Syrian refugees deserve our support
Prince George, B.C. – The plan to welcome 25,000 Syrian refugees by the end of the year should go ahead. Many Canadians and Canadian organizations have indicated they want to help the refugees. This support is in the positive humanitarian traditions of our country in welcoming people from other lands fleeing terrible wars, famines and violence.
Indeed, Canada, along with its many indigenous peoples, has people who have originated from over 130 countries. There have been millions of immigrants and refugees from all parts of the world. This diversity of our population is one of our greatest strengths as a country.
In regards to Syria, great crimes have been unleashed upon the people there resulting in hundreds of thousands killed, millions forced to flee, and the priceless heritage of an ancient country destroyed. How has this come about?
As many are now coming to realize, various foreign governments, including so-called allies of Canada, have been complicit in financing, providing arms and supplying terrorist personnel to overthrow the Syrian government in the name of “regime change” and wreak sectarian havoc on the population (1). Is it any wonder there are now millions of refugees? The people of Syria deserve both our sympathy and our assistance.
A similar situation happened with the invasion and “regime change” in Iraq by U.S.-led coalition forces in 2003, and with the overthrow of the Quaddafi government in Libya in 2011, which Canada, to its dishonor, participated in. In both cases, disaster ensued and terrorists were able to flourish, eventually giving rise to ISIS and other terrorist groups. The result of all of this has been the virtual destruction of these countries and an unprecedented refugee crisis in the Middle East and Europe.
In that regard, the U.S.-led strategy of supporting so-called “moderate rebels” against the Syrian government has been exposed for what it is. The net result of this policy has been the aiding and abetting of ISIS and other terrorists who are now extending their reach into Europe such as in the recent terrible slaughter in Paris. As many people have long asked: Where does ISIS get all the funds for its brand new Toyotas and trucks, along with weaponry, supplies, sophisticated equipment, as well as salaries for all its personnel? And as many observers have noted: there are no “moderate terrorists” in Syria (2).
It is quite shocking that, just after the blowing up of the Russian passenger plane in Egypt, the U.S. publication, the Wall Street Journal, reported that the U.S. will be supplying portable, shoulder-firing air-defense systems to the so-called “moderate rebels” in Syria (3). These weapons known as “man-pads” are capable of shooting down civilian planes. As with previous weapons shipments by the U.S. to these rebels (and there have been many), the weapons will likely end up in the hands of ISIS.
What can we do in Canada in the midst of this international crisis? First of all, we can welcome the Syrian refugees. We must not succumb to the fear generated by terrorist outrages. That is one of the aims of terrorism – to provoke fear and division amongst the population and people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Every year, Canada accepts around 250,000 immigrants, a number of whom are refugees fleeing wars, violence and discrimination. The Canadian government has clearly indicated that it has the administration in place to process and accept 25,000 Syrians by the end of the year (4), which is about the same as the number of immigrants accepted in a normal month.
Secondly, we must not allow political and governmental forces to use fear to erode or undermine our rights in Canada; for example, through the imposition of Bill C-51. This anti-democratic legislation needs to be completely scrapped.
Thirdly, stay completely out of the military operations in both Syria and Iraq. How can Canada be involved when its so-called NATO ally Turkey has been aiding and abetting the ISIS terrorists from the beginning, along with Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States (5) (6)? When even American officials are admitting they originally supported the ISIS forces against the Syrian government (7)? And when the U.S. continues to supply the Syrian “moderate rebels” with advanced weaponry, knowing that it will end up in the hands of ISIS or that, as in the past, the rebels themselves will join up with ISIS? The situation is a toxic, incoherent mess.
One of the great ironies of this crisis is that the forces most committed to fighting ISIS effectively have been Russia, Iran, Hezbollah, and the Syrian government itself, all of whom are regularly demonized as enemies in the North American Establishment media. The Kurds are another example. Instead of bombing ISIS, the Turkish government, playing a dirty game, bombs them.
To be really brave and useful, rather than sending its military into the Middle East the Canadian government should call out and condemn all those countries, such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia and the U.S. itself, that have been supporting the ISIS terrorists either directly or indirectly (under the hoax of supporting the “moderate Syrian rebels”).
Without the support of these countries, whether financially, through smuggling and trade in oil, shipments of arms and supplies, or other means, the so-called Islamic State of ISIS would not last long, and the refugee crisis could at least be abated.
Peter Ewart is a columnist and writer based in Prince George, British Columbia. He can be reached at: peter.ewart@shaw.ca
- “Putin: ISIS financed from 40 countries, including G20 members.” Information Clearing House. November 16, 2015. http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article43441.htm
- Reynolds, Ben. “There are no moderate rebels in Syria.” Counterpunch. October 3, 2014.
- Entous, Adam. “U.S., Allies to boost aid to Syria rebels.” The Wall Street Journal. November 5, 2015. http://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-allies-to-boost-aid-to-syria-rebels-1446682624
- Mas, Susana. “Syrian refugee screening ‘Paramount,’ says Health Minister Jane Philpott. CBC News. November 17, 2015. http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/syrian-refugee-security-screening-paramount-says-health-minister-jane-philpott-1.3318227
- Lazare, Daniel. “How Saudi/Gulf money fuels terror.” Consortium News. November 14, 2015. https://consortiumnews.com/2015/11/14/how-saudigulf-money-fuels-terror/
- Chengu, Garikai. “How the US helped create Al Queda and ISIS!” September 19, 2014. http://www.counterpunch.org/2014/09/19/how-the-us-helped-create-al-qaeda-and-isis/
Mizner, David. “How the US helped ISIS.” Jacobin. November 17, 2015. https://www.jacobinmag.com/2015/06/isis-syria-assad-iraq-benghazi/
Comments
Well said Peter. Although I disagree about getting out of Syria and Iraq completely.
