Definition Of Chutzpah

Lawrence Cannon lecturing anyone on the proper way to conduct a trial, while leaving Omar Khadr to rot. If any Russian officials are reading this, I am sure Mr. Cannon won't mind if you bring Khadr's case up in public.

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This Is Supposed To Make Me Feel Better?

Lawrence Cannon's defense, with all of the nonsense stripped away is this: Canada had nothing to do with the negotiations for Omar Khadr's repatriation. However, since the U.S. government and Omar Khadr's lawyers have come to an agreement, the government of Canada is duty bound to accept it. In other words, Canada has voluntarily given up its sovereignty to a foreign power, without any discussion or negotiation. And this is the defense that is supposed to shield the Harperites from criticism? They think it is better to be seen as selling out the country than to negotiate over Khadr's repatriation? Jesus, what are they smoking in the Langevin Block?

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Stephen Taylor Is So Cute

When he pretends that Omar Khadr had a real trial and that the opposition parties are now, somehow, in a tough spot. The reality is Stephen, that Khadr was railroaded, and the whole world (excluding Fox News watchers and the Conservative Party supporters) knows it.

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The Stab In The Back

Well, you just knew this was coming. The Harperites are denying they made any deal with Omar Khadr to repatriate him. The shit will hit the fan, now (though I doubt we will hear much from the opposition, as I expect them to run for cover). More to come. Count on it.

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It Makes Me Want To Puke

First, two U.S. presidents and Canadian prime ministers ignored their international legal obligations under the UN Conventions On The Rights Of The Child and locked up a kid, without trial for eight years. Then, they forced the kid to choose between life in prison in the U.S. or self-denunciation with repatriation (eventually, maybe). Having taken the only logical course, the U.S. government then entered all kinds of suspect testimony into the record, duly and uncritically reported by the corporate press (and the state owned CBC). Next, the kid, who should have been home 8 years ago had to sit in court and listen to a government psychiatrist testify that the kid is dangerous because he spent eight years in Gitmo (as if he had a choice). Finally, even as Khadr was being railroaded, the current sick fuck to occupy the White House, was signing exemptions so that his allies can press more kids into the meat grinder (h/t to pogge), again contrary to both U.S. and international law. All in all, a disgusting display of hypocrisy and an arrogant display of victor's justice. Now excuse me while I go have a shower.

Correction: I don't want to forget Jean Chretien's contribution to this mess, so that makes three PM's who failed to live up to international treaty obligations.

Update: Andrew Sullivan (an American no less) is the only journalist with the balls to call bullshit. Why are Canadian pundits hiding under their desks?

Updater: Behold an example of a Canadian pundit who also calls bullshit.

Updaterer: And Jesus, George Jonas too.  I am beginning to see a pattern here. 

Updatererer: Bejing York points to this really interesting interview with David Lindorff.

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The Lede Says It All

From the Los Angeles Times:

The Obama administration will be spared putting Canadian terrorism suspect Omar Ahmed Khadr, a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, on trial in relation to a firefight in Afghanistan when he was 15 and apprenticed to militant fighters.

That is what has always been about, sparing Obama from the embarrassment of prosecuting a child soldier, counter to international law. How nice for Obama and his merry band of torturers that that is no longer necessary. How nice for the Harperites who can now spread their usual brand of bullshit for the consumption of their eager, hungry base. How sad for Canadians, Americans and anyone interested in justice that we are lumbered with such sorry "leaders".

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Obama's Railroad

Some call it justice. We call them assholes. Rip up the United Nations Conventions On The Rights Of The Child. Maybe they need toilet paper on Air Force One.

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Election Coming

Before the end of next year. How do I know? I know because of this paragraph, written in the Post, about the deal the Harperites are negotiating over Omar Khadr:C

Canadian agreement is necessary if the plea deal is to deliver on a proposal that, sources have told Postmedia News, would see Khadr transferred to Canada after spending the first year of an eight-year sentence in U.S. custody. (Emphasis mine)

The Harperites want Khadr out of the country during the next election. They have a year to make it happen.

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Wanker Of The Day

Kelly McParland. Shorter Kelly McParland: Who cares if Khadr was tortured and held illegally for a third of his life. If he confesses in the hope that he might be repatriated, he must be guilty.

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Overheard In Afghanistan

Afghan: Canada is a great country. It is a democracy!
Canadian: Yes it is.
Afghan: In your country, if a government does something wrong, your Parliamentary committees will hold it to account.
Canadian: Actually, the government has the power to paralyze committees using procedural tricks.
Afghan: Well, surely your Parliament wouldn't stand for such tricks and would remedy the situation.
Canadian: Actually, the Prime Minister has the power to shut down Parliament at will, if he doesn't like what is going on.
Afghan(with a look of triumph): But your courts, are powerful. Surely they can hold your government to account?
Canadian: Actually, the Prime Minister has the power to ignore the Supreme Court in some cases.
Afghan: And this is the model you want to import into Afghanistan? Sir, you are wasting your time, we already have this model in place.

