TORONTO -- A Canadian family that has long denied ties to al-Qaeda now admits that they are not only terrorists, but believe it's noble for them to die for the cause.
Abdurahman Khadr admitted to CBC-TV's The National on Wednesday that some of his brothers and his father fought as al-Qaeda terrorists and that they even stayed with Osama bin Laden.
And his mother and sister, interviewed in Pakistan, said they were proud of their family's connection to the terrorists behind the September 2001 attacks.
"Until now everybody says we are an al-Qaeda connected family but when I say this, just by me saying it, I just admitted we are an al-Qaeda family. We had connections to al-Qaeda," Abdurahman Khadr said in Toronto.
[. . . .] One of his sons, 14-year-old Karim, was wounded in the battle and is in a military hospital in Rawalpindi, paralysed from the waist down. Another son, Omar, was captured by U.S. forces after an attack in Afghanistan and is being held at the American jail in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Abdurahman Khadr, who was released from the U.S. jail and eventually returned to Toronto last year, says he wants to be a peaceful Muslim. [Can we believe this? Do we dare to take the chance? NJC]
[. . . .] Ahmed Said Khadr's wife, Maha, and 23-year-old daughter, Zaynab, say he was proud to die as a martyr, a soldier of Islam. "We believe that death comes when God had planned it, before He created the humanity, it's planned, so I just accept -- but it hurt," Maha said.
"We believe dying by the hand of your enemy," Zaynab told CBC. "My father had always wished that he would be killed ... for the sake of Allah. I remember when we were very young he would say, if you guys love me, pray for me that I get jihaded, which is killed."
Maha said she would be happy if her children died the same way. "You know we are promised that we go to heaven," she says.
My Commentary:
If you look through the archives, on several occasions I have written of the potential for terrorists amongst us, that one could not believe the Khadr family -- nor should we believe people who turn up with no documentation -- people who tell a story of hardship when, the the bigger the tear-jerker, the more likely it will get them into Canada. I was right. Some may have thought I was and am far too rabid. I beg to differ. This is only the most obvious tip of the terrorist iceberg here.
Jean Chretien actually helped get the senior Khadr released so he might return to Canada to continue his nefarious fund-raising for Al Qaeda, probably along with activity to turn other young Muslims into Shaeeds (Saheeds? -- jihadis, anyway). What pea patch did JC emerge from, anyway, that he believed the Khadr stories? Has he never listened to the lies the Third World tells to get here? Did he not care -- or did it suit his purpose and to heck with Canadian security as long as the Muslims vote Liberal? The answer is in the question, obviously. Do you still believe Maher Arar? I don't -- I don't care how sweet and innocent his wife looks and sounds in her pseudo-nun's habit.
Previously, there have been reports that the other Khadr family members, being Canadians (a perversion of our gift of Canadian citizenship, if there ever were one) wished to return to Canada. There is another son hiding out in Pakistan. Does this mean that the paralyzed Karim, Omar in Guantanamo Bay who didn't kill, of course, and this other son, whose face was never shown (on CBC's The National last night with Terry MacKenna) will not want to return to Canada -- to vote Liberal? I want Paul Martin to assure us that this is the case.
The Liberals' insistence (along with the Red Tories and NDP) on more immigration/refugees--particularly from Muslim countries--dubious multicultural policies and the touting of diversity using Canadians' tax dollars to fund it is a failure. It is time to rethink the whole thing. Make Canadians out of those who come here or turf them out. That means they must accept democracy and not bring their hatreds and their idiocy here.
In fact, we need a moratorium on immigration and refugees until we get rid of the dangerous ones still free in Canada -- after they were supposed to have been deported -- then reassess what has happened.
Complete an investigation into the immigration/stolen visas, et cetera that I have been writing on intensively for a couple of weeks and at times for the last year. If you haven't read about it, start at least with this Feb. 24, 04 post on Whistleblowing Legislation and move on to The Power Elite: A Cozy Little Network and through the rest of the sleeze, rot, and scum up to the present.
Demand that our government properly fund an investigation!
Stop funding differences; turn out Canadians! We also need a complete overhaul of the Immigration and Refugee Board; get rid of the lot and start anew.
