The argument on the topic of this CBC "News" article went off the rails within this particular thread but I deemed it important after I read it it all this morning. So I decided to check out who John Dirlik was and if was the real person making the comments.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/diplomats-illegal-traffic-abuse-violence-debt-tax-ottawa-child-1.4164649
Stunt driving, tax evasion, child abuse among allegations against foreign diplomats living in Canada
707 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.
John Kubicki
Time for a change to the laws for diplomats, this immunity thing gone.
In any country there should be no double standard in laws, one law for everyone, it's time.
In any country there should be no double standard in laws, one law for everyone, it's time.
Val Stavinski
@John Kubicki I agree, it's
time, let's show some exquisite Canadian leadership to the whole world
as Ms. Freeland pointed out in her recent monumental historic speech. I
guess that $210,000 in tax arrears is owed by US, let's close their
embassy and relocate the Cubans in their place, let's do that. Judging
by the public mood this will bring in more votes for the liberals.
John Grant
@John Kubicki Our diplomats in countries where there is no due process will be harassed. There's a down side to this....
Tim Sarant
@John Kubicki
Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to.
Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to.
Wil Brown
@John Kubicki
While I agree with you, they are written that way for a reason. It's to protect our diplomats from a tit-for-tat retaliation.
We could have very good reason to arrest, charge and incarcerate a foreign diplomat (Andrey Knyazev for Involuntary Manslaughter, for example). However, if we did and some Russian government official took exception, they may decide to arrest our ambassador for, I don't know, chewing gum in public or some such ridiculous thing and incarcerate him for the same period of time.
While I agree with you, they are written that way for a reason. It's to protect our diplomats from a tit-for-tat retaliation.
We could have very good reason to arrest, charge and incarcerate a foreign diplomat (Andrey Knyazev for Involuntary Manslaughter, for example). However, if we did and some Russian government official took exception, they may decide to arrest our ambassador for, I don't know, chewing gum in public or some such ridiculous thing and incarcerate him for the same period of time.
Mike Martin
@Tim Sarant
Global Affairs clearly advises Canadian diplomats (and their families) serving abroad that they will be responsible for any fees, taxes, infractions or charges incurred in the host country. If an infraction occurs, immunity may not be waived, but charges would be brought in a Canadian court. Other sanctions, including job loss, could be applied as well.
Global Affairs clearly advises Canadian diplomats (and their families) serving abroad that they will be responsible for any fees, taxes, infractions or charges incurred in the host country. If an infraction occurs, immunity may not be waived, but charges would be brought in a Canadian court. Other sanctions, including job loss, could be applied as well.
Mike Martin
@John Kubicki
We have diplomats working in some very dodgy countries where immunity is critical for their safety. As a result, we have to put up with some dogy behaviour here.
We have diplomats working in some very dodgy countries where immunity is critical for their safety. As a result, we have to put up with some dogy behaviour here.
Jacques LaPalmier
@John Kubicki
Ahhhh, Politicians/Diplomats; la creme de la creme !
Ahhhh, Politicians/Diplomats; la creme de la creme !
Terisita Santiago
@Jacques LaPalmier That is why corporations find them so easy to corrupt into their own corporate puppets.
Nahla Youssaf
@John Kubicki
We are a World Joke thanks to Trdeau
We are a World Joke thanks to Trdeau
John Dirlik
@Nahla Youssaf
Only to those who think Trump is a great leader. To the rest of the world Trudeau's election restored Canada's falling reputation under Harper.
Only to those who think Trump is a great leader. To the rest of the world Trudeau's election restored Canada's falling reputation under Harper.
Bala Viswa
@Nahla Youssaf : Did Trudeau sign the Vienna Convention?
Mark Baker
@Nahla Youssaf
Trudeau is looking pretty good... Thanks to Trump.
Trudeau is looking pretty good... Thanks to Trump.
David Allan
@John Kubicki
"In any country there should be no double standard in laws, one law for everyone, it's time."
You just called for our diplomats in foreign countries to be killed in the streets for representing a regime that supports gay rights & women's rights.
"In any country there should be no double standard in laws, one law for everyone, it's time."
You just called for our diplomats in foreign countries to be killed in the streets for representing a regime that supports gay rights & women's rights.
David Allan
@Tim Sarant
"Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to."
The last offence of a Canadian diplomat I heard of was a violent assault on an Irish citizen for enjoying his constitutional right.
"Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to."
The last offence of a Canadian diplomat I heard of was a violent assault on an Irish citizen for enjoying his constitutional right.
David Allan
@Wil Brown
"While I agree with you, they are written that way for a reason. It's to protect our diplomats from a tit-for-tat retaliation. "
You don't think our diplomats deserve protection?
