Comments to G&M Forum regarding Israeli ambassador's suggestion that Canada help patrol the coast of Lebanon
Comments were posted in response to article by Jeff Sallot entitled "Canada can do more, Israeli ambassador says.
Globe and Mail
Wednesday August 16, 2006
Israel wants Canadian navy to help patrol Lebanese coast
- John A. Macdonald from Toronto, Canada writes: Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe we have enough warships to patrol the Lebanese coast effectively. Our submarine fleet, which would be quite effective at doing this, is either obsolete or non-existent.
- Jack Ryan from Toronto/Calgary, Canada writes: 'Israel understands that Ottawa may not have army troops to contribute to the UN peacekeeping mission on the ground because of the heavy Canadian military commitment in Afghanistan, Mr. Baker said. However, he said Canadian warships might be able to help patrol the Lebanese coast to make sure Hezbollah does not get new shipments of arms arriving by sea.' Actually, this is exactly what Michael Ignatieff proposed almost 2 weeks ago in his extremely thoughtful article published in the Globe. In fact, Mr. Baker should almost be citing Ignatieff as his source for this information and suggestion.
- Captain Pugwash from Canada writes: Look what Israel did to the USS Liberty http://www.ussliberty.org/ Now they want Canadian sailors to protect their illegal settlements. Farcical!!
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: If Canada were to do anything; it should be only to help Lebanon to rebuild its infrastructure (And send the bill to Israel) Lebanon and the Lebanese people are the only innocents in this despicable invasion. Shame on Israel. You have lost many friends and any unbiased respect.
- snapper head from Vancouver, Canada writes: You should have thought of that before you murdered Canadians, imagine how little I care that Hezbollah represents a threat to you.
- roger price from Andorra writes: When it comes to war, all these countries seem to have unlimited funds available to spend. IF Canada is stupid enough to get involved in this stupid little war, then I hope it will have Palestine, Lebanon and Isreal pay ALL the costs associated with our involvement. Why should Canadian Tax-payers waste money on a war that will never be solved and is not their problem, lets concentrate on our own problems at home. PS The federal government has half a billion in debts so don't get the idea we can afford to be generous, lets pay off our debts before wasting money on hopeless causes..
- David Bruce from Vancouver, Canada writes: If Mr. Baker thinks Canadians have done 'irreparrable harm' to relations with their Jewish community, by simply attending a pro-ceasefire rally. regardless of whether some marchers were sympathetic to Lebanon (or even Hezbollah), this speaks volumes about the unreasonable and intractable position of Israel's current pro-war, anti-Arab government. Canadians can reach correct conclusions without directives from the Israeli minister, as witness the polls showing Canadians not only reject Israel's bomb-everything policy, but reject our Prime Minister's calculated (and neo-con inspired) endorsement of that despicable indiscriminate bombing. (And that does not mean Canadians endorse Hezbollah rocket attacks on civilian Israelis, thank you). Time for Canada's honourable and socially active Jewish community to step up and express their solidarity with peace proponents, and tell Mr. Baker that his inflammatory remarks, designed to drive a wedge between the Jewish community and the larger Canadian family they are part of, that he is very much off-base. Canadians may take up peace-keeping roles in Lebanon, but we should never be duped into offering our armed forces to substitute or augment Israel's agressive forces in the region. Peace will never be achieved by that action, for Israelis or anyone else.
- Clark Kent from Canada writes: Hm. Don't we need to get ships up to the Arctic? Why can't Israel's navy do that? (It would make sense for a country in the region to use their navy, but I suppose Israel can wish for whatever it wants.)
- Tara Tata from Somewhere, Canada writes: And who will prevent Israel from getting new arms? It did not take long for Israel to think they can have the same hold on the Harbush government they have in the United States! It did not take long before they began to tell leaders what to do and what was fixable and what was not!
