Canada should welcome U.S. deserters, Layton says

[Canadian Socialist]

May 5, 2006. 01:00 AM
BRUCE CAMPION-SMITH
OTTAWA BUREAU

OTTAWA—American deserters dodging military duty in Iraq share Canadian values and should be welcomed in this country, NDP Leader Jack Layton says.

"It makes a lot of sense to welcome these young people, recognize that they've taken a position that's exactly the same position that Canadians took," he said yesterday. "It would be inappropriate to send them back in my view ... We're glad they've chosen our country."

Layton urged the Conservative government to grant sanctuary to young soldiers, noting Canada became a safe haven for Americans seeking to avoid the Vietnam draft more than 30 years ago.

"We should be looking at it," he said. "These young people are courageous individuals. They've made a decision of conscience."

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1146779411922&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467">Go! Jack!

[Spazito]

1. I'm glad to hear Layton speak up about this and I agree with him

I wonder if the Bloc will also support this?

[AlamoDemoc]

2. I like Jack Layton and the NDP

but am afraid his party might be on the verge of becoming that other British third party, from Scotland.

[Canuckistanian]

4. "Becoming"? It's been been the third party since forever

Well, with the exception of the Bloc Québecois for a while.

[AlamoDemoc]

5. you intercepted my ball and run with it...I agree

[Canuckistanian]

8. Didn't mean to sound curt

But that's my party (and I'll cry if I want to). The NDP has held several provincial governments, but never the national.

The Liberals are nowhere (no leader yet) and Conservative support is plummeting.

I think it's time for a new NDP revival.

[AlamoDemoc]

10. As I recall, the NDP was instrumental bringing down the liberals

I hope Jack and his NDP had received political merit out of that plunder...so far, nothing had gone their way in terms of votes.

[Canuckistanian]

14. You've got to stop looking at Layton as some sort of Ralph Nader

Things work differently here, they always have. This has ALWAYS been a multiparty Parliament.

What you have to look at is the balance between right and left wing parties.

And anyways, this sort of thing just happens in Canada from time to time. It's as if we all collectively say "These guys have been here long enough. Let the other guys in this time."

[Canuckistanian]

3. Whoohoo, that's my guy!

Now, let's see what we hear from all the "law 'n order" Conservatives.....

[Canadian Socialist]

6. You'll have to go to FD for some good ol' fashioned

head exploding!

[Canuckistanian]

9. FD?

Is that the Canadian conservative board?

[KamaAina]

11. Free Dominion, as I recall

a frank "America Jr."-style imitation of The Board Which Is Not To Be Named (all right, FR).

[Canadian Socialist]

13. Yup.

The freepers from Canada. Some of them are even crazier that the 'murican ones... if that's even within the realm of possibility. heee.

[Monk06]

12. FD us hosted in the US. Posters banned from FR are automatically ..

banned from posting on FD. FR and FD are the same
website for all intents and purposes.

[Canuckistanian]

15. I did not know that. Fascinating.

Thanks, and welcome to DU!
:toast:
:hi:

[acmejack]

7. Welcome me, to late for me to dodge, but I want to come to Canada

I have this unexplainable deep seated desire to be a volunteer surf watcher at Tofino.