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Canada Can't Muzzle Me
To ban me from the country for my views on Afghanistan is absurd, hypocritical, and in vain
The Canadian immigration minister Jason Kenney gazetted in the Sun yesterday morning that I was to be excluded from his country because of my views on Afghanistan. That's the way the rightwing, last-ditch dead-enders of Bushism in Ottawa conduct their business.
Kenney is quite a card. A quick trawl establishes he's a gay-baiter, gung-ho armchair warrior, with an odd habit of exceeding his immigration brief. Three years ago he attacked the pro-western Lebanese prime minister, Fuad Siniora, for being ungrateful to Canada for its support of Israeli bombardment of his country. Most curiously of all, in 2006 he addressed a rally of the so-called People's Mujahideen of Iran, a Waco-style cult, banned in the European Union as a terrorist organization. On one level being banned by such a man is like being told to sit up straight by the hunchback of Notre Dame or being lectured on due diligence by Conrad Black. On another, for a Scotsman to be excluded from Canada is like being turned away from the family home.
But what are my views on Afghanistan which the Canadian government does not want its people to hear? I've never been to Afghanistan, nor have I ever met a Taliban, but my first impression into the parliamentary vellum on the subject was more than two decades ago. At the time the fathers of the Taliban were "freedom fighters", paraded at US Republican and British Tory conferences. Who knows, maybe even the Canadian right extolled these god-fearing opponents of communism. I did not, however.
On the eve of their storming of Kabul I told Margaret Thatcher that she "had opened the gates to the barbarians" and that "a long, dark night would now descend upon the people of Afghanistan". With the same conviction, I say to the Canadian and other NATO governments today that your policy is equally a profound mistake. From time to time and with increased regularity it is a crime. Like the bombardment of wedding parties and even funerals or the presiding over a record opium crop, which under our noses finds its way coursing through the veins of young people from Nova Scotia to Newcastle upon Tyne. But it is worse than a crime, as Tallyrand said, it's a blunder.
The Afghans have never succumbed to foreign occupation, heaven knows the British empire tried, tried and failed again. Not even Alexander the Great succeeded, and whoever else he is, minister Kenney is no Alexander the Great. Young Canadian soldiers are dying in significant numbers on Afghanistan's plains. Their families are entitled to know how many of us believe this adventure to be similarly doomed and that genuine support for troops - British, Canadian and other - means bringing them home and changing course.
To ban a five-times elected British MP from addressing public events or keeping appointments with television and radio programs is a serious matter. Kenney's "spokesman" told the Sun, "Galloway's not coming in ... end of story." Alas for him, it's not. Canada remains a free country governed by law and my friends are even now seeking a judicial review. And there are other ways I can address those Canadians who wish to hear me.
More than half a century ago Paul Robeson, one of the greatest men who ever lived, was forbidden to enter Canada not by Ottawa but by Washington, which had taken away his passport. But he was still able to transfix a vast crowd of Vancouver's mill hands and miners with a 17-minute telephone concert, culminating in a rendition of the Ballad of Joe Hill. Technology has moved on since then. And so from coast to coast, minister Kenney notwithstanding, I will be heard - one way or another.
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Show AllThe Zionist influence not only land grabs and murders at will, but even works to defeat free speech around the globe.
YouTube of Galloway vs Jewish Defence League on his Canada ban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAm7rfHKSyY
The current Canadian government, neck deep up the bung hole of the U.S., does itself proud once again.
Canadian government used to question US Imperialism, now they send war resisters back to the US and people who speak out for peace and justice like Col. Ann Wright and George Galloway are not allowed in the country, oh, how the times have changed!
The Canadian political scene (as in a lot of places), is in a very bad way, A series of political 'mishaps', plus the incredible pressure from the right exerted since the Reagan years have left Canadians with awful political leadership--left and right.
The Liberals made huge messes everywhere and richly deserved the boot. But only to be replaced by something much worse--a classic case of 'out of the frying pan and into the fire'.
It just doesn't look good.
Read stuff by David Orchard. I wish he would try and run again.
I've been aware of Orchard for a long time. He says some sensible things (that everybody else left of Attila the Hun is also saying) but has no leadership potential whatever. Literally millions of Canadians know the score; only exceptionally few have solid leadership potential.
Look at Nader. His analysis of US domestic and foreign policy is right on, and millions see it as he does. But he's a weird, authoritarian, tight-ass dweeb without a lick of leadership potential.
Knowing who are the bad guys and what they are up to, and being aware of a better way is not exactly a secret. And everybody who knows the score is not suited to be a 'leader' because of seeing the obvious.