- Mark Shore from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mr. Ambassador, wouldn't it be much quicker and more efficient for us to just randomly kill a Lebanese-Canadian family in Montreal, and blow up a CF volunteer for a UN observation mission in CFB Petawawa? As far as I know, Hezbollah did not kill any Canadians in the recent conflict. And Israel's pretensions to being part of the 'West' are starting to look as threadbare as South Africa's ever did.
- NA E from Buckhorn, Canada writes: This news is so shocking that it's difficult to know where to begin. The Israeli ambassador say Canada can do more? The billions of dollars that the US supplies the Israelis with isn't enough? Their friends the Americans can't patrol the seas for them? They can't afford to purchase or lease their own ships? Too busy buying bulldozers and guided missiles, I suppose. And for Mr. Del Mastro: it's safe enough for the other three delegates to go but not safe enough for him to fulfill the duties for which he was elected? Shocking! Simply shocking.
- philomene brown from Kingston, Ont, Canada writes: We have done more than enough Mr Baker. No canadian soldiers will patrol the syrian border, I hope! As for a... visit to Canada by the Israeli foreign affairs minister to 'thank' our Country for its support of Israel? I would say: that would be all Steven Harper and the Conservatives would need in the current public opinion backlash. Many Canadians feel that their Prime Minister pro-israeli body language was indeed a departure from Canada's traditional neutrality, a position that (IMHO) served the World's conflict resolution best. Canada did not support Israel , Canada supports a resolution of the Middle East crisis. It is not the same! Israel is the USA's ally, not Canada's! This distinction should be reiterated. Please do not try to spin our Prime Minister unfortunate biais beyond the point where Canadians once again will feel compeled to distanciate themselves from their Government.
- Humanity's Conscience: Andy Garrett from West Palm Beach, United States writes: My relief check will be on its way to Israel shortly after I receive a tax opinion. I challenge all Canadians to step up to the face off circle, dig deep and support Israel in their time of need. With Canada's capabilities, resources and educated population, you all can clearly provide numerous DART teams, food, medical supplies, Dr's. troops, ships, etc. Now it is vitally important to make this cease fire work and not allow the evil forces of Iran and Hezbollah to regain a foothold in southern Lebanon. Love to all. Andy
- P C from Canada writes: I don't think so. It's not our responsability to patrol those waters on behalf of Israel. Anyways, they're better equiped then us. Shame on Israel to ask us to do it's dirty work when it still doesn't respect UN orders itself by occupying land that those not belong to them.
- Jacques De Winter from Canada writes: So, Mr. Baker said, 'Canada can do more to stop arms from entering Lebanon by sea.' Well Mr. Baker, from the numerous stories that I've read here on the G&M, it seems that after the 'Scorched Earth policy' that Israel employed in Lebanon, the world should be working towards keeping the Israelis from receiving or manufacturing arms.
- s s from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada should not send any military help to Israel. They've already 'accidentally' killed one of our peacekeepers and have no respect for the UN or it's soldiers who'd be risking their lives. Given that they're requesting naval assistance, one should be reminded of the USS Liberty incident, in that attack the Israelis killed scores of US sailors and tried to sink the boat. Given the timid response of our PM on the death of our peacekeepr, if our soldiers were attacked by the Israelis we'd accept it graciously, and if attacked by the other side we'd be sending more troops. Sending our men and women into a dangerous situation where our 'ally' is just as dangerous as the terrorists is a ridiculous suggestion.
- Mike Smith from Toronto, Canada writes: This is a terrible idea. Canada lacks the credibility to be seen as a neutral peacekeeper thanks to the Harper governments support of Israel attacking civillian targets. We will just be seen as an extension of the Israeli military.
- paul jones from kitchener, Canada writes: i dont see any problem with this request. im not sure of the feasability of us actually carrying said mission out, but if we have the means i see no reason why we shouldnt.
