Abdullah Khadr

October 28th, 2011

Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/top-court-wont-hear-abdullah-khadrs-extradition-case/article2223937/

A possible suspect for an act of terrorism was let off the hook on a case the US were trying to persecute him in. Abdullah Khadr had been a detainee in Guantanamo Bay because of self-incriminating statements he'd given to the Canadian Court about admitting to being a terrorist. Ottawa ruled that is was wrong to prevent a terrorist from US court. After a lot of conflict and discussion, the court concluded that the US had broken its fundamental justice during Khadr's mistreatment in Pakistan. Typically the Supreme Court never discusses its reasoning…and that's exactly what they did. I feel like Khadr should have gone to trial in the US because of all the terrible history that terrorism has played a role in the US. The United States have suffered greatly from terrorism and its attacks and should always have the chance to put away any suspected or "self-admitted" terrorist".  My biggest fears are things that are real like terrorism, murderers and people who have no regard for anyone's life. 

US Border Checks No More

October 28th, 2011

The Globe and Mail

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/us-border-patrol-quietly-halts-routine-bus-and-train-checks-along-canadian-border/article2218354/

The US Border Patrol has stopped its routine bus/train checks along the Canadian border for illegal immigrants. Typically the patrol would board the vehicle and question anyone who might look suspicious. During the period when this check was enforced, they had received many complaints and accusations for racial profiling from immigrants rights groups. This build up of accusations finally caused the shut down of these routine checks lowering the security. Many people may think that this is a step down from what the security needs including Border Protection spokesperson who said, "It's up to the local commander to position his agents the way he wants to position them. What we've done is gone to a risk-based posture".  I personally am impartial to this decision for two reasons; One, because of the image of racial profiling that the bus/train checks create and Two, because in our country we already have many, many immigrants, some illegal, and we don't need any more especially illegal ones. If these immigrants want to come to Canada or the US, they should apply for a citizenship that goes on record for proof.