle Sam. Didn't Obama promise he would close it down in his first year of presidency ? ( please read my blog of Dec.16, 2013 titled Guantanamo Prison ). Omar said the plea agreement that he signed was completely created by the U.S. Government, and that he signed it only to escape the continued abuse and torture at Guantanamo Bay.

This case of Omar Khadr is not over yet. The story goes on, hopefully with positive development, and not with any more political interference.  

Stephen Harper's Canada

First and foremost, I don't belong to any political party in Canada or anywhere. I don't blindly take side with one political party against another political party. I look at the issues and concerns rationally, and see how our leaders deal with them. Basically, I am a pacifist. I am pro-peace and anti-war. I am pro-diplomacy and anti-destruction. I am pro-negotiation and anti-nuke. I am pro-freedom and anti-fear. 

I am a Canadian. I love Canada, even the whole world. I am very concerned about the Harper Government's domestic and foreign policies. To put it bluntly, I don't like them. But do I still respect Stephen Harper? Yes, he is our prime minister. He is not all bad. Is he a good politician? Yes, he is. Is he a great statesman? No. 

Today's Canada is not the Canada that I used to know. Sad to see that Stephen Harper has joined the U.S. led Fighting and Killing Club.It is my opinion that Canada must not go into Syria to strike ISIS. However bad you think Syria is, it is a sovereign country. Call it a dictatorship, evil empire, or whatever, it is a sovereign country. Without the support of the Syrian Government,  it just doesn't make any legal and diplomatic sense, to go into Syria to fight ISIS or do whatever. Does Syria post a direct threat to Canada? No. Even if it does, the Canadian Parliament must first approve a declaration of war against Syria, before Canada should go into Syria. Have we learned anything at all from 911 and the illegal U.S. invasion of Iraq? Had there not been an Iraq War, there would not even have been ISIS. Do international law and the U.N.Charter mean anything at all ?    

Canada used to stand for Peace and Peace Keeping. What is Canada now becoming ? Now that oil price has dropped drastically, Harper and his gang can no longer boast that Canada is a super oil power. Alberta is moaning. Sorry, no more easy oil money! I feel very sad that Harper is turning Canada into a militarized and war-oriented country. 

I despise politicians who use moral justification in their military actions, to order the fighting of evil with evil, and killing of other human beings, including the innocent, all in the name of god and religion. Adding religion to politics only makes it stink even more.To me, war is the worst kind of organized crime. There is no true honor in killing innocent people, whether they are your enemies or your own countrymen. Can you tell me any war which was not messy, in which there was absolutely no injury or death of the civilians? You can't. Want to talk about moral high ground ? How about Thou Shalt Not Kill ? How about Love your neighbor ? How about Love your enemy ? So many religious and political hypocrites !!! 

Regarding fighting ISIS, I do not favor the military involvement of Canada. I support any humanitarian work, such as helping the refugees and displaced people, which Canada is very good at. I would like to see Canada return to its old peaceful way. Improving homeland security should focus on home soil, not by fighting and killing in foreign lands far away. Again, have we learned from 911 and the U.S. illegal invasion of Iraq? Don't tell me that you don't understand the difference between Defense and Invasion. To defend your country, you must focus on your homeland and its border, not by invading another country or engaging in fighting and killing people far away from home. 

In the past, if you held a Canadian passport, you would be welcome everywhere in the world. After 911, some American travelers pretended to be Canadians, to avoid being targets of the terrorists. Today, the terrorists treat Canadians the same as Americans. Why? Please do some thinking yourself and you will find the answer.

I love Canada, but not Harper's Canada. As said earlier, I don't belong to any political party, but I am hoping that Stephen Harper will not be re-elected in the upcoming election. But there is a good chance that I will be disappointed. He may win again!     
 

Shooting in Ottawa

However you thought regarding the shooting on Parliament Hill, that it was a crime, an act of terrorism, a war with ISIS on home soil, a crazy act of religious extremism carried out by a radicalized Zehal-Bisbeau, or whatever, October 22, 2014 was definitely not an ordinary day.  

By now, we know that the fallen soldier was Nathan Cirillo. Condolences to his family and loved ones !  Thanks to Kevin Vickers, Sergeant-at-Arms of the Canadian Parliament, Zehal-Bisbeau was taken out. Kevin is hailed as a national hero of Canada.

