Reverse order:
While I think that of all the artificial arab nations, Jordan is the least worst of the lot, Fuck Jordan. Their government still fails to hold the confidence of a third of the people in a way that makes the bloc look like liberal sissies, not that they need much to make them look that way.
I've seen how the arab countries take care of their antiquities versus the meticulous care of Israel. In the interest of the maintained integrety of the documents, Israel has proven itself capable time and time again of protecting, all proven and "potential" treasures, and I say 'potential' as I've seen the tip of the iceburg of what it takes to excavate five metres anywhere in that country. The Antiquities ministry always gets first kick at the can, and they have eyes everywhere.
The flipside is that there are places in Jordan and Egypt (I'm not sure about Syria at the moment), where they cannot enforce the rule of law without checkpoints for their own people.
Also, on the implications side of the house, if we were to forcefully possess property loaned to our museums by other nations without the backing of an organization such as an ICJ ruling, then countries such as the UK and Israel would think twice before lending our museums their exhibitions. Such a move would cost our museums too much.
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On the subject of Harper's bush-bashing adventure, while I disagree respectfully that his actions are damaging the state of confederation, I do that and some more by pointing out that his main concern at the moment is in destroying the Senate. The more I listen to the bs of the day, the more I realize that the senate is refusing to reform, and all Harper can do is create a majority condition in there to ensure that his laws make it all the way to the GG's office.
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On the subject of the Afghan detainee 'issue' that the globe and other left-leaning press are trying to foist, the previous Chief of Defense Staff actually explains clearly in his memoir why information was kept secret on detainee details from the usual suspects, although it doesn't touch on the actual abuse. I intend to post it in Guild Hall, in order to hide the google bots, and lawyers (with exception of Pacobird)
Re: Scrolls: I agree with an ICJ ruling being the best way to go. I think the
best thing to do would be to somehow turn it over to that body or similar for arbitration. The main thing is that the Canadian government would have to acknowledge publicly that it is not capable of making such a judgment and that we don't appreciate being put on the spot as a surprise like this.
And if the government really wants to make sure the documents, are returned to Israel they can simply choose to return the scrolls at the originally scheduled time, rather than holding them pending a decision.
But we won't do any of that. We'll just engage in some mealy-mouthed nonsense that absolutely nobody will believe.
Re: Senate: Sorry but don't really think that saying 'The Senate can't be reformed' is an excuse to appoint the likes of Mike Duffy and co., the worst dregs of the party flaks and syncophants. The Harper Senate appointees are now widely known for being the heaviest abusers of Senate privileges in a generation.
At the very, very, least he could have returned to the previous stance which was to appoint Senators who'd been voted on (remember that very first Senate appointment?). If Harper had actually done that consistently, the Liberals might have been shamed into doing the same the next time they were in power. A long shot, I admit, but it's a simple, principled act that really would have defined the party and Harper in a different way. Now, it's too late. All of Canada knows that Harper just stands for expediency, self-interest, and the same old garbage.
Re: Detainees. I think it'll help if I clarify that I'm not necessarily on the side of those who are saying "The Canadian Government is complicit in deliberate violations of the Geneva convention" - all the more so after reading your other post this morning.
What I am upset about is the fact that the government refuses to "be a Man", as it were, and face allegations head on. Instead of doing something as simple as quoting the text you listed, or giving other valid reasons for the actions of the Canadian Forces, Harper avoided the House of Commons for trumped up reasons (too many senior's curling tournaments to attend) and has now simply shuttered the government for two months - throwing out much legislation in the process. It's a failure in every possible way - to the government, to the military (for not defending them in a meaningful way), and to the general public - and an act of cowardice of the worst kind.
As long as the government acts in such a spineless fashion, the assumption from the general public will be that, yes, there is something to hide - even if there isn't (and even if John Baird finds out his voicebox goes to 12). Again, Just like last winter, Harper demonstrated that he'll do anything to hang on for one more spiteful day, long term damage to the political process (it's not pretty, but it's all we've got), the country, or even to his own party be damned.
That's the real reason he's got no majority. His opposition is at a lower point than the conservatives were at under Chretien, he has total control of the machinery, but still a majority eludes him. Not because of any bullshit about secret conservative conspiracies - most sensible people dropped that worry in '07 or '08, but (to steal a page from the Con's own playbook) because he's a bully, a shrewd operator, or a gamesman, but he is
not a
leader.
