Five Quick Hits....

Israel; Black; Menard; Mulroney; Korea....

In descending order of importance.

1. Israel

Cry me a river. The world is in feigned outraged by Israel's continued interest in preserving itself. Yesterday saw Israeli commandos enforce its naval blockade of the troubled Gaza resulting in some casualties. Passengers in the six boat flotilla confirmed that their real intention was not to bring aid to Gaza but rather was to break the Israeli blockade.

As we all know, Israel is surrounded by millions of Arabs who would like nothing better than to see it eliminated from the face of the earth. Should Israel relax its efforts to protect itself that day would soon come.

Sad to say, I suspect the outrage on the part of the Rest of the World is fuelled by anti-semitism.

2. Conrad Black of Penal Reform

In this Weekend Post, Black writes an article on Canada's misguided attempt to reform its Penal System. Like him or hate him, Black can now argue from personal experience his knowledge crime and punishment.

Anyway in regard to his article. Black believes, as do I, that there is little value served in imprisoning non-violent offenders. Our prisons are overflowing now and to toughen legislation, as the Tories propose, will see even more non-violents locked up. Simply stated we as a society cannot afford it.

Both in regard to cost and to damage to society. The first is self evident, the second relates to prisons having a dehumanizing effect and serving as a training ground leading to more serious offences.

There are lots of penalties that can be applied to non-violents other than incarceration including: fines; confiscation; house arrest; loss of licences; community service etc etc.

3. Brig Gen Menard - a) Sex & b) Skewed Priorities

a) Sex

Menard has allegedly breached DND Policy of 'no sexual involvement between consenting adults' even if those adults are married to each other. Why not a policy then on declaring Afghanistan weather to be mild and sunny? They would both have about as much chance of success.

b) Skewed Priorities

My greater concern with Menard's actions relates to his self imposed charge that he accidentally discharged a firearm. He made it look like he was one of the guys - prepared to take the same penalty he would dish out to those under his command for a similar occurrence.

But he is not the same. The Allies are readying themselves for the most major assault on Taliban forces to date and Menard was tasked to be the Commander of the UN forces in that assault expected this Spring. And what does he do? He heads back to Canada to waste three (3) weeks on a minor Court Marshall offence resulting in a piddly fine. Can you see Eisenhower doing that three (3) weeks prior to D-Day? To me this is a far greater offence.

4. Mulroney

Justice Oliphant's $18 million Inquiry to tell us what we already knew - i.e. it was inappropriate for Mulroney to conceal large amounts of cash payments from Schreiber.

As soon as Mulroney disclosed these payments - pre Inquiry - the damage was done to his reputation and nothing further was required. He will have to live it.

As readers of this Blog will know, I am more interested in the dealings of a previous Liberal PM and his ties with such luminaries as Maurice Strong in China.

5. Korea

The sinking of the South Korean warship but a North Korean sub has also been in the news much of late. Talk now centres around what punishment will be laid on North Korea by the South and its Allies.

Bottom-line here is that nothing will come of it. South Korea is in no position to suffer the damage that would flow from a victory over the north. Its main city Seoul is located too close to the north and has too many missiles trained on it to allow anything more than vocal complaints.

There is one benefit out of this. The strained ties between Pyongyang and Beijing will loosen even further.

As I see them...

"Galagher"