The Anth Zone

These are a few things that don’t deserve their own posts for.

• The BC Lions have picked up their fifth Grey Cup championship win in their franchise history. I am confident that most Rough Riders’ fans are discontent and outraged over the win due to their team’s defeat 45-18 during the Western final. I only caught the last two minutes of game play of the Grey Cup game, the Montreal Alouettes played a great game even almost getting a touchdown but the Lions made a nice interception and the game was called a victory in their favour. I am proud to be a British Columbian and no do not expect any commentary on sports on this blog (unless the Canucks manage to pull the strings to win the Stanley Cup) or the Houston Astros win the World Series.
• Henry Kissinger is still alive? Wow! Anyway he says that victory in the U.S. favour in Iraq is impossible. Kissinger also called on the Bush Administration to open dialogue with Iran.
• Nintendo Wii & the Playstation 3 has hit the shelves. No technical problems have been reported so far, I am pretty sure Bill Gates is kicking himself right now.
• Vancouver, Burnaby & the North Shore have a boil-water advisory enters into its fifth day after a major storm that left several hundred thousands of people in the Lower Main Land without power, 650 in Lions Bay remain in the dark. Hahaha suckers.
• Israel has canceled an air strike due to human shields. Oh, and the Deputy Prime Minister called for assassinations against top Hamas & Palestinian Authority Officials. You should have made sure Gurmant Grewal didn’t have that tape recorder.
• I support Jack Layton’s amendments to the Tories’ Clean Air Act. My new friend, Olaf doesn’t think so. Well, he hasn’t commented on it that I have been aware of.
• There is another bad storm approaching Vancouver . . . I think Floridians and the Louisianans have cursed us *grumbles*.
• A Human Rights Group based in New York City and saying his trial was unfair, “Serious administrative, procedural and substantive legal defects”. The Iraqi Government has not extradited him to the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity, nor would their new found friend in the United States permit it to happening. I do agree with, “In addition, the imposition of the death penalty — an inherently cruel and inhumane punishment”. Where should we depose of him? I mean do with him? Yeah . . .

Prime Minister Stephen Harper & President Hu Jintao finally had an informal meeting before a Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation banquet in Hanoi, Vietnam. An aide to the Prime Minister reported to the press that the two exchanged ‘frank but constructive’ words that brought up broad issues regarding economics and politics between the two countries. China had pulled out of formal bilateral discussions after Stephen Harper’s remarks on China’s long record of human rights violations.

Stephen Harper in flight to Vietnam told member’s of the press:

“I think Canadians want us to promote our trade relations worldwide, and we do that, but I don’t think Canadians want us to sell out important Canadian values — our belief in democracy, freedom, human rights.”

Yes Steve, promoting trade between foreign powers and Canada are important to Canadians; however, Canadians believe it is essential for the government to promote our values worldwide. The Prime Minister has flip-flopped on this issue by acting like he never spoke out against the human rights violations occur across China daily, he came to this decision for damage control.

Stephen Harper should be held accountable for any harm done to the Canadian currently being held imprisoned in China if harmed in anyway. Prime Minister Harper does not represent the majority of Canadians who do not condone the methods conducted by the Chinese under their ‘internal affairs’ programme.

Canadians take democracy, freedom and human rights deeply to the heart and wish for everyone worldwide to live in the same society. Stephen Harper promoted Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan mission to Canadians because the Armed Forces will bring democracy, freedom and human rights to the war torn country.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and President Hu Jintao are expected to have a meeting at an international summit in Vietnam after refusal from the Chinese Government after receiving criticisms over the arrest of a Chinese-Canadian man and China’s lack of human rights. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated: “We oppose any country making irresponsible remarks on the internal affairs of China.” There has always been rejection from the Chinese Government on their blatant violations of human rights or lack thereof.

There is no independent judiciary branch in China and is controlled by the state. The state appoints judges to their positions which have led to corruption and administrative abuse. Corruption and administrative abuse in China’s judiciary system have deprived Chinese citizens due the absence of due process. Therefore the Chinese-Canadian man’s liberty or life maybe taken from him with a snap of Chinese government official’s snapping their fingers.

The People’s Republic of China is rated number one in the use of capital punishment as a consequence for those who have broken the law. In 2004 close to 3,400 individuals were sentenced to death. The most common death sentence is the firing squad. Capital punishment is the worst form of consequence in justice systems around the world.

