Deserters' Just Desserts?
Two American war dodgers who have been denied asylum in Canada are appealing. Although the Canadian government decided not to participate in violent action against Iraq because it felt that the evidence used to justify the invasion was insufficient or flawed, our immigration system is trying to bar entrance to those who feel the same way. The immigration board refused to consider whether or not the war was considered illegal by international justice standards. Aren't these exactly the kind of people we want here? I think so. canada politics k-dough canada political immigration war draft dodgers asylum
12 Comments:
Yes, on principle I agree. But the bottom line is we only accept a certain number of refugees and we have people with family members disappeared, women facing FGM etc. all desperately waiting. So, while I am very sympathetic to Hinzman and his ilk, it is not so easy.
Should the court consider the ilegality of the war on iraq argument? Absolutely if international law is to mean anything.
Anonymous: If you are who I think you are I know your views well. I was being a little rhetorical there. I mean, in theory, the people I value and want to be welcomed to Canada are, for example, those who denounce violence and war. These guys are activists in the most committed sense.
When someone's beliefs push them to the point that they're willing to give up their country, it's a pretty serious issue.
Of course, there is the bi-lateral US-Canada issue to consider here as well. Should be very interesting to see how the Harpies deal with this. My guess- nothing like the hardline rectoin to the soft ball they were lobbed by the Americans the other day.
These people that are hiding in Canada are cowards. They sign up of their own free will then when its time to pay the bill they run away. The socialist way is ro coddle these virmin but what should be happening is they should be shot on sight for there cowardess. They discust me, Imagine what the world would be like if we had done that in the late 1930's.
Anonymous- don't you think it's a little ironic that you call "these people that are hiding in Canada...cowards"? Especially in light of the fact that you signed in as "anonymous".
Hmmmmm.
Who are you to call me a coward? Like K-Dough is like on yer Birth certificate....
I apologize for my last message... I may have erred.. it is entirely possible that K-dough is your family name or the name of a former Pizza chain ....on your home planet of Krypton. Sorry about the explosion dude...
Well...welcome to the planet earth my friend... I hear Ka-El is hangin'out in Metropolis writing for some left-wing rag...
Later ET....
Anonymous:
Thanks for apologizing- I was about to relegate you to Cyber Gulag(tm). And for the record I didn't call you a coward per se. I merely mentioned the irony of the situation.
You wrote: "I hear Ka-El is hangin'out in Metropolis writing for some left-wing rag..."
Who? The cryptics are making my brain hemorrhoid pop out again. Do tell.
Sorry Mr. Dough ....Ka-El was Superman's Kryptonian birth name. Now push the hemorroid back in.
Keep on spewing...great blog dude.
Thanks man...but I think I'll leave the hemorrhoid out for awhile-maybe get it pierced or something.
If they didn't want to go to war, or didn't support the war, why'd they join the Army, let alone the Airborne?
Sorry, but I agree with K-dough on this one. Not wanting to participate in a war that is clearly contrary to international law, and risking prosecution/a lengthy jail term as a result of being unwilling to participate in an illegal war does not make one a coward, nor a deserter.
These men would have honourably served in a war defending the U.S. in accordance with the law. However, that is not what they were being asked to do. They were asked to invade a sovereign country without a UN resolution authorizing (and therefore legalizing) such action. "Pre-emptive" strikes are not recognized in international law. I believe that prior to this action only Israel had recognized (and exercised) such a "right."
No, these soldiers were being asked to break the law, which is illegal and many would argue, immoral, and are to be punished as a result. Canada has a duty to give them sanctuary, and I hope the courts give them the protection that the Refugee Board ought to have bestowed.
Thanks for the endorsement HS. But did you have to bring up Israel and international law? That's a frilly-laced invite for nutcases to start justifying violence here...
Oh wait, I guess we were already talking about nutcases (current US government). Might as well invite some for comment as well.
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