Harper Hype Takes a Hit in Parliament
What they seek to export for the benefit of others, they practice at home only under extreme duress.
There hasn't been a major terror attack in N. America since 9/11. That's six long years. A remarkable fact given the toxic levels of global animosity toward America. Bush and Harper seem to believe that this is due to tougher legislation and anti-terrorism measures. That thinking is in large part bogus. Given the porous nature of our societies - the international links retained by immigrant families, leaky border security and ports that are wide open to exploitation by any terrorist group with expertise and resources - it's patently obvious that a determined adversary could launch an attack at will.
Why hasn't it happened?
Well, there is this leader of the free world who in true Texas style is toting a big ole side arm. Thing is he isn't shooting at Al Qaeda - he's shooting at his own foot. This spectacle of the great democracy-promoting crusader blasting away at his own Guccis is of course both amusing and gratifying for those who regard themselves as the enemy. I mean how can they do a better job than Dubya himself.
Stephen Harper made the mistake of publicly aligning himself with elements of the Bush doctrine when a lot of us were bailing out of there like rats on amphetamines fleeing a sinking ship. Escapees watched with a feeling of deja vu as Harper dutifully began to intone from the neo-con hymn sheet.
You would think that over time and with little evidence mounting he would have smartened up, as even Bush is attempting to do in tiny measure. But oh no, this week the PM was hot and bothered because anti-terrorist measures introduced hastily after 9/11 were struck down in the House of Commons. The vote was 159-124 in favor of termination. Moreover this week, the Supreme Court of Canada declared it unconstitutional to detain foreign terror suspects indefinitely while the courts review their deportation orders.
All of this speaks to both common sense and a genuine belief in equity and fair play. All the very best instincts of my fellow Canadians.
Fact is, the legislation wasn't even used. It had become moribund by default, and shouldn't that tip off even the congenitally slow witted to the fact that hordes of bearded Mujahideen have no intention of appearing any time soon over the parapets of the Halifax dock. Ok that's pushing it. How about even a shoe or underwear attack by a Richard Reid wannabe.
We have thus far been mercifully spared any major atrocity of this sort - and yet Harper is acting like a man who appears willing to challenge the democratic will of Parliament and the decision of the Supreme Court in an effort to get draconian laws back on the books. Of course we all know an election is coming and that Steve feels the need to grandstand for the chain and manacle constituency, but it doesn't do him any favors in the eyes of those Canadians who tend toward a politics of cool appraisal rather than the pants-in-a-lather approach.
This is not to either minimize the terror threat or to suggest we shouldn't be in a state of preparedness for a worst case scenario. Which indeed I believe Canada is, given a realistic assessment of the threat to date. Or to put it another way. If a terrorist group is determined to attack us, I don't believe the laws Harper is keen to keep on the books will act as a preventative measure. They may even act as an incentive.
When you start interfering with civil rights and giving the authorities extraordinary powers, they better damn well be justified on the ground.
These measures overturned by the Canadian Parliament weren't justified by the facts on the ground. That's why our elected officials in their wisdom decided to ditch them.
About the Author
Aidan has a BAHons/BEd and taught for a period in the UK and Canada. He lives in Ontario and is married with a daughter. He's also a cartoonist and has been a contributor to a variety of magazines and newspapers over the years. You can visit his blog at http://aidanmaconachyblog.blogspot.com/