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A Trial Balloon

Norman Spector points the way for the Conservatives on the Khadr affair:

Sitting down with the Americans makes good sense. But suppose there’s no way at this time to reach a mutually acceptable framework to release Mr. Khadr into Canadian custody and control.

What then?

As the author of today’s Globe editorial correctly notes:

“The court refrained, wisely, from ordering Ottawa to try to bring Mr. Khadr, a citizen, home from the United States prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where he has been for seven years. It was wise partly because the court lacks “institutional competence” in foreign affairs (as the court itself pointed out)… "

How would that incompetence disappear if the United States held to its position that Mr. Khadr will be tried by a military commission — notwithstanding knowing his age at the time he’s alleged to have committed the crime.

Answer? It wouldn’t in the least.

And why might we not be able to reach an agreement with the Americans at this time?

Consider President Barack Obama’s predicament in the wake of the Massachusetts surprise and upcoming mid-term elections in which the Democrats are likely to suffer huge losses.

Consider his vulnerability to Republican attacks on security matters: the underwear near-miss followed by additional errors in interrogating the alleged perpetrator; the terrorist attack allegedly carried out by Major Nidal Hassan at Fort Hood — which featured another series of huge errors by his Administration; the deteriorating situation in what candidate Obama had once called the good war; the mess he’s gotten himself into on his promise to close Guantanamo, including his recent decision to halt the repatriation of Yemeni prisoners back to their country for rehabilitation; today’s flip-flop on trying Khalid Shaikh Mohammed in Manhattan… I could go on.

In other words, the Conservatives should make a show of talking to the Obama administration, but only after fixing it with their Republican allies so that a Fox News shit storm errupts. Given the weak as piss occupant in the White House, the Conservatives are betting they can roll the President, just like their right-wing American cousins.

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Quote Of The Day

This is one for the ages:

The Supreme Court's moral authority ought to be enough to persuade the Canadian government to do the right thing on Omar Khadr. If it isn't, one shudders to think what is. The Chief Justice with a small cannon on wheels? Guns at dawn?

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National Post To Harper

Listen to reason. Good luck with that message, National Post.

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Quote Of The Day

From Don Martin:

If the justices believe their Charter violation finding will cause this government to squirm and reconsider its hands-off treatment of the Khadr case, they're severely deluded.

If you think he is joking, read the comments under the column. The Conservative base will not stand for anything other than Khadr's hide. As long as Harper is PM, Khadr's rights are to be knowingly violated by our so-called government.

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Deconstructing Nicholson

“The Government is pleased that the Supreme Court has recognized the ‘constitutional responsibility of the executive to make decisions on matters of foreign affairs in the context of complex and ever-changing circumstances, taking into account Canada’s broader interests.’

Whew, I dodged a bullet there. I would have had to tell His Majesty the bad news if it had gone the other way and boy, I was not looking forward to that conversation.

The Supreme Court overturned two previous lower court decisions and ruled that the Government is not required to ask for accused terrorist Omar Khadr’s return to Canada. Omar Khadr faces very serious charges including murder, attempted murder, conspiracy, material support for terrorism, and spying.

I am just going to ignore the whole substance of the ruling, the part where it says that Khadr's rights are still being violated and instead roll out my usual banal talking points.

The Government will carefully review the Supreme Court’s ruling and determine what further action is required.”

Khadr is to be tried (am I correct in using that word?) in July. We will get back to you after he is found guilty and say there is nothing we can do. If you can't wait that long, well you already know what I am going to say, so it won't be a surprise.

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Shorter Supreme Court

Sure Khadr's rights have been violated, but our hands are tied. It's not like we are the Supreme Court. Note to self, the Charter of Rights isn't worth the paper it is written on.

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It May Not Be A Fib

But when Peter Van Loan says that a change to the law governing the eligability of Canadians held in foreign jails for transfers to Canada, has nothing to do with Omar Khadr, the bullshit detector in my brain goes to defcon 1 (thanks to James for helping me with my defcons in the comments :) ).

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Cherry Picking "Justice"

Fair trials for some, kangaroo courts for others, including Omar Khadr. The only criteria seems to be "Where can we get convictions?" I can hardly wait to read American "progressives" defending this pile of shit.

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What The Hell, It's Not Their Money

Globe headline: Cost to keep Khadr out of Canada: $1.3-million so far . When it comes to spending on lawsuits, the Conservatives' have no limit. They are sure to be invited to the Ottawa bar's Christmas party.

Update: And why let Khadr's innocence stand in the way of a good legal tussle?

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Sure I Killed My Parents M'Lud. Have Mercy On An Orphan

I almost feel sorry for our government's lawyers having to argue nonsense before the courts:

A federal lawyer conceded Tuesday that she cannot "point to any risks" in the federal government seeking Omar Khadr's repatriation to Canada. But she urged a federal appeal panel to reject the prospect, because judges should not be second-guessing the foreign-policy decisions of elected officials.

If I was a judge on the court, I would have replied that her argument would be valid if this government had, in fact, a foreign policy.

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