Canada: Take a good, hard look at what's going down

[DesertFox]

Rosie Dimanno
The Toronto Star
4 June 06


Be sickened. Be frightened. Be angry. But don't you dare be shocked.

Unless you've been had.

Either way, the time has long passed for domestic bliss born of ignorance, virtue and wilful denial.

For everyone who thought Canada could cower in a corner of the planet, unnoticed and unthreatened by evil men — even when the most menacing of a very bad lot has twice referenced this country as a target for attack — take a good, hard look at what's been presented and what's being alleged.

Three tonnes of ammonium nitrate, thrice the amount used by Timothy McVeigh to demolish a government building in Oklahoma City. Cellphone detonators. Switches. Computer hard drive. A 9-mm pistol. Soldering gun. Camouflage gear.

And 17 males — born here or reared here, certainly settled here, some of them little more than children — formally remanded yesterday on terrorism-related charges.

If the accusations prove true, this isn't just slumming with jihad. For the benighted who claim that the war on terrorism is terrorism: Here is your war.

More (http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&call_pageid=971358637177&c=Article&cid=1149371435807)

[DesertFox]

They hoped the crocodile wouldn't notice them.

It did.

Toyota.

[Betrayed]

Canada doesn't want to get involved in our countries stupidity. Leave them alone.

[ThomasMore]

Canada doesn't want to get involved in our countries stupidity. Leave them alone.

Yes, how stupid of us to be hit by terrorist attacks killing three thousand innocent civilians. Terrorist attacks from those who killed innocent athletes in the 1972 Olympics, blew up airliners and threw crippled people over the rails of cruise ships. Took diplomats hostage for over a year, blew up embassies, who use children to blow up other children and civilians. Who murder other Muslims at weddings and parties in Muslim countries, as well as engaging in blood libels against Jews and Christians.

Americans have been some of the Muslims' best friends. Who helped Muslims oust the Soviets from Afghanistan in the 1980's? Where were the other Islamic countries in the support of the Afghanis then? Who rescued Muslims from genocide in Yugoslavia? Where were the other Islamic countries then? Where were the European countries (it was a European issue) until the US got in?

You made a smart-assed comment. Want to back it up with substance, or was it just a drive-by by the uninformed?

[Johnnybegood]

Canada doesn't want to get involved in our countries stupidity. Leave them alone.Not a problem Canada, We can always stop our trade relations you stupid bastards....Close down your borders or pay the price.

[DesertFox]

Canada doesn't want to get involved in our countries [sic] stupidity. Leave them alone. Yeah, it was real stupid of us to go after the murderous bastards who took out the twin towers. We should do what the liberals want and cower around waiting for it to happen again.

Like the Canadians have been doing.

Whether it works or not, we're doing something noble in Iraq that deserves respect even if you disagree with it. It's normally the hate- America crowd that sneers at it, and I didn't think you were one of them.

Are you? or are you just a jerk?

[Lubbock]

Islam is a Death Cult, founded by a pedophile.

A gutter religion practiced by gutter people.

[DesertFox]

It ain't no good, neither.

[Betrayed]

Many Canadians I was talking to last night believe the stuff was planted their by the government. The faction that was involved are rogue, not even involved with AQ or any other known terrorist organizations. The stuff very well could of been planted there in an attempt for the conservative leader Howard to gain support for a program similar to ours. Terrorists have no reason to attack Canada, even if they are freedom loving. They've done a decent job staying out of Middle Eastern affairs.

[Teenager]

Many Canadians I was talking to last night believe the stuff was planted their by the government. The faction that was involved are rogue, not even involved with AQ or any other known terrorist organizations. The stuff very well could of been planted there in an attempt for the conservative leader Howard to gain support for a program similar to ours. Terrorists have no reason to attack Canada, even if they are freedom loving. They've done a decent job staying out of Middle Eastern affairs.

How many is the "many" you talked to?? Two? Three? Maybe five people? Seriously, I don't think that represents the majority of Canadians.

If you had talked to about 200 people last night, then maybe I'd believe you a little more. But right now, you don't have one shred of respect from me...

[Lubbock]

Sometimes I can't believe things I see posted here, and it definately tells me that certain people need a dadgum good history lesson.

Anyone who could believe that the take down of this terrorist cell in Canada was a set up, and that Canada isn't a target, is either deliberately trying to stir debate by playing devil's advocate, or that person is delusional.

Hasn't anyone noticed that al Qaeda strikes at the weakest and most redily ripe to terrorism?

You don't have to go any further back in history than the first attack on the WTC to understand why we had the second attack.

Look at what's happened in Europe: anyone who can't understand what's happening over there when it comes to kowtowing to the Muzzies just simply does not understand the Muzzies.

That's why you need a history lesson. You need to smarten up. If you truly belive that Canada isn't a target because Canada has done a decent job of staying out of the the Middle East, you need to smarten up. And soon. Because Canada has tried to ride the middle road is the very thing that makes Canada vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Look at how long we tried to ride the middle road. Look where it got us.

This Leftist Bullcorn of trying to figure out why the Muzzies hate us and want to destroy us is the very thing that's going to get us all killed if we keep on.

Jeez. Wise up, boy. Study your history.

