The Middle East and Extremism

Well the current situation in the Middle East (more specifically, Israel's invasion of Lebanon) has taken centre stage in political discussion, derailing the fisheries issues for the time being.

I currently don't have a position on the current conflict. I'm neither pro- or anti-Israeli/Lebanese or whatever. The reason for this is I don't believe I know enough about the issue to take a position. However, I have been attempting to educate myself further about this issue.

In my attempts, I have found some very disturbing commentary out there.

A few posters at the Western Standard's Shotgun Blog, spout some rather hate filled speech at not just the Fundamentalist Muslims that are causing the current problems. Instead, they argue that all of Islam is evil.

A few quotes:

"Islam is not a race, it's a disgusting, cruel and dangerous socio-political ideology that must be destroyed.
Islam has no place in Canada and Islam lovers like you don't have a clue how evil Islam is."

"There's only one policy that can work:

1) Restrict Muslim immigration
2) Muslims here must assimilate"

"The Muslims are the worst problem Canada is facing now.

The solution is to restrict their immigration and expect them to assimilate.

Watch the news people.... almost every day the Muslims are involved in terrorism, murder, protests, support of terrorists, electing terrorist, etc. etc.

We had enough with the Muslims, we have better things to do. Just stop bringing them to this Country."

This is disturbing on a whole new level. You could almost trace the problems in the Middle east to views similar to that. Israel came into being after WWII, partially as a result of the Holocaust, which occurred after a nation was convinced that Jews were evil and should be eradicated. This is turn displaced the Palestinians and its been a rather rough 60 odd years since.


One can only hope those people stay in the minority. One hopes that the public in general can distinguish between elements of race/religion/cult/etc. that are evil and what not, and the race/religion/etcetera.


UPDATE:

It was pointed out to me that I should mention that the comments I highlighted are not in the majority of the discussion occuring at the Shotgun Blog. I chose these comments to emphasize some of the material I found that concerned me.

Some more musings

Figured I start with a brief explanation of my feelings on the fisheries issues came about. I grew up in a fishing town in BC. We have lots of fishermen on both sides of the issue here (native and non-native). Although I can remember when that distinction didn't exist. They were all just fishermen. They suffered in the hard times and prospered together in the good times. Then the DFO came up with this a idea and immediately created tension within this previously tight community. Native fishermen have told me privately that they also disagree with the current policy as it has driven a wedge between former friends.

Not much news yet out there on the issue so far.

MSM: The Globe and Mail

Blogs:

For: Mark Peters

Against: Stageleft

Also while I was wandering around on the net I found a gem that I thought I'd share. I try and stop by Liblogs on a regular basis to keep up on that side of things. Between them and Warren Kinsella, I discovered a great new blog out there. Called The Frog Lady, she has been making these hilarious South Park pictures of the Liberal leadership candidates.

An End to Race Based Fisheries?

This is a bit of an issue for me. Out here in B.C. we've had a bit of a problem with our salmon stocks. For a while, absolutely no fishing was allowed, then it was decided that some commerical fishing would be allowed. It was at this point that the DFO amongst others came up with the fanastic idea of native-only fishing. This was intended to be used for ceremonial purposes only. But gradually more and more of the salmon was being sold.

I oppose this policy just because of the idea of a race-based fisheries bothers me. I don't believe that any one group of fisherman should be allowed to earn a living while another goes without. Especially because that one group is chosen solely on the basis of their race.

Well it appears that Stephen Harper agrees with my views, Canada.com has a story about his plan. This has also been a reason I support my MP, John Cummins, because of his work in bringing attention to this issue.

Not much in the media and/or blogs yet, but I expect this while be getting quite a bit of press in the comings days and months ahead. I can only hope that they are successful. Stay tuned for updates.