Cutting on the bias

By now you all know that the judge upheld the government's decision to bar George Galloway. Judges uphold just and unjust laws - they don't bite the hand that sets them up above the people.

You'd think that would be the end of it, but the media are not finished upholding the issue of free speech while simultaneously supporting the government's bilious view of anti-war, anti-occupation activism.

The Calgary Herald says: Galloway and supporters are hypocrites

Justice Luc Martineau was right to say that "non-citizens do not have an unqualified right to enter . . . Canada,"-- but Galloway is no "threat" beyond the queasiness one might feel after listening to him...

James Clark with the Toronto Stop the War Coalition helped organize Galloway's visit and is part of a website called Defend Free Speech, which seems to apply only in this case. Clark never once uttered "defend free speech" during the Danish Muhammad cartoon controversy and the prosecution of Ezra Levant for republishing those cartoons--Clark's group was among those participating in protests against freedom of expression in this case.

This man is going to lecture us on the importance of freedom of speech?

Or take the Canadian Islamic Congress (CIC) --perhaps best known for its human rights complaint against Mark Steyn and Maclean's magazine.

If activists are truly not supporting across the board free speech, then this should be pointed out, but the media also need to fess up to their own internal censorship of anything that threatens the power structure du jour.

My own support of free speech goes so far as to allow even "hate speech", though I do find the branding of whole segments of a population as evil or threatening extremely repugnant. I have no hesitation in going after their self-professed leaders, however, be they officially deemed sacrosanct or not.

It is the "hate speech" component of our laws, along with the resulting demonization of certain resistance organizations, that is causing all the trouble. It gives rise to an attitude that says "if you don't allow this, how come you allow that?" On both sides. And rightly so.

It creates ambiguities as to what does and does not constitute "hate speech" or a "threat to security". Even the word "security" is ambiguous in meaning.

Rather than worry about what somebody might do, why not wait to see if they actually do it, as with all other crimes? That's the only way there is any hope of proving the intention. One thing is certain, by the time the courts get around to prosecuting hate speech, the deed could have been done long ago!

The hate speech law operates like universal vaccination - rather than find cures for the disease when it occurs in a relative few, innoculate everybody, make a pile of money, and to heck what it does to the immune system.

Our justice system has been rendered null and void by anti-terror, anti-hate legislation, while providing a good living for lawyers. When the government, having succumbed to lobbyists and foreign pressure, calls the shots in our courts - and it's looking more and more like they do - we're in serious trouble.

If we criminalize cartoons that insult Jews and prosecute people like Zundel who question the holocaust, yet close our eyes to all sorts of insults to Christians and Muslims, we are showing a bias that is contrary to our Charter.

Especially since this is 60 years after Hitler's "final solution", with a second occurrence of it nowhere in sight, and at a time when many Jews are happier to live in North America or Russia than in Israel, not because they fear Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran, but because the taxes are too high, and well, frankly, the place is way too ideological for the average secular Jew.

Another bizarre inconsistency is that Hezbollah and Hamas were branded terrorist groups long before the Tamil Tigers were.

Not to mention that in order to ban a Galloway yet give carte blanche to a Bush or an Israeli war criminal - and have absolutely no opinion on state terror - international law must be ignored if not completely abandoned.

There is no consistency whatsoever; it's all at the whim of a government that does not act on principle, but rather on expediency. It's all political, and it's all about money at the bottom line - who pays the most into the election campaign coffers, and whose trade deals are currently the most lucrative.

It is not incorrect to call our politicians whores - most of them do indeed prostitute themselves to the highest bidder.

Related:
Canadian Muslims Call for 'Consistent' Government Stand on Free Speech

=====

John in Manitoba likes this quote from Gilad Atzmon's Lexicon of Resistance:

In the old days, antisemites were those who didn’t like Jews, nowadays, antisemites are those the Jews don’t like

It sure hits the nail on the head with regard to "hate speech".

=====

Lia Tarachansky writes: My latest story - Israeli War Crimes
(Lia, by the way, is an Israeli who doesn't want to live in Israel anymore, but not because of the taxes, rather because of the occupation and Israeli atrocities.)

Video: Israel only listens to its own
Nissenbaum: Israel's skepticism of UN means it will probably only examine reports from its own soldiers

Description: Dion Nissenbaum, Jerusalem bureau chief of McClatchy Newspapers speaks to The Real News about the accusation that Israel committed war crimes in its recent attack on Gaza. He says, "I'm not sure what impact this UN report is going to have." He continues to explain, "I think the only thing that the Israeli government will look at is reports from Israeli soldiers. Israel has always been skeptical of the United Nations, the international press, and they are certainly skeptical of what comes out of the Palestinians.
Bio: Dion Nissenbaum covers the Middle East as Jerusalem bureau chief on his blog. Dion has covered the conflict in Iraq, working as both an embedded reporter with the U.S. Marines and as a unilateral reporter based in Baghdad. In 2004, Dion helped cover the landmark Palestinian elections after the death of Yasser Arafat.

(Correction: at roughly 6:29, the wrong lower third comes on the screen, please ignore.)

=====

From Ron in Montreal:

UN vote proves Canada a racist state *

Any and all doubts about the true nature of the Canadian state were laid to rest by Canada's recent UN vote in favour of Israeli settlement activity. It is worth noting that even the past colonial powers of France, Netherlands and the United Kingdom voted to halt Israel's racist colonial settlement enterprise. But not Canada. Canada proved to the entire world that it fully supports Israel's ongoing Apartheid colonial settlement activities.

So let us all stop being naive about the true nature of Canada. It is high time Canadians faced the facts about what the Canadian nation is all about. Canadians must recognize what is amply clear to the rest of the 6 billion people on this planet. That Canada is truly a racist state which fully supports racist Apartheid and colonial settlement activities.

The lack of action by Canadians to alter these shameful actions by our government should be proof enough to all Canadians that Canada is a racist state from top to bottom. From its haughty elected officials to its government bureaucracy to its so-called media to its corporate elite to its university administrations to its community groups to its general population.

To the great shame of us all, Canada is Racist A Mari usque ad Mare.

Canada is a racist state. And most Canadians don't care.

Indeed you get the lousy state you deserve.

Take the maple leaf off your knapsack. It don't mean nuthin' good. Just shame.