- Bruce Banner from Toronto, Canada writes: Typical myopic, short sighted and self serving comments by the insular Canadian public. By the logic posted on this site most Canadians would have objected to the Marshall Plan of Germany/Europe and the McArthur reconstruction of Japan post WW2. We have/the world has a small and disappearing window of opportunity to do what we have always trumpeted are job should be - Peace Keeping. I understand that people are wary of being manipulated by very cynical interests in the middle east or even of being dragged into a seemingly intractable conflict. However, if we don't fill the humanitarian and security void (as a middle power with no alterior motives) then Hezbollah, Iran, and Syria will happily rush in to do the job. Then you will see a harsher version of this conflict in no time - and who knows by then maybe it will really escalate beyond control and consume humanity. But dont worry about that now- there's plenty of moral posturing to be done.
- Doug Dyson from Toronto, Canada writes: Canadians were told by Steve Harper's government that we could not support another military operation due to Afghanistan. Also, Israel has already murdered a Canadian solider, despite repeated warning to Israeli command, with no *results* yet from their *investigation* into it (where Israel concluded it was an accident before they even started their investigation). Most importantly, Israel fired on the U.S.S Cole and so they can't be trusted that they will not fire on Canadian ships in another false flag operation.
- Just Canadian from Ottawa, Canada writes: I say let Israel do its own dirty business and keep our soldiers here. I hope we can vote Harper out before its too late... Who was the liberal leader again? Donald Duck? Welcome PM. Duck.
- Conservative Soothsayer from Toronto, Canada writes: My relief check will be on its way to Israel shortly after I receive a tax opinion - Humanity's Conscience And If you dont get a favourable tax opionion?? Sounds like a politician if you ask me. With Friends like this Humanity is in rough shape
- Neil M from Canada writes: Canada do more, oh hell no! I don't want to see our limited Canadian resources sucked into that quagmire. And while we're at it, those that detroyed so much should be held accountable for restitution. If my Canadian dollars are to be wasted on anything in the Middle East, rather it be to help the innocent Lebanese civilians rebuild their devasted homes and lives.
 Elmo Harris from Niagara, Canada writes: I have an idea for Israel: If you were to withdraw all of your troops from the Arab lands you have been occupying for decades, you would not need extra help. In fact, you get too much help already. Given the recent despicable performance in bombing hundreds of innocent civilians and levelling their homes, I would say that it is Israel that should be the object of an arms embargo. We should, instead, concentrate on assisting the Lebanese people, and if that should include Hezbollah, so be it. The irreparable harm to Israel that Mr. Baker talks of, has been of their own making.
- j s from Toronto, Canada writes: I have a few suggestions for the Israeli Ambassador. Perhaps they should not bomb civilians and kill babies and arrest and detain arabs indefinately. Perhaps they should not attack warships for 2 hours before finding out it was a mistake while they massacred refugees (USS Liberty). Maybe they should quit stealing our passports and conducting government sanctioned murder. Maybe they should quit shelling UN outposts and murdering our citizens as happened a few weeks ago, and remarkably the same area a decade ago. No, I do not think we should aid either of the Arab or Jewish societies as they are an embarrassment to humanity, bent on murder and war.
- Robin Adams from Ottawa, Canada writes: Oh gee, the Israeli ambassador to Canada wants us to do more to help Israel! What the Prime Minister's endorsing the Israeli assault wasn't enough?? Now you want us to send more troops into southern lebanon... presumably so you can kill them on a whim too... Lemme see... looking at the balance sheet lately... what has Israel done for us... Hmmmm ... killed 9 Canadian citizens, caused us a massive refugee problem, harrassed our evacuation ships when they tried to leave and killed one of our unarmed Canadian army officers assigned to a marked UN outpost. No, methinks Israel owes us more than we owe them... perhaps they can start by compensating the families of the people they killed and then move on to the thorny subject of finding out which Israeli pilot had the 'accident' that killed the Canadian soldier and then sending him to us so we can interrogate him. That seems like a fair first step to me before they go making more demands on Canadians for the wonderful support our Prime Minister has the state of Israel.