"While I agree with you, they are written that way for a reason. It's to protect our diplomats from a tit-for-tat retaliation. "
You don't think our diplomats deserve protection?
John Dirlik
@David Allan
Touche.
Touche.
Robert Paul
@John Kubicki
If you read the article you'll notice that the foreign states apply their own justice to these guys which is often much harsher than ours.
If you read the article you'll notice that the foreign states apply their own justice to these guys which is often much harsher than ours.
david mccaig
@John Kubicki
Diplomats behaving badly, even pathologically and immune from our laws, that's wrong, we need a rethink of these diplomatic protections
Diplomats behaving badly, even pathologically and immune from our laws, that's wrong, we need a rethink of these diplomatic protections
Mike Martin
@Tim Sarant wrote:
"Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to."
Advancing Canadian interests abroad.
"Kind of makes one wonder what OUR diplomats are up to."
Advancing Canadian interests abroad.
David Allan
@david mccaig
"we need a rethink of these diplomatic protections"
Why do you want to remove the diplomatic protections our diplomats receive in foreign countries?
Our diplomats in the Middle East would be put to death for blasphemy.
"we need a rethink of these diplomatic protections"
Why do you want to remove the diplomatic protections our diplomats receive in foreign countries?
Our diplomats in the Middle East would be put to death for blasphemy.
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote ". To the rest of the world Trudeau's election restored Canada's falling reputation under Harper."
------------------------
Besides Iran's regime, which obviously Harper was no fan of, the world either didn't pay much attention to Harper, or any Canadian leader for that matter. Let alone have a negative opinion about him.
& those that did notice Harper probably admired him for doing what they wish they would have done at times - speak truth to power- as opposed to extreme political correctness.
This has been a common unsubstantiated accusation about Harper's stature in the world.
Just silly unproven partisan rhetoric.
------------------------
Besides Iran's regime, which obviously Harper was no fan of, the world either didn't pay much attention to Harper, or any Canadian leader for that matter. Let alone have a negative opinion about him.
& those that did notice Harper probably admired him for doing what they wish they would have done at times - speak truth to power- as opposed to extreme political correctness.
This has been a common unsubstantiated accusation about Harper's stature in the world.
Just silly unproven partisan rhetoric.
John Dirlik
@George Lewis
You obviously don't travel much. From ditching Kyoto to muzzling scientists to proroguing parliament to serving as an embassy for Israel (with Micronesia and the Marshal Islands, Canada was practically alone with Israel and the US in vetoing an upgrade of Palestine at the UN) Canada's reputation under Harper (like the US's now under Trump) received a thrashing.
You obviously don't travel much. From ditching Kyoto to muzzling scientists to proroguing parliament to serving as an embassy for Israel (with Micronesia and the Marshal Islands, Canada was practically alone with Israel and the US in vetoing an upgrade of Palestine at the UN) Canada's reputation under Harper (like the US's now under Trump) received a thrashing.
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote "You obviously don't travel much. From ditching Kyoto ..."
-----------------------
Let me stop you write there.
THe Kyoto accord is reminiscent of the movie The Sting where the one guy putting money on the table was the sucker & everyone else in the room only pretended to be taking a risk by putting money on the table.
The fine print wording of Kyoto accord pretty much assured only 2 things.
That without a doubt bot Canada & The U.S would either pay heavy fines or kneecap their economy to meet the obligations set for us.
Meanwhile every single other country would pretty much be exempt from ever paying any fines.
Many countries were exempt. Like China & India.
But most revealing about this accord was how they determined the obligation of European countries.
They added a clause to the 1997 agreement saying that the standards for country be based on 1991 levels, not 1997 or 11996.
& there was a reason for choosing 1991.
Because although the wall had come down a couple of years earlier, Eastern European countries were still using inefficient highly polluting Soviet factories.
& they had gotten rid of those factories. Not for reasons of pollution but for better efficiency/profit.
So just by doing that they already met their obligations. & would never have to cut back on production to meet their obligations or pay heavy fines.
It was sneaky, to say the least.
Add to that that China & India & other countries were exempted.
Probably why The U.S.never signed it.
& why Chretien never did a single thing towards fulfilling our obligation to this faux-accord, although he did sign it.
-----------------------
Let me stop you write there.
THe Kyoto accord is reminiscent of the movie The Sting where the one guy putting money on the table was the sucker & everyone else in the room only pretended to be taking a risk by putting money on the table.
The fine print wording of Kyoto accord pretty much assured only 2 things.
That without a doubt bot Canada & The U.S would either pay heavy fines or kneecap their economy to meet the obligations set for us.
Meanwhile every single other country would pretty much be exempt from ever paying any fines.
Many countries were exempt. Like China & India.
But most revealing about this accord was how they determined the obligation of European countries.