* UNITED NATIONS

Press Release

Human Rights Council
AFTERNOON 26 March 2009


Council Adopts 10 Resolutions on Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other Occupied Arab Territories and on Combatting Defamation of Religions, Among Others

excerpt:

In a resolution (A/HRC/10/L.5) on Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory,
including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied Syrian Golan , adopted by a vote of 46 in favour, one against, and no abstentions, as orally revised, the Council deplores the recent Israeli announcements of the construction of new housing units for Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as they undermine the peace process and the creation of a contiguous, sovereign and independent Palestinian State; expresses grave concern at, inter alia, the continuing Israeli settlement and related activities; the increasing number of newly built structures amounting in 2008 to 1,257; the implications for the final status negotiations of Israel's announcement that it will retain the major settlement blocks in the Occupied Palestinian Territory; the expansion of Israeli settlements and the construction of new ones on the Occupied Palestinian Territory rendered inaccessible behind the wall, which create a fait accompli on the ground that could be tantamount to de facto annexation; the continued closures of and within the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including the repeated closures of the crossing points of the Occupied Gaza Strip; the continued construction, contrary to international law, of the wall inside the Occupied Palestinian Territory; and the latest Israeli plan to demolish more than 88 houses in Al-Bustan neighbourhood at Silwan which will be resulting in displacing more than 1,500 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem. The Council urges Israel, the occupying Power, to reverse the settlement policy in the occupied territories as a first step towards their dismantlement, to stop immediately the expansion of the existing settlements, including "natural growth" and related activities; urges the full implementation of the Access and Movement Agreement of 15 November 2005, particularly the urgent reopening of the Rafah and Karni crossings; calls upon Israel to take and implement serious measures, including confiscation of arms and enforcement of criminal sanctions, with the aim of preventing acts of violence by Israeli settlers; and urges the parties to give renewed impetus to the peace process in line with the Annapolis Peace Conference and the Paris International Donors' Conference for the Palestinian State and to implement fully the road map endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 1515 (2003).


The result of the vote were as follows:

In favour (46): Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uruguay and Zambia.

Against (1): Canada.

Abstentions (0):

=========================

Image borrowed from Dreamtimes

Category - What thuh?????

(1) Galloway caravan cancelled !!!
(2) And then there's B'nai Elim
(3) U. of Ottawa pres. Allan Rock's mental malfunction

(1) Metro news item:

A caravan of [George Galloway] supporters was scheduled to meet him at the Canada-U.S. border at Lacolle, Que. today in anticipation of the court decision. But because the ruling isn't expected until about 2 p.m. ET, caravan organizers have decided to cancel the border event.

Good thing I read the news, but ... whatever happened to this?:

Organizers in Montreal are organizing a caravan of MPs, lawyers, anti-war activists and supporters to meet Galloway at the Canada-US border on the day he is scheduled to enter Canada. If we reverse the ban, we'll bring him across. If we don't reverse the ban, we'll hold a solidarity rally on the Canadian side while a delegation of MPs and lawyers meet Galloway in the US. Galloway will address the Canadian rally by phone (with sound amplification).

Was it just me, or was the caravan not contingent on the judge's decision? Or could they just not get enough people off their duffs?

Wasn't it wise of me to change my mind about going to Montreal and using my tax refund to stay overnight in a hotel near Atwater so I could get myself down to the Pepsi forum in time to get on the bus to the border.

Thank the Universe for the gift of intuition! The same people who emailed me to invite me, did not email me to say the event was called off!

Had I gone, I'd have had an all-too familiar experience - arriving at an advertised demonstration that fizzled without warning.

There was never any intention of organizing a bus for Ottawa people to go as a group, that's for the sure. They chose instead to visit an empty US embassy on Saturday (to "say thank you" to Obama for not interfering - still got that love affair going with the president who wants us to send more soldiers to Afghanistan?) and yell at empty government office buildings. They call it "keeping the pressure up".

If, by some miracle, the judge doesn't see things the government's way, they want to hope Obama doesn't step in the minute Galloway's feet hit US soil. One thing's for sure, Obama doesn't know about the "thank you". It never made the news.

But this made the Mississauga news:
Protesters picket MP's empty office

Meanwhile, the JDL is "proud" to take credit for the Galloway ban. And if the plan to have a simulated Galloway tour has to be carried out, we'll have a good idea of who wags the tail of our judicial system.

For the record: I never planned to attend the Galloway talks. His opinions are well-known. As I've said before, I'm no longer interested in anything that takes place indoors where only the already converted fill the seats, and I'm sure not interested in yelling at empty buildings.

It's a pretty safe bet that the "peace" movement has been effectively infiltrated.

But Toronto did pack the courtroom.

=====

(2) And then there's "B'nai Elim"

"BeeSting" writes:

Since the JDL is in cahoots with Jason Kenney who, according to [JDL Director Meir] Weinstein, listened to their call to bar Galloway from entering Canada, perhaps it is time to look at some of the JDL former accolytes - B'Nai Elim seems interesting because its director - Michael Devolin, a friend of Weinstein's and contributor to the Canadian Coalition of the so-called "democracies"; Daniel Pipes is a traitor he writes in the CCD blog - has sent a letter to the Canadian Nuclear Safety commission asking the McMaster U. nuclear permit not be renewed because there were Muslims... Now the website has nothing anymore - but hey... there is always caches :-)

(text pasted below * in case the cache disappears too) -

Check out the blog as well which they claim is not their responsibility but that of the webmaster.

I am sure they are other similar nasty little groups... expose them whenever one pops up.

Interestingly, Michael Devolin identifies himself as "being a devoted red-neck from a small town in rural Canada," "an Irish-Canadian who was born and raised in this country,", "a low-income Canadian." Then, he scalds Abraham Weisfeld in these terms:

"As a Jew you should know, therefore, that it is your responsibility to "live in Israel." Perhaps you've forgotten this. Don't calumniate the Jews who haven't.

* cached text ...

Objections to McMaster University’s application for a seven-year renewal of its operating license for its nuclear program

From Michael Devolin, (B'nai Elim Canadian Director)

To: Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

I’m writing this letter as an ordinary Canadian citizen, to officially voice my objections to McMaster University’s application for a seven-year renewal of its operating license for its nuclear program.

I strongly object to McMaster University being granted license for a seven year extension of its nuclear research program precisely because of the fact that many of its staff are not only Muslims, but also, and more importantly, because these same Muslims originate from countries where the generally desired efficacy of Islam as a religion is hatred and acts of violence, not only against Muslims of opposing sects and doctrines, but also against all non-Muslims, and especially Jews. These Muslims I’m referring to—Muslims involved in McMaster University's nuclear research program—were surely inculcated by what is known most commonly by now as Islam’s culture of violence and hatred during their years living in those countries where this same malefic violence and hatred [of the West] is regarded as unremarkable.

I am most anxious about the fact that these particular Muslims now have access to Canada’s “nuclear capabilities.” Has the staffs (those who are of the Muslim faith) of McMaster University with access to the Nuclear facilities been fully investigated as to what sect of Islam is their personal choice? Please consider that those of the Wahhabists sects of Islam (and there are many) are not at all forthcoming about this fact. Fanaticism within Islam is widespread, and this same fanaticism does not remain in the Muslim Middle East immediately those who follow its tenets immigrate to our Canada.

