Letter from Ambassador Frank McKenna to Hannity & Colmes

Below is a copy of a letter Canada's Ambassador to the US Frank McKenna sent to uber-liar Sean Hannity and the hapless token liberal Colmes of the Fox "News" show "Hannity & Colmes".

Supposedly fair and balanced....

Apparently there was nothing fair or balanced about what they allowed to be broadcast on their show not too long ago.

A.L.

Mr. Hannity and Mr. Colmes,

Remarks made last week on your show by Arizona Representative J.D. Hayworth that "the Canadians now basically let anyone into their country. And you're right. This is a real problem" were irresponsible and an elected official should know better. Canadians know that we are also on Al-Qaeda's hit list. The September 11 attacks, and the many other attacks around the world remind Canadians every day of their vulnerability and our collective duty to contribute to global security. That is why we passed tough new immigration and anti-terrorism legislation. And that's why we have the largest military presence in Afghanistan, after the United States.

The real story is that Canada's immigration system is tough and fair. We screen each and every immigrant and refugee applicant to make sure that they meet our security requirements. These requirements are very similar to US immigration requirements. Our refugee acceptance rates are also equivalent. Also, since January, when the United States implemented its side of an agreement with Canada to prevent refugee applicants making simultaneous applications in both our countries, applicants to Canada have significantly dropped.

Well before 9-11, we've had officers working with airlines in our embassies abroad to ensure anyone getting on a plane for Canada had the right documentation. Annually, this prevented thousands from getting into North America and Homeland Security is now adapting the Canadian approach for American use.

Canada lets anybody in? Estimates are that there are 60,000 undocumented persons in Canada. In the US, with a population ten times that of Canada, there are over 10 million. It's the pot calling the kettle black.

Frank McKenna
Ambassador of Canada to the United States

Apparently God hates the Iraq war too, but not for the reason you were thinking....

This guy and his "church" are a bunch of loonies! If they were living and operating their "church" in the UK, we would all be spared from their hateful actions.

That said, I believe the 1st amendment is fairly sacred. Anyhow, to have a laugh and shake of the head, read below or click the link.

A.L.

Hundreds counter protesters at funerals

Supporters of soldiers far outnumber groups from anti-gay church

By BETH RUCKER, Associated Press
August 28, 2005

SMYRNA, Tenn. - Members of a Topeka, Kan., church say God is punishing American soldiers for defending a country that harbors gays - the reason they brought their anti-gay message to the funerals of two Tennessee soldiers killed in Iraq.

But followers of Westboro Baptist Church who carried signs and shouted things such as "God hates fags" and "God hates you" were met with equally strong messages of soldier supporters who gathered at the funerals of Staff Sgt. Asbury Fred Hawn II in Smyrna and Spc. Gary Reese Jr. in Ashland City.

"My husband is over there, so I'm here to show my support," 41-year-old Connie Ditmore, of McMinnville, said as she waved the American flag and tears came to her eyes. "To do this at a funeral is disrespectful of a family, no matter what your beliefs are."

Hawn, 35, and Reese, 22, were killed in an Aug. 14 attack in Iraq when they were hit by rocket-propelled grenade fire. Both were members of the Tennessee National Guard's 278th Regimental Combat Team.

The Rev. Fred Phelps, founder of Westboro Baptist, contends that American soldiers are being killed in Iraq as vengeance from God for protecting a country that harbors gays. The church, which is not affiliated with a larger denomination, is made up mostly of Phelps' children, grandchildren and in-laws.

About 10 church members protested near Smyrna United Methodist Church and nearly 20 stood outside the National Guard Armory in Ashland City. Members have demonstrated at soldier funerals across the nation, including the Aug. 11 service for Sgt. James Dustin "Dusty" Carroll in McKenzie.

"The best venue is the funeral of an IED- (improvised explosive device) killed son or daughter," Phelps said, adding, "The righteous will rejoice when he seeth the vengeance."

Hundreds of Smyrna and Ashland City residents and families of other soldiers turned out at both sites to counter the message the Westboro Baptist members brought.

So many counter-demonstrators were gathered in Ashland City that police, Cheatham County sheriff's deputies and state troopers were brought in to control traffic and protect the protesters.

The church members held protesting permits, and counterprotesters in Smyrna turned their backs to Westboro Baptist members until time expired on the protest permits.

Ashland City counterprotesters chased the church members' cars down Ashland City Highway, continuing to wave flags and screaming, "God bless America."

"If they were protesting the government, I might even join them," Danny Cotton, 56, of Ashland City, said amid cries of "get out of our town" and "get out of our country."

"But for them to come during the worst time for this family - it's just wrong."

Future PM sighting.....

The Globe and Mail: Ignatieff accepts U of T job

And now this news break on the future of the Liberal Party....

Ignatieff accepts U of T job

By CAMPBELL CLARK

Friday, August 26, 2005 Updated at 5:29 AM EDT

From Friday's Globe and Mail

Internationally known academic and author Michael Ignatieff, touted by some Liberals as a future prime minister, is returning to Canada as a professor at the University of Toronto.

The appointment of the 58-year-old Harvard University academic, to be announced today, is likely to set tongues wagging in political circles because some Liberal organizers have suggested he will enter Canadian politics and run to succeed Prime Minister Paul Martin as Liberal leader.

