Bush eez an eejit, part 23403
Nov. 30th, 2004 10:43 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jawnbcDear President Bush,
Official visits can provide opportunities for greater understanding of common concerns and diversity of thought. It is these exchanges that make such visits potentially beneficial and productive, particularly if elected representatives and citizens hear each other's point of view.
On your first official visit to Canada, it is unfortunate arrangements do not include an address to Parliament, and include only meetings with party leaders who more closely share your views. Sadly, my requests to meet with you were denied. During Mexican President Vicente Fox's recent visit, he met with leaders of all parties in our minority Parliament. We enjoyed civilized, respectful dialogue. It is unfortunate such a dialogue will not occur now, resulting in you receiving a skewed view of Canada's values and concerns.
I share those concerns, and believe it crucial you be aware of them. Ideally, I hope your administration heeds the world's concerns and rejoins multilateral efforts on common problems. I continue to hope this is possible, but in the event it is not, hope Canada will respectfully disagree with those policies that are at odds with our values, while maintaining the valuable friendship between our countries. Your visit to Halifax is emblematic of that friendship. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, Canadians mourned with our American friends and opened their homes to passengers diverted by the tragedy. Friends, however, sometimes agree and sometimes do not, as the rich history of Canada-U.S. relations indicates.
Unfortunately, arrangements mean you will be shielded from much of Canadians' angst. I had hoped our dialogue would provide a clearer understanding of those concerns. Such a meeting will not occur, and so I am obliged to present many concerns to you in writing instead.
I was proud to be part of the peace movement that helped convince former Prime Minister Chrétien to keep Canada out of the war on Iraq. More than 100,000 people have since died, and yet despite the correctness of global opposition to the invasion, your administration shows few signs of working with the world on meaningful efforts to make us all safer. Were a dialogue scheduled with you, I would have outlined a few.
First, we must collectively fight the looming catastrophe of climate change and the underlying dependence on oil. Unless we move swiftly towards renewable energy and energy efficiency, growing demand and dwindling supply of fossil fuels will increase conflict - and exacerbate the human tragedy and upheaval climate change creates. This is an imminent threat, and on environmental policy your administration and ours must change course. Canada, it should be noted, is in no position to lecture on this issue since our record on climate-changing pollution is actually worse than your own.
We can work together for sustainability and economic growth. My party supports working with American states, including Gov. Schwarzenegger’s California, to create larger markets for more fuel efficient and green cars. The technology is available today for us to create a cleaner tomorrow, and I hope you and Prime Minister Martin abandon your opposition to these good ideas so our countries may work together on them.
Second, new generations of nuclear and space weapons make our world unsafe. This month, Russia announced new nuclear weapons in response to missile defence; China is inevitably next. Weapons of mass destruction are dangerous in anyone's hands, and the world would be safer if your administration abandoned new nuclear weapon development and Star Wars, which leading scientists say will never work. Your administration sends the wrong message by abandoning arms control treaties while demanding other countries adhere to them. I also believe with the growing scourge of global poverty, nations with resources should invest in alleviating that poverty and encouraging sustainable development. We should not spend a trillion dollars on Star Wars when we could invest in fighting the poverty and desperation that provides fertile ground for terrorists.
Here, you need to be aware Mr. Martin does not speak for Canadians. His support for missile defence runs counter to our tradition of multilateral peacekeeping, and it is incompatible with Canadian values for us to join a weapons system that could only be pