The Canadian Spin...
Dean Beeby with the Canadian Press has authored an article that I read in the National Post. Based on a focus group study by the EKOS group he submits a headline that America does not view Canada as a safe haven for terrorists. They conducted two focus groups, one democrat and one republican of so called (they used the following term and Beeby quoted it) "informed U.S. citizens of higher than average socio-economic status". Beeby states that the study indicates that these "informed" people view Mexico as a more likely entry point for terrorists than Canada or that they would be home grown. Beeby states that the report indicates that Canada has often been more effective at beefing up border security infrastructure than the United States. In an amazing statement, the study did not provide the number of participants.
How a reporter would quote this type of study is a question in itself, but I guess Mr. Beeby felt comfortable with the information. I, however, view it as nothing but propaganda trying the difuse a slow, but sure acknowledgement that Canada, because of it's lax immigration policy is a threat. Yes, Canada a greater threat for terrorism than Mexico. Another reason they are a threat is that they do not feel that they are targeted for terrorism, so they have no personal stake or vested interest. Sure the damage to the American economy by another 9/11 would hurt Canada as one of our largest trading partners, but it is not the same as an in-country attack.
While Mexico certainly has the infra-structure for human smuggling, what they don't have is strong connections to the terrorists regions of the world that threaten America. Canada on the other hand has welcomed immigrants from these areas with open arms. Ahmed Ressam, the terrorist interdicted entering the U.S. from Canada in 1999 is a good example. If you don't recall, he had the explosives with him.
As far as border security, Canada won't even trust their border agents with firearms. I have yet to see the Canadian border services working outbound to the United States as we work outbound interdiction to Canada. While the facilitation versus enforcement balance has always been on the front burner in the States, listen to the Canadian politicians promote facilitation over security as the rule in their country.
So with all due respect ( however that much is, is certainly in question after the article) to Mr. Beeby and EKOS, this informed U.S. citizen of above average socio-economic status calls B.S.!
BT
How a reporter would quote this type of study is a question in itself, but I guess Mr. Beeby felt comfortable with the information. I, however, view it as nothing but propaganda trying the difuse a slow, but sure acknowledgement that Canada, because of it's lax immigration policy is a threat. Yes, Canada a greater threat for terrorism than Mexico. Another reason they are a threat is that they do not feel that they are targeted for terrorism, so they have no personal stake or vested interest. Sure the damage to the American economy by another 9/11 would hurt Canada as one of our largest trading partners, but it is not the same as an in-country attack.
While Mexico certainly has the infra-structure for human smuggling, what they don't have is strong connections to the terrorists regions of the world that threaten America. Canada on the other hand has welcomed immigrants from these areas with open arms. Ahmed Ressam, the terrorist interdicted entering the U.S. from Canada in 1999 is a good example. If you don't recall, he had the explosives with him.
As far as border security, Canada won't even trust their border agents with firearms. I have yet to see the Canadian border services working outbound to the United States as we work outbound interdiction to Canada. While the facilitation versus enforcement balance has always been on the front burner in the States, listen to the Canadian politicians promote facilitation over security as the rule in their country.
So with all due respect ( however that much is, is certainly in question after the article) to Mr. Beeby and EKOS, this informed U.S. citizen of above average socio-economic status calls B.S.!
BT
posted by Border Train at 9:37 PM
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