I think Canada having trainers with the Kurds is essential. Canada needs the independent intelligence on the ground. The Kurds need the human shields, sad to say.
Turkey bombs the Kurds in Syria, but not the Kurds in Iraq in part because of the Canadians embedded with the Kurds in Iraq. Turkey would have a lot of explaining to do if it bombed a NATO ally. IMO Turkey should not be a NATO ally.
With ground intelligence and local respect for our involvement Canada’s small involvement through the Kurds can be a huge multiplier for peace. With Canadians vetting the targets on the ground, our allies can minimize the collateral damage from the bombs they drop, and remove the Machiavellian aspect of local allies calling in bombing raids for ulterior motives.
Ultimately for isis to go away someone will have to establish forward operating bases in the isis controlled areas. Providing the back bone for the Kurds to do this makes sense.
Sometimes Peter, that warm and fuzzy feeling we seek as payback for doing the “right” things, can lead to a surprise or two, and not always a good one.
Caution is paramount here, with research and education mandatory, when we’re making decisions that will affect literally everyone in an entire country.
Since you like to add links to various websites to support your views, maybe a look at this will add to your info.
Google — Paul Joseph Watson 100,000 air conditioned tents
or Refugee Crisis: Germany creaks under strain of open door policy
I’d be interested in your take on this.
In Turkey today, the crowd bood during the moment of silence for the Paris victims. The same turks that are flooding the refugee camps and claiming refugee status as Syrian. Just what we need in Canada to go with Justin’s new plan to let undocumented Mexicans setup shop here.
I have no problem with Canada accepting 25,000 refugees, or even more. However 25,000 in a month and a half is a pipe dream, and just a way for Justin to save face.
Another terrorist attach has been stopped in Paris. Considering the number of terrorists people in their neighbourhood should have been suspicious but said nothing, why?
palomino Ewert tends to ignore countering views.
Another excellent article by Dr Ball.
His statement:”… a Liberal Party that received only 39 percent of the vote…” is, unfortunately, the indicator of a true democracy. A third of the electorate don’t bother to vote at all and the other two thirds vote in diametrically opposite ways. However this is better than the 100% majorities found in North Korea and other totalitarian states. In the Afghan election 119% of the electorate voted. The alternative is the gun and bomb as we have seen in the middle East. To paraphrase Winston Churchill: Democracy is the worst form of government except all the other forms.
most neighbourhoods have only one thing on their mind and that is the chores and concerns for their family. They are too busy to worry about someone else and their daily activity.Not to mention that these terrorists are extremely good at keeping a low profile and adapting into society, so they slip thru the cracks. God help us all because it is inevitable and going to happen!
Canada is working hard to reach that 25k goal by the end of this year! If it is not reached the remainder will come to Canada after New Year! I am sure they will be just as happy and appreciative of our help if that would happen!
Most people would not call that a broken election promise!
From: Global News
But the Syrian refugees who will be prioritized for resettlement in Canada are likely to be female-headed households, unaccompanied minors and people who are medically vulnerable, explained James Milner, Carleton University political science professor who previously worked with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).
If this is whose coming, I’m for it, probably even donate money, will certainly make them welcome if I meet them.
I’m not too interested in taking in the males. First, if they are vastly more likely to engage in criminal/terrorist activity when they find they can’t have the Canadian dream without working for it. After a year of no work other than menial labour, they’ll find a way to make cash.
But secondly, and maybe more importantly, Middle Eastern males (Christian or Muslim) make our rednecks look like enlightened liberals when it comes to how they treat women. I think it’s fantastic if these women can bring their children, learn that they are equal not only under God, but law, and not have to worry about Ahmed running their life for them.
We need young people in this country, and if we can do a good deed at the same time, works for me.
As for Bill C51 Peter, scrap it. I think not. Paris attacks were due largely in part to an overwhelmed security force who failed to detect the attacks. Now France is under Martial Law – not many freedoms left there now. I’d rather we give our security forces the tools to do their job now, than be in a War Measures Act scenario later. Remember, the last time the WMA was declared, a Trudeau was in charge, and the FLQ hadn’t exactly committed mass murder. But here’s what Trudeau did:
“During the crisis 453 people were arrested under the War Measures Act and some were held for over 3 weeks. The question of civil rights vs. the right of the legitimately elected government of a state to defend itself had been one of the central questions which is still debated today.”
Your second paragraph proves why Stevie’s kneejerk reaction was just what it was . A reaction from a jerk .
Ataloss who reads one line and thinks she has read the entire article.
The passport was fake as it has the same info as another man who was arrested in another country with a different picture, but the fingerprints show the Paris bomber entered Europe through an Aleutian Island on Oct 3rd. This just goes to show you that people are flooding into Europe with fake Syrian passports, or buying them on the black market on the way through Turkey. Not that they are French nationals trying to point the blame on the Syrian refugee crisis – which you were trying to imply on the Zimmer article.
Fact;harper solod Our wheat board to the biggest terrorist supports out there Saudis,and those arms we are selling them Go to this isis,they are there supporters.
After the 2nd WW…it waz the nazi’s they let in,and there were lots!!
We took in many thousands of Boat PPL’s.
As for Backbencher bobdaknob…..ya voted for this trash…I did not!
these ppl deserve better…and may want to go home when all is said and done….
Where did your folks come from???
Nutbar much!
No one should be allowed in while the unemployment rate is high.
Slinky: Perhaps you should look on a map to see where the Aleutian islands are.
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