Best news of the day - our new and unelected Prime Minister Paul Martin does the right thing and call a full public inquiry on the Arar matter, my feelings on which can be read here, here and a bit here.
I seem to recall as a youth back in the 70's and 80's public inquiries and Royal Commissions and the like were if not commonplace, an expected aspect of governance. Like ministerial responsibility, the concept has since hit hard times. Why? Because they find out things and hold people responsible - and sometimes as we learned today with the UK's public inquiry into Dr. Kelly's death, not necessarily the people you think will be held responsible. As with the Ipperwash Inquiry in Ontario, called for for years, let's hope the job gets done and if people or practices stink, get to work to fix them.
Comments
Arthur - January 28, 2004 6:33 pm
"The most important thing is to exonerate myself and to be certain it won't happen to others"</p>
Amen to that.
Arthur - January 28, 2004 6:36 pm
Woops I broke the comment. Additional <em> is following now: </em>.
Did that work??
Alan - January 28, 2004 9:25 pm
Thanks for picking up after yourself, Arthur.
Wayne - January 29, 2004 10:51 am
I am interested to know what the RCMP know about Arrar that they don't want us to know they know. Many people resent the fact that others know what is in their closet. Even those with something to hide...
Alan - January 29, 2004 11:11 am
I agree Wayne. But it will also be interesting to see what the RCMP claims is secret when it butts up against their failings. So far we know that Mr. Arar had on a lease in 1996 or so a witness from who also attended his local "church" [I am not clear what Islamic communities call their equivalent of church, synagog or temple but you get the idea]. Wha else do they know? What will also be interesting to learn about is how much the RCMP knows about anyone. Interesting to me as a file started on me in high school (as reported earlier here) which is no doubt being updated as once one is opened it would never really be closed. So everyone look at the screen and say "hello!"
Wayne - January 29, 2004 1:04 pm
My Muslim friends refer to themselves as being part of a "Community", because there is no Mosque in the area to attend.
May "The Force" be with you!
Alan - January 29, 2004 1:06 pm
Of course mosque - what a fool I am without caffine.
jean - January 30, 2004 10:41 am
I suspect this grand gesture for a public inquiry is only smoke and mirrors to take the heat off the Government until after the spring election. I was at a meeting in town last night and heard the comment from one of the MP's there, that by Martin allowing a public inquiry, the general feeling among many on "The Hill" is that US, England, Syria, etc., will see Martin as having no backbone and caving in to protect his party so that it will be re-elected. This will probably result in Canada being left out of the *terrorist information* circle. Are they correct in assuming this? I don't know, just what I heard. I do expect that there is more to this case than meets the eye. There always is.
One question I do have though, Alan, is this: Arar was carrying two passports; one Syrian, one Canadian. In that case, which takes precident when a country decides to deport? The country of birth, or the country of choice?
Alan - January 30, 2004 11:13 am
I am sure there is no rule but the real question is - if you have power over someone do you turn him over to a friend or a tyrant where each has an equal claim? If the tyrant because they will perform the torture you do not allow yourself, what kind of friend do you have?
jean - January 30, 2004 11:32 am
That about says it all, doesn't it?