Canada allows Mr Mass Murderer and invader of foreign nations George Bush to enter their nation and give a speech, despite protest. And turns around and BANS Mr Galloway, a man who brought in medical supplies to Gaza and a true humanitarian, from entering Canada. Why does anyone suck up to these zionist pigs who represent a very small segment of the population and control who one can or cannot see?
Well said George Galloway.
Canada allowed torturer, war criminal Bush to land at Calgary Airport.
Then Bush addressed some distinguished Canadians at a lunch.
Native Indian activist Splitting-the-Sky was arrested trying to do his duty by serving a citizens arrest on the only US President elected (selected) with a prior criminal record, driving under the influence.
The surrounding protesters called for the arrest of G. W. Bush.
Some time ago I watched you on video give Senator Norm Coleman and a US Senate Committee a bloody nose.
I am pulling for you to come to Canada where the British, Scots and Irish and many others helped build a fine country; you can give the parties who remained silent and their leaders more bloody noses.(Conservatives, Liberals and New Democrats) (Bloc?)
I am scunnered by the double standard. (Scunner=Puke)Robert Burns.
>>I am pulling for you to come to Canada where the British, Scots and Irish and many others helped build a fine country; you can give the parties who remained silent and their leaders more bloody noses
While I understand you mentioned "many others" we Canadians always tend to overlook the true pillar and wellspring from which our nation came into being, and that was our Aboriginal peoples.
Not a critique of you personally, it just that whenever we get into a Political debate up here about the founders of our nation and the "Two founding peoples" debate (French and English) it just sticks in my craw big time.
To the topic at hand, a truly shameful action by our Governmnet, allowing in a War Criminal and torturer while barring a person more interested in peace.
The question Canadians must ask is "Would an Ignatief run Governmnent do anything differently".
I am not hopeful.
"Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff said Galloway should be allowed into Canada unless the government can prove he poses a threat."
Mindful that is his position as Opposition leader.
The question Canadians must ask is "Would an Ignatief run Governmnent do anything differently".
Here's what Iggy wrote in the NYTimes Magazine, January 5, 2003
"America's empire is not like empires of times past, built on colonies, conquest and the white man's burden. We are no longer in the era of the United Fruit Company, when American corporations needed the Marines to secure their investments overseas. The 21st century imperium is a new invention in the annals of political science, an empire lite, a global hegemony whose grace notes are free markets, human rights and democracy, enforced by the most awesome military power the world has ever known."
The first half of the paragraph is totally contradicted by the second half. (...grace notes are free markets, human rights and democracy... what poppycock!) Then he goes on with more drivel:
"It is the imperialism of a people who remember that their country secured its independence by revolt against an empire, and who like to think of themselves as the friend of freedom everywhere. It is an empire without consciousness of itself as such, constantly shocked that its good intentions arouse resentment abroad. But that does not make it any less of an empire, with a conviction that it alone, in Herman Melville's words, bears ''the ark of the liberties of the world."
Either he's stunningly naive or an outright propagandist (liar).
The american establishment did, does, and will always act in order to enrich themselves whatever the cost to others.
Thanks for quoting that.
He is unbelievably shallow and stupid. I don't care if he has 10 Harvard Phds...he's a simpleton. Look at the style and the awesome emptiness of what he says.
He's merely sticking his tongue up the behind of the Dick Cheney, and he has nothing to say at all except the most vapid, obsequious trash. He's so stupid, he might even believe what he's saying! But it doesn't matter, he's a thorough opportunist who would say anything to advance his career, including agreeing with Bush/Cheney on their horrific invasion of Iraq, and the torture that is part of their legacy.
As a teen at a prestigious rich-boys' school, he absolutely forbade his younger brother (much less popular and successful academically and otherwise) to talk to him in public or to otherwise devulge that they were brothers. He's a pompous sack of opportunist, careerist shit. His 'works' are shallow and not nearly as solid as people believe. He is hugely over-rated, and nothing but scum.
But sadly, he and his fellow Liberal dweebs are a real improvement over Harper and his bible-thumping neo-fascists.
Thanks for the reminder.
davidwdeitch
Hats off to George Galloway. And I would remind all that the U.S. press, including virtually all the left blogs, ignored Galloway's recent truck caravan to Gaza. What did he do to deserve that?
Not true. I was directed to VivaPalestina.org through one of the "left blogs" (I believe it was DailyKos, but could be wrong).Likewise I were monitoring CodePink's sojourn to Gaza (the same week) in solidarity with Gazan Women. (their SECOND journey).
There were DEFINITELY citizens of Canada's southern neighbor watching.