Update: Suggestions for Reform -- Take note, CPC leadership contenders
From Diane Francis via Bud: Frost Hits the Rhubarb, March 4, 04 come these suggestions for reform of our government -- to add to the ones in What is Missing -- in Emphasis, in Policy? just below. Scroll down for the ideas I posted earlier today.
Term limits, free backbencher votes, an independent investigation based on the Auditor-General's reports, and rotating the media reporters that cover the government. She thinks maybe this would end the cozy relationship between the government and the media/bureaucrats.
The Law, The Centre and the Power Elite -- and Pork
Reminder -- Bud and Other Posts: More of Bud's posts and mine on other topics will be posted later today on Frost hits the Rhubarb. In the last week, for posts on topics other than security and law and order, I have used Frost Hits the Rhubarb, Feb. 27 to Mar. 2. Just scroll down. But first, check out the pork and the network at the top, and more. NJC
Liberal Pork: Slaughtering 200 innocent English settlers gets you a Heritage Moment, and more
A combined donation of $200,000, with more coming, was given by Heritage Canada and ACOA to the organizers of the 500th anniversary of the francophone community in Newfoundland. The money will be used to honour Pierre Lemoyne d'Iberville, whose claim to fame consists of murdering English settlers.
First in New England--60 killed there, then he mauraded his way across the Avalon peninsula of Newfoundland, killing more than 200 English settlers. Later he massacred more people in the English colony of Nevis. In real life he was convicted of cruel piracy and his estate was seized for reparations. According to the National Post article (Mar. 3) "[The] key part of the anniversary celebrations is Raid Avalon--an adventure race that uses d'Iberville's trail of mayhem in 1696-97 as its course. One critic says that it is like Israel celebrating Hitler."
I personally would like to see some Heritage money put up by Heritage Canada and The Quebec Regional Development Agency to commemorate General Wolfe's conguering of Quebec. Maybe re-enact the victory by having a race along the route Wolfe's troops used. Think that idea would fly?
Kathy Gallant, a francophone tourism official, stated that d'Iberville's massacres will not be mentioned in the celebrations. But doesn't that rob the entire enterprise of its historical importance? Sounds like a typical Liberal pork job to me. It might even pay off electorally in the francophone areas of the province.
***Ms. Stronach has criticized high taxes and promised to make Canada the most competitive tax jurisdiction in the world. ***
OTTAWA - Frank Stronach has avoided paying Canadian income tax on almost $200-million of compensation and fees since 1994, corporate figures show. [His residence is in Switzerland. NJC]
[. . . . ] Canadians can escape taxes if they set up their principal residence in tax havens, such as Switzerland, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda and Barbados.
[. . . . ] Since she resigned as CEO of Magna to run for the Conservative leadership, Belinda Stronach has not directly attacked CSL's tax avoidance strategy nor has she defended the use of tax havens to escape paying taxes at home.
On the campaign trial, Ms. Stronach has criticized high taxes and promised to make Canada the most competitive tax jurisdiction in the world. She would eliminate the tax on capital investment and decrease personal and corporate tax rates.
Why not just set Canada up as another tax haven like Switzerland or Barbados -- register all the ships that come -- and bank all the Saudi money and dictator graft, among other goodies. Too simplistic? What would be the implications for Canada and Canadians? I don't know. If anyone else has a good idea on this, write. I'm just musing. NJC
In 1994, Frank Stronach left Canada for Zurich, giving as one of his reasons the favourable Swiss taxation policies.
"The government sat down with me and said, 'You're our customer' and that was its attitude," Mr. Stronach told Financial Post journalist Diane Francis in 1994.
Mr. Stronach would have paid a hefty one-time departure tax and had to surrender his health card and Canadian driver's licence, but he no longer has to pay tax in Canada unless he earns income here, according to tax officials. [ I suspect he can afford decent health care and probably has a chauffeur. NJC]
Magna paid Mr. Stronach, 71, the vast majority of his $198.2-million through its European subsidiaries.
Colette Gentes-Hawn, a spokeswoman for Canada Customs and Revenue, said it is perfectly legal for Mr. Stronach to avoid paying Canadian taxes, providing he is not living in Canada on a permanent basis.
