Taking stock of ‘old stock Canadians’: Stephen Harper called a ‘racist’ after remark during debate. http://news.nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-politics/taking-stock-of-old-stock-canadians-stephen-harper-called-a-racist-after-remark-during-debate “Harper isn’t the first politician to slip “old stock” into a public comment, although it’s almost always been in reference to Quebecers”. While I am in no way a “Harperite”; I find it both galling and absurd to equate this term with any kind of racism or even discrimination. Have we –Canadians –become so sensitive politically correct and supersensitive that we find a slight in every innocuous –though partisan –comment; using it as a political cudgel? You have come a long way; Canada; since the days of yore when I was an immigrant. Though European and white; I faced many actions and comments that could have been interpreted as “discriminatory” by today’s standards. However; I always assumed I was not here to change the country, but to adapt or go back home. There were certainly favouritism to “old country” folks –the British in particular – who could become citizens after one year, while we second-class people had to wait five years; and were favoured in many jobs –especially government positions. Today you would call it “discrimination”; and I am happy that those days are past; but I never felt oppressed. Today; most immigrants are of Asian and Middle-Eastern origin; and most of them are hard working and honest people who want to become good Canadians. A minority; for religious and tribal-social reasons; want to change the society which they so ardently sought to join. Canadians of yore –yes “old stock” Canadians; fought hard and valiantly to make a fair and equal society. It isn’t done overnight, but we have come a long way. Canada is the most welcoming and open country on earth. Let’s not fall prey to naysayers and hypercorrect fanatics. There is room for all opinions, as long as they don’t affect others personal welfare. Such small issues as removing your niqab for the swearing-in of the citizenship you so ardently sought should not become a major issue worthy of the Supreme Court. Sigmund Roseth

Canada bashing is misplaced—LETTERS; TORONTO STAR “Mr. Kurdi is precisely the kind of refugee that Canada does not need: the ones who make “demands,” criticize everything and think that the world owes them a living”. ---Letter writer Claude Gannon. “It would have been ludicrous for me to somehow blame Canada for any untoward event occurring to me or my family, if Canada had denied my immigration application. Every sovereign country, based on its economic and social conditions, has a right to decide who it will admit”. --- Letter writer Rajeev Chopra These two –diverse –letter writers are saying exactly what I have tried to say –in letters –to The Star in the past; but been ignored. Kudos to you, for printing their letters. I am incensed at the blatant temerity and arrogance of this man, Kurdi; who was, probably; partly the author of his own misfortune; but now has the gall to blame Canada; and at the obsequiousness of the main media for going along with him. There are multitudes of people with personal stories and reasons for escaping their dysfunctional homeland –some more empathically justified than others; and as such should be individually vetted before allowing into Canada. In this matter, I am in total accord with the Government’s current position on this issue; and immigration in general. I say this, not as a rightwing radical; but as a former immigrant myself. In those days of yore when I immigrated; things were different; and I accept that today we are more fair and compassionate. Yet, it seems to me, in order to right the ship; we have tipped excessively to the other side and in peril of sinking. Allow me to give a personal example: In 1960 I arrived on this shores as a (very) young man. I was given an address to an “Immigration Office” who I was told would assist me in seeking work. In a small office there was a man sitting at a desk, with his feet on the desktop and reading the newspaper. After haltingly –my English was very limited –telling him I was looking for work; he handed me the newspaper, showing me the “Help Wanted” column. “There”, he said helpfully; “just look in those columns; you will find a job there”. That was the extent of my “immigrant assistance” experience. I should, of course, have gone to the “Human Rights Commission”; and sued the Immigration Officer for dereliction of duties. Oh; wait; there was no such thing then. It was “swim or sink” for “DP”s (– “Displaced Persons” –as I was often incorrectly called). I swam; and I did not sink. I have never considered myself “hard done by” here; nor expected Canada to adjust to my “habits”; mores nor my “old country” culture. Once; in a university discussion group; I listened to a woman from the West Indies complaining about discrimination here. Being a staunch diplomat; I asked her how she got here form there; and she answered “by airplane, of course.” “Well”; I said; “that plane also flies the other way”. I was given a stern lecture in diplomacy by the group tutor; but my opinion is still the same.

