[sthompson]

<strong>Written By:</strong> sthompson
<strong>Date:</strong> 2004-01-02 13:44:13
<a href="/article/134413770-canadaus-border-who-has-the-real-security-concern">Article Link</a>

How many Americans have died, or been injured, as a result of our management of Canadian borders, or more generally as a result of any of our public security policies (including public health, gun control and border control)? Perhaps some Americans who were infected by SARS? Who else? <p> By contrast, how many Canadians have been killed by the use of guns smuggled into Canada from the US, directly as a result of their lax control of firearms? How many Canadians have died as a result of constraints on our tobacco control policies that stem from the potential for smuggling of tobacco from the US into Canada? How exposed are Canadians to drug-resistant bacteria because the US refuses to have adequate public health care for its poor? How many Canadians have been unjustly imprisoned and tortured as a result of US border control policies? <p> The list could go on, but these few examples suffice to make the point. It is we who have the real security concerns as a result of our joint border, not they. <p> We need to be more rigorous in our policies to counter terrorism, for our own purposes. Indeed, the victims of the Air India bombing have justifiable complaints about our public security policies. On balance, the Americans do not. Quite the contrary. <p> If, as the current Deputy Prime Minister claimed when she assumed her new post, it is a primary duty of our government to ensure our security, it should act forcefully, beginning immediately, to change our weak strategic situation vis a vis the Americans, undoing the damage of the disastrous continentalist policies of the last 20 years, so that we can insulate ourselves better from the adverse effects of US policy adn actions, and join with other countries in a campaign to force the US to change the range of policies that make the globe less secure. <p> We need to be more professional and strategic in our management of our relationship with our neighbours to the south, not with the goal of making the their leaders happier with us, but with the goal of making their actions less important to our well-being. If we are to have a Cabinet committee to manage this relationship, its mandate should be to make its own existence unnecessary as soon as possible. <p> - David Laughton

[tundraboy]

EXACTLY! I strongly agree that our policy should be about having a good working relationship with the U.S., but also a mutual respect of differences. The American establishment, I\'m sure, believes that they are dictating \"American policies governing Canada\", and our messaging to them is \"right-on!\".
It\'s times like this that I miss seeing the style of politics that John Diefenbaker had... pounding the podium, and telling it how it is. The political correctness concerning our relationship has got to go.

---
Darren Olson
--
"We shall be Canadians first, foremost, and always, and our policies will be decided in Canada and not dictated by any other country." - Dief

[Lucas]

I couldn\'t agree more. It seems our government is doing everything but looking out for our country\'s best interests. The question was posed earlier by a Vive member as to who should lead this country. I have read and heard Mr. Jack Layton\'s name proposed many times. Any thoughts as to who should step up?

[Guest]

Who ever it is they should first and foremost not be a politician. The time for politicing has passed, we need strong leadership and the will of conviction if we are to turn around this nation and move forward on our OWN PATH as chosen by the majority of Canadians. No longer should it be the few deciding for the many.

Those making the decisions now do so first and foremost with themselves and their party in mind. Everything is about re-election and staying in power and nothing to do with nation building.

Roy

[Guest]

Good points, but you missed a biggie.
If we accept the argument that no western nation is immune from so called terrorism, then Canada should be rightly pissed off at THEIR lack of security that endangers us.
Where did the perps of 9-11 plan and enact their horrible deeds?
Whose foreign policy has contributed to this mess? Whose aggression feeds the rage?
Why was their no outrage in this country at the Americans for all of this?
rjk

[Guest]

But Dief did screw us on that Arrow issue. He gave in! Why, and why did he not reveal the truth?

-American lackey in the end.

[Guest]

Ywah, but if we want a coalition of independents, like in Switzerland, WE have to TAKE power away from THEM. THEY, are not giving it away.

[Dave Ruston]

I would like to see someone like MAUDE BARLOW as Canada`s Prime Minister! As for security concerns, I agree, it is Canada that has to worry about the US as opposed to the other way around!

---
Dave Ruston

[Guest]

Yes Maude Barlow is a woman of substance, I think she knows enough about the situation to really rally Canadians, but she was in the Liberal party, brought in by Trudeau and then screwed over! If I remember correctly she has said she wouldn\'t run again, perhaps she meant as a Liberal. It sure would be nice if she headed the new party of Canadians committed to Canada, she has certainly been working hard for Canadians for many years.

[Jim Callaghan]

I\'m sure I read somewhere that Switzerland allows immigration, but does not allow them to become citizens, with no right to vote. Can someone clear that up for me ?



---
"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

[Jim Callaghan]

Jack Layton\'s background is municipal, and was not well liked by some.

I\'m not sure how well he will do in his first test as a federal politician, time will tell.

Getting Ed Broadbent out of retirement will help him out greatly.

One can only hope !



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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca

[sthompson]

Hmmm...Maude does good work but she\'s also consolidated power into her own hands with the CoC--I hear there\'s a reason she\'s the \"volunteer\" chairperson (so they can\'t elect anyone else, since apparently the structure used to require elections to head the thing every so often). Not very democratic

But it would be nice to see someone like her in power, still. I\'ll take Jack Layton for now for lack of better alternatives.

[Guest]

I posted the other Switzerland comment, but I\'m not sure about your question.....I have heard the Swiss all have mandatory military training.....could somebody clear that up for me?

[Guest]

What did Trudeau do to her? (Don\'t know)

[Guest]

What about Paul Hellyer?!