- Vernon John from Canada writes: For those who have criticized every which way in the past weeks, maybe it is time to get out of our armchairs and help out. It is easy to criticize until Canada actually has to make hard decisions about what to do, and to put ourselves on the line. Talk is cheap. Enforcing a UN-mandated blockade to keep terrorists from ruining Middel Eastern and global stability is completely reasonable. (PS: This USS Liberty thing is a weird conspiracy theory from 1967, akin to the 'US knew about 911 plans' claims. I checked out those absurd links. Just because it's on the internet doesn't make it true.)
- Tommy Papatsie from Pangnirtung, Nunavut, Canada writes: Are you starting to realize what kind of government we have today? Didn't you see this was coming when you elected this government? We are all now paying for this what the ridiculous government have been doing for their actions. What do you think this governing party will do next for the Canadians in the coming months? Think about it.
- Vernon John from Canada writes: I agree with the comment on myopia. This is not Israel's or Lebanon's problem, it's a global problem. So much of the terrorism problem today is aggravated by the continued lack of resolution in Israel/Palestine. (And 'withdrawing from Arab lands' is not a solution, obviously, in the absence of a system in place to ensure peace. Hezballah attacked AFTER Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon.) Now that we have a chance, the entire world should be helping out and contributing what it can to stop, through peacekeeping, the violence once and for all. It might not work but the alternative is also deadly and messy. And it might work. Everyone these days is saying there is no end in sight to the terror war--actually, maybe stepping in to resolve tensions is the only possible solution. Some interventions are dumb: Iraq. Some are morally acceptable but difficult: Afghanistan. Some are acceptable, difficult and crucial for our own interests: Israel/Palestine/Lebanon.
- Marcus Travadi from Calgary, Canada writes: The Israeli ambassador would like Canada to do more ? If harper will listen to the majority of Canadians, he will find that they are totally opposed to our involvement in conflicts that do not affect us. The trio Harper , Mckay and Stockwell Day are putting us at risk of becoming just as hated as our Southern neighbours.
- Roberto P from Canada writes: Lets send troops to Isreal, not to defend their interests, but to even the score. If Hezbollah attacked our troops and citizens, you'd bet Harper would be buzzing Beruit with F-18's.
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: The government of Israel has done irrepaireable harm to its own reputation throughout the world. Hopefully, most people will realize that this is not the fault of the Jewish people. Israel's illegal invasion and unrepentant attack on civillians and our own peacekepper at the well marked UN post; won them no friends. Blaming the Hezbollah for their own acts is ludicrous. Israel is still holding thousands of 'political prisoners' illegally under the Geneva Conventions. What was absolutelu ridiculous was Israel and its supporters complaining about Hezbollah not respecting a UN resolution.It has been Israel that has a decades long utter disregard for UN resolutions and that enjoys an automatic veto by the USA on the more serious resolutions. Stop killing Palestinian children!!!!! The people of Israel need to jettsion the present hardline right winged war mongering leader and vote in moderates; one that will work WITH the world communities; negotiate a peaceful settlement with its neighbours and quit invading them. Peace will not happen over night but it does need to start. As for the Israeli govt and supports whining about Iran and Syria arming the Hezbollah; SO WHAT????? Israel gets well armed and funded by the USA government. Hopefully, the citizens of the USA are waking up to reality and will give the present right winged war loving government the old heave ho. According to the polls' Americans are now coming to that conclusion.
- Tim Bee from Canada writes: I guess if you can get someone else to pay for it instead of yourself, why not. Hopefully, our dictator of a PM will not get sucked in.
- lee johnson from Canada writes: Wow as if the US taxpayer wont step up to the plate for Israel,they already give em 4 or so billion a year . I read that the demolition of Lebanon cost em 1.6 billion US dollars but the only story we read about in mainstream US and Canadian media was the alledged 100 million in weapons that Iran sent the hezzbollah. Didnt these guys watch that old movie WAR GAMES, the only way to win is not to play at all! Stay out of it Canada please
- Humanity's Conscience: Andy Garrett from West Palm Beach, United States writes: #22 and all. The opinion came back from New York. I will stlll be sending a check in the mail tommorow. The issue was which Isralie charity to give too. Now are you all going to do likewise or are canadians too cheap? Come on Paul J. (Studmuffin) I know your up to the task. Love to all. Andy
- whirlwind annie from You Guess!, Canada writes: What nerve of the Israelis! With the whopping amount the Us of A contributes, all the armaments US of A shipped to help them that's who they should call on. You are no friend of Canada's and Stevie better wear a flack jacket if he opts to support this one sided narrow minded venture.