[mc_hamilton]

Many Canadians I was talking to last night believe the stuff was planted their by the government. The faction that was involved are rogue, not even involved with AQ or any other known terrorist organizations. The stuff very well could of been planted there in an attempt for the conservative leader Howard to gain support for a program similar to ours. Terrorists have no reason to attack Canada, even if they are freedom loving. They've done a decent job staying out of Middle Eastern affairs.

The fact that you don't even realize that "Howard" is Australia's prime minister pretty much shows how little credibility you have. Just for the record and for your educational purpose, Canada's leader is Stephen Harper.

And these so-called "Canadians" that you spoke with, were probably liberal tools living in the church & wellesley area(where the rainbow flags fly high) of Toronto. PS. We ARE in Afghanistan - Which should give the extremists more than enough reason, despite it politically being called a peace-keeping mission.

[DeclinetoState]

Betrayed was probably talking to a Canadian whose best friend (in more ways than one) was a moose. Of course, said Canadian might hang out in the part of Toronto mc_hamilton described.

[Free_Canuck]

I don't understand to what exactly canadians should "wake up" to. Canada has taken action against terrorism since day 1. We have voted and use anti-terrorism laws similar to the US Patriot Act. We've collaborated with our southern neighbor to make sure security is being taken care of. We went in Arghanistan and are still there. And now, we just stopped a terrorist cell from striking. We are perfectly aware of the danger presented by Islamic extremism, and we've taken the necessary steps to stop them: where exactly have we been wrong?

[mc_hamilton]

I don't understand to what exactly canadians should "wake up" to. Canada has taken action against terrorism since day 1. We have voted and use anti-terrorism laws similar to the US Patriot Act. We've collaborated with our southern neighbor to make sure security is being taken care of. We went in Arghanistan and are still there. And now, we just stopped a terrorist cell from striking. We are perfectly aware of the danger presented by Islamic extremism, and we've taken the necessary steps to stop them: where exactly have we been wrong?

Who is "we"? The fact of the matter is, the area of the country with the most influence and the most economic importance is mostly liberal. Talk to 90% of the people on streets in the Toronto area and you'll see them saying "Oh it's all a conspiracy. The government planted the evidence" and so forth...Until the general public backs Harper, he can't afford to take a hardline stance on anything because it's still a minority gov't.

But on a related issue when it comes to what we could do...And it's the US as well, not just Canada...When I go into the US or come back to Canada, it's ridiculously easy - If I wanted, I could smuggle anything I wanted practically...Not sure what could be done to tighten it up, but only once out of probably 50+ times have I ever been searched whether it be leaving or coming back into Canada..

[Beowulf]

Well, for the Canadians who really believe that it was a government set up they really are out of touch. They probably think that "no one would want to hurt us."

Truthfully, what needs to happen is a major terrorist strike on a major Canadian city as a wake-up call. Of course, then they would point at the US and blame George Bush, unable to accept the results of their ignorance and denial.

[Free_Canuck]

Who is "we"? The fact of the matter is, the area of the country with the most influence and the most economic importance is mostly liberal. Talk to 90% of the people on streets in the Toronto area and you'll see them saying "Oh it's all a conspiracy. The government planted the evidence" and so forth...Until the general public backs Harper, he can't afford to take a hardline stance on anything because it's still a minority gov't.

Liberal or not, Canada is taking the terrorist threat seriously and apparently, succesfully. That was my point.


But on a related issue when it comes to what we could do...And it's the US as well, not just Canada...When I go into the US or come back to Canada, it's ridiculously easy - If I wanted, I could smuggle anything I wanted practically...Not sure what could be done to tighten it up, but only once out of probably 50+ times have I ever been searched whether it be leaving or coming back into Canada..
You can't "tight it up", unless you are ready to place tens of thousands of american and canadian agents along the border. There're way too many roads and forest paths to even think about it. There's simply no practical solution. The best strategy is to consider NA as a single terrority in the context of security, and secure airports and seaports instead.

[Patriot Heart]

I had heard that Canada's immigration policies were quite lax. Now being in a glass house I probably shouldn't throw stones, as we do not properly defend out southern border, but we also have not been as cavalier about handing out visas to questionable Middle Easterners, either.

[Free_Canuck]

I had heard that Canada's immigration policies were quite lax. Now being in a glass house I probably shouldn't throw stones, as we do not properly defend out southern border, but we also have not been as cavalier about handing out visas to questionable Middle Easterners, either.

Our immigration policies are more lax than the US', yes. Are they "too lax"? That's a completely different question. What's "too lax"? The more you limit immigration, the less potential terrorists you let enter. But you'll also stop legitimate people from comming in the country, and these people are much, much more numerous than terrorists. It's a trade off.

[mc_hamilton]

Our immigration policies are more lax than the US', yes. Are they "too lax"? That's a completely different question. What's "too lax"? The more you limit immigration, the less potential terrorists you let enter. But you'll also stop legitimate people from comming in the country, and these people are much, much more numerous than terrorists. It's a trade off.

Well...Terrorists or not, many of the people let into this country sure as hell aren't contributing. How does an 80 year old from Pakistan that has who knows how many health problems get in here? Or the fresh immigrants that immediately go on welfare instead of getting a job...Not as bad as terrorists obviously, but they leach the system and use up the funding that COULD be going to our military or many other more important things....

And the fact of the matter is that only 10% of the immigrants from countries like Pakistan etc. have been screened...Which is FAR too low of a percentage