“HUGARY GETS THOUGH, E.U. BUCKLES IN THE WAVE OF MIGRANTS.” "Hungary has become a major bottleneck and entry point into the European Union for migrants, many of them war refugees from Syria and elsewhere in the Middle East. Prime Minister Viktor Orban, however, has insisted that most arriving are economic migrants seeking a better life, not war refugees entitled to protection". –Associated Press. There is no doubt many refugees; including women and children, have taken this perilous journey to escape the violence and chaos in their own country. They are accompanying husbands and other family members in disorganized; helter-skelter fashion. One has to question the wisdom of parents bringing young children on this perilous journey; when they clearly are not in mortal danger. Running away from civil strife this does not necessarily make them “refugees” in the true sense of the word. Most of them are economic migrants; many from well off families; even university students. The father of 3-year-old Aylan Kurdi, whose death pulled on the heartstrings of us all; had an active part in operating the boat that capsized; and was possibly a member of the smuggling group. He was certainly not escaping certain death or even in true peril; he wanted to emigrate to Germany; or Canada, where his sister lives. It is illuminating that in the many photos of the migrants; 90% of them are young men; well-fed and well dressed; and with iphones. Many speak English and appear educated and relatively sophisticated. They are certainly not the European refuges of yore. Then; through wars and internecine strife; Europe duked it out between themselves; and through these conflicts eventually cleaned their own houses. Today; in the Middle East; most of the countries are lead by despots and warring religious and political factions –much like Europe a few hundred years ago. But; rather than staying and attempt a reformation at home; the Middle-Eastern “refugees” escape to Europe for a better life –at least economically. It is invasion by stealth. Later; they might try to change Europe to fit their religious beliefs. Some –though not all. Germany; through national guilt and atonement for the horrors of the last two world wars; are accepting the lion share of these masses; but even for a large and rich country like Germany; there is a limit of its ability to absorb such huge numbers of people. The stress of Muslim immigration in basically mono-cultural Europe is all ready showing; even in well-meaning; “politically correct” countries like Sweden; and to a lesser extent, Denmark and Norway. A mass invasion of Middle-Eastern refuges strains the very social fabric of such small countries. “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me: I lift my lamp beside the golden door.” ---Emma Lazarus The U.S., Canada and to a lesser degree; Australia; have a history of accepting immigrants; if not actually refugees. In fact; these countries were settled by immigrants of one kind or another. But even here; there was a limit of acceptance; as was shown in the Chinese Exclusion Act; and even after WW ll when Jewish refugees arriving by sea were turned back. I am not for a moment suggesting that we do not accept some of these “refugees”; or even economic migrants. They might well turn out to be productive and law abiding citizens. But; let us not take them in “wholesale” without proper vetting. If we do; we will live to regret it; but by then it will be too late.

Syrian refugee crisis exposes Harper's ideological choices –Haroon Siddiqui. http://www.thestar.com/opinion/commentary/2015/09/09/syrian-refugee-crisis-exposes-harpers-ideological-choices.html I was surprised to see Mr. Siddiqui back with a column in today’s Star; and I must admit I agree with much of his assertions; yet I do have few disagreements and concerns. We have all experienced the tug of emotion and sadness witnessing the body of little Alan Kurdi. Yet; he is but one example. Mr. Siddiqui refers to the “Canadian tradition of bringing old warring factions together.” Really? There was no concerted and determined effort of the Canadian government to bring warring factions of Irish and Scottish here to continue their conflict. It was a side-effect of an open immigration policy. Ditto for Indian/Pakistani factions; and even more so; the Sikh feud with India; which culminated in the death of over three