- Mike Mike from Calgary, writes: For all you saying that Israel should patrol the seas itself. I think this is what it is doing now and you are the same people who denounce that. So... make up your little minds people. It is either Israel controlling the access to Lebanon by the sea, which I know you hate the idea, because, hey, anything that has word Israel in it is bad. Or, it is either Canada or whatever other country that will not allow hezbollah to arm via sea. #7... Mr. Baker thinks that Bloc, not the Canadians has done irreparable harm to the relationship. Please quote the fact, not the fiction. Most of the Canadians, despite what it may seem like on this forum, did support Israel and can decide between right and wrong. Quebec - that's a whole different story :)
- Michele K from Ottawa, Canada writes: Mike Smith, I'll go you one better - not only would Canada be seen to be an extension of the Israeli military, we would be. No difference here than where Canadian troops have freed up US troops to carry on with their dirty war in Iraq. Hard to believe anyone would think that keeps our hands clean.
- David Bruce from Vancouver, Canada writes: Poster # 2 said that the Canuck warship proposal 'is exactly what Michael Ignatieff proposed almost 2 weeks ago in his extremely thoughtful article published in the Globe. In fact, Mr. Baker should almost be citing Ignatieff as his source...'. Hmmn. Mr. Ignatieff, currently a front-runner for the leadersip of the Liberal Party, has made a number of neo-conservative-friendly remarks in the past, and also supported Canada's involvement in the invasion of Iraq (though he lamely attempts to distance himself from that position now). Perhaps it's not Baker should be citing Ignatieff, but that both Baker AND Ignatieff are reading from the same play-book. So, where did this notion of Canada patrolling (read enforcing a partial blockade) of Lebanon's territorial waters, arise from? Perhaps Ignatieff is far more on-side with the Bushite policies than he appears publicly, and our electoral choices may fall between 2 likely choices: a solidly pro neo-con Harper (in spite of the pretense of moderation while in a minority government), and a less-obviously pro neo-con Michael Ignatieff. Either way, Canada would be moving in a national direction that Canadians, when they finally wake up, will not like.
- Subhadeep Chakrabarti from Canada writes: Wonderful ! The Israelis kill a bunch of Canadians, including a UN soldier and a number of children and now they want us to go out and pat them on their backs !! I must say Mr Baker has a great sense of humour. And the by the way, when we are going to stop arms delivery to Hezbollah, why not put up an arms embargo against Israel too ? After all, they hardly differ in behaviour (one is terrorist supported by Lebanon's poor, the otehr is a terrorist nation patronized by the world's rich) !
- serf 9238477 from Canada writes: This article reads like a sick joke. Oh yes Mr. Baker, Canadians are just all a-tingle at your generous invitation. Oh and have we thanked you enough for slaughtering our fellow-citizens yet? Any body parts Mr. Harper has insufficiently kissed? Sure, we're all just super-keen to help Israel embargo Lebanon. Wouldn't it be great if your next (third) attempt to massacre, ethnically cleanse and occupy it were opposed by unarmed UN observers and children throwing stones. (Since the brave and moral IDF have twice now demonstrated they have neither the stomach nor wits for fighting any more evenly-matched opponent.) Glad to see from the comments so far that Mr. Baker has badly misjudged the intelligence of the Canadian public. He's certainly right Canada can do more. My Canada would do everything in its power to ensure that those who ordered, carried out or were accessories to the war crimes perpetrated on the Lebanese are brought to justice and Lebanon justly compensated. M. Duceppe deserves kudos for his principled actions in this instance. It's a pity his principles don't extend to refusing to serve as an enabler for an amoral neo-con puppet government.