They added a clause to the 1997 agreement saying that the standards for country be based on 1991 levels, not 1997 or 11996.
& there was a reason for choosing 1991.
Because although the wall had come down a couple of years earlier, Eastern European countries were still using inefficient highly polluting Soviet factories.
& they had gotten rid of those factories. Not for reasons of pollution but for better efficiency/profit.
So just by doing that they already met their obligations. & would never have to cut back on production to meet their obligations or pay heavy fines.
It was sneaky, to say the least.
Add to that that China & India & other countries were exempted.
Probably why The U.S.never signed it.
& why Chretien never did a single thing towards fulfilling our obligation to this faux-accord, although he did sign it.
John Dirlik
@George Lewis
So many words....so little to say.
Readers can decide. Ciao.
So many words....so little to say.
Readers can decide. Ciao.
George Lewis
con'd - & of course what
post from Iran's resident apologist is complete without dragging at
least one of Iran's sworn enemies/targets into the conversation.
In this case it's Israel.
As far as The U.N. & upgrading Palestine, over the last 90+ years, The Palestinians have had offers for their own country that they keep rejecting for one reason only.
Because so far those offers all meant that they would have to accept a peace deal with Israel.
But going through the U.N. could be a way for them to sidestep a peace agreement & still get their own country.
& basically become more of a forward operating military base than anything else, in order to launch more attacks on Israel.
Not a good sign.
Canada, although in the minority, took the right position on that issue.
Harper was one of the few leaders in the world to speak truth to power, although it was a very unpopular thing to do.
& the person here most upset about that has posted countless comments pretty much everyday for the last decade or so that are very supportive of Iran's Islamic Theocracy & their closest allies - Assad, Hezbollah, Hamas & Putin.
Regimes & groups that Canada should not be siding with or appeasing.
In this case it's Israel.
As far as The U.N. & upgrading Palestine, over the last 90+ years, The Palestinians have had offers for their own country that they keep rejecting for one reason only.
Because so far those offers all meant that they would have to accept a peace deal with Israel.
But going through the U.N. could be a way for them to sidestep a peace agreement & still get their own country.
& basically become more of a forward operating military base than anything else, in order to launch more attacks on Israel.
Not a good sign.
Canada, although in the minority, took the right position on that issue.
Harper was one of the few leaders in the world to speak truth to power, although it was a very unpopular thing to do.
& the person here most upset about that has posted countless comments pretty much everyday for the last decade or so that are very supportive of Iran's Islamic Theocracy & their closest allies - Assad, Hezbollah, Hamas & Putin.
Regimes & groups that Canada should not be siding with or appeasing.
George Lewis
@John Dirlik
John's 3 favourite counter arguments.
1. In other words you were unable to come up with a convincing rebuttal
2. Whatever you say, bud.
3. So many words...so little to say.
How can anyone possibly counter such strong rebuttals?
John's 3 favourite counter arguments.
1. In other words you were unable to come up with a convincing rebuttal
2. Whatever you say, bud.
3. So many words...so little to say.
How can anyone possibly counter such strong rebuttals?
Mike Martin
@George Lewis @John Dirlik
Maybe you two should get a [chat] room?
Maybe you two should get a [chat] room?
John Dirlik
@David Allan
"Our diplomats in the Middle East would be put to death for blasphemy."
Canadian Raif Badawi was imprisoned and sentenced to 1000 lashes in Saudi Arabia for "insulting Islam". The same country Ottawa sold military equipment to - and the first Trump visited as president (where he signed a $100 billion weapons deal with the Wahhabist regime).
Yet it is Wahabism that inspires ISIS. And it is Wahhabist preachers in Saudi-funded mosques across the world that radicalize millions. The largest Muslim country in the world (Indonesia) was known for its tolerant and moderate Islam, and was home to a thriving Christian community. Decades of Wahhabist preaching eventually poisoned the spirit of tolerance; now a popular Christian politician was charged for blasphemy.
No single ideology in the entire world is more toxic, pernicious and dangerous than what emanates from Riyadh.
But Trump and Israel keep telling us Iran is the greatest threat. It must be true.
"Our diplomats in the Middle East would be put to death for blasphemy."
Canadian Raif Badawi was imprisoned and sentenced to 1000 lashes in Saudi Arabia for "insulting Islam". The same country Ottawa sold military equipment to - and the first Trump visited as president (where he signed a $100 billion weapons deal with the Wahhabist regime).
Yet it is Wahabism that inspires ISIS. And it is Wahhabist preachers in Saudi-funded mosques across the world that radicalize millions. The largest Muslim country in the world (Indonesia) was known for its tolerant and moderate Islam, and was home to a thriving Christian community. Decades of Wahhabist preaching eventually poisoned the spirit of tolerance; now a popular Christian politician was charged for blasphemy.