It could have been much worse, as it happened not only outside, but also inside the Parliament of Canada. This tragic incident is a wake up call for Canada, that it is not immune to this kind of crazy shooting, which would and did happen in the U.S. and other countries. New security measures should be discussed and implemented by the Government of Canada, especially to protect the Parliament, which is the heart of Canadian democracy and the central work place of the Canadian Government leaders.

I was impressed by what I saw, when Prime Minister Stephen Harper walked over to shake hands with and embrace the opposition leaders Justin Trudeau and Tom Mulcair. That was so Canadian, so civilized, so ministerial. Thumbs up this time to Harper!        

A Canadian song of the Great Big Sea comes to mind. It is called Ordinary Day. Certainly, as said earlier, October 22, 2014 was definitely not an ordinary day. However, the song lyrics still provide some good advice, which said " At the end of the day, you've just got to say it's all right."  It's all right, Canada. Let's move on ! 

Harper Goes to Whitehouse

Slip of the tongue? A news reporter reports that Canada's Prime Minister Harper is in Whitehouse. He means Whitehorse, but it is true that Harper has been Americanizing Canada for years. Recently in the news, Harper may even allow American cops to come to Canada to help the RCMP maintain law and order.That is really crazy !!!

Canadian Senators' Scandal

What else is left for me to say,when this Canadian senators' scandal has already been widely reported in the media? Well,here is what I want to say: ........................................................................................................... Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin are not stupid people.Before they became senators, they were professional journalists.It is unacceptable to the taxpayers that they could simply play dumb, by saying that it was only a misunderstanding or accounting problem,or due to some unclear Government rules and guidelines,that they somehow made such allegedly false claims for their traveling expenses and housing allowances in Ottawa. .......................................................................................................... How could a senator claim that his or her primary residence is in certain province,if they didn't pay income tax to their supposedly home province? How could they claim certain province is their home province, if they were not covered by the provincial medical plan of that province?It is true that the senators may have to spend much time in Ottawa to do their work,and have a need to travel a lot between Ottawa and their home province,but to play dumb and tell lies about one's legal domicile, in order to make claims for housing allowance in Ottawa,is highly unethical. .......................................................................................................... Both Mike Duffy and Pamela Wallin have left the Conservative caucus.I have serious doubt that prime minister Stephen Harper did not know anything about the $90,000 that his chief of staff Nigel Wright gave to Mike Duffy.Not knowing the mechanism of payment is not the same as not knowing about the payment at all.In the news,it was reported as a personal cheque from Nigel to Mike, how generous! But then Mike at first said that he got some kind of loan himself from the Royal Bank and it had nothing to do with the prime minister's chief of staff.By now, Nigel has stepped down. Nigel is a rich man, but I doubt he would give away $90,000 to Mike as a personal gift with no strings attached whatsoever.This whole thing smells fishy, and likely won't pass the smell test. .......................................................................................................... Did the senators break the law? I have no idea, but if it was not something serious, then why was the Police called in to investigate? Just to create some good optics? I don't see the senators as criminals,but being very selfish and unethical.I know it is very difficult to fire a senator,but they themselves should feel ashamed and quit.If they want a second chance, then they must pay back all the money wrongfully claimed, and sincerely apologize to the Canadian people.Now what is a senator? A legalized cheater and free loader? I feel sorry for the innocent senators, because this current scandal has changed the perception of the senate.Where is its integrity now? ...........................................................................................................I saw an interesting cartoon in the newspapers.There was a thief who had stolen some money and got caught by a policeman.The thief said,"Can we pretend I am a senator? Please let me go.You can have the money back!" ........................................................................................................... Another interesting story: the Canadian UFO Survey shows that in 2012, there were record numbers of UFO sightings reported in all the provinces of Canada, except Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island,which are respectively the supposed home provinces of senators Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy.Ha Ha Ha,even the aliens didn't want to go there.People of Saskatchewan and P.E.I.,"Are you sure you still want Pamela and Mike represent your province?" Peace!

Stop Harper

By now, that picture of Brigette DePape holding a Stop Harper Sign has become an iconic image. Brigette is the 21-year-old Senate page who walked out in front of Governor General David Johnston holding that sign as he read the throne speech.

There are different opinions about Brigette's action. Some think it is highly inappropriate and disrespectful.Others think she is inspirational and courageous.

I agree with Brigette that Canadian values would not favor military spending and war activities in foreign countries, while not paying attention and taking action to protect the environment at home.

In some countries, a person who would dare to do what Brigette did would be arrested and put to jail, even killed. Oh Canada, how I love thee !!!

This is my opinion: Brigette is not a villain. She is a heroine !!!