hundred innocent Indian civilians in the Air-India disaster. When you are allowing large numbers of people of any nationality, race or creed to enter without proper vetting and controls you are asking for trouble. I am not saying that Harper is right on this issue; he could have set in motion a system of controls that would allow a larger number of refugees to enter. The present backlog is also due to Conservative past reluctance on the immigration and refugee file. Yet; a helter-skelter intake of un-vetted people is dangerous. As well as the many women and children; there is a majority of young men who could become a fifth column in Canada. Whether they are pro-Assad fighters or part of the opposition rebels; they are still potentially violent young men. Be careful what you wish for… Mr. Siddiqui displays his Pakistan/India and Muslim/Hindu bias when he writes about “Hindu bigots who want to continue their ancestral animosity towards Muslim”. This; Mr. Siddiqui, is patent nonsense and an insult to Indians both here and in India. You might benefit from a bit of unbiased history teaching on this subject, and I highly recommend –for your edification – a recent book on the subject of the Partition in 1947/48, by Nisid Hajari: “MIDNIGHT FURIES”(Hughton Mifflin Harcourt 2015). Murder and mayhem was perpetrated on both sides –Hindus and Muslims with Sikhs bringing up the rear. As far as I can determine; the book is unbiased and well documented. Read it, and we could have a more enlightened discussion on this issue. Ethnic hatred is nothing to be taken lightly; be it domestic or imported. This is where I say: “I have many Muslim friends; Sikh friends and Hindu friends”. Hey; I even have some Christian ones. But; it does appear that at this time; Islam is in a upheaval; comparable to Christian conflicts five or six hundred years ago; with the Sunni/Wahabi /Shia duking it out as did the Catholic/Protestant factions of yore. Religious strife is tribalism writ large. Welcome to the human race. I am no Harperite; even Conservative; but I do think it is important to try to be fair and open-minded and receptive to other ideas on all subjects; it being politics or religion. Alas; on the latter; Mr. Siddiqui is found wanting. Sigmund Roseth

ON FORGIVING https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=ejRCmYFzgoI&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Du0kYf9KG9QA%26feature%3Dshare Forgiving –such an all-encompassing word; full of meaning for the “forgiver”; and yet; rather meaningless. I was listening to one of my favourite recordings of Willy Nelson –“Forgiving You Was Easy”; when I got thinking about the real meaning of forgiving; and who benefits; if anyone –of this “gift”. We hear this word often bandied about; sometimes casually, sometimes as a request; like the quintessential Canadian “sorry”; or the more formal “forgive me.” On the other side of this verbal chasm is the person who has lost someone to a murderous villain; but then is filmed as saying “I forgive him” when the perpetrator is sentenced –in some cases to die. Who is the beneficiary of this gratuitous forgiveness? Not likely the “forgiven” offender. No; if there is one; it is the “forgiver” who is struggling to adjust to the terrible loss caused by the perpetrator. “Forgiveness” in this sense; then; is more like deciding to not let the memory of the offence define ones future life; which I presume; is a worthwhile goal in itself, though it does not wipe the slate clean; nor expurgate it from memory and emotions. Forgiveness has been a major tenet of the Christian religion; from the banality of the Catholic priest in the confession booth forgiving all and sundry so they can go and sin some more; to the repenter asking God directly, through prayer, for forgiveness for his or hers transgressions; thus eliminating the stressful task of facing up to the offence and the offended. God will take care of that. No matter how derelict or deranged is your life; God will look after you if you only ask –if not in this life; then afterwards. All you have to do is believe. It might be useful to remove the word “forgive” from ones vocabulary all together; and replace it with “responsibility” for the aggressor, and “peace” for the wounded. And while we are at it; let’s eliminate all religion. It would go a long way towards “Peace on Earth.” But I am not holding my breath.