"As a Canadian resident, you are taxable on your worldwide income regardless of source.... But if your principal residence is elsewhere, then you remain taxable only on your Canadian source income in accordance with the tax treaty in place with the country of residence," she said.
[. . . . ] The Magna founder is not the only member of the family to use tax havens. Andrew Stronach, the brother of Belinda, registered an online gambling outfit in Barbados that is owned by Magna Entertainment Corp., a subsidiary of Magna International. [See article below on Brian Tobin. NJC]
Belinda Stronach has refused to comment on her brother's affairs, saying she is no longer authorized to speak on behalf of Magna since she resigned as CEO on Jan. 20 to seek the Conservative leadership.
The big problem for most Canadians is that they cannot afford several residences, nor have they the option of moving to Switzerland -- unless they bring plenty of $$$ with them. Come to think of it, many of us would like to sample the life of wealthy Eurotrash; we just weren't born to it through inheritance -- nor ability, for that matter. D***
It does put Belinda's criticism of Stephen Harper into perspective, does it not? Read on. NJC
What is Missing -- in Emphasis, in Policy?
Emphasis on character and integrity in Parliamentarians, heads of Crowns and all that vast panoply that forms our government -- which includes protection of whistleblowers
Funding for the resources and manpower to investigate thoroughly and in a timely manner the present Liberal sponsorhip/slush fund scandal and past scandals such as the one(s) I have delineated for the past week concerning stolen visas at the Hong Kong embassy, Chinese triad members and other illegals entering Canada, inadequate knowledge of and investigation of Chinese immigrants who entered Canada as "investors" and "entrepreneurs", et cetera, along with the concomitant problems -- and giving these investigating forces independence by making them, through their leaders, responsible to and answerable to Parliament
Funding for manpower and whatever else is needed to provide Canadians with security within the country -- in Canadian cities, towns, homes, highways
Funding and a realistic approach to security of our borders, ports, airports bearing in mind that cargo enters with little checking -- How would Ms. Stronach get rid of gangs, drug activity and violence?
Truth in sentencing -- that jail for serious/violent crimes means jail for the duration of the sentence -- to send a message to criminals -- that Canadians expects this and judges must deliver it -- that what has been done has not curbed wholesale gang activity -- that the gun registry does not work and must be scrapped and then an investigation is needed into how the costs rose to exhorbitant levels for something that has not helped to catch violent criminals (Talk to Toronto's Chief Fantino about this!) -- that criminals carrying guns get long, tough sentences
Democratic reforms -- demanding MPs have free votes -- ending the PMs/PMO grasp on power over all appointments, over MPs in enforcing party unity, and over who runs for the party in election -- and more
Heads of CSIS, RCMP, Crowns, Judges, IRB Members -- all to be responsible to Parliament and in their budgets answerable, as well, to the Auditor General
Funding for and realistic expectations of our military and their families -- considering the military as a fighting force as opposed to a touchy-feely, feel good peacekeeping bunch -- and treating them as a warrior class meant to protect Canadians and their interests -- not be at the beck and call of the UN, yet able to take little or no action in situations crying out for their action, situations in which most military men/women would act?
There is so much more -- but these tumbled out -- and it was late when this was written. NJC
HALIFAX -- Belinda Stronach kicked off a new, nastier phase in the Conservative leadership contest yesterday, sowing doubts about opponent Stephen Harper's ability to unify the party for the next election. [He speaks French; Belinda does not.]
[. . . .] Critics, and even supporters of Ms. Stronach, said to expect more pointed criticisms of Mr. Harper as the neophyte politician tries to win support of undecided delegates and even to change the minds of those committed to Mr. Harper and former Ontario cabinet minister Tony Clement.
The new tactics will also see Ms. Stronach begin to focus more heavily on her own policy prescriptions in an effort to engage more Conservatives in her cause.
"We don't form government in this country by having regional leadership and a narrow base and leaving other parts of this country disenfranchised,"
Will Ms. Stronach be able to represent the East, the West, or the North? Has she ever carried a pail of water -- bathed or washed clothes in cold water -- shovelled snow or hacked at ice -- talked to a real fisherman or farmer, not the head of the fish packing company nor an agribusiness, but a real, grubby working man -- had to do any of those everyday chores so many in Canada still perform? Has she been to Pangnirtung -- Iqaluit -- the Drayton Valley or Peace River territory -- Come by Chance?
