Stephen Harper, Leader of the Conservative Party of Canada
Putting aside wisdom of Iggy Pop-Tartief's latest gaffe, there are a lot of things about this statement that should concern people.
First, it's simply not true. Ignatieff's statement on Tout le monde en parle was a strong criticism of Israel, certainly the strongest to date. He did not, and has not, ever questioned the existence of the state of Israel.
Ignatieff, rightly or wrongly, criticized Israel's conduct in the invasion of another soveriegn state. And to criticize a country is not to question its existence, it is to oppose an action or a policy.
Suggesting Ignatieff is anti-Isreal is as silly as suggesting Stephen Harper is anti-American because he feels that the US should come clean on Maher Arar or because he opposes softwood duties.
It is as stupid as suggesting that Stephen Harper is anti-Lebanese for supporting Israel's invasion of Lebanon.
And it smacks of another conservative smear-monger, Joe McCarthy, who used the same ultra-nationalist technique to attempt to silence his opponents.
Moreover, Ignatieff's comments are not in-line with other leadership candidates who have all clearly supported Israel's position in the invasion of Lebanon, while calling for restraint.
And once again, Harper's statement shows he is willing to use the war in Lebanon for his own political advantage. At every opportunity, he has used the war to divide Canadians in a pathetic search for that elusive bump at the ballot box.
That meaness is truly disturbing - it takes a special kind of heartless, callous politics to use the loss of life in two countries caught between the latest Islamofascist gang for a little boost in the polls.
But that is Stephen Harper.
4 comments:
What really bugs me is Bob Rae pointing out he is maried to a Jew in defence of not being anti-Israel.
What does that have anything to do with?
Canada is nutral about Israel because we simply don't agree. In that sence both Ignatieff and Harper made mistakes. They each angered a few hundred thousand Canadians when the fact is, what happens over in that small country is of litle strategic importance to Canada. It is simply a human interest story.
Just because it involves white people shouldn't make it more important than it is.
Hearhear,
This some truth to what you say.
Conservatives have been attacked for being anti-gay, and anti-abortion because, well, they are.
Indeed, the coalition of social onservative groups such as Focus on the Family who support your colleagues would be surprised, and I would suggest outraged, to find out that the Tories were not. You are only as good as the company you keep. I am surprised that 'forget so soon'
But the main part here is the disturbing ease with which your leader is willing to use the deaths of thousands during a war for his own political agenda at home.
That, unfortunately, says more about his own character than anyone else's
Canada is neutral about Isreal? Maybe, maybe not.
Liberals are divided over Isreal? Absolutely.
What is the ''Liberal'' (each candiates) position on Isreal? Abortion? SSM? etc...
Is PMSH forcing Libs to jump off that fence?
Cherniak_wtf - You beat me to it!
Post a Comment