Canada will accept Americans who don't want to go to Iraq: PM

[Maple]

"In another issue that could cause friction with Bush, Martin said Canada was prepared to accept U.S. citizens who do not want to serve in the war in Iraq.

"In terms of immigration, we are a country of immigrants and we will take immigrants from around the world. I'm not going to discriminate," said Martin, when reminded that former prime minister Pierre Trudeau opened Canada's doors to draft dodgers and deserters during the Vietnam War."



The item is badly posted, repeating the same paragraphs several times, but here is the link.

http://www.canada.com/windsor/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=f02a4367-b138-4f32-ae17-32da81fb4a02

[havocmom]

1. Any westerners heading north, stop on by havocmom's for a sandwhich

and some herbal tea. Think I'll start up my own stop on the new underground RR.

[htuttle]

6. If they can make it to Madison, we'll get them the rest of the way

Just like 140 years ago.

[progressiveBadger]

9. Yeah, I'm up for helping

I'm moving back to Madison this spring, and my 21 year old brother is there right now. I already promised my mom that I would keep my brother out of a draft.

[lukasahero]

18. Thank you

You've made me cry. It probably sounds silly to many people who'll read this but this is real to many of us.

My oldest nephew is almost draft age (by the time the draft is a reality, he will be of age) and I have wondered what I would be able to do to help him. I've got the money to get him somewhere but was worried no one would take him.

Blessings to Canada and all her lovely citizens - may I somehow return your generosity someday.

[havocmom]

26. I'm not quite in Canada, but I can hear them singing from here

;) Your nephew can stop for a rest and meal on the way up, if need be. I lost a nephew and am more than willing to help somebody else's. Canada is about 3 hours away from my door.

[lukasahero]

28. Oops

Sorry - should have checked your profile or something. I hope some Canadians read my post along the way. :silly:

Thanks for the invite, hopefully I'll never have to take you up on it, but I will if I must.

Sorry about your nephew. :hug:

[Straight Shooter]

2. God Bless Canada!

There's nothing quite so inspiring as living nextdoor to a free nation. Just think, maybe someday America will be a free nation again.

[ET Awful]

3. So how long until the South Park like "Blame Canada" movement starts

among so-called conservatives?

[Bozita]

7. pass the freedom bacon, please

[Yuugal]

11. let it start

This NY-er would gladly help defend Canada! Gee, support the fascist psuedo-christian neocon govt here......or help defend the truly free? Its a no-brainer!

"""O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."""

I'm with ya brothers! But.....I still don't forgive you for Celine Dion. Sorry.

[ET Awful]

16. I don't like Celine Dion, but I can forgive them for her, it's

Anne Murray that I can't forgive :)

[frankly_fedup2]

44. I think it is wonderful that the Canadian Govt and people are . . .

willing to help our kids get out of this unjust war.

I truly thank Canada for Keanu Reeves. He couldn't have come from a better place.

I know he was born in Lebanon, moved to Austrailia, New York, then Canada and became a citizen.

Thanks again Canada.

[Bouncy Ball]

4. I'll say it too.

God bless Canada, our more rational, reasonable, 21st century neighbors to the north. I love Canada!

[burn the bush]

5. I may be sending my son there as I will not send him to Iraq

yes he is of legal age but moms gotta do what moms gotta do. I will not give my sons life for the bush mess.

[MuseRider]

8. I can't tell you the joy

and relief you have just given to this mother of 2 draft age sons. I thought they would send them back if they went. I have not read the link yet but am in tears and feel like celebrating the holidays for the first time in 4 years. :hug:

[bowens43]

10. Canada, I thank you and my two teenage sons thank you!

My sons will NOT fight in the oil wars. It's good to know that there is a safe haven just across the lake.

[HockeyMom]

14. Daughters

As the Mom of two 20 something daughters, I say bravo too. Besides, my older daughter might just meet a nice woman up in Canada and get married too. lol I mean that, LITERALLY.

[GreenPartyVoter]

12. Bless you all, my northern friends and relatives!

------------------------------------
Join the NEW Boston Tea Party!
http://timeforachange.bluelemur.com/

[Bozita]

13. I am one American who horribly misunderestimated Paul Martin

My apologies to him.

[gorbal]

15. Okay

If anyone has friends in IRAQ or going to IRAQ, nows the time to give them this info.

[frankly_fedup2]

45. I'm going to post it on . . .

and see what kind of response I get.

[Gloria]

17. Canada, the Land of Sanity....

eom

[Forkboy]

19. I love Canada

:loveya:

[Maple]

20. Welcome to Canada eh?

Anytime you care to come.

But you can keep Celine Dion. I'm iffy on Anne Murray. :D

[mzmolly]

21. Wow! What a Country!!!

GO CANADA! Yahoo!

[Hand]

22. Damn gutless Martin!

He's giving away the farm, as usual. We need a quid pro quo here... I want an unconditional guarantee that Howie Mandel will NEVER return! Oh, and David Frum and Mark Steyn while yer at it.

And another thing--Christy Blatchford gets dumped on the US side of the border and stays there!

