August 08, 2005
General: Canada's Afghanistan Mission 'is a 20-Year Venture'
On August 7, 2005, Canadians Major-General Andrew Leslie told attendees at the annual Couchiching Summer Conference in Orillia, Canada, that "Afghanistan is a 20-year venture" for Canadian troops. According to the Toronto Star, he told the conferees:There are things worth fighting for. There are things worth dying for. There are things worth killing for. Your soldiers have done all three of those activities in the last 50 years.
Mr. Leslie said,"More of that activity is about to take place," because there are "predators ... who wish to kill those whom we are charged to protect."
I guess Canadians should get prepared for bombings in their cities. Here's more on Mr. Leslie's speech.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 09:26 PM | Comments (0)
July 30, 2005
Why Canada's NGOs Shun Canadian Troops in Afghanistan
The Canada Free Press says Canadian NGOs are distancing themselves from Canadian troops in Afghanistan. "It is an apparent fear of losing their reputation for neutrality if they are seen as being allied with gun-toting soldiers that is spooking the NGOs," The Free Press said. Here's more.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 10:32 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
July 23, 2005
Canadian Muslims Urged To Practice "Smart Integration"
Dr. Mohamed Elmasry, the president of the Canadian Islamic Congress, "told about 6,000 worshippers at a Friday [July 22, 2005] afternoon service at the mosque of the International Muslims Organization in Rexdale," Canada, that The last few weeks, the Muslims in this country, like anybody else, saw the horrid images which were coming from London. Muslims in this country have to be proactive beyond the stage of condemnation.
The Globe and Mail of Toronto said, "While his appearance at the mosque had been scheduled for some time, it came the day after 120 imams from across Canada issued a statement condemning terrorism in the name of religion, and said it was their duty to turn extremists over to the authorities."
Dr. Elmasry urged Canadian Muslims to practice "smart integration." However, integration won't stop bombers' or alleviate political grievances based on international events such as the the U.S. and British invasion and occupation of Iraq. Here's more.
Posted by Munir Umrani at 08:15 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
May 19, 2005
Why Canada's Paul Martin Survived 'Confidence' Vote
Peter Milliken, speaker of the Canadian House of Common, saved the goverment of Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin on May 19, 2005 during a confidence vote. Why and How?
"The rule is that in the event of a tie, the speaker votes to maintain the status quo," The Globe and Mail of Toronto quotes Ned Franks, a professor emeritus from Queen's University and author of The Parliament of Canada, as saying. He aslo said:
In theory, the Speaker might vote any way he or she wanted, but the Speaker's actual discretion is tempered by precedent and the need for clear principles and practices. There need to be rules and guidelines to make procedure in the House, especially on something as important as the survival of a government, something less than random and whimsical.The paper said, "Marleau and Montpetit's House of Commons Practice and Procedure, the bible of the Commons, also makes that clear." Read more here. Also see "Liberals Lead, Avert Snap Election in Canada."
Posted by Munir Umrani at 11:49 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBack
