| Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) |
From: "rex.barger" <rex.barger_-at-_hwcn.org>
To: "Renaissance Network" <renaissance-network_-at-_cyberjournal.org>, "No to Nato" <no_to_nato_-at-_flora.org>
Cc: "Jan Slakov" <jslakov_-at-_TartanNET.ns.ca>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 11:19:28 -0500
I wish I knew of a way to find out how this Bill is proceeding. I was delighted to find your Oct. 16 speech on it & to see that you are still speaking out about your concerns. I have some, too. You said, "What is contained in the legislation is so profound, so important and so contrary to the way Canadians would like to see themselves and yet so terribly necessary in the context of international terrorist threats." I ceratinly agree with the first half, especially the "so contrary to the way Canadians would like to see themselves"! But I have serious reservations about it being "so terribly necessary in the context of international terrorist threats." I fail to see how Prevenitive Detention contributes to anyone's security. The transparency you so wisely seek in NGO's financial affairs is even more important in police affairs. Legal secrets can too easily be used to hide abuse. You said, "I hope the government will seriously consider instead of a statutory review, a sunset clause perhaps after five years, not counting an election year." I say five years is much too long a time to live with a restriction that is not only not needed or desired, but "is terribly dangerous" as well. As you so aptly state in relation to Section 87, "That is the excuse that has been used by dictatorships throughout history and around the world. We are talking about police information being withheld forever." There is no absolute security from all terrorist acts (nor from human error). Let's refrain from panic & put our energies into building a healthy globalocal community that will actually increase everybody's security. We're all in the same WHOLE so nobody wins unless we ALL win! Rex Barger, Hamilton, Ontario May the very best in life always fill you with a peace that pours profusely from your pores. May the very best in life always thrill you & an ever growing love unite our cores! If to grow in love is our daily aim, till life & love are both the same, let's live love where e'er we go and also love life---and let it show! [a 2-part round; Israeli tune: Lo yesa goi] Abandon bombs & exclusiveness. Make love more real upon this earth. No fear need dwell within our hearts. We'll live in peace where're we go.