The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
More What Abouts There are many "what abouts" in Canadian politics today. Let's look at a few federal and provincial happenings. In late September, Prime Minister Stephen Harper spoke about foreign policy at the United Nations and, unlike the Liberals who usually spoke about problems with AIDS and the like, talked about keeping the UN onside in fighting terror in Afghanistan. He said in effect that the UN better not back off as they did in Rwanda and Somalia, which resulted in the slaughter of thousands of innocent citizens, and has an obligation to defeat terrorism. Harper spoke after rejecting a plea from the Bloc Quebecois to have a major debate on Canada's foreign policy, and the NDP's proposal to bring the troops home. Afghan President Hamid Karzai was also in Ottawa to meet with Harper and explain to Parliament why his country needs continued help. The press has been playing up Jack Layton's remarks about the Afghanistan war. One wacky comment about the projected $3.5 billion cost to Canada for the war and reconstruction was that the war costs are nearly 10 times greater than the reconstruction costs and should be stopped. MP Jason Kenney patiently explained to Mr. Layton that without soldiers to protect the aid workers there would be no reconstruction, schools, etc. Aren't we lucky we didn't have someone like Layton leading the country during the World Wars? Another what about is the report out of Ottawa that the government intends to revisit the 30-year-old dual citizenship issue that came to light during the Lebanon crisis. Why are they doing this? The costs of evacuating 15,000 dual-Canadian citizens from Lebanon is estimated at $85 million. Think of what could have been done for Canada's roads, health system, universities, etc. with that money. Besides, it is estimated that 7,000 of them have returned to Lebanon. This is an exploitation of the system and stopping it should receive a lot of support. There are more than four million Canadian Immigrants who hold dual citizenship with at least one other country, including over 14,000 in Manitoba. A number of them have expressed concern that they may lose this status, but their arguments are weak. If you are a dual citizen and do not maintain a residence in Canada or pay taxes, losing your you Canadian citizenship makes good sense. Let's hope Minister Monte Solberg takes some action, or in the next Lebanese war we will be paying again! What about the leaders of Iran and Venezuela and their comments at the UN and in New York? Remember the Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is trying to get nuclear weapons and faces censure from the world body. He is considered a very dangerous man for funding terrorism, but is now trying to change his image and even expressed his love and affection for the American people. Most observers think Ahmadinejad hasn't really changed but realizes he is facing a tough re-election battle. Apparently his popularity is sliding, as he hasn't carried out promised reforms. Too bad! A more bizarre case is that of the Oil President of Venezuela, Hug Chavez, who was at the UN and in New York City attacking President George W. Bush for being an ex-alcoholic, etc., and says he is looking forward to the next president. The White House declined to respond, but the Democratic Party leaders attacked Chavez as an "illiterate thug," which of course he is. Chavez exists only because of the cheap oil policy in his country, and because he gets the votes of the poor and desperate slum dwellers. Chavez has destroyed the middle class and private business, ignores the courts, and without oil the economy would be in shambles. Look for the US to turn up the heat on Chavez, restrict their oil imports from his country and look for ways to get rid of him permanently. The final "what about" is that today is election day in Flin Flon. Voters in half of the city have been disenfranchised for school board, but have a good choice for councillors. Please get out to the polls and exercise your franchise. Remember the old but true saying: "Vote as you please but please vote!" Roger's Right Corner runs Wednesdays.