SLIPPING AWAY – Shannon Proudfoot; Maclean’s Sept.14/15. http://site.macleans.ca/longform/alzheimers/index.html I was deeply touched by this personal story about the horrible disease of Alzheimer. Many of us are touched, at least indirectly, by this horrible affliction; and nothing brings the matter alive like a personal story well told; as Ms. Proudfoot has done here. I saw a relative deteriorate over two years to where she did not recognize her own children; and I have watched an acquaintance of mine slowly losing his faculties over a two-year period. One is left feeling helpless and sad watching someone’s slow but steady march into oblivion. We shudder to think; “what if this should happen to me?” It is a horrible thing to contemplate. Yet; while there is no light at the end of the Alzheimer tunnel; I recall watching a T.V. program abut Glenn Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer; and his incredible will to still perform his music. It seems that music and musical ability is the last faculty to decline. A friend of mine is a support worker at a nursing home with many Alzheimer patients. When she plays old songs for them, they quicken and sing along. Ms. Proudfoot explains that while assisted suicide for people suffering intolerably with a fatal decease there are options in some European countries (and some States), and will likely become legal in Canada also; it does not resolve the problem of people with dementia who are not able to make a rational decision for themselves. At what point would one’s life not be worth living? This is an existential question that has no easy answer. Thanks to Maclean’s for another profound and insightful article. Keep it up. Sigmund Roseth

A REVIEW AND COMMENTARY ON “ANONYMUS SOLDIERS –The Struggle for Israel, 1917 – 1947”. Bruce Hoffman; Alfred A. Knopf 2015. Mr. Hoffman; director of the Centre for Security Studies Program at Georgetown University, has written a detailed, thoroughly researched book on the Jewish insurrection and terrorism activity against the British during their Palestinian Mandate. The book is focusing on the crucial period of 1917-1947, leading to the British giving up the Mandate and handing it over to the United Nations; thus preparing Palestine for a Jewish State; but not for an Arab/Israeli peace. The Arabs never accepted partition as a solution then; and still don’t. They wanted “all or nothing”; nothing is what they eventually got. Mr. Hoffman covers much of the same territory as did Benny Morris in his 1999 tome “Righteous Victims” (Zionist-Arab Conflict, 1881 – 2001); but only the last ten years of the British Mandate; and in more detail. While he also covers the Arab Rebellion (1936-39); his main focus is the British-Jewish conflict. Mr. Hoffman has written an unbiased and fair history of the British-Zionist conflict during that period of the Mandate; culminating in the British giving it up to the U.N. His details the horrendous attacks and murders committed by the various Jewish organizations; mostly the Stern Gang (Abraham Stern, founder of Irgun killed in 1942); the Irgun and Lehi; and the passive support and even collusion of the Jewish Agency and general Jewish population. While the King David Hotel bombing, causing the death of 91 innocent victims is perhaps the most remembered incident; many other assassinations and murders occurred; culminating in the murder of two British soldiers; Martin and Paice, in retaliation for the execution of three convicted assassins, Habib, Nakar and Weiss. The killing of Martin and Paice was particularly gruesome, with the two hanged from a tree, feet barely off the ground, and the bodies bobby-trapped and exploded when the Royal Engineers attempted to cut them down. The ironic thing here is that Meacham Begin, Irgun’s leader; had approved the kidnapping and killing of the two soldiers; and yet, rather than being convicted hand executed for his crimes, he went on to serve in the future Israeli Knesset in opposition, eventually become Israeli Prime Minister. Those killings caused an outcry in Britain; and the British Parliament realized that the time had come to abandon this impossible situation in which they found themselves. Even Churchill; a staunch defender of the Jews; found himself calling for an end to the Mandate. It is interesting to note that the development of organized terrorism and assassinations was a Zionist development; used effectively against the British and later against the Arabs. One could be tempted to suggest or intimate that the Palestinians learned their terrorism methods on the Zionists knees; and they were quick learners. Could it be that the current conflict there is a continuation of that earlier battle; and this is Israel’s Nemesis? Just askin’. I am not for a moment suggesting that the Jews did not have reason to fight; and the British made many mistakes; not adhering to the original Balfour Declaration (Arthur Balfour) of November 2, 1917; promising to facilitate “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people…” and bungling the management of the Palestinian conflict both with Arabs and Jews. Yet the British were in a “no win” situation; being unable to please neither Arabs nor Jews while trying to appear unbiased and fair. While the problem existed prior to WWll; it was as acerbated by the desperate situation of the thousands of displaced survivors of the Holocaust in Germany and other European countries hoping to immigrate to Israel. Britain’s allocation of 1500 people a month, were far from enough to fill the need; and the substantial illegal immigration caused another huge problem for the British and the Palestine Authority. The ideal solution –in my mind –would have been for the United Nations to have agreed to a partition of Palestine with forced relocation of Arabs AND Jews to separate areas; with sensible and rational borders; instead with the hodge-podge with which they ended up. Partition might have been stressful and problematic initially; but would have been anodyne in the long term. Peace between Palestinian Arabs and Jews was not what the Arab world wanted, however; and history shows that the adjoining Arab states were very reluctant to assist their brethren with resettlement or land; but were more than happy to stir the pot; using Palestine as a buffer zone; while continuing to poke the hornet nest; all but a few refusing to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Bruce Hoffman’s book gives an unbiased overview of the recalcitrant and incorrigible nature of this conflict; which, still today, resists any attempt at a fair solution for either side.