No single ideology in the entire world is more toxic, pernicious and dangerous than what emanates from Riyadh.
But Trump and Israel keep telling us Iran is the greatest threat. It must be true.
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote "
But Trump and Israel keep telling us Iran is the greatest threat. It must be true."
----------------------------
Actually it's Iran's regime that keeps making threats to destroy another country that makes Iran a threat. Not to mention Iran is the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.
The threats you used to deny & deny & deny.
& now the threats you sometimes deny or sometimes casually dismiss as if they are just kidding around.
Muslim religious extremists & the Jihadists they support aren't exactly known for having a sense of humour about what they believe in.
But Trump and Israel keep telling us Iran is the greatest threat. It must be true."
----------------------------
Actually it's Iran's regime that keeps making threats to destroy another country that makes Iran a threat. Not to mention Iran is the world's largest state sponsor of terrorism.
The threats you used to deny & deny & deny.
& now the threats you sometimes deny or sometimes casually dismiss as if they are just kidding around.
Muslim religious extremists & the Jihadists they support aren't exactly known for having a sense of humour about what they believe in.
tom barry
@John Dirlik
"Yet it is Wahabism that inspires ISIS."
What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?
"Yet it is Wahabism that inspires ISIS."
What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?
John Dirlik
@George Lewis
Washington and Tel-Aviv have as much to fear from Iran's bombastic "death to America and Israel" chants as critics of Israel do from the equally unpleasant slurs regularly hurled their way.
Like the magician that gets his audience to focus on one hand while his other does the trick, Israel (and its apologists) want the attention on Iran's alleged existential threat while it creates "facts on the ground" (West Bank colonies) that abort the birth of a viable Palestinian state (as promised in Likud's election platform).
Trouble is, the audience sees the clumsy hand.
Washington and Tel-Aviv have as much to fear from Iran's bombastic "death to America and Israel" chants as critics of Israel do from the equally unpleasant slurs regularly hurled their way.
Like the magician that gets his audience to focus on one hand while his other does the trick, Israel (and its apologists) want the attention on Iran's alleged existential threat while it creates "facts on the ground" (West Bank colonies) that abort the birth of a viable Palestinian state (as promised in Likud's election platform).
Trouble is, the audience sees the clumsy hand.
John Dirlik
@tom barry
"What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?"
A persons faith is an integral part of their self-identity and attacking it provokes a visceral reaction. Demonizing Islam only serves to alienate ordinary Muslims, the very ones needed to combat the scourge of Islamist extremism.
Wittingly or not, the "Islam-is-evil" crowd is ISIS's ideological accomplice, whose stated objective is to erase the "grey zone" that separates everyday Muslims from violent jihadists.
Depraved and dangerous, ISIS needs to be confronted. Not by agreeing with what it preaches (that there is a war between Islam and the world or that ISIS is true to the Quran) but precisely the opposite.
"What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?"
A persons faith is an integral part of their self-identity and attacking it provokes a visceral reaction. Demonizing Islam only serves to alienate ordinary Muslims, the very ones needed to combat the scourge of Islamist extremism.
Wittingly or not, the "Islam-is-evil" crowd is ISIS's ideological accomplice, whose stated objective is to erase the "grey zone" that separates everyday Muslims from violent jihadists.
Depraved and dangerous, ISIS needs to be confronted. Not by agreeing with what it preaches (that there is a war between Islam and the world or that ISIS is true to the Quran) but precisely the opposite.
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote "Washington and Tel-Aviv have as much to fear from Iran's bombastic "death to America and Israel" chants"
------------------------
I've never mentioned the chants, John. So that is example of a straw man argument.
What I have done numerous times is posted the threatening quotes from Iran's religious, political, academic & military leaders.
The threats you used to try to say didn't exist - even though many of the quotes I posted I provided links to where they were published in Iranian news media.
The threats that sound eerily similar to the threats made by extremist groups such as ISIS & Al Qaeda.
The same threats that you now try to casually dismiss.
The only question is "How far will you go to defend & deflect for this warmongering Islamic regime (& its close allies) that is bent on regressing back to 7th century thinking?".
------------------------
I've never mentioned the chants, John. So that is example of a straw man argument.
What I have done numerous times is posted the threatening quotes from Iran's religious, political, academic & military leaders.
The threats you used to try to say didn't exist - even though many of the quotes I posted I provided links to where they were published in Iranian news media.
The threats that sound eerily similar to the threats made by extremist groups such as ISIS & Al Qaeda.
The same threats that you now try to casually dismiss.
The only question is "How far will you go to defend & deflect for this warmongering Islamic regime (& its close allies) that is bent on regressing back to 7th century thinking?".
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote "Wittingly or not, the "Islam-is-evil" crowd is ISIS's ideological accomplice, ..."
