7.16.2008

omar khadr, robin long, canada's shame

Last night we watched a bunch of news broadcasts from the west, as well as a few national broadcasts, to see how the news of Robin Long's deportation was treated. Because of that, we ended up seeing how the Omar Khadr video was treated in several different broadcasts.

It was disappointing, and somewhat surprising.

Reports on the first US Iraq War resister in Canada to be deported were minimal. A brief story with a mention of protests in Vancouver and Toronto was the norm. No mention of the June 3 resolution. No mention of the other resisters, or stop-loss, or the controversy in public opinion - no context whatsoever.

When it came to the Omar Khadr video on national broadcasts, I was surprised that Global was more sympathetic than CBC.

CBC packed their segment with "anti-terrorism experts" declaring that the interrogation was no big deal, a soldier who had fought in Afghanistan decrying public sympathy for Khadr, and repeated references to "the legal process" that Khadr will supposedly face in the US. No matter that it's not legal, and he has been held for six years with barely a process at all! No mention that the US has no right to hold Omar Khadr in the first place. It's so disheartening to see Canadian media lend legitimacy to that rogue state.

Global offered a much more sympathetic view, emphasizing Khadr's age and the fearful circumstances under which the interrogation took place. They mentioned the other side, of course, but in the same parenthetical way that CBC mentioned the truth.

It was depressing. I said to Allan, if the Harper government doesn't give a shit about bringing this Canadian citizen home, why would they ever care about American citizens in Canada who oppose the war? After all, if it had been up to Stephen Harper, Canada would have been in Iraq.

Not that I ever expected the war resisters to get help from the Harper Conservatives! But this confluence of events - the release of the Khadr video and Robin's deportation - vividly underscores their priorities. Appearing to be an ally to the Bush regime is the most important thing to this Government. Justice, the rule of law, sovereignty, even public opinion - that can all go to hell.

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