Sources who know Mr. Ignatieff said, however, that he is still undecided on whether he wants to enter politics. They insisted his new job as the Hal Jackman visiting professor in human rights is about returning home to Canada, and not necessarily a prelude to a political career.

"It's not connected specifically to any political aspirations. There's going to be talk and speculation, but it is what it is," said a person who knows Mr. Ignatieff and his plans.

"I think he's very excited about the prospect of coming back to Toronto."

That said, those close to Mr. Ignatieff acknowledge he wants to get involved in the public debate in Canada after decades of living and working in England and the United States, and spending only a small part of the year in Canada. But they say he is not yet sure whether he will do that as a writer and academic, or as a politician.

Still would like to know more about him....

A.L.

TheStar.com - Editorial: Klein's big chance to leave a legacy

TheStar.com - Editorial: Klein's big chance to leave a legacy

My thoughts almost exactly.... Though this person puts it much better than I did.

A.L.

Bullsh*t Protectors!... Get your Bullsh*t protectors here!

To put this picture in context, here is the National Post article

Fantastic. I'd like a pair.

Somehow this hasn't made it into any major US news outlet... that so called "liberal media".... Man are they slacking on their jobs! Must all be at lunch or something.

Apparently the President's entourage didn't want to risk major embarassment by trying to haul this guy out of the audience... maybe because it was not a campaign event?... or maybe his quiet sedition went unnoticed....

The picture is fantastic.

A.L.

New Conservative Party of Canada TV ads.

This link should take you to the Conservative Party of Canada's website, and specifically to the page featuring the 4 new ads they just released.

Sure they are a little campy. But I think Harper's team may have learned something, they have toned down the rhetoric. Each of the ads still attack a Liberal Party position, but they do it in a gentler, dare I say, more Canadian way.

Out of all of them the Healthcare ad seems the most contrived, followed by the Immigrants ad. The other two seem fairly genuine and I think will get the desired response/reception across the country.

If the Liberals don't have something like this up their sleeves, they could be in for a fall of falling poll numbers.

Lots more money in the bank, slick ads, the CPC is gearing up for a strong fight. It won't be as easy for the Liberals to knock em down this time.

A. Liberal

The Globe and Mail: U.S. televangelist calls for assassination of Chavez

The Globe and Mail: U.S. televangelist calls for assassination of Chavez

Why does anyone give this guy airtime? One needs to simply listen to him for more than a couple minutes to come to the realization that he is a certifiable loony.

A.L.

The Globe and Mail: Challenger jet took PM to fundraiser

I am beginning to wonder how smart the PM really is.... I used to think he was a very smart and ethical politician. I think I still do, but some recent events, including the one mentioned in this article have given me pause.

Where were the political advisors who didn't catch this one? Reimbursing the government after you get caught by an opposition member of Parliament is just bad optics no matter how you spin it.

I just can't believe they were that stupid.

A couple questions I have in thinking about this:

1. Which event was booked first? If the fundraiser is booked first and then the CD Howe institute event was booked afterwords there is no possible defense. If it were the other way around, maybe, just maybe, there is reason to mount a spin-op.

2. How normal is it for the PM to fly down to Toronto for the opening of an office? I would think its not that normal.... That, and it was for a public policy think tank... how is that a national priority?

NDP MP Pat Martin makes a great sound-bite, "It's just not right and no one should have to tell him so." That is the truth.

And how does the PM's staff play innocent with this when Paul reimbursed the government for the Mexico trip?

Come on folks! Smarten up!

Here's to hoping that it lasts only one news cycle....

A. Liberal

If there's smoke, is it because someone is smoking? Or is there really a fire?

The Globe and Mail: Former anchorman sees anti-Tory media bias

I hope Mr. Kent is willing to do an investigation of media outlets west of Ontario too.... Because for all the anti-Tory media bias in Toronto, there is also much anti-Liberal bias in Calgary and other western cities.

This kind of rhetoric from a newsman turned politician can have dangerous consequences... I think the Conservatives in Canada have caught on to the US Republican mantra of alleged "media bias". The standard GOP MO is "it doesn't matter if you have anything to back it up with, as long as you say it enough times, and get it repeated far and wide, it becomes truth...."

It will be interesting to see if any J-schools bite. If an un-biased, legitimate, academic study can take place then I would stand by the results, but I will believe it when I see it.

I've said it before (not in this forum) and I will say it again: Just because the media attacks or criticizes your position or your policies, does not necessarily mean "they" are for the other side. Furthermore, this call for "balance" is complete malarkey. Personally, I want fair, objective, and accurate media coverage... I for one, don't believe that balance serves any purpose other than a political one.

The "media" ought to have only one public duty, to help the citizenry understand the truth about an issue/policy/event.... That is it.

If a party puts together bad policy, then it should be called for what it is. The "media" should not be forced to be equally harsh in coverage of the other parties' platforms just to achieve "balance". Similarly, the "media" should not be timid when covering any events involving one party or another simply because "they" cannot "balance" the coverage with similar stories about the opposing party(s).

Balance is bunk! How about an oath to truth and integrity!?

That's all that should be necessary.

A.L.