CISIS has been warning for quite some time that Islam’s fanaticism is now a reality for Canada. Luc Portelance of CSIS has stated, “Terrorism is dangerous ideology, and a global phenomenon…Canada is not immune from this ideology.” What is missing in his statement is the fact that, without exception, the terrorism Mr. Portelance refers to is an Islamic phenomenon. We are told that “Islamist” is now the preferred, politically correct term for the adherents of Islam who choose to murder innocents as means of palliating their religiously-inspired and discomposing contempt for the less observant and less–enlightened of mankind, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. But the truth of the matter—a most portentous truth, in my opinion—is that these so-called “Islamists” are inconspicuously invariably of those whom we refer to in the politically-correct, phrasal idiom as “moderate” Muslims, and only later (and this is the security imbroglio we are now facing as a nation) do they become the terrorists and insidious elements we read about daily in the newspapers.

Raheel Raza (Their Jihad, Not My Jihad) has written of Islam’s many extreme and varied ideologies that, “It had been happening here in Canada to the extent that hate was being spouted through places of worship and by people who make it their day job to incite young people in this hatred. Towards what they perceive to be the imperial powers, the western occupation of parts of the world.” My questions to these Muslims involved in McMaster University’s nuclear research program would be in regards to how they deem this democracy they live in, the values it espouses, and how compatible is their preferred sect of Islam to this same democracy. Are these same Muslims perhaps of those who “make it their day job to incite young people in this hatred”? What other Islamic organizations are they involved with? What are their preferred politics? Do they condone and/or advocate Islam’s barbaric Sharia Law, as opposed to our Western style justice system? Sharia Law is not a justice system I would ever welcome into this country. Neither would I welcome those of Islam who condone its implementation into our present justice system. Much of the Middle East and Africa is suffering from the insalubrious effects of this atrocious “rule of law.”

As part of my objection to McMaster University being granted another seven years to continue its nuclear research program, I ask that his commission give much thought to the words of the journalist Steven Stalinsky, who wrote, “As the war on terror continues, the voices from the Arab and Muslim world celebrating death over life have been heard more often than those criticizing this philosophy.” I would ask you to consider how active have these Muslim scientists been or with what manners of voice have they protested against the bloodshed and carnage perpetrated upon innocent Muslim, Jews, and Christians around the world? If not actively and loudly contumacious toward those of Islam’s more disagreeable and dark side, then in what measure does their religion figure in their involvement in McMaster University’s nuclear research program? Is there even the slightest possibility of the knowledge they garner from McMaster Univerity’s nuclear research program one day becoming complicit in catastrophic acts of terrorism not only against Canada and innocent Canadians, but also against our Western allies and their civilian populations?

The above are prudent questions indeed. I believe these are not the questions, however uncomfortable and politically incorrect, the governing body of McMaster University are asking those Muslims involved in their nuclear research program. I also believe that now is far too late to begin asking these questions: the advantage and safety of prudence has already been forfeited by the incautiousness of those of McMaster University who cannot see beyond their zeal for discovery the grave and threatening possibility of a cataclysmic terrorist attack as a direct consequence of their foolish obduracy.

I beg this commission to consider that there is nothing for you to lose in refusing McMaster University another seven years to wilfully endanger the entire continent of North America, and maybe beyond. And there is only prestige for you to gain in preventing acts of terrorism upon Canadian soil against Canadian citizens who deserve to feel safe within the borders of this great and noble country we call home.

“Why do expressions of tolerance, moderation, rationalism, compromise, and negotiation horrify us [Muslims], but when we hear fervent cries for vengeance, we all dance the war dance… Why do other people love life, while we love death and violence, slaughter and suicide, and even call it heroism and martyrdom?” –Al-Afif Al-Akhdar, Tunisian intellectual.

With sincerity and respect and an intense love for my country

Friends, we are on the verge of a significant victory over the Jihadniks at McMaster University in Hamilton Ontario Canada.

(Michael Travis, B'nai Elim) For the first time in it's forty-eight year history, the nuclear reactor at McMaster has the furtherance of it's license subject to a legal challenge.

Papers filed this week by at least half a dozen citizens of Ontario precede a Provincial hearing in May. Our objective is to force a comprehensive formal investigation into charges made by Dr. Paul Williams (B'nai Elim) and other researchers in the past several years. Most importantly, we intend to bring to the Canadian government's attention the university's systematic attempts to use public funds to provide cover for Al Qaeda operatives ( i.e. Adnan El Shukrijouma) operating in Canada and the United States.

The next few weeks will be critical to our mission. We must get all the press we can, and make our voices heard by the Canadian and American citizenry. The public hearings in the Canadian capital of Ottawa will afford us the opportunity to make a huge dent in the credibility of "Jihad U" and their terror enabling staff and supporters.

Kol tuv,

Michael

=========================

(3) Allan Rock's mental malfunction

Is he a man, or a short-circuited robot?

Dear supporters of Professor Denis Rancourt,

Your letters have been a tremendous help in the public opinion battle for academic freedom and pedagogical innovation. Your support, as students and community members and colleagues who have direct experience with Denis, has been vital and is the strongest element in this struggle.

Please note the latest (March 29th) development in the case of Professor Rancourt, reported at: http://academicfreedom.ca/

The union lawyer has called the university's planned March 31st firing “both a denial of substantive and procedural rights under the collective agreement and a contravention of the basic principles of natural justice.”

Yet president Allan Rock had assured you (in writing) that the university would follow due process...?

Please consider writing Allan Rock again (allan.rock@uottawa.ca) to protest this situation... and do put us in cc: claude.cde@gmail.com

Committee for the Defense of Education - CDE

There's a possibility it could be Tourette syndrome. Either he says nothing at all or else he blurts bizarre utterances. See how he responds to a student who had the temerity to enter his office to ask why Rock hadn't replied to his many emails.

False advertising galore

Only an hour for Mother Earth?

Ottawa's City Hall and the University of Ottawa have banners and posters with a big "60" on them. There are words on them, but the 60 is all you can see from a distance. I asked someone what that 60 meant to them and they replied, "Doesn't say anything to me."

Half the population will think Ottawa is 60 years old, or something, and unless there's free beer they won't give a hoot about that.

Listen to Yaya; don't be a sheep. Forget about Earth Hour. Be autonomous. Always turn your lights off the second you no longer need them. I've been doing that for yars now, and I'm not going to change just because my criminally charged mayor likes bandwagons.

And don't burn candles just because they tell you to, either. Most of them are made of petroleum! And the beeswax ones are too expensive to waste on a meaningless gesture.

Of course, if you're not alone and you want the lights off, that's different.

=====

From John in Manitoba: The Canada/Israel SPP

British MP George Galloway barred from Canada under the Canada Israel "Public Security" Agreement

British MP George Galloway was refused entry to Canada on the pretext that he supported Hamas, which is categorized by the Canadian government as a "terrorist organization."

Contrary to what has been reported in the media, this was not a unilateral decision by the government of Canada.