Does Ms. Stronach not represent a particular region -- called the Centre? But of course, that is too logical. The Center is the ONLY region, as long as Quebec gets to run the civil service and the government, Toronto remains the centre of the Centre and received opinion -- and nothing changes for the Canadian power elite -- whether Liberal / Red Tory / NDP of the champagne socialist variety. We would not want too many principled MPs in Ottawa, now, would we? Something might change; THEY MIGHT NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THINGS WORK! Really! NJC
[. . . . ] "Mr. Harper has been in that role [of Alliance leader] for some time now, for two years, and you have to look at what he has been able to accomplish in that time. Let the track record speak for itself." [merger? along with other good conservatives]
In her first major foray into defence policy, Ms. Stronach also said yesterday she plans to boost military spending by $10-billion over the next 10 years and wants to re-establish Canada's role as a leader in international peacekeeping.
[. . . . ] A Stronach government would also put Canada within a North American security perimeter.
[. . . . ] A Harper supporter said Ms. Stronach would not be criticizing Mr. Harper were she in the lead, and expected the campaign to get nastier as the Stronach campaign realizes it is trailing.
[. . . .] "Paul Martin wants us to believe that he was a stowaway on the good ship Chr?tien, when, in fact, he was the first mate."
OTTAWA - Brian Tobin, the former Newfoundland premier and federal industry minister, has been tabbed to run the real-estate, gaming and horse-racing company controlled by Magna International chairman Frank Stronach, sources say. [Note that word gaming -- not gambling. NJC]
Industry and political sources said yesterday that Mr. Tobin will be named as the top executive at M.I. Developments by week's end. Mr. Tobin currently sits on the publicly traded company's board of directors, which is chaired by Mr. Stronach. [. . . .]
M.I. Developments bills itself as Canada's fourth-largest real-estate operating company. It owns and manages commercial and industrial properties in North America and Europe, nearly all of which are leased to Magna.
The company assumed a controlling stake in Magna Entertainment last summer when the latter was spun off from Magna International, its former parent company. Under the restructuring, M.I. Developments now controls about 95% of Magna Entertainment's voting shares.
Magna Entertainment oversees a panoply of horse-racing and off-track betting interests, and owns the fabled Pimlico racetrack in Maryland.
[. . . .] Mr. Tobin is one of many former politicians who have joined Magna advisory boards. Former Ontario premier Mike Harris sits alongside Mr. Stronach on the board of Magna International. Former Ontario premier Bill Davis sits on the M.I. Developments board.
Mr. Tobin retired from public life in January, 2002, and joined the law firm of Fraser, Milner, Casgrain as a strategic advisor.
According to the biography posted on the M.I. Developments Web site, Mr. Tobin sits on several other corporate boards, including Rally Energy Corp., CHC Helicopter Corp., and Kruger Inc., where he is vice-chairman.
When Political Correctness Means Death
I caught the CBC's program , "Life and Times" about the Janet and Randy Connor story. The couple took on the provincial governments that refused to compensate the victims of the Red Cross blood scandal. Despite the Americans' experience which showed that homosexuals should not give blood, a top homosexual in the Canadian Red Cross thought that publicizing/knowledge of that might stigmatize the gay community, so he pushed to exclude such advice. The result was thousands of innocent blood recipients contacting HIV. This could be explained by one homosexual trying to protect the tribe from negative exposure; however, the fact that the straights went along with it in the name of "sensitivity" is the real crime. In numerous countries where the same criminal indifference occurred, the perpetrators were sent to jail. Nobody in Canada was even charged. It's the Canadian way, eh?
We are presented with a professional car thief -- one with over ten years of convictions. In his last year that the program surveys, he is shown stealing yet another car, which the Vancouver police have set up as a bait car. He is arrested. He gets a 6 month sentence. He is released after only 5 months. Within a week, he steals another car. He is sentenced to another 6 month sentence. Am I missing something here? Is there any justice left in this country? When do you finally decide that enough is enough? The punk actually was allowed to spout the defense that he was entrapped by the police for setting up the bait car. Wow!