As it happens, I was actually visiting in Israel myself as Galloway and Medea Benjaman arrived in Gaza, monitoring it all via computer and cross-posting both VivaPalestina.org and CodePink's progress on my facebook and twitter pages.
It may not be much, but it was SOMETHING.
To his credit, the Honorable Mr Galloway is not one to let the bastards get him down.
It further redounds to his credit that he has acquired the distinction of being declared persona non grata by the vile and scurrilous authoritarian North Amerikan Security State, Canada Sector.
Mr Galloway, I congratulate you and wish you all the best in your worthy endeavors. Even in absentia, you inspire all of us who champion civil liberties.
· Yr Obd't Servant
Dear George,
Please be understanding. The rats and rascals of the Bush administration have lost some of the sanctuary of presidentially imposed silence and obfuscation of what is generally accepted as right and reasonable. The kindly crooks to the north merely wish to offer their most gracious hospitality to the former Washington war criminals who must surely seek refuge should the light of truth continue to displace the cloud of denial that is thinning over the USA.
Not only is this a compassionate gesture, it promises to promote a cultural icon by which the well meaning countries of the world may plot their course to decency and betterment simply distancing themselves from the example provided by Ottawa.
Once the notorious mob from the states migrate to the provinces, Kenney and company shall have achieved a sort of living museum featuring some of the finest specimens of evil and ignorance that have infected the world in modern times. Surely you don't mean to deny the Canadians this cultural marvel by shouting at them the obvious criticisms that should come to any reasoned mind once the country becomes a haven for wayward Bushies, much as Argentina carved out scandalous niche for itself when the rest of the world was unwelcoming of Nazis needing new digs. At last, Canada shall have achieved a true identity in the world of nations!
Bring America Back !!!!..You Go, George !! Speaking truth to Power, and
thanks to the UK Guardian for bringing this to our attention. May the
Force be with you !!! Peace, love, and Protest !!!!
As a Canadian, barring Galloway from coming to Canada is an national embarrassment and about as petty a decision as there can be. Only neocon right wingers can possibly do something as stupid as this and, unfortunately, stupid right wingers have the reins of government right now. Kenney is an idiot as well as an asshole and his boss, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, is even more idiotic and a greater asshole than his lackey Minister is.
The Canadian people aren't stupid, the Conservatives had a chance and have blown both of them. I have no doubt the next election will again produce a minority government - this time with the Liberals in charge.
Unfortunately, Ignatieff is a shallow, opportunistic sack of pus. Better him than Harper and his bible-thumping, fascist simpletons, but it's depressing that Canada cannot come up with anything better than such a shallow dweeb.
I encourage everyone to watch George Galloway on the link given below by zorex (recopied here:
YouTube of Galloway vs Jewish Defence League on his Canada ban:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAm7rfHKSyY ).
George Galloway is one of the great men of our time!
Did you notice Weinstein's eyes shifting all over and his very nervous demeanor (like a snake thrashes about with a heavy rock on it). It looked to me that he knew perfectly well he was spouting lies and hatred with no basis to back what he was saying. Then his threatening of anyone who listend to what Galloway might say -- pure fear mongering, worthy of any fascist or terrorist.
The zionists are against the wall, and they know it, and this is an act of deparation. They try to defend their lies, terrorism, war crimes, ethnic cleansing and genocide, for which there is no defense possible. The jig is up!
The Border Agency and the minister's spokesman said the decision to bar Mr. Galloway was taken in accordance with section 34(1) of the Canada's immigration Act.
The Act states:
"A permanent resident or a foreign national is inadmissible on security grounds for:
(a) engaging in an act of espionage or an act of subversion against a democratic government, institution or process as they are understood in Canada;
(b) engaging in or instigating the subversion by force of any government;
(c) engaging in terrorism;
(d) being a danger to the security of Canada;
(e) engaging in acts of violence that would or might endanger the lives or safety of persons in Canada; or
(f) being a member of an organisation that there are reasonable grounds to believe engages, has engaged or will engage in acts referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c)."
It would appear that the decision to bar Mr. Galloway stems from a tortured allegation under s. 34(1) (c) - "...a danger to the security of Canada" by providing financial assistance to Hamas. How the security of any Canadian is endangered by providing AID to the beleagured Palestinians is never explained. Indeed, it would seem that any official of any government or relief agaency that provides aid to the Gazans would run afoul of this interpretation of this law.