Wittingly or not Assad's Shiite dictatorship helped to fan the flames that caused ISIS to grow.
By targeting Sunni Syrians, the majority in Syria.
As opposed to Assad's Shiite tribesmen, The Alawites, who enjoy being at the top of Syria's Apartheid system economically, politically & socially.
Yet you never condemn Iran's ally for doing the same thing you accuse those not allied with Iran of doing.
(Double standards)
Wittingly or not Assad's Shiite dictatorship helped to fan the flames that caused ISIS to grow.
By targeting Sunni Syrians, the majority in Syria.
As opposed to Assad's Shiite tribesmen, The Alawites, who enjoy being at the top of Syria's Apartheid system economically, politically & socially.
Yet you never condemn Iran's ally for doing the same thing you accuse those not allied with Iran of doing.
(Double standards)
George Lewis
@John Dirlik wrote "Like the
magician that gets his audience to focus on one hand while his other
does the trick, Israel (and its apologists) ..."
-------------------------
The magician in this scenario is you, John - perpetually posting comments trying to get readers to focus on who Iran's Islamic regime hates, pretending that he isn't trying to fool readers.
No matter how off topic it is to bring Iran's enemies into the discussion.
I'm just the one exposing what the magician is trying to do.
-------------------------
The magician in this scenario is you, John - perpetually posting comments trying to get readers to focus on who Iran's Islamic regime hates, pretending that he isn't trying to fool readers.
No matter how off topic it is to bring Iran's enemies into the discussion.
I'm just the one exposing what the magician is trying to do.
tom barry
@John Dirlik
"Wittingly or not, the "Islam-is-evil" crowd is ISIS's ideological accomplice"
Another attempt from the playbook 101 to shut down any criticism of islam by making a ludicrous conflation.
Criticizing islam on those facts does not conflate in the ludicrous conflation of being an ISIS accomplice.
"Depraved and dangerous, ISIS needs to be confronted. Not by agreeing with what it preaches"
No one is agreeing with what ISIS preaches and you know it.
If criticizing an ideology based on the facts is demonizing it, what does it say about the ideology?
"Wittingly or not, the "Islam-is-evil" crowd is ISIS's ideological accomplice"
Another attempt from the playbook 101 to shut down any criticism of islam by making a ludicrous conflation.
Criticizing islam on those facts does not conflate in the ludicrous conflation of being an ISIS accomplice.
"Depraved and dangerous, ISIS needs to be confronted. Not by agreeing with what it preaches"
No one is agreeing with what ISIS preaches and you know it.
If criticizing an ideology based on the facts is demonizing it, what does it say about the ideology?
John Dirlik
@tom barry
"No one is agreeing with what ISIS preaches"
You insist everything ISIS does is sanctioned by the Quran. Like ISIS.
You insist Islam and democracy are incompatible. Like ISIS.
You insist there's a war between Islam and the world. Like ISIS.
Who do you think you are kidding?
"No one is agreeing with what ISIS preaches"
You insist everything ISIS does is sanctioned by the Quran. Like ISIS.
You insist Islam and democracy are incompatible. Like ISIS.
You insist there's a war between Islam and the world. Like ISIS.
Who do you think you are kidding?
tom barry
@John Dirlik
"You insist everything ISIS does is sanctioned by the Quran."
Fact,
I don't insist that it is, their scripture does.
Fact,
There is no democracy in Iran or any other islamic theocracy.
Fact,
ISIS and every other islamic terrorist organization have declared war on the West.
Who am i fooling?
Ludicrous.
"You insist everything ISIS does is sanctioned by the Quran."
Fact,
I don't insist that it is, their scripture does.
Fact,
There is no democracy in Iran or any other islamic theocracy.
Fact,
ISIS and every other islamic terrorist organization have declared war on the West.
Who am i fooling?
Ludicrous.
tom barry
@John Dirlik
"@tom barry
"What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?"
Good question, why won't you answer it?
"@tom barry
"What does ISIS do that muhamad didn't, or would not tolerate?"
Good question, why won't you answer it?
John Dirlik
@tom barry
You can find hateful verses in any scripture -as you know full, full well. That you choose to judge only one religion by that says far more about you than about Islam.
You can find hateful verses in any scripture -as you know full, full well. That you choose to judge only one religion by that says far more about you than about Islam.
tom barry
@John Dirlik
I judge them all equally, but one stands out above all the others for all the wrong reasons.
One only has to look around the world to see it.
I judge them all equally, but one stands out above all the others for all the wrong reasons.
One only has to look around the world to see it.
tom barry
@John Dirlik
I will continue to speak out against all violent, subjugating, intolerant, misogynistic, dictatorial, fascist totalitarian ideologies, no matter who objects.
