July 31, 2006: Worthington & Fisher

Peter Worthington: Diplomacy is futile -- "A case can be made that military solutions are more likely to be lasting than negotiated settlements, especially when dealing with those who have no code or constitution that they honour"
www.torsun.canoe.ca/News/Columnists/Worthington_Peter
/2006/07/31/1710913.html

It was Mr. Spock, the always logical, incisive "alien" on the Star Trek series, who came up with the phrase that defines our world today: "The purpose of diplomacy is to prolong a crisis."

Think about it. Isn't that what "diplomacy" does best? Procrastinates, confuses, extends. [....]

The above is also here gl1800, with comments below from misleadone, 7/31/2006
www.canoe.ca/mb2/messages/cnewsf/11593.html

Fatal Terrorist Attacks in Israel Since the Declaration of Principles
(September 1993-June 29, 2006)

From the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the PLO on September 13, 1993, until September 2000, 256 civilians and soldiers were killed in terrorist attacks in Israel. Another 1096 Israelis were killed during the Palestinain War between September 2000 and December 2005. (Note: This list also includes four Israelis killed abroad in terror attacks directed specifically against Israeli targets).

Altogether, since September 2000 1117 Israelis have been killed. Between September 29, 2000, and May 1, 2006, Magen David Adom treated a total of 7,844 casualties as follows: 999 killed, 642 severely injured, 940 moderately and 5,263 lightly injured, among them 11 MDA staff members. (IDF casualties treated by IDF medical personnel are not included in these figures.) Note: This list also includes 18 Israelis killed abroad in terror attacks directed specifically against Israeli targets, and 3 American diplomatic personnel killed in Gaza...

See "Let's play a game ... " from paxos, 7/31/2006 10:29:37 on the same webpage.

Cease Fires have never worked with these people...
Diplomacy has never worked with these people...
Land for Peace has never worked with these people...

Douglas Fisher: Into the 21st century July 23, 06 via CNEWS Forum rosemarie59
www.canoe.ca/mb2/messages/cnewsf/11415.html

www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Fisher_Douglas
/2006/07/23/1698111.html

[....] China poses particular challenges for Canada. Arguably it offers more economic opportunities to us than to any other Western nation. Despite our pretensions, our wealth remains largely derived from the sale of resources -- forest products, minerals, energy. China's economic development (like India's) is driving up the prices for these resources. How do we square our economic interest in selling to China and securing investment from it with our need to be seen as a loyal Washington ally? (For all of China's promise, the U.S. will remain the key to our prosperity -- and security.) How, for example, should we deal with companies owned by the one-party state which seek to purchase Canadian firms and the resources they control -- resources the Americans have traditionally looked to for their own economy, and for their own military needs? [....]

Thank-you for the many years and columns, Doug. We shall miss you.

Doug Fisher's last column
www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/Fisher_Douglas/
2006/07/30/1709737.html

[....] The arrogance of government, its overwhelming control of Parliament, and [...]

After nearly 50 years, I can only say that government has become immense, [...]

Today's MPs are easily as able and hard-working as during the Diefenbaker years -- as well as better educated and provided with far better facilities and support services. Paradoxically [....]

Diefenbaker and Lester (Mike) Pearson were the last two prime ministers to spend a lot of time in the House of Commons beyond the daily oral question period. In their day, there was usually substantial attendance during passage of significant legislation.

Camaraderie dried up

Pierre Trudeau changed all that. He was frank in saying that time spent in the House was both a waste and a bore for him. His ministers took his cue, and after 1968, one rarely saw more than two ministers in the House other than during question period. Then evening sittings were ended and an annual schedule for sittings and holidays instituted. Any sense of camaraderie dried up. [....]