In reality, the decision to bar Mr. Galloway is the result of AIPAC-like pressure from Jewish organizations bent on muzzling any criticism of Israeli actions and policies.In the recent US controversy concerning the forced resignation of Chas Freeman, it became apparent that the Israeli Lobby, AIPAC, was the prime mover behind it. In the discussions where AIPAC's influence was examined, one of the main concerns about it was its very successful efforts to stifle criticism of Israel's policies and actions
AIPAC has no formal presence in Canada, yet pressure being brought to bear on politicians to compel this decision to bar Mr. Galloway is exactly their modus operandi and it certainly makes one wonder whether there is an affiliation between it and the Canadian Jewish organizations that undoubtedly pressured the Harper Gov't to bar Mr. Galloway.
There is absolutely no question that in his speech Mr. Galloway would have been extremely harsh in his criticism of the Israelis in their murderous rampage in Gaza, so it would have been "all hands on deck" to prevent that criticism.
Aid can be given through a variety of channels. Mr. Galloway chose to give that aid through Hamas, a terrorist organization. In other words, the 'aid' he gave was to give a plug to a terrorist group that should be on the sidelines when it comes to aid being given out.
The people elected Hamas!
This is our way of punishing them for electing Hamas.
It started WITH the election, Israel cut off supplies!
Labels like "terrorist organization" have lost all credibility when coming from Israel or any government supporting the Zionist state.
As a matter of fact, it's almost always just the opposite. A very good sign Hamas is fighting for Humanity (rather than "empire") is that Israel and the US call them "terrorists."
The chutzpah of you Zionist apologists continues to amaze me.
Israel blockades Gaza because it DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED a Hamas Gov't.
The Gazans fire glorified fireworks that haven't killed an Israeli in two years to demonstrate its protest.
Israel responds with an invasion that kills 1400 including 350 women and children and tightens the blockade even further, even cutting off most humanitarian aid.
Galloway leads an AID convoy to Gaza to break the Israeli blockade and for providing that AID is branded as a terrorist supporter by you Zionist apologists, who, using your nefarious influence, compel the Bush-lite Harper bootlickers to bar Galloway, a British MP, from exercising free speech in Canada.
UNBELIEVABLE!!
"Israel blockades Gaza because it DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED a Hamas Gov't"
That's historical revision. Israel blockaded the Gaza strip after Hamas seized control of the territory by force. Read: Battle of Gaza. West Bank residents voted for Hamas also, no such blockade exists there.
Again, Zionist apologist chutzpah:
" Israel blockaded the Gaza strip after Hamas seized control of the territory by force."
Hamas did NOT seize Gaza by force but rather successfully resisted a US and Israeli-sponsored putsch after it was DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED.
Back to your Hasbara talking points to find a better argument.
"Hamas did NOT seize Gaza by force but rather successfully resisted a US and Israeli-sponsored putsch after it was DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED."
Ha-ha! Talk about propaganda! Gaza was under PA control before the battle of gaza, and was no longer after the battle of gaza. Recall Fatah members being thrown off the tops of buildings? Sorry champ, you lose. And you even admitted in your rebuttal that the Gaza blockade was not punishment for electing Hamas(notice no blcokade of the West Bank)
What shallow idiocy. No question that from our 'western' perspective, what Hamas proclaims sounds awful. But look at where they're coming from. Desperate situations foster desperate reactions. Plus, when organizing and trying to accomplish political goals, people state things in strong language. Witness the vicious lies of the Bush gang--mushroom clouds, etc. Pure fabrications.
Hamas is not a gentle little crowd but their anger and tactics must be judged in consideration of the horrors suffered by their people--families, friends, co-workers, etc.
And....THEY WERE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED in elections that put the US elections to shame in lots of basic democratic dynamics. Bush and his gang of neo-fascist idiots pushed hard for an election that a moron could have guessed would not go according to the wishes of those neo-con simpletons.
If democracy means anything, you respect the will of the people. If you don't like what the people decided.....TOUGH.
Galloway is no saint, but he's way more on the right track that that gang
of petty little bible-thumping, Bush ass-licking idiots in power in Ottawa right now.
The Canadian tradition, very much like in England, is to allow people to speak, even if you don't agree with them. In the long run, it's better all around to allow to speak people whose message you hate, than to stifle them. But especially in this case, where the message is the simple, straight-forward wisdom of criticizing that horrible US OCCUPATION of Afghanistan.
And Hammas does extremely good social work, and they're not corrupt, lazy, and cowardly like Fatah.
Let me respectfully disagree with your point of view. But first, I would like to point out that the blockade of Gaza began after Hamas violently took over the territory by force of arms...NOT after the elections. Notice the West Bank is not blockaded, though many Hamas supporters live there also.