Humanity has adopted a mentality that vengeance is justice. I am glad that Canada has banned the death penalty and call upon other countries to follow suit, why should we execute those who have broken the law and/or major risks to re-offend? We are only resorting to their level. We are better then that.

Organ harvesting is rampantly growing million dollar industry in China. There have been no efforts on the Chinese Government’s part to place an end to it, they welcome it. The Chinese Government was secretly mass-murdering members of the Falun Gong and harvesting their organs and selling them to Chinese and foreign nationals.

The Chinese Government has continuously denied Tibetan and Uyghur people’s self-determination to be independent countries. The Chinese have large numbers of troop placements to suppress the separatist movements.

The People’s Republic of China is a one-party system and it’s against the law for political opposition therefore political ‘dissident’ groups are apprehended and imprisoned for long periods of time without trial. There have been a wide range of reports in relation to incidents of torture, forced confessions and labour. The freedoms of assembly and association are non-existent in China.

The Chinese Government states that they allow free speech however it is blatantly obvious that it is a lie. The Government of China disallows its nationals to visit websites such as Wikipedia and other global news outlets available online.

Freedom of movement is non-existent. Disallowing Chinese nationals to move and live abroad without a special permit. The Freedom of religion is highly regulated member’s of the Communist Party of China are required to be atheists and practitioners of the Falun Gong have received ‘special treatment’ from the Chinese Government time and again.

I believe that Canada should not trade with the People’s Republic of China due to the extreme lack of human rights.

Pakistan’s President, General Pervez Musharraf said, “The intelligence director told me that (Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage) said, ‘Be prepared to be bombed. Be prepared to go back to the Stone Age.”

In an interview to be aired on CBS’ 60 minutes television program this coming Sunday. General Musharraf stated that they received this dialogue from the U.S. Government Official following September 11, 2001.

Mr. Armitage denied that he had ever threatened the Pakistani intelligence director that the United States would bomb his country. He did happen and admit to say the following, “with us or against us.” Sound like a serious threat to you? Absolutely! I would take both as a serious threat against ones country’s sovereignty in playing chicken with bombs into the Stone Age. The Bush Administration has to be reminded that Pakistan has a nuclear arsenal too.

Pakistan has been one of the United States’ closet allies in the Middle East in being supportive of their war on terrorism in the Afghanistan. In the wake of 9/11’s terrorists attack in New York City, Virginia and Pennsylvania, General Musharraf spoke against Islamic fundamentalism and harbouring terrorists.

Though, hearing President Bush’s remarks yesterday that he would send in forces if he received ‘good intelligence’ on bin Laden’s position in Pakistan, which has angered the Pakistan Government and its citizenry.

President of Pakistan was quoted saying the following, “I think it was a very rude remark.” I agree the United States has no right to threaten a sovereign nation-state. Since the U.S. is the ‘last remaining’ superpower in the world, they have the mentality to force people into submission towards the United States, or bomb them to bits, absolutely. After all, we have seen the current Administration’s foreign policy in place for over six years. To prove it:

Musharraf told “60 Minutes” that Armitage’s message was delivered with demands that he turn over Pakistan’s border posts and bases for the U.S. military to use in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Some demands were “ludicrous,” such as a demand he suppress domestic expression of support for terrorism against the United States.

Definitely America’s foreign policy on the Middle East. President Musharraf and President Bush will be meeting together in the White House later this week. Let’s hope, relations improve drastically – because I don’t like where this could be going. Americans, please vote Democrat in ’08. We want a smart aleck in office, not some world class ape.

On Wednesday, President Bush was asked by Wolf Blitzer if he would send in the U.S. Military into Pakistan if he received ‘good intelligence’ on bin Laden’s location. The American President replied with, “Absolutely.”

General Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan’s President opposes any U.S. Military action on Pakistani soil. Do you think the Bush Administration will accept Pakistan’s sovereignty? I doubt it. Remember, the American President did send forces into Iraq on faulty intelligence reports because it stated that they had weapons of mass destruction?

The United States has been in Iraq for three years and they still haven’t found anything related to the cause of the war. Why? Don’t say most of the reports were blacked out, because the President has the highest intelligence clearance throughout the country.

To quote General Musharraf, “We wouldn’t allow that at all. We will do it ourselves.” I really do not think the United States’ Government under Bush’s leadership would allow that to happen. They wouldn’t dismiss a single chance to allow the Pakistani’s to make him a tyrant, if ‘captured’.