- Eric Vaughan from Toronto, Canada writes: Remember that line from the movie Invasion of the Body Snatchers, 'send more paramedics'? That's what's going on here. The Israelis obviously feel that they didn't destroy enough of the best of gentiles as their Talmud commands them to do and that that's why they were turned back in Lebanon. UN peaekeepers, because of their pacificist agenda decidedly qualify as the 'best of gentiles.' C'mon people, put two and two together. To quote Rod Serling, 'To serve man -- it's a cookbook!'
- J Ecoff from Vancouver, Canada writes: What a wishful thinking! Israelies are the only rightous people on earth. As a tax payer, I urge our government stay neutral at all times. Israel is or is becoming a rogue state detriment to the world peace.
- Lucas Sinclair from Canada writes: 'Mr. Chouaib said the delegation will not meet anybody from Hezbollah.' So surrealistic, I'm speechless. We're governed by dadaists.
- Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: Canada shouldn't supply so much as a military-issue pencil to help the Israeli war machine. It is bad enough that we have an invertebrate Prime Minister who allows Canadian foreign policy to be dictated by the Zionist lobby. We do not need to become an accomplice in helping Israel to 'defend' itself against anything. In view of its continuing reign of terror against the Palestinians, its total disregard for civilians in the invasion of Lebanon and its contempt for the neutrality and lives of unarmed United Nations observers, Israel does not warrant protection from anyone. Let it fend for itself.
- evelyn robinson from vancouver, Canada writes: Whirlwind Annie I like your spunk and your comments. I agree. If I were to donate to anyone; it would be Lebanese civillians not Israel. Israel was the invader country and showed no respect for humanitarian laws. It gets plenty of money from the USA; Israel should be able to help their own innocent civillians that Israel endangered.
- Bruno Paradis from Montreal, Canada writes: First of all, the conflict was sparked because Israel got a couple of its soldiers captured INSIDE lebanese territory (proven fact that was quietly put aside). Second, Hezbollah is not a terror organisation but a resistance movement which was created when Israel invaded Lebanon in 82 -IT DID NOT EXIST PRIOR TO THE 82 INVASION- and now Israel says we could do more to help them? The same country that time and time again was caught using Canadian passport for their secret service. The same country that is in violation of tens of UN resolution? Or is it the same country that cries all the time to the world that Iran or Syria are providing weapons to hezbollah while they ask the US for quick shipement of their order of WMD du jour? I am simply disgusted at what these people will say to the world to look like they are the victims. So they can ask money, ask for more laws protecting them, ask for more blood of innocent being spilled for the sake of a tiny piece of land that should have never existed in the first place. pax
- Marcus Travadi from Calgary, Canada writes: To bruce Banner #19. You are right, Canada's role should be strictly as peace keepers. We are good at it, and have had plenty of experience since Lester Pearson first got us into it. However Israelis do not want peacekeepers ! What they want is to have us patrol the Lebanese coast, and aggressively confront the Syrians whom they suspect of smuggling weapons in to lebanon accross the border. If their problem is with Syria, let them handle it themselves. What good will it do us if we antagonized a sovereign nation that is not a threat to us. We certaintly do not need more enemies . Afghanistan was a mistake that we are, and could be dearly paying for in the future.
- R M from Toronto, Canada writes: To correct Mark Shore - At least 2 Canadians died 'as a result' of Hezbollah actions, but shed no tears for them, as both were busy killing Lebanese while in the army of a foreign country, namely Israel's. One in a tank and one in a helicopter. Before Mr Harper, Granatstein, Ms Wente etc muse about the Canadian-ness of Lebanese who enjoy spending time in their home country eating olives with their mom, why not take a hard look at Canadians who fight in the Israeli and other foreign armies. Now there is some questionable allegiance! And kudos to the opposition MPs who dare to defy domestic pressure that prevents many from seeing both sides of the story. Yeah Peggy Nash! And to those who hope for relief from a Liberal (Canada) or Dem (US) victory - Rae, Ignatieff, Hilary Clinton and the rest of them have and will trip over themselves to be the staunchest ally of the only "democracy" in the mid-east. South Africa was a democracy too.