Some governments--Canada's and Israel's, for example--just can't get over their loss of G.W. Bush as their role model.
please let go of your hatred of GW Bush. Take a good look at Pres Obama's policies and how they effect Wall Street and Health Care. I know some people need someone to hate, but Bush is gone. Obama sure loves Wall Street and war too, take a look or keep drinking the cool-aid.
Just be quiet.
Again I am embarrassed to be a Canadian by these right wing ideologues in Ottawa.
Last week they let a known war criminal, moron, and the architect of the global economic meltdown into the country to give a speech in Calgary.
Time to kick these Conservo-fascists to the curb. Your time is up Mr. Harper.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
You might want to learn the basics of posting so that you don't post your mediocre (while more of less accurate) and frantics posts 3 times...
You might want to know that sometimes some people have bad internet connections, which can often result in multiple posts.
I might not give a shit.
Again I am embarrassed to be a Canadian by these right wing ideologues in Ottawa.
Last week they let a known war criminal, moron, and the architect of the global economic meltdown into the country to give a speech in Calgary.
Time to kick these Conservo-fascists to the curb. Your time is up Mr. Harper.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
Again I am embarrassed to be a Canadian by these right wing ideologues in Ottawa.
Last week they let a known war criminal, moron, and the architect of the global economic meltdown into the country to give a speech in Calgary.
Time to kick these Conservo-fascists to the curb. Your time is up Mr. Harper.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
I am a citizen of a country I don't recognize anymore.
A country where war criminals are invited to speak and peace activists are barred from speaking.
A country where the national police execute confused immigrants at the airport.
A country full of consumers, not citizens.
A complicit population to the Great Leader's manipulation of Parliament and lawbreaking.
A country that has become the most belligerent climate change denier on the planet, eager to run interference for the Bush agenda.
A country that is the world's worst GHG pollution source.
A country willing to serve up its young men upon the altars of greed and oil.
A country eager to embrace all the worst of our southern neighbour, lurching towards more violence, more militarism, more surveillance, more police-state thuggery, more of the same failed policies.
Terrific list! Thanks!
And what about
-A country where food kills people but government food inspection is reduced.
-A country where people possessing soft drugs will be imprisoned and people possessing guns will be protected by law.
- The only country in the world which refuses to intervene when Canadian children are imprisoned by the U.S. military and tortured.
- A country where any word of criticism against Israel's military actions - including war crimes - is censored, banned & labelled "anti-semitic" by the Prime Minister and by his ministers.
- A country actively marketing it's uranium and it's oil sands, at the cost of it's environment and it's people, for profit.
- A country which refuses to recognize water as an essential human right at the UN.
- A country which refuses to recognize Aboriginal People's Rights at the UN.
- A country which refuses to recognize Women's Right to Equal Pay for Work of Equal Value.
With their drift towards American political thinking Canada may lose their health care system because the government looking out for the health of its own people is so Socalialist!
Well not all people will have to pay out of pocket... if they model their health care after America's because those in the prison sytem or military get free health care.
I would hardly what they get 'health care'.
What unmitigated BULLSHIT!!
The Canadian medical system:
The short version - 1999 - heart attack - instant treatment in Emergency - 5 days in Cardiac Care Unit - the cost to me - ZERO. How many tens of thousands in the glorious non-socialist USA?
Jan. 2009 - defective heart valve - open heart surgery - team of twelve heart surgeons, anaesthetists, profusionists and nurses - 10 days post-op care. The cost to me - ZERO. How many hundreds of thousands in the glorious non-socialist USA?
Apologies: I did not make myself clear: I was referring to the second paragraph and what those in prison or the military get -- which can hardly be called health care. In actuallity, many ordinary Americans don't get anything which could properly be called health care.
"The cost to me - ZERO"
Oh really?
You paid every time you received a paycheck! And, if the government didn't get enough from you, they took some from every grandma, working stiff, and minimum wage teenager working in Canada to pay for "your" healthcare.
So cool it with the "It was free" deception.
Doctors and nurses don't work for free! The hospital didn't get built with volunteer labor and materials.
When at last the annals of idiocy are written and sealed, the banning of George Galloway from Canada will have a position of pride on the front page. I say this as a Canadian who is finding it increasingly difficult to find any political space to say the things that need to be said and who is in constant amazement at the buffoons running this country.
Little Jason Kenney, the plump pillsbury doughboy of the right, is a shallow ideologue who is excercising his party's bully boy antics and flexing his corpulance in the most detestable manner possible. As a Canadian, I am deeply angered by his narrow minded, self righteous, self absorbed, egoistic, inexcusble behavior. Of course he comes from a dark corner of the country where intellectual thought and fairmindedness are frowned on.