Maher Arar ...

And His Ship Of Fools.

AKA 'Sea Hitler'.

Before I get onto the Ship Business a little background.

A few years ago Maher was travelling the world - he held two passports and possessed two citizenships - Syrian 1st and Canadian 2nd.

He ended up in the USA and was flagged as having possible links to terrorism. The US checked with Canada where their suspicions were apparently confirmed. They then sent Mr. Arar to his country of birth - Syria - where he alleges he was tortured.

The Torture allegation was made by Maher Arar alone.

Let's say for the sake of this discussion that he was indeed tortured by the Syrians.

Canada arranged for his return to this country where upon Mr. Arar launched a lawsuit against Canada and was successful to the tune of over $10 million. He also sued the United States, whereupon his claim was summarily dismissed. He never sued Syria to my knowledge.

So here we have the United States shipping this chap off to Syria where he is allegedly tortured and we Canadians are left to pick up the tab by forking out a cool $10 million.

Not bad for a days work.

I listened to a lady call into local talk radio and said it better than I can - "we have troops returning from Afghanistan missing arms and legs and they get virtually nothing while we pay Maher Arar $10 million for, in the scheme of things a minor torture".

This has troubled me too but now we find out he is a backer - albeit one of many (e.g large Canadian Trade Unions and such) - who backs an upcoming Flotilla from Turkey to Gaza for the sole purpose of breaching Israel's sea blockade of that region.

Arar and Company from Canada, are contributing a ship dubbed the 'Sea Hitler' - Cute don't you think? So warm and fuzzy.

And, it is not that Israel wants to stop ships from entering into Gaza - rather, their sole purpose is to inspect such ships to ensure that they are not carrying armaments that will with certainty be used against them.

Gaza, as you know, is controlled by Hamas with their stated goal to destroy Israel - to wipe it from the face of the earth.

Over the years, Israel has suffered numerous missile attacks from Gaza which they are unable to properly defend against given Gaza's close proximity.

It makes imminent sense therefore for Israel to stop the shipment of arms destined for that part of the world.

What puzzles me, is how a fellow like Maher Arar can worry so much about receiving fair treatment for himself while showing no regard for Israelis who face death or serious injury should weapons successfully make their way to Gaza.

From my perspective, I think Mr. Arar has shown his true stripes by being willingly part of this dangerous stupidity.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

A Senate Page ...

And Her Sign.

This Young Lady deserves the 'Book' thrown at her.

The nerve.

Here she is, holding down a very prestigious position as Senate Page and she abuses the Trust bestowed upon her.

What was she thinking?

Now she has established a trust fund for donations and in her Web Site, bemoans the fact that she was "fired" from her Senate Post.

Reality Check - the position of Page is a Volunteer one - albeit highly sought after - it is not though a paid position.

Bottom line - she is not out of pocket, and moreover as a result of her high-jinx, her economic future is now much brighter.

But it is not for her juvenile antics that I want the Book Thrown at this Young Lady.

Rather it is because the Sign she held up, in all her obnoxious fervor, was in English Only.

Does the Woman not realize that this Country is a Bilingual One?

A Unilingual Sign - and English to boot - in Canada's Highest Institution is nothing less than Sacrilege.

Even as a lowly Page, this Lady would know the Slight caused by this.

Where is Jack Layton and his Kindergarten Caucus when you need them?

That said, let me be clear - when I say throw the book at Ms. Muffet, I am not suggesting for a minute that she do hard time in a federal prision, - rather two years less a day in a provincial facility would suffice.

And with that, she might even qualify for a Hudak Chain Gang and be able to pick litter - possibly even some discarded signs.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

What To Do About The Senate.....

Deep Six It.

Lots in the news these days about what to do with the Senate - the answer - and only answer is to Disband It.

When I was a first years student studying Political Science I wrote an Essay on the Senate which called for its retention as an "August Body of Sober Second Thought".

I was young and naive and hadn't yet realized that finding a "sober" Senator was in itself a Feat.

In truth - the current Senate is an Undemocratic Body filled by burned out Politicians and Aged Bag Men (aka political fundraisers). It is very much Welfare for Has-Beens.

Maybe a little strong but not that far off.

Okay then - why not reform it - Make It Elected?

And what would we have then - a Second Elected Body doing the same work as the First (i.e. the House of Commons).

Redundant Bureaucracy at its Best.

Couldn't the Senate be Elected to Represent the Provinces as it is in the good ole US of A?

Yes it could, but it would be unwise to do so.

Our system of Confederation differs from that of America's. We have a very specific differentiation of Powers in Canada between Federal and Provincial This division is setout in Sections 91 (Fed Powers) and 92 (Provincial Powers) of the BNA Act - e.g. The National Government is responsible for Canada's Armed Forces and the Provinces are responsible for Health and Education.

In sum, the Provinces have lots do within their own realm of responsibilities and collectively can take care of themselves.

But the Senate does good work via its Committees - Does it Not?

Not Really.

Yes they are always meeting about one thing or the other and some good work gets done - but given their irrelevance - that work is more oft ignored. Call it busy work.

That said, there is certainly a glaring lack of meaningful and probing committee work on the Hill. It is in desperate need of being done and the people to do it are our Members of Parliament. These current No-bodies when they leave the Hill.

This is an area where we could mirror what goes on in Politics to our South. They have very Strong Committees and Strong Committee Memberships - it would not only give useful and meaningful work to non-Cabinet Ministers but would instill needed vibrancy to our Democratic Process.

The monies saved from disbanding the Senate could be applied to establishing these needed House of Common's Committees - e.g. more research staff. More funds than that will be required but at least it would be a start.

In closing permit me to go back to the Sober Second Thought basis for the Senate that is oft used in wishing its retention.

Give me one example of where the Senate used Sober Second Thought rather than Petty Politics in its deliberations?

I cannot think of any.

Rather, if the Tories control the House and the Grits control the Senate - the Grits will do their best to defeat the Tory Agenda - and this applies in reverse.

I would love to be able to redo my first year paper.

As I See It....

K.D. Galagher