In all likelihood, the decision was taken in close consultation with Israel under the terms of a farreaching agreement on "public security" signed in Tel Aviv on March 23 2008. The "Declaration of Intent" establishes a framework of bilateral cooperation between Canada and Israel in the area of "Public Security". The agreement has not been the object of debate in the Canadian parliament, nor has it received media coverage. Read More ...

Just as with the US/Mexico/Canada SPP, it's all about "prosperity" for the few who will benefit from the open markets, and "security" in case we get blowback from our profitable wars.

For B'nai Brith, the JDL, and the Harper government, any criticism of Israel and especially the Afghanistan war technically, technically comes under the blowback heading, which makes Galloway technically, technically a threat.

To hell with the Charter, eh?

=====

Mikey doesn't like it

Silly Michael Coren (musn't call him a "whore" - how about "floozy"?) on his TV show last evening said that the protesters are hypocritical because on the one hand they are upset about Galloway being barred, but on the other hand they tried to get Bush banned. He hasn't grasped the finer point that Bush really is a war criminal who lied and shock-and-awed his way into Afghanistan and Iraq, while Galloway merely speaks the truth about all such atrocity and enters other countries through the customary legal channels.

Coren gives a whole new meaning for fascism in this video. You're fascist if you're anti-proIsrael. On his show he pretends to be open-minded, but he manages, nevertheless to get across his own "Christian" point of view in the way that he questions debaters.

And for all those snooty would-be journalists who say Galloway is a self-promoter - duh! And you aren't?

You might have more success, however, if you got off your high horses long enough to learn a thing or two from him about literacy and what's really going on in the world instead of regurgitating your own tripe (video)

=====

Who says Zionists don't like boycotts?

In a press release dated yesterday - that I received by email and which doesn't seem to have made it to the media yet, and is not yet posted online with the other press releases - B'nai Brith says that the Ontario government should predicate its funding of universities on a willingness by the administrations to clamp down on protests against Israeli treatment of Palestinians, which they call "hate".

Not sure if this is really even necessary, since the universities are already doing that for fear they'll lose Jewish donations and research contracts.

In fairness, there was a time when there were no Jewish professors in our WASP halls of academia, and that was equally deplorable, but it wasn't long before Jewish businessmen figured out that they could buy their way in, and actually get halls named after them.

It's too bad B'nai Brith doesn't know where to draw the line, because if they're not careful they will create the very conditions they chronically fear. Or maybe they want to.

Maybe their job is to frighten Canadian Jews so much, by suggesting intimidation where there is only shock and anxiety over the actions of Israel, that they will pack up and move to Israel. If Israel is so wonderful, such a holy place, why must Jews be frightened into going there to live?

Judging from the hordes leaving Israel, one might safely guess the real motive behind B'nai Brith's fear tactics:

Tens of thousands of Jews have fled Israel over the past few years, mostly to Europe where they are protected from criticism and given superior legal status by “race relations laws.” Many Jews still choose the Goldeneh Medina, the “golden dripping honeycomb” in Yiddish, which is what they call America. I wonder what these wealthy Jews might know that the rest of us don’t about what’s coming with Bush and Iran.

This is Canada. We need and expect to be able to speak freely. Jews, of all people, should understand that need. Israel is a country, and like all countries, it should be open to criticism. If it insists on creating an apartheid situation for Palestinians, then those in the know have an obligation to point that out.

It may be possible to buy our institutions, but no amount of money can blanket the truth.

Related: The Israel Advocacy Push to Reclaim York University

=====

Big, bad Iran

An opinion piece at YNet says: Tehran aims to create Gaza missile base that can cover whole of central Israel

The writer hastens to assure you that it is "not paranoia" to suggest Iran is forcing a military confrontation between itself and Israel. At the very least, he says, they want to make life in Israel intolerable. (More intolerable? See above segment)

The writer should consider there may be another reason for Iran's posturing. Unlike Israel, it doesn't have nuclear missiles and isn't likely to get them.

This sounds like 1967 all over again. The way the story is advertised, Egypt was amassing tanks and planes at the border and poor Israel was forced to strike pre-emptively. But Egypt was making a feeble - as it became obvious later - attempt to protect itself against a rumoured attack from Israel.

Some blame the rumour on Russia, but Israel's history of water grabs from Egypt and its escalating skirmishes with Syria were probably quite enough to make Egypt nervous.

And don't forget that since the end of WWII, there has been a movement toward world government that necessitates a "restructuring" of the Middle East, primarily because of its natural resources - water, oil, gas. Egypt knew that; Iran knows that.

From the Project on Defense Alternatives:

Enduring demographic realities and the facts of underdevelopment preclude other nations in the region successfully copying the Israeli style of warfare, at least in the near term. (The Israeli style is not, at any rate, of the stabilizing sort.) These realities do not, however, bar other nations from developing effective defenses -- provided they are willing to eschew offense-oriented models.

=====

Warning to the RCMP: The truth always outs itself

Toronto Star:

Faith in the Mounties appears to be nose-diving. A recent Harris-Decima poll for The Canadian Press shows 60 per cent of respondents feel the officers used excessive force on Dziekanski. Polish Canadians recently started an online petition against the officers through Facebook, and readers routinely fire off critical emails to the Star.

It's always all about money. The RCMP were glamorized as a tourist attraction. Anybody who thought they weren't just tools of the state, for good or bad, deserves the disappointment they are now feeling.

And the RCMP deserves the condemnation it's getting, and should have got it a long time ago - especially for its treatment of natives: Help kill Indians; join the RCMP

=====

Is it "Change", yet? Still nope.

TIME: Obama Afghanistan Plan Breaks Old Ground

If you look at the number of troops in Afghanistan and the paltry 4000 Obama is sending, and then consider the millions of Afghans who want the foreign invaders gone, common sense tells you that it's not about trying to win a war to liberate a country, it's about maintaining unending war, the obedience it produces in the global population who depend on their media to inform them and their governments to protect them, and the money it makes for the so-called "defence" industries.

VIDEO: Obama passing new law to allow searching of PC's, Laptops, and media devices

Hey, Obama worshippers - why not take your laptops to the gates of the White House and refuse to leave until Obama comes out and searches them himself? Wouldn't that be heavenly? Just the hope that he might touch your laptop would be so delicious.

=====

What does democracy look like?

From Margaret in Barcelona:

In the Catalan online newspaper -Vilaweb - there is an article about the recent demonstration by University students and professors in Barcelona. They already demonstrated earlier in the week but the police beat them with billy clubs.

This time, they went on a protest march, avoiding the street where the police were set-up for crowd control. It was very clever. They kept changing the route so that the police weren't able to organize properly.

Later on, an official complained that changing the route of a protest march is "unacceptable". He went on to say that all protest routes have to be communicated to the authorities and that people do not have the right to protest wherever they feel like. He claimed he was concerned about possible incidents and the safety of the city. (I guess you can only protest where the police have a good aim at you!)

This video is hilarious:
"Protesters trick the police by changing the route"

At the beginning you see the police getting ready - but no one comes. So at 0:53 the police use a megaphone to demand that the protesters march down the street where they've set up.