I will continue to speak out against all violent, subjugating, intolerant, misogynistic, dictatorial, fascist totalitarian ideologies, no matter who objects.
David Raymond Amos
@John Kubicki Our foreign
affairs people assisted crooks against me very willingly Anybody
wondering what our people are getting away with in other countries?
Check old CBC reports then follow through to the end result. Anyone
remember this stuff?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rcmp-whistle-blower-fighting-for-job-1.308926
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/whistleblowers-pay-high-price-for-trying-to-sue-government-1.259211
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/arar-confession-leaks-throw-suspicion-on-csis-lawyer-1.384163
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kevin-vickers-protester-dublin-1.3601127
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/rcmp-whistle-blower-fighting-for-job-1.308926
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/whistleblowers-pay-high-price-for-trying-to-sue-government-1.259211
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/arar-confession-leaks-throw-suspicion-on-csis-lawyer-1.384163
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/kevin-vickers-protester-dublin-1.3601127
John Dirlik
@tom barry
Don't be too hard on Zionism.
Don't be too hard on Zionism.
http://www.vancouversun.com/health/John+Dirlik+director+Placement+Potential+employment+agency+Pointe+Claire+mandated+Emploi+Quebec+help+find+jobs+persons+living+with+mild+disabilities+including+mental+health+illnesses/9482542/story.html
John Dirlik is director of Placement Potential, an employment agency in Pointe-Claire mandated by Emploi Quebec to help find jobs for persons living with mild disabilities, including mental-health illnesses.
John
Dirlik is director of Placement Potential, an employment agency in
Pointe-Claire mandated by Emploi Quebec to help find jobs for persons
living with mild disabilities, including mental-health illnesses.
http://nationalpost.com/full-comment/letters-fallout-from-bibis-claims-about-the-holocaust/wcm/850aa446-2bf8-4cbd-a1ba-0b0b5b8e7359
Letters: Fallout from Bibi's claims about the Holocaust
Letter writers discuss Netanyahu's comments about the Holocaust, and other issues of the day.
Re: What Bibi Got Wrong, Michael Coren, Oct. 23.
I share Michael Coren’s puzzlement with Benjamin Netanyahu painting Palestinians as masterminds and architects of the Final Solution. But I question his assessment of his “statesmanship” — especially after a hubris-soaked recklessness that lectured a U.S. president on Iran (widely pilloried in Israel for jeopardizing Israel-U. S. relations) and caused 50 Democrats to boycott the speech in what would have been an unthinkable act of political suicide only a few years ago.
John Dirlik, Pointe Claire, Que.
Netanyahu has attempted to shift blame for the most heinous crime in history, the Holocaust, onto Palestinians. Even as his words have been condemned by Holocaust survivors and historians, he clings to the story he wants the media and the world to accept.
For years, credible non-governmental organizations in Palestine have told of extreme violence and daily violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by the Israeli military. Netanyahu has steadfastly dismissed these reports as distorted, biased or anti-Semitic. In turn, many media outlets focus on the Israeli side of the story.
Perhaps because of Netanyahu’s latest folly, media and political leaders will more critically examine the claims of his government about the causes of violence in Palestine and Israel. Hopefully, they will listen more closely to international observers who have experienced first-hand the brutality of the 48-year Israeli occupation, rather than reports from pro-Israeli sources.
Rev. Steve Berube, co-chairman, United Network for a Just Peace in Palestine and Israel, Riverview, N.B.
No one disputes Hitler was the prime mover of the Holocaust. However, I think Michael Coren is a bit too quick to absolve Islam entirely of the sort of hysterical, obsessive, Jew hatred that fuelled the German megalomaniac. One need look no further than David Nirenberg’s recent book, Anti-Judaism, a brilliant analysis of the roots of anti-Judaic thought in the West as well as in Islam. Regarding the latter, Nirenberg notes that the Qur’an, Islam’s holy book, “is extensively structured as a polemic against the Jews.”
So while, as Coren writes, “The Holocaust is not a Muslim issue,” in some crucial ways, Hitler’s thinking about Jewry and potions of Islamic thinking could be said to be in sync. As Hitler told his favourite underling, Albert Speer, “It’s been our misfortune to have the wrong religion. Why did it have to be Christianity, with its meekness and flabbiness?” Hitler preferred Islam, which he called a “religion of men,” and was a big fan of the rewards it promised its jihadi martyrs. That sort of thing, he argued, was much more suited to the temperament of the German warrior than the “Jewish filth and priestly twaddle” of Christianity.
Mindy G. Alter, Toronto.