- Jack Ryan from Toronto/Calgary, Canada writes: #39 David Bruce from Vancouver, Canada: Think about what you are saying before you say it. Michael Ignatieff suggested Canada could provide ships to patrol the coast and prevent illegal weapons shipments. He also called for an immediate ceasefire and stressed the importance of preventing the conflict from escalating any further. Gee, controling weapons shipments is sure "pro neo-con". Think about what you people are saying: you think Israel should be left to patrol the Lebanese coast itself? Oh brilliant idea. Why don't we let Israeli troops enforce the ceasefire in Lebanon too. Meanwhile we can let Hezbollah patrol the streets in northern Israeli cities... quite the recipe for peace if you ask me (sarcasm)! Israel is one of the belligerents, as is Hezbollah. They both obviously need babysitting by the international community. My point was that the Israeli ambassador was trying to make himself look brilliant by offering us advice on how we can pursue what the majority of Canadians support: PEACE. Obviously the Israeli ambassador has selfish motives, and obviously we have to be mindful of either side taking advantage of or exploiting our help. I was merely criticizing him for stealing one of Ignatieff's thoughtful and logical proposals to ensure peace will endure in Lebanon. Even if you are centre-left, as I am; or even far-left; and sympathetic to Lebanon (as I am) - surely you must realize that preventing long-range rocket shipments from reaching Hezbollah is in the best interest of Lebanon? Ignatieff is progressive and liberal. Stop trying to paint him with the "neo-con" brush. It is unfair and unjust. Unlike our current Prime Minister, he is willing to admit when he has made mistakes (ie. Iraq). I would rather have a leader that is willing to acknowledge his or her mistakes and take corrective action than a leader who does not. Michael Ignatieff is the one politician who can truly be a Prime Minister to, and for, all Canadians - something Harper should try.
- Peter Cromerovich from Calgary, Canada writes: Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker requests and requires Canada to run a naval blockade on Lebanon's coast, "and perhaps a small Canadian army contingent could be found to help patrol the Syrian border", he adds condescendingly. Mr. Baker, the country you represent has willfully killed 9 civilian Canadians and deliberately sent a laser guided bomb into a UN building standing alone on a hill, resulting, amongst others, in the murder of a Canadian soldier. The former you can write off as impersonal, collateral damage, the latter you cannot. Perhaps Canada should hunt down those responsible, capture them and hold them indefinitely without trial? (Just in case you are wondering I don't like Hezbollah any more than I like you). We now have confirmation of what was obvious -the Lebanese invasion was planned well in advance; but why did you not give civilians a chance to leave Lebanon before you attacked? That answer is obvious too. Does it sound like I might have a personal grudge against Israeli politicians? Correct. During one of your previous unannounced Lebanon invasions on December 28, 1968 you blew up a VC-10 on the apron at Beirut International airport. This was Middle East Airlines flight 202 non-stop from London to Beirut and, yes, I had just stepped off it. I don't believe my family ever received an apology for the days of agony they went through before they knew I was safe. Unlike some of our politicians not all Canadians are pro-Israeli Lebanon invaders so maybe you could back off on your insufferable arrogance, stop meddling in Canadian affairs and stop telling Canadians what they can and can't do. I know what I'd like to do and that is for you to leave Canada with a little help on your hind quarters.
- Anthony B from Sydney, NS, Canada writes: I'm tired of hearing the "poor little Israel needs our help" cry. How long is this belligerent, arrogant country going to play on the world's collective guilt over something perpetrated by one country (Germany) 60 years ago? If Israel made even a small attempt to get along with its neighbours and redress the wrongs done to dispossessed Palestinians, the world might feel more kindly disposed toward them.
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