At 2:19 - All dressed-up and no one to dance with... The cops decide to pack-up and go find the protesters.

The students and professors were protesting against the Bolognia Agreement that intends to standardize university education throughout the European Union.
The protesters' banner reads: "Bolognia applied through hits with a billy club"

The march, unlike the demonstration earlier in the week, was peaceful and without incident.

Google translation of a blog copy of the Vilaweb news item

===============

And that's what democracy looks like! Man, I love a spontaneous protest. If you can evade the police, nothing bad happens, you have a good time, and you get your point across. As soon as the police get involved, trouble starts.

It reminds me of the one real protest event I've been at so far this year, although the demo planned for George Galloway at the US/Canada entry location looks like it's shaping up to be a humdinger:

Update & Plans for George Galloway tour

The actions to bring George Galloway into Canada to speak are multiplying. There have been email and online petitions, letters to the editor, opinion pieces and official editorials in newspapers, press conferences, lobbying, demands from Members of Parliament and from Quebec Ministers of the National Assembly, and a lawsuit - all to overturn the decision to ban him. Over 5,000 people and 45 organizations have officially endorsed Galloway to speak here.

The Conservative government seems determined to use Galloway as an example on how far it will go to silence opposition to it's failed war in Afghanistan and it's unconditional support for the Israeli government.

CARAVAN TO THE BORDER:

Monday, March 30th, the Galloway tour organizers from SPHR are calling for a mass presence at the Canadian/US border in Lacolle, Quebec to support the Canadian and Quebec MP's and MNA's who plan to escort Galloway into Canada.

A border caravan will leave from Montreal Monday morning. Please show up by 9:30am at Carre Cabot, on Ste. Catherine & Atwater, corner of rue Lambert Closse (Metro Atwater, across from the Pepsi Forum). There will be buses. If you have a car, we need you to help caravan people there to arrive by 12 noon.

Please write back if you have a car and how many people you can take, OR if you plan to come and need a ride to: Galloway.Canada@gmail.com

GALLOWAY PRESENTATION INFO:

For more information on the Canadian tour dates and locations:

(Ottawa) http://ottawapeace.blogspot.com/;

(Toronto) http://www.nowar.ca/

(Montréal) http://www.sphr.org

Supremacist Immigration Minister

In the Vancouver Sun, the UN is quoted as saying:

Much of the increase comes from a major rise in the numbers of Mexicans, Haitians and Colombians claiming they'll face persecution if Canada sends them back to their respective countries ...

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is quoted as saying: "This is clearly an abuse of Canada's generosity".

Is it? Do they sit around in restaurants conspiring to take advantage of Canada's purported good nature, or do they desperately want to somehow be able to feed their children so that they can grow up to be half as pink and fat as Kenney? (Look at the photo of him; don't you just want to stick an apple in his mouth?)

He's talking utter bolshoi! Everybody knew that if the neo-nazi element in the "Christian" Reform Party ever got a foothold they would try to stopper the flow of non-aryians (whatever that is) into our pristinely "white" land - except as slaves, of course. The fact that they are in power shows just how "generous" Canada really is and has been at its core.

Face it, if Paul Fromm was comfortable in the Reform Party, you know there are others among them awaiting their moment to be unmuzzled. Unfortunately for Fromm, he spoke out too soon.

The proof of the level of desperation of people fleeing those three countries is that applications to enter the US dropped by only 3% when the holding jails were introduced.

Hands up how many of you would prefer the scant hope that exists while waiting in a US jail to life in Mexico, Haiti or Colombia right now - as someone trying to earn a paycheque, not as an ignorant, middle class tourist?

What has happened in those countries is the IMF, disaster capitalism, selling off government assets, cutting back on social programs - which always necessitates repression of any potential for uprising.

Of course these applicants are fleeing persecution!But Canada fully endorses the government measures being taken in those countries. It's being done here as well, as we will all eventually come to realize.

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Other Stuff:

Economic shock therapy

If you're in Ottawa - there's a documentary/discussion event this evening at Tabaret Hall, Room 083 (Senate), Ottawa U. - Campus Map - starting at 7 PM. It's about how Bolivians are managing to survive disaster capitalism's shock therapy.

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Is it "change" yet? Still nope.

Video: Obama NEVER leaving Iraq

Multiple takes

Doublespeak: Galloway update

It seems that the rabidly Zionist media outlets Canwest and the Globe and Mail (thanks to Daniele in Montreal for the latter link) have put their heads together to come up with a way to appear to be supporting Galloway's right to free speech, while carefully not negating the government's premise that he supports Hamas, thereby making himself a "security" risk to Canada.

The Toronto Star reports that Galloway's case is being taken to court by Secret Trial lawyer Barbara Jackman, and quotes the letter sent by the government to Galloway outlining its reason for banning him:

"Specifically, we have information that indicates you organized a convoy worth over £1 million in aid and vehicles to Hamas, and personally donated vehicles and financing to (former) Hamas prime minister Ismail Haniyeh. Your material support for this organization makes you inadmissible to Canada," the letter said.

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More proof that Israel's true current focus is economics?

Netanyahu says that as Prime Minister of Israel he's willing to be a peace partner. Unfortunately, nothing short of a lobotomy will make him that. His current idea of peace resides in saying he will do something about the Palestinian economy - which his government completely destroyed - and expecting the Palestinians to be so grateful they will give up all thought of statehood, all rights to east Jerusalem, all right of return, and far less of the West Bank than ever before.

But as usual, the Pals are too stupid to accept Israel's magnanimity:

"As far as we're concerned an Israeli government that refuses the two-state solution and continues the settlement, will not be a partner to us," senior negotiator Saeb Erekat told the BBC.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch house, another false flag event, straight out of east Jerusalem (the area Israel wants an excuse to kick Palestinians out of). How do we know it was an engineered event?

First of all, they're going on about how huge it was, and what a mystery it is that a vehicle could have been moved from east Jerusalem to a crowded Haifa mall when the Pals have no freedom of movement whatsoever.

Another sign is that it was stopped before it could do any harm. Bomb experts were tipped off by a "small explosion". What kind of terrorist would be so considerate?

Next: "...it was a terrorist infrastructure operating with great sophistication". Only in regard to a terrorist event would Israel say the Pals have any sophistication.

Next: It's always a previously unknown group that takes credit - in this case "Liberators of Galilee" - and then doubt is cast on the claim. This works to deflect attention onto the Palestinians and away from Mossad/Shin Bet/military intel at the same time that it saves Israeli intel any embarrassment should it be proven there is no such terrorist group.

But who's trying to "liberate" Galilee? Well, we all know that "liberation" has a much different meaning nowadays - it's become the equivalent of "takeover". Iraq and Aghanistan, for instance, have both been "liberated". It's pretty clear who wants to completely take over the so-called "Holy Land".

The name was chosen because it has a delicious double meaning.