A few days ago, German Chancellor Angela Merkel scolded PM Benjamin Netanyahu for stating the grand mufti of Jerusalem inspired Holocaust. Here are a few facts in his defence. On Nov. 28, 1941, Amin al-Hajj Husseyni was officially received by Hitler. Their communiqué included, “Arab and German common objective would be solely the destruction of Jewish element,” meaning Jews not to be simply driven out, but would be hunted down and destroyed.
In July 1942, Husseyni visited the Sachsenhausen concentration camp and lectured the SS how to transform it into an extermination one. Visits to Treblinka, Birkenau, and Belzec followed. In 1943, he was given rank of gruppenfuehrer.
Mark Libster, Surrey, B.C.
https://marconf.ca/people/berube-stephen-r/
TM - Team Minister
404 Cleveland Ave.
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Letter to Honourable Chrystia Freeland
from UNJPPI co-chair, Rev. Steve Berube,
concerning the treatment of Palestinian children
by the Israeli Military
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
House of Commons,
Ottawa K1A 0A6
March 31, 2017
Dear Minister Freeland,
It is Good Friday, once again, I find myself writing to express my concern with respect to recent actions by the state of Israel this time focusing on its excessive use of force against Palestinian children including the heinous use of extra-judicial killings in occupied Palestine.
- On April 11, Jasem Nakhled died after being shot by Israeli forces near Ramallah on March 23. In the same incident, Israeli forces fatally shot 17-year-old Mohammed Khattab as well as injuring 17-year-old Musa Nakhleh and another 15-year-old Palestinian child.
- On April 1, Israeli forces gunned down Ahmad Ghazal, 17, in the Old City of Jerusalem after he committed a stabbing attack in what appears to be an extrajudicial killing.
- On Feb. 24, an Israeli soldier shot Mohammad Hilmi Jamed Shtaiwi, a 10 year with a rubber bullet in the chest near Qalqilya. He is the second child this year injured by improper use of crowd control weapons by the Israeli military.
- In 2016, two children, Faris al-Bayed, 15, and Muhyee Tabakhi, 10, died as a result of being struck on the chest or head by Israeli forces exercising “crowd control”.
Having served as a human rights observer in Bethlehem I witnessed firsthand the brutality and intimidation tactics of Israeli military forces directed toward children. It is something that still fills my mind with disturbing images.
Based on reports from credible NGO’s such as: Defence for Children International, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch as well as UN agencies, the violence and intimidation used by the Israeli military against Palestinians and especially Palestinian children has intensified in the last three years. Of particular concern are reports that Israeli forces have increasingly been using live ammunition to quash protests since 2014.
Additionally, Israeli forces have relaxed open-fire rules since 2015. This has resulted in brazen and unwarranted extra-judicial killings when there has been no direct, mortal threat to any Israeli, such as that committed by Elor Azaria in Hebron. It is outrageous that convicted of this cold-blooded, extra-judicial murder he was sentenced to a mere 18-month prison term. It is morally repugnant that he is regarded by many Israelis as a national hero.
Minister, these actions along with concerns expressed in my previous correspondence are all gross violations of the 4th Geneva Convention. These actions threaten to scuttle any prospect of justice and peace for Palestinians and Israelis.
Additionally, since the passage of SC 2334, Israel seems to be acting even more aggressively against innocent Palestinians including children.
I applaud your government for granting honourary citizenship to Malala Yousafza yesterday. She pled for our government to further support the rights of all children to live in peace and she specifically mentioned children in Palestine. My plea to you is for your department to examine the way the Israeli government treats Palestinian children in light of their obligations as an occupying power under the 4th Geneva Convention.
As a Canadian concerned with human rights and a believer that Canada needs to play a leading role on the international stage, I am gravely concerned by the actions of the state of Israel and the minimal response from our government to a state that uses excessive violence against Palestinian children.
Have you lodged concerns with your Israeli counterpart regarding violations of the 4th Geneva Convention with respect to Israeli treatment of Palestinian children? If not, then please explain, what is your government’s understanding of its obligations as a high contracting party to the 4th Geneva Convention regarding Israeli violations of the rights of Palestinian children?
I and all who long for peace with justice in Palestine and Israel await your response.
Peace, Salaam, Shalom,
Rev. Steve Berube
Co-chair: United Network for Justice and Peace in Palestine and Israel
Cc The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada
Peter Kent, Foreign Affairs Critic, Conservative Party of Canada
Hélène Laverdière, Foreign Affairs Critic, New Democratic Party
Elizabeth May, Leader, Green Party of Canada
Rhéal Fortin, Leader, Bloc Québécois
Rt. Rev. Jordan Cantwell, Moderator: United Church of Canada
Nabil Maarouf, Chief Representative of the Palestinian
General Delegation in Canada
Deborah Lyons, Canadian Ambassador to Israel
Brad Parker, Defence for Children International - Palestine
Stunt driving, tax evasion, child abuse among allegations against foreign diplomats living in Canada
CBC has learned of a spike in alleged incidents of illegal behaviour by foreign diplomats
By Dean Beeby, CBC News Posted: Jun 19, 2017 5:00 AM ET
Ottawa police are frequently the first responders when
there are reports of misbehaviour by foreign diplomats in the capital.