Other topics discussed between the Leader of the Free World and Wolf Blitzer were: Border Security (fence across the U.S.-Mexican Border), The Pope’s Comments, Is there a Civil War in Iraq? And, they discussed Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s regime.

The UN Security Council has voted in favour to send in peacekeeping troops into Darfur, however they will not until given consent of the Sudanese Government. Sudan has and will continue to refuse foreign intervention in Darfur.

The Sudanese Government has publicly denied their support for the Janjaweed militia group; however they have supplied them with weapons, vehicles, equipment and supplies to commit massive slaughters of children, women and men. They are as guilty as the people pulling the triggers.

We all know that genocide has been committed in Darfur and we are going to continue on waiting at the sidelines until Coach Sudan places us on the field to play? I am very disappointed with the United Nations. After all it is their policy on genocide to end it. It’s a conflict of interests? Totally! No kiddin’! After all, they did allow Rwanda to happen.

When is the United Nations going to finally wake up from the dreamland to smell the roses? This is reality. The only way to get things done is you get in there without Sudanese consent. Yes, it is after all against international humanitarian law.

I leave you with a final thought. What is more important; to protect human rights and from those falling victimized to crimes against humanity or an unlawful military action to save fellow human beings from slaughter?

His Holiness the Pope Benedict XVI has done it, again and this time he is not bashing on moral obligation to traditional family values. It’s a different type of playing field, the religious battlefield. Okay, okay you make a fair point that all battlefields are religious if the Pope is leading the offensive. He pissed off the Muslims this round by quoting a quote from Byzantine Emperor, Manual II Paleologos:

“Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached.”

His Holiness went on to say, “Incompatible with the nature of God and the nature of the soul.” So he is not Muhammad’s favourite fan.

A Muslim leader Ali Badda Kolu responded to the Pope’s speech by calling it a, “abhorrent, hostile and prejudiced point of view”. I agree with Ali completely. The Pope is the ‘head representative’ of Christianity, Muslims has great respects for Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible – they just don’t believe he was the last prophet, and the Son of God.

Did the Pope misquote the Byzantine Emperor? Or did he mean it? Hopefully we’ll find out. He’s expected to go to Turkey in October – December. Though a lot of people think he’s a Turkophobe.

Friggin’ Pope.

The fifth year anniversary of the events that took place on that dreadful September day has just came by as if it were just yesterday. I remember watching footage being played for the millionth time as the planes collided into the World Trade Center.

The tears from my eyes soaked the desk in front of me. At the end of that Social Studies Class, I tried to focus on my studies and ignore anything in relation of the attacks. However, I couldn’t – we were kept in the loophole by the faculty. I just wanted the day to end, a day where hell broke loose on earth.

School was let out at the usual time. I remember getting into my mother’s car for the ten minute car ride home as I feel asleep to nap, as I normally did. I watched myself standing in one of the towers watching the plane approach me, I tried to turn and make for the stairwell, I couldn’t move, returning my head to the window as I watched the incoming commercial jetliner on a direct collision course, hearing the screams of my colleagues fill my ears, yelling for me to run for the door. Soon after the aircraft struck the building, I woke up screaming and crying out loud.

Soon after my mother opened the doors, I rushed into the house and ran into the room where I continued to cry until one of my dogs came into the room, wondering what all the commotion was about. As she heard me mourning, she jumped onto my bed as she tried to cheer me up by digging her head into my side.

I looked at her, trying to smile as I broke down into crying again as her innocence reminded me of innocent people who were killed in the attacks: World Trade Center, Pentagon, United Airlines Flight 93, American Airlines Flight 77, United Airlines Flight 175 and American Airlines Flight 11. The hijackers hate us for the freedoms that we endure. They hate it so much they are willing to give us the fight for our lives.

On the first anniversary of the attacks, my mother received a PowerPoint presentation forwarded from a friend. It was a slide show of pictures that died in the attacks. I couldn’t help myself but to burst down in tears, stand up from the couch’s arm behind the computer and run into my parents’ room as I lay on their bed. My mom feeling guilty ran into the room, where she comforted me and understanding that I was sensitive when it came to the death of innocent people.

For the rest of my life, I’ll never forget. I’ll always remember those who died for the cause of freedom and liberty. I am proud to say as a Canadian, I am dedicated and supportive of our troops in Afghanistan. Our mission should be committed there until they are no longer needed.

Even if it’s a long period of time, Mr. Layton forgets Canada’s dedication to peacemaking and peacekeeping duties to the international community. He has also accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of being a war monger for being supportive of an extension on the Afghan mission. Your wrong again, Mr. Layton. Leave foreign policy decisions to the professionals (Liberals). Hit the road Jack, and don’t you come back no more, no more, no more, no more.

My grandmother tried to talk me into going to watch United 93 and World Trade Center with my brother. I refused too. I tried to explain to her, I don’t think I am reading to go watch a films based around 9-11. It’s soon for me. I believe it is too soon for Hollywood to be profiting on the attacks with so far two film adaptations and a mini-series.

Israel has broken the ceasefire agreement that was place into force last Monday after sending in Commandoes to raid Hezbollah strongholds in eastern Lebanon and blowing up a bridge, a preemptive attack. Mark Regev, spokesperson for the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the following in a news briefing, “If the Syrians and Iran continue to arm Hezbollah in violation of the [ceasefire] resolution, Israel is entitled to act to defend the principle of the arms embargo.”

In reality the Israelis are screaming out, “No ticket!” However, no Nazis were harmed or thrown out of a window of a Zeppelin or it would have been a great Indiana Jones film.

The Israeli Government was not willing to give Hezbollah the opportunity to disarm them selves since they were never given a chance. However it is highly unlikely that they would have thrown down their munitions and rifles to honour the UN Security Council Resolution since they are classified as a terrorist organization.

There is no news to provide clarification that the administration was distributing arms than clearly Hezbollah one who broke international law.

Israel has given into the ceasefire outlined by Resolution #1701 from the U.N. Security Council this Sunday following cooperation provided by Hezbollah and the Lebanese government. This armed conflict has left 1,020 Citizens dead, unconfirmed count. There were collateral casualties on both sides, Israeli and Lebanese. This armed conflict was a bloodbath in the Middle East, and I predict this won’t be the last and final battle between Israel and her bitter and sworn foes. Though, I do hope that this cessation does last for a long time and there is no more death in the region.

I have to make myself clear on my stance on this dying armed conflict. First of all, I do not support Hezbollah in any mean necessary; they are an organization that believes inflicting massive pain on their neighbours and terrorizing the streets of Lebanon. I do hope that that Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah immediately, however, if she cannot do it on her own, honest and trustworthy member-states of the UN should offer their complete assistance.

I do support existence of Israel; however, I believe that Israel should only have the land that was claimed in the UN General Assembly Resolution 181. As well, I do believe that Israel should have not bombed the entire Lebanese countryside in retaliation of the capture of their servicemen, they should of done it by other means besides negotiate with Hezbollah.

However, I do wish that they could create a provision of a declaration on the ceasefire that south of the Litani River in Lebanon will be declared dematerialized zone which would continue the primary objective of this clause to disallow paramilitaries such as Hezbollah to operate in that area of Lebanon, however it would fall into Lebanese jurisdiction and with cooperating with United Nations Peace-Keeping Forces in the area.

My negativity against Israel was the result of the death of eight Canadians throughout this armed conflict without issuing an apology to the public. However, if the Israeli Government did apologize to Stephen Harper and he did not release this statement – I will apologize to the Israeli government over my blog and have more of a reason to encourage distrust of Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Fear: Terrorism. August 10, 2006 01:22 PM Democracies in Western Civilization have always used the essence of fear to make a political gain. In the past it has been used to execute the McCarthy Purges eloquently against the unseen threat of terrorism that placed fear in the American people that they would receive a subpoena to attend the hearing.

In today’s post-cold war modern world, politicians across the globe use the threat of terrorism to spite the nationals into fearing death in an attack on their home soil. In recent events over in the United Kingdom and here at home in Canada have seen fear being used as a tool. In the British Government overturned a leaf to discover an alleged bomb threat, an airliner.

Today, The Canadian Ministry of Transport boosts up security at airports for precaution. A tool used to stir fear in the hearts of the citizenry and visitors to our country. A precaution the government warrants. There are consequences of cause of effect in the report of an alleged bomb threat as it sent that British airliner’s stock into a descending tornado:

“Airline stocks fell sharply on world markets Thursday morning after the revelation of an alleged passenger jet bomb plot in the U.K. sent shock waves through the travel industry.”