Related: Israel and Naomi Klein's "Shock Doctrine"

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Another mystery. Who put the bomp ... In the bomp bah bomp bah bomp *

It took the Hamilton Spectator, long after the listeria incident at Maple Leaf, to finally provide a coherent chronology of events just prior to the incident:

Listeria testers hobbled by bureaucracy

"CFIA Inspectors are requested not to proceed with collection of environmental sampling under the sampling plan ... for this fiscal year ending March 31, 2009,"...

In a move toward self-regulation of Canada's meat inspection system three years ago, the CFIA handed companies the responsibility for conducting their own tests...

Under the policy, which marks a return to more vigorous inspection oversight, meat production plants making ready-to-eat meat must test their own food contact surfaces – such as countertops and machinery – and share their test results with inspectors.

The Star/CBC investigation found that shortly before the Maple Leaf listeria outbreak last summer, the CFIA had dropped a requirement compelling companies to inform inspectors when they had positive test results. That has now been corrected.

As well, CFIA inspectors must do their own testing in each plant at least six times a year.

The government no sooner stepped out of the picture than a listeria breach occurred, that a microbiologist, who hasn't been heard from since, said had to have been literally massive to have caused such an outbreak.

Listeria is deadly only in high doses, Dr. [Keith] Warriner noted. "A big outbreak like this, definitely something went wrong," Dr. Warriner said. "The fact is listeria needs a very high dose ... How did such meat products get contaminated with such a high level of listeria in order to cause so much illness? It needs over a billion cells to actually cause illness."

Coincidence? Sabotage is more likely.

And now the government is once again preventing proper inspection until the fiscal year ends on March 31st.

Why do they say it's because people aren't trained yet? Why don't they just come out and say there was not enough money allocated to it all along? Oh, I suppose with an economist for a Prime Minister that would be a bit embarrassing. "It's not our fault", no sir.

There is so much more to this story than we are being told. If Maple Leaf (a wholly owned Canadian company) was set up to go down, and it backfired on the CFIA, this is exactly how it would turn out.

* Sha Na Na lyrics

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Bullies are always cowards

The RCMP officers who killed Robert Dziekanski in full view of the world are willing to be seen as wimps rather than take any responsibility for what they did. And apparently, they are all telling the same - adjusted - tale:

Stapler a threat, Taser inquiry told

Outside the inquiry room, Kosteckyj told reporters: "Their stories are very similar but they all changed, at the same time, during the course of cross-examination."

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The Ukraine - a big virus producer

Ukrainians are refusing, virtually en masse, to accept being vaccinated by stuff coming out of the U.S. Good for them! One woman had it right - that your chances of being ill are just as great with or without vaccines, and WHO knows what's in those vials? Why should anybody be expected to put blind faith in big pharm in this age of Malthusianist revival?

But if you want a good laff, get this: Guess where they think the Conficker virus originated? - the Ukraine! (See link "it might be a dud" below) Now we've got two things we can blame on the Ukraine. Sup with that, eh?

All the signs and symptoms of false flag, of course. The worm is reportedly set to strike on April fool's day. First, they scare the bejeebers out of computer users - because we're all supposed to be scared all the time about something or other - and then so they don't look too stupid when it doesn't happen (they're still stinging from the Y2K no-show), they insert information elsewhere that it might be a dud. They tell you to get the Microsoft patch for it, and then they tell you that the worm might be able to override the patch.

Dizzying, isn't it? I'm speaking to you now from Linux Mint. It's free; it's pretty; it doesn't attract viruses, and even if it did they couldn't install themselves.

But what you could do on April 1 is what I did on New Year's eve 1999 - I turned off all the computers in my care. You can live without your computer for a day or so. If you live in England, for instance, you can use the extra time to storm the banks.

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Banned comedian

Talk about yer boycotts! The Fox comedian who laughed at our military's [lack of] prowess in Afghanistan has lost a gig in Canada - for doing something that has always been done in the US. Is it his fault that four Canadian soldiers died around the same time?

Does this mean that our own comedians can't make fun of the US military any more? After all, a US soldier dies practically every day. Oh, that's right, they've already apologized. - for that and a host of other things.

The fact that Canadians want to be where the "action" is just like the Americans, but at the same time want to be pitied if we reap the consequences, shows what babies we really are.

Comedian on Fox News show apologizes to Canada

"My comments were just meant to be silly and (were) absolutely misinformed -- I wasn't pretending to know what I was talking about, I'm not a political pundit."

Who is really laughing at our combat soldiers? The defence industry - all the way to the bank. And the families don't seem to mind that.

It's not difficult to understand why a military widow might have lost her sense of the ridiculous. But you know, every time a Canadian soldier dies, what's the first thing you hear from the family? "He was doing what he wanted to do."

As I've said before, if these families want to hang onto their loved ones, they should hold interventions in exactly the same manner they would if he or she were a hopeless substance abuser, or had been abducted and brainwashed by a cult. In fact, that's exactly what the American military is - a cult that has abducted our young people - our future - into its brainwashed brotherhood.

Cry Freedom! Now!

"Equal under the Law" has lost all meaning in Canada

So "the true North strong and free" was a myth all along. We weren't racist, because we didn't have sufficient numbers of different races to worry about; we weren't free in the minds of the politicians who were waiting their moment to be able to show us what a barrier democracy is to their goals; we were Christian only in name, as evidenced by what happens when "Christians" get the upper hand; we weren't sexist as long as women knew enough to stay in their place, we weren't homophobic as long as gays kept themselves hidden or quietly killed themselves, we weren't anti-porn as long as it was sold under the counter; we weren't worried about Israel's morals as long as we believed the Hollywood version of the "Holy Land"; and we rolled out the red carpet for visiting British MPs because they spoke only in official myth.

Below is a seemingly disparate collection of items that add up to one fact: fascism has always existed in Canada, from the days when the "oppressed" arrived here and promptly oppressed the indigenous peoples. What is it about the oppressed that they tend to oppress? Israel is another fine example.

Anyway, please read on.

Canada's sneaky way of "rendering" to torture:

Remember the man imprisoned in Sudan for whom over a hundred people raised the cash to buy a plane ticket home when the Harper government refused to do so? Remember the government saying he would have to raise his own ticket payment? Well, he's got a ticket now, but the government still has not given the go-ahead.

Abousfian Abdelrazik is not fair skinned like Brenda Martin who was flown at bloated expense to Canada and now wants to return to Mexico where she had been jailed. (Abdelrazik has also been cleared of all charges by the country which held him, unlike Martin who still has charges pending against her in Mexico.)

No, this man is dark-skinned like Bashir Makhtal, another individual being studiously ignored. The government is telling you loud and clear that it is a racist regime and you'd better learn to accept that.