Newly disclosed reports indicate the total number of incidents is on the
rise. (Jean Delisle/CBC)
The reasons for the general rise in misbehaviour over the last two years are not clear, though may be related to outreach programs and tip lines that make it easier to report problems.
Under the Access to Information Act, CBC News obtained a series of quarterly reports from the protocol office at Canada's Global Affairs, covering a 27-month period from late 2014 to this spring.
Identities of the offenders and their embassies are carefully blacked out under privacy and international-affairs exemptions.
The Office of Protocol, part of Global
Affairs Canada, intervenes when there are cases of alleged illegal
behaviour by foreign diplomats posted to Ottawa. (Wikipedia)
The reports show the number of incidents that required intervention by the protocol office — which has official oversight of the diplomats living here — has risen from single digits each quarter to about two dozen currently.
The types of incidents range from being caught in a police roundup of 'johns,' to unpaid tax bills and stiffing local landlords and construction companies.
"Failure to pay property taxes on a state-owned property … has resulted in one of the worst debts of this nature attributed to a foreign mission recorded in recent history," says one report, referring to tax arrears of about $210,000 owed to the City of Ottawa.
Unpaid tax bills
The most recent quarterly report cites one embassy's $283,750 in unpaid taxes owed to the Canada Revenue Agency, $10,000 in salaries owed to workers at another embassy, and a diplomat who left Canada owing $4,700 to an Ottawa car dealership.
Another report cites a landlord allegedly stiffed for $23,000 in rent; yet another refers to $25,000 owed to a different landlord.
In another case called "the first of its kind to come to the attention of the Office of Protocol," a diplomat attempted to illegally export two vehicles from Canada, though unsuccessfully.
- Canada's rent bill for empty building in Moscow to hit $25 million
- Former Russian diplomat guilty of involuntary manslaughter
There were no impaired-driving incidents, but traffic violations included stunt driving, speeding, distracted driving, failure to stop at a red light, and one case in which a diplomat hit a pedestrian after driving through a stop sign. "The pedestrian thankfully did not require medical attention beyond that provided at the scene," the documents reveal.
'They won't waive the immunity, but they'll take care of the problem. They'll send the people home.' - Ottawa police Insp. Michael Laviolette
The 8,000 accredited foreign representatives living in Canada — about half in the Ottawa area's 133 diplomatic missions — enjoy diplomatic immunity from domestic laws under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, a 1961 treaty ratified by 191 countries.
Abuse allegations
The protocol office routinely requests a waiver of immunity in cases of illegal acts and, if an embassy declines — as is often the case — will seek assurances that the offender face consequences, such as denial of driving privileges. In extreme cases, Canada can order the expulsion of an individual.
The protocol office's 91 employees also occasionally deal with alleged abuse of domestic workers, including claims of slavery. Some calls are likely the result of a Dec. 1, 2014, outreach session in which the office told domestic workers at Ottawa embassies about their labour rights and a confidential tip-line.
The office deals regularly with alleged family violence and abuse, the most recent quarterly report citing five suspected child-abuse cases referred to the Children's Aid Societies (CAS) for follow-up. Fewer than 10 such cases were reported in all of the previous quarterly reports.
Declines comment on trends
A spokeswoman for the Ottawa CAS office, Cindy Perron, said the organization does not keep statistics on diplomatic child-abuse cases but confirms a general rise in all referrals. She also noted that CAS is involved in child-abuse cases much earlier than previously, avoiding more family crises.
Similarly, Ottawa police do not keep their own statistics on diplomatic misbehaviour. Insp. Michael Laviolette, the force's diplomatic liaison officer, says most of the cases do not result in charges or a court hearing.
"Most cases, they're dealt with by the [foreign] state itself, so they won't waive the immunity, but they'll take care of the problem," he said in an interview. "They'll send the people home."
"I've never seen where the particular state has basically thumbed their nose up at us … They've always been co-operative."
Russian diplomat Andrey Knyazev was driving the car that struck and killed Catherine MacLean in 2001. (CP Photo/Fred Weir)
"Canada takes very seriously all reported incidents of alleged criminality or wrongdoing involving the diplomatic community."
One of the most grievous cases of diplomatic transgression in Ottawa occurred in 2001, when a drunken Russian diplomat drove his car onto a sidewalk, killing Ottawa lawyer Catherine MacLean. Protected by the Vienna Convention, he returned to Russia without facing Canadian justice, but was later sentenced to a Russian prison colony for four years.
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