Harper Denies Puppetry

PEJ News - C. L. Cook - It's official: Despite carbon copy policies that could have been lifted straight from the White House mimeograph machine on issues like Afghanistan, Kyoto, Immigration, and "Homeland" security, a wooden Stephen Harper declares his rugged individuality, saying; “I am not a puppet.” www.PEJ.org © 2006 Gnat Harper Denies Puppetry C. L. Cook PEJ News June 16, 2006 The C.B.C. is reporting on-line comments made by PM Harper during a taped interview. Without context, it's difficult to discern; but, if the C.B.C. is to be believed, Stephen Harper has done what neither of his Liberal predecessors, Paul Martin and Jean Chretien dared do: Harper has defined the reason for "Canada's" involvement in Afghanistan these past four and more years. Sunday (June 18, 2006) on State broadcaster, C.B.C., the prime minister will finally reveal to Canadians why he, and his predecessor governments continue to spend the nation's blood and treasure on the war and occupation in Afghanistan. First Offerings It's a divided notion: How best to defend meritorious personal attacks without lying? One school would have the subject of derision reiterate the opponent's point, then demolish it; the other school maintains: a stolid silence should surround any criticism. Stephen Harper decided to take the first route, initiating himself the single-most resonate criticism of he and his administration: Many Canadians think Harper's Conservatives are an embarrassing replication of American ideologies, (Republican ones at that), and believe he is to America what Jaruzelski was to the former Soviet Union. Judging by the transcripts of the Sunday interview, released on-line yesterday, it will doubtless prove a painful performance to witness. Harper's ineptitude before the camera aside, he’ll inform those with the stomach to watch of his bold independence, Canada’s unique role in the world, and for the ‘War on Terror.’ He’ll tell the nation they are “naïve,” and ostrich-like, their collective heads buried in the sands of delusion. He’ll expound wince-making denials of his, and thus Canada’s, subservience to George W. Bush and the U.S.A. Thusly, he utters; "I see from time to time that the Liberals and members of the Bloc say that I am George Bush's puppet and other things like that. Even if I think that people don't always agree with me, they understand that I'm nobody's puppet." Calling George a “Nobody” Being one of those naïve Canadians, (eyes-shut, too dim to appreciative the importance of ‘The Mission’ currently killing Afghan men, women, and children, and “our” Canadian soldiers), I do not understand Stephen’s “no strings on me” claims. If it steps like a goose, then it’s goose-stepping. And, I don’t think Stephen should go around insulting the President of the United States of America [sic] like that; imagine, calling the POTUS a “nobody!” Who does he think he is, Carolyn Parrish? Stephen goes on to explain exactly why Canada has spent billions on the Afghan adventure, and promises to pay more, and more for it, saying: "That’s the reason why we've been in Afghanistan for several years. We are there because of the deaths of about 30 Canadians in the World Trade Centre." Well, now I know. The reasoning behind the sacrifice of those "about" sixteen Canadians officially registered killed, and the many more injured since 9/11 doing duty manning the walls of the occupation in Kabul and Kandahar is just a billion(s) dollar revenge campaign, prosecuted for a crime never fully investigated? What Does Harper Know? Does Stephen Harper know more than America’s much vaunted Federal Bureau of Investigation knows about 9/11? The FBI was recently asked why Osama bin Laden’s biggest crime does not appear on his rap sheet posting on the infamous “Most Wanted List.’ You’d think, after the Commander in Chief’s “Dead or Alive” television bravura, and all that’s followed, the G-Men would have the wherewithal to add a line to Osama’s other alleged misdeeds. But, no. The biggest single criminal act in history, (the atomic destruction of Nagasaki, or Hiroshima aside; the pollution of Iraq, Yugoslavia, and America, with depleted uranium discounted), and not a peep from the Feds! A Curious Decision Despite the statements of the Great Decider, and the countless accusations made in the media, the FBI’s legal department chose not to include the 9/11 charges because, they say, they don’t believe they have the evidence to justify such an allegation. So, what does Stephen and George, and Tony, and Mr. Howard, and past PM’s of Canada know that the FBI doesn’t? If Harper’s word be true, for the 9/11 atrocity, attributed to al-Qaida, whose reputed leader was believed to be granted sanctuary in their country, the peoples of Afghanistan are to endure a perpetual perdition; a forever war; punishment for a crime never tried, based on allegations so thin the FBI can’t even manufacture a case to prove. And, for those “about” thirty Canadians who perished beneath the rubble of the free-falling World Trade Center Towers, a reported sixteen more have died, and many more been injured in far-off Afghanistan. To pay tribute to the fallen heroes of September 11th, 2001, Canadians will fork over billions to the military-industrial complex, eviscerate civil law, and commit to killing and capturing “suspects,” the living to be delivered into the living Hells with which the world has lately become so sickeningly familiar. No Parrots Here Though, like his pal George, he disdains recognition of the dead soldiers returning this vendetta overseas, Stephen Harper would have more kill and die to sate his blood-lusting revenge. Though, like his pal George, he disdains the press, and would have them cowed as their American colleagues, Stephen Harper tells Canadians “I like journalists. It’s maybe the journalists who don’t like me?” Though, like his pal George, he is attacking the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, (please see: Constitution) and running roughshod over international treaties and conventions, Stephen Harper would bring democracy to Afghanistan. Though, like his pal, George, he would adopt ‘Mandatory Minimum’ sentencing to the country’s judiciary, making long-term criminals out of pot smokers, Stephen Harper proclaims from his bully pulpit the need for law and order. No Stephen, nobody thinks you’re a puppet; but, more believe it time to cut the strings you would pull to make a Kanada of Canada; more daily believe it time to send you and your fellow non-marionettes, they who would have us merely a paler Amerika, south. Chris Cook is a contributing editor to PEJ News, and hosts Gorilla Radio, broad/webcast from the University of Victoria, Canada. You can check out the GR Blog here. Annotations: Zarqawi the scourge defeated, Osama not wanted for 9/11? By Jerry Mazza - Online Journal Associate Editor http://onlinejournal.com/artman/publish/article_912.shtml 'I'm nobody's puppet,' Harper says Last Updated Fri, 16 Jun 2006 13:13:08 EDT CBC News http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/16/harper-puppet.html Stay informed. Subscribe and get the best of PEJ News by email. Free.