If you want to help, there are some suggestions here (Abdelrazik) and here (Makhtal)

What I think you should do, however, is invite your MP to a dinner under the pretext of giving him/her an award for excellence ("excellence" being a much-loved buzz word). They'll be sure to turn up, no matter how paltry the award. Like journalists, broadcasters, and crappy book writers, they would love to be able to present themselves as "award winning".

As they arrive, make sure they are frisked by somebody in a uniform. They understand this procedure, although they prefer having it done to other people. That's your opportunity to remove their communication device (and any weapons they might be carrying).

Next, lock them in a bathroom without windows, and tell them they can't have the award or even dinner until they are ready to treat all Canadians fairly and equally.

It won't take long to break them. Most of the government policies being carried out these days come from a deep cowardice. I bet some of them would be so blinded by panic they would pee their pants with a "facility" staring them right in the face. Kenney would, for sure. (Just missing dinner would make him lose what little control he has over himself.)

This is prisoner justice week. Do your part.

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Speaking of being frisked.

From Brian H. in Toronto:

Airport security technique debated

Last year, they flagged 98,711 people for secondary screening and wound up referring 9,836 of those to law enforcement. Those led to 807 arrests ...

Authorities ultimately found components for a pipe bomb in his checked bags.

Brian says:

That's less than a 1% success rate! What success rate would random chance stops provide? And if I had an empty coke bottle and a tee shirt in my luggage, would I be said to have components of a Molotov cocktail in there? Sometimes I despair!

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I've finally figured out why the Harper government is happy to disband the gun registry. It puzzled me for a while because a fascist administration likes to know where the guns are. I realize now that they want to ban guns period.

One way, apparently, is to put lots of people on the no-fly list. According to Obama's hit man, Rahm Emanuel (YouTube video), if you're on the no-fly list "you have no rights". At the end of this cold-blooded announcement, Emanuel has the gall to say: "and God bless you all". I'm sensitive to that kind of crap lately because I find that the most vicious emails I receive tend to have some sort of sweetness and light motto at the bottom.

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From Steve with sweetness and light:

Religious rightists get Harper promotions

Reid and Wilson have deep roots in both the religious right and in the Reform-Alliance and Conservative parties.

Lift the skirts of the so-called Conservatives, and this is what you find - racism, homophobia, sexism (bye, bye equal pay), criminalizers of the homeless, money grubbers, warmongers, supporters of massacres in Palestine.

These "Christians" are not in the New Testament. They are all going to hell. They will definitely be Left Behind in the Rapture, even the faked hologram Rapture.

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Samah Sabawi writes:

God Forsaken

What is a life worth?
A grain of earth
A drop of oil
A flag on a hill of holy soil
A cross…a star…a crescent moon…
Is it worth ending a life too soon?

What sacred verses can explain
Sniper fire…
And white phosphorus rain?
What Holy Scripture gave the command
“Thou shall wipe out they villages
And scorch they land”

And after the massacre
Did they lament?
Did they seek forgiveness?
Did they repent?
Did they try to sanctify their burdened souls
While besieging a people behind their walls
Or did they wear with pride their murderous skills:
A pregnant woman with a caption “I shot 2 kills”

No rest for the less sacred, no safety, no light
No benediction no prayer no end in sight
No bread, no medicine no shelter no salvation
No angels can survive this holy Occupation

TELL ME THIS:
What is the life of a Palestinian worth,
In your God forsaken earth?

T-shirt image borrowed from Ha'aretz

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On Galloway: from the Canadian Islamic Congress:

DOES CANADA’S IMMIGRATION MINISTER HOLD CANADIANS AND CANADIAN LAW IN CONTEMPT?

TORONTO -- "Immigration Minister Jason Kenney’s decision to refuse to allow British MP George Galloway entry into Canada seems to once again raise questions about the Minister’s ability to uphold the rule of law in Canada. Moreover the Minister’s decision seems to say that Canadians are unable to evaluate Mr. Galloway’s forceful arguments against war for themselves" ... Read more

Background and speaking events list, plus actions to take at: Defend Free Speech

Note: There will be a silent free speech vigil on Parliament Hill today at 5 PM.

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Upcoming Event:

The University of Ottawa department of political science is hosting a film/discussion this week on how Bolivians are surviving disaster capitalism. If you're in Ottawa, here are the details in English and French.

FoxPan, IsCan, and Galloway

Here's an amusing, yet somehow logical, email from someone who signs as "IsCanRealist":

Not only is Canada blessed with a "sister caucus to the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus which will mobilize support for Israel around the world and promote Judeo-Christian values," [JPost] (Josh Reinstein, director of the Knesset's Christian Allies Caucus) but we also have a Rabbis caucus and will no doubt soon witness the reincarnation of the Parliamentarian Caucus for Israel - Will Imams for Israel be coming soon to a Parliament near you?

Since our government is wisely wary of the lefty Trudeau-esque multiculturalism policy, since they prefer blandness and uniformity, and considering our love and admiration for all things Israeli, why not make a bold move? There is a movment to integrate Turks and Caicos into Canada. I say be bold and integrate Canada to Israel. The plus side would be that Canada will not need a Parliament anymore - or government. Let the decisions be officially made in Israel. This is in ligne with the Harper philosophy of small government - but I say no government is better! - ... What huge savings for Canadian taxpayers. I can drink to this! IsrealCan? CanIsreal? IsCanreal?

The sight of "Christian" Kenney standing so proudly amongst all those Rabbis reminds me of something a Jewish friend once told me (a Zionist, it turned out to my dismay): "The son deemed least likely to succeed is the one the family sends to Rabbinical school". No wonder college drop-out Kenney looks so at home in this group.

It's brain power like this, devoid of any sense of the ridiculous - especially when it comes to their own behaviour - that is demanding an apology from Fox News for the panning of our military on the Red Eye program (See video)

The Americans have lost thousands more sons and daughters in the disastrous, humiliating, unwinnable Iraq war. They should be allowed a little poke at Canada's meagre contribution in Afghanistan, as equally amoral as it may be. (And you thought I was anti-American.)

The JPost article that quotes Josh Reinstein has a photo of Harper doing his Hitler wave. {{{Shiver}}} He may be smiling, but his eyes and heart are cold as ice, suggesting a vindictive nature.

George Galloway is eloquently critical of Canada's participation in Afghanistan. As IsCan as we are, could it be Galloway's views on Afghanistan that rest at the root of the move to keep his feet off our soil?

Think about it. All this wimp of a government can do is keep out Galloway's DNA. Is it any wonder they make this country a laffing stock? It can't keep out his ideas nor his message. Nevertheless:

If the government doesn't change its position, a group of Galloway's supporters plan to try and personally escort him across the border on March 30 ... CTV

I would LOVE to be part of the group the does this! Where do I sign up?

Macleans is all confused about who is keeping Galloway out of Canada. They wonder what part the CBSA actually played in it. They should have asked me. None, except to carry out orders. The government lied, period. Does it all the time. The Canadian JDL has blown the cover by going on record as saying they opposed Galloway's entry into the country. See the video where Galloway confronts them in my earlier blog entry. And don't forget Kenney's pals, the rabbis.