CBC News Online, Alleged bomb plot in U.K. sends airline stocks down.

There is a real terrorist threat today, but only the government continues to like fear strive among the people.

I have been currently reading a book by Corey Robin, Fear: The History of a Political Idea. Corey Robin is a Associate Professor of the Political Science Faculty at the Brooklyn College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. Fear: The History of a Political Idea to purchase at Chapters for $19.95.

The Security Council of the Israeli Government has voted unanimously to increase the number of troops and armoured vehicles on the frontlines of the growing armed conflict in Southern Lebanon after resuming air raids after a few days. Earlier Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert pledged Israeli against an extension of a cease fire that was created between Israel and Hezbollah armed forces. The Government of Israel has no interest in ending this engagement that has endangered thousands of Lebanese lives and are trying to flee the country.

Last week, Israelis bombed a U.N Observation Post that has left a Canadian soldier for dead. The Israeli Prime Minister pledged an investigation into the deaths of the U.N. workers and apologized for killing them. However, the Government of Israel has not apologized to the people of Canada for killing eight fellow nationals. When will the Conservative Government place political pressure on Israel’s wrongful doings? The Conservatives may not want to escalate this armed conflict, however the Government of Canada has done nothing to pursue justice.

I am going to make myself very clear at the beginning of this blog entry that I am one of the biggest fans of Louise Arbour and her overall performance as the world’s attack dog on human rights. I believe she is only person for the job as she has proven on multiple occasions to be an advocacy and bringing forth justice who have committed injustices to others.

Recently the Israeli Ambassador to Canada Alan Baker accused Louise who is the U.N.’s High Commissioner for Human Rights that she does not grasp the situation in the war torn region. This is a follow up, after Mrs. Arbour called for Israeli and Hezbollah Officials to be charged for war crimes if do not take measures to protect the lives of civilians both in Israel and Lebanon.

I believe she has clearly made the right choice. Israel has not released a public apology to the people of Canada for killing seven Canadian nationals.

Nor has our Conservative Government released any statements to condemn the Israeli attacks that left seven of our people for the body bags. Instead, they continue to be the world’s lap dog. The Conservatives made a campaign promise and proclaimed that they are electable to protect Canadians. They have done fuddle duddle.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter MacKay requested Lebanon and Israel to guarantee safe passage and protection for the six ships currently being leased to us by Cyprus to carry willing Canadians who want to escape the growing increase of violence between the warring factions. There are currently over 50,000 people who hold Canadian citizenship in Lebanon. There has already been seven Canadian nationals that have lost their lives in this armed conflict.

The Government under Conservative Leadership has already taken sides in this armed conflict which hurts our chances to send troops into the battling area to assist with peace-making operations. Interim Liberal Leader Bill Graham has stated:

“It’s a Canadian tradition to work in the Middle East for long-term peace by being able to work with all sides of the conflict.” - CBC News – PM’s rhetoric hurts Canada’s peacemaking chances: opposition (18 July 2006)

Harper’s Government continues to lead our country to an area where our country should have not taken. I personally believe that we should taken a neutral route in this conflict and promoted to put an end of the bloodshed. The Conservatives state that they want to do good in the world. They have failed, Canadians. If anymore Canadian’s blood is slain by Hezbollah or any other group in the Middle East. It will all be on Steve’s hands.

Maher Arar is a Syrian-Canadian who has been quite popular among international media outlets after being racial profiled by U.S. Immigration Officials and they stated he was an associate of Abdullah Almalki who had given financial aid to the infamous terrorist organizations known as al Qaeda. This claim has been with drew since the United States could not back up their claim. Unfortunately the United States did not deport him back to the passport issued country, Canada but his motherland, Syria. He states that the United States knew that the Government of Syria does not have any laws on torturing another, using this as a ploy for interrogation. This has been another incident of American mistreatment of Middle Eastern peoples.

Arar tried to take a domestic flight from Montreal to Edmonton and was labeled as Selected for Secondary Security Screening (S-S-S-S). He waited for fifteen minutes for the Air Canada Agent to process him. The Government of Canada continues to use the United States’ No-Fly List database therefore Maher is unable to travel to visit relatives within Canada. However, there has not been any statements released from the Government at this time, and I don’t think this will occur anytime soon.