And another thing--Stephen Harper has to change his name to Valerie!

And another thing--For every body that comes north, a Margaret Atwood novel goes south! After a couple years, we'll invade while everyone's sleeping!

And another thing--(suddenly I am run over by a truck)

:crazy:

[Maple]

42. I absolutely agree

on Frum and Steyn..but I was thinking more of dumping them in say...downtown Baghdad. Unarmed.

[enigmatic]

43. If you guys take "The Canadian Tire Couple", we'll take everybody!

please!

[BiggJawn]

23. What about the Treaty?

Didn't Jean Cretin (deliberate mispelling) enter into a treaty with the chimp that said Canada will return ANY person claiming asylum that the DOJ determines is a "Person of Interest"?
And this is considered to INCLUDE persons trying to avoid Military service.

But If Paul Martin wants to put the latch string out, hey, Thanks! Maybe I'll come for a visit. Might even make it before the Church Patrol rounds me up...

[Maple]

24. There is no such treaty

It was a mutual agreement to watch out for al qaeda terrorists, and has nothing to do with Americans entering Canada for any reason.

[BiggJawn]

35. That doesn't comfort me much...

Yesterday it was "Al-Kah-Seltzah terra-ists", tommorow it's American Liberals trying to avoid the camps and young people trying to escape Rumsferatu's Certain Death on The Cheap...

All you need is an asshole administration lawyer with a $200 haircut to claim that everybody misunderstood the original INTENT of the agreement...

[Maple]

41. We know what it said

and the PM says 'welcome'

[BiggJawn]

47. Well....

OK, then. Don't act surprised when Shrubby's minions declare that there are "suspected terra-ists" among the hoards of young men flooding northwards, and that they want 'em all returned...

[bowens43]

32. Even if there was a treaty, so what?

The idiot has unilaterally backed out of no fewer then 4 international treaties. NO country is morally obligated to honor any treaty with the US as long as that ignorant piece of garbage is in the oval office.

[BiggJawn]

33. Gotta look at it from the BFEE POV...

"How DARE they refuse to honor our treaty????" never mind land mines, or Kyoto, or SALT...

It ain't just the BFEE, I seem to recall a whole buttload of treaties Uncle Sham has broken in the past. Most of them have words in them like "for as long as the mighty river shall run..."

[Vidar]

48. Canada, home of the free and the brave.

[ckramer]

25. Canadians are nice

[bamacrat]

27. Go Canada. Wish we were as charitable.

[Tsiyu]

29. And a new underground railroad will form

we love you canada.

If a draft is coming, I know in my heart that good people worldwide will offer assistance.

Happy Holidays!!!!!!!

[lawladyprof]

30. Just sent letter asking whether retired people can immigrate to Canada

Didn't see anything on the Canadian government's web site re: immigration about whether people who are retired can move to Canada.

[CatBoreal]

31. Anybody coming into Canada through Toronto...

and then heading west, take the long route and you guys can crash on my couch for as long as you want. It maybe cold outside, but our homes are nice and warm, and we can make sure you get some good mukluks.

[CornField]

34. Question: The GI who fled to Toronto

My understanding was that he had been waiting to see if Canada would accept him. Does this news signify that he is now protected?

[Maple]

40. Hearing isn't over with yet

and the PM is trying to be careful not to influence it, because he's not supposed to. But they'd have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to know what he thinks on the matter.

Doesn't guarantee him a free ride, but it can't hurt his chances.

[ilovenicepeople]

36. WELCOME TO CANADA!!!

:hi: :hug: :hi:

[bhikkhu]

37. Thanks.

I am sticking it out here, but it is very nice to know that we have such a good neighbor. A rare moment of gratitude for good news...will not be forgotten.

[Sub Zero]

38. May not be reason to celebrate yet...

I am not entirely familiar with the Canadian legal system, but can the PM by him self simple override immigration law and a treaty? I would find it unlikely if he could....

It could be like bush thinking he has the ability to declare war even though only congress has that ability.

[Maple]

39. An 'order in council'

takes 5 minutes, and will override everything.

[frankly_fedup2]

46. Well, like they stated above, during the Vietnam war Trudeau (sp) did???

nt

[OneTwentyoNine]

49. Bush can't do shit,we get WAY to much Oil from Canada....

He might bristle up at their offer but that's where it ends. Little known to many people is that we get about as much Oil from Canada as we do from Saudi Arabia.

[whosinpower]

50. Make no mistake

Bush can do plenty. PLENTY. Canada's oil is NOT a shield....see how Iraq's oil did NOT help it any???

[cap]

51. hmmm with the selective draft of medical/computer people

Canada will get a lovely influx of highly desirable skilled people. :)

[Ed C. Finley]

52. Too bad...

Not that Canada will accept those who don't want to go to Iraq, but that anybody has to go to Iraq in the first place.

This stupid war, started, and waged for interests other than our own is the #1 reason I opposed Bush.

My nephew and brother in law both fought in Iraq, my B-I-L just returned home.

I have the utmost respect for those who go, those reservists who are bringing suit to stop going and respect and sorrow for those who have gone into exile. The whole thing never should have happened.