Jews have a lot of occult guilt over what's being done to Palestinians and hidden guilt tends to express itself by creating more of same.

The utterly hypocritical alliance between Israel and evangelic Christianity (one side suckering the other into supporting it by turning itself into a "Holy Land" theme park - the other side playing nice while plotting to either convert all the Jews from their inferior religion, or happily consign them to eternal hellfire) has allowed some of the worst crimes in history.

Today's photo-shop creation is courtesy of Ron Saba, inveterate exposer of Israeli and Canadian racism against Arabs/Muslims, with special emphasis on the Jewish National Fund, a racist endeavour in which all Canadians are made complicit by virtue of its tax free status.

Chycho weighs in on the Galloway issue with some indepth analysis (and videos) of the key factors: Canada becomes the first and only country in the world to ban British MP George Galloway

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Other Stuff:

Iggy, Bri and Steve

So what's behind Ignatieff's "surprise" birthday phone call to Lyin' Brian? As the article states, neither Harper nor his minions can do it themselves, and after all what is Iggy good for if not to do the government's bidding?

One is left to wonder what little tidbits he passed on regarding this:

A public inquiry into Mulroney's dealings with former arms dealer Karlheinz Schreiber gets underway next week. The inquiry will determine whether Mulroney violated rules of conduct when he accepted $225,000 in cash from Schreiber after he stepped down as prime minister...

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Waving the false flag

Here's a full length video (via Not just America, folks) to which you should probably pay attention: Fool Me Twice

When the 2005 Bali bombings occurred, I was extremely suspicious (I know, I know, so what else is new?) that it looked like a false flag event (too technically advanced for your average terrorist). This video thinks so too, and is quite educational about false flag terror events in general.

Incidentally, did you know that the 2005 Bail bombings occurred 11 days before the third anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombing. Damn! There's that number 11 again. Even if I don't believe in the power of numbers, and as I've said before, somebody out there does! Not to mention that the month (October - 10th month) and day (the 1st) of the 2005 attack adds up to 11.

Galloping Galloway

Well, I guess I don't have to tell you that British Respect Party MP George Galloway has been banned from entering Canada. We are fast becoming a fascist state.

Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) have an email petition about this, and there's going to be an organizing meeting in Toronto as an adjunct to a Student Assembly Against War event in progress:

Sunday, March 22 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm - Ryerson Student Centre - 55 Gould Street - Ryerson University

There is an open Facebook site that already has a couple of thousand members and a petition you can sign.

The Toronto Coalition to Stop the War asks that you continue to buy tickets to the Galloway speaking events (See calendar - Mar. 30-31) and harass Jason Kenney's office :

E-mail: minister@cic.gc.ca; kennej@parl.gc.ca
Phone: 613-992-2235 (Ottawa office); 403-225-3480 (Calgary office)
Fax: 613-992-1920 (Ottawa office); 403-225-3504 (Calgary office)

John of Manitoba sends this link to a video where Galloway faces down the National Director, Meir Weinstein, of the Canadian Jewish Defence League - fairly new to Canada, but will cause a lot of grief down the road for moderate Jews. It is the JDL who are behind the banning of Galloway, no matter what Kenney's spokesman says (Kenny's "chump" says Xymphora - and apparently he didn't say "infamous" he said "infandous" which sent British journalists into a tizzy - see video in NYT blog article)

Alykhan Velshi sounds as if he's dressed up in his daddy's clothes and using big words to show how grown-up he is. Notice in the video that when asked in what way Galloway could be compared to Cromwell he declined to answer. There are two Cromwells of British history, Oliver and Thomas. Olly was a formidable fighter, and Thomas was a noted statesman. Velshi probably doesn't know that.

Ironically, the JDL are calling Galloway a terrorist threat because he respects Hamas as a democratically elected government. The JDL was founded by Rabbi Meir Kahane who was himself a terrorist threat and whose legacy remains in JDL groups in America, and now in Canada, and certainly in the most violent Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territories.

It's all pretty discouraging. A clear indication that the Reform Party thugs hidden among people calling themselves Conservatives are gradually being let out of the bag. With Ignatieff in opposition, they have a free hand.

Brian H., Toronto, writes:

I have been composing letters to MP's, PM's and editors of national daily papers in my head all last evening, since learning of the GG ban, but these bastards just don't listen.

Life is so damned busy as it is I can hardly keep up and yet it seems we need to go to the ramparts to defend the realm. The Libs would have been no better. As a colleague of mine says "its a choice ultimately is between Conservatives or Conservatives lite".

Canadians it seems, apathetic as they are, are getting the government they deserve. What the heck can I do to stop it?

Galloway says that the Harper government will be "swept away" just as the Bush administration was. That's a nice positive thought, but it doesn't address the fact that neither Obama nor Ignatieff (or whoever the Liberals eventually elect as leader) will bring any change. The free market rules the world, and with it comes sexism, ageism, classism, homophobia, intolerance for "defectives" and people of the wrong race or religion (currently it's Muslims), union busting, and of course unending wars - all mere tools for one goal: global dominance by a wealthy few.

There's only one thing to do, and it won't happen until sufficient numbers of people wake up to their plight. It's beginning to happen in France. People have to refuse to work, refuse to fight the wars, refuse to comply with ever-increasing restrictions on freedoms.

By the way - from Maclean's:
And the award for quickest opposition response to the Galloway ban goes to … the NDP

I wonder who will get the most sustained and effective response award.

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Related:

Thanks to Ron for this SkyNews link:

Israeli Army T-Shirts Mock Gaza Killings
The Israeli army is at the centre of a second controversy over the moral conduct of its soldiers in as many days.

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Other Stuff:

Not with a bang, but a bub-bub-bubble

Thanks to BeeSting for this Guardian link:

Two US navy vessels, including a nuclear-powered submarine, collided in one of the Middle East's key oil routes

Some people should just not be allowed to cart nuclear missiles around ... unless they want to start something with Iran.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has got Obama's number (AP):

"They chant the slogan of change but no change is seen in practice. We haven't seen any change"

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Saving the Rainforest

Amazonian indians win battle to evict farmers from the rainforest

The "farmers" complain that " .... leaving the reservation in Indian hands is a threat to national security and strangles economic growth in the sparsely-populated state."

But these are not farms, they are factories, churning out beef (which sucks up a massive amount of natural resources) and soya (Monsantoized no doubt), and note how they throw around the term "national security" as if it meant anything at all in this context, and how they focus only on economic growth - to the exclusion of all other concerns.

This is the New World, folks. And the Amazonian Indians have had the kahunas to buck the system!

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Speaking of "farming":

BBC: The Obamas to eat what they grow

Interesting what words convey. The Obamas will actually eat what they grow. Wow! They will actually eat it? They are so cool! Not at all like the ho-hum people who grow what they eat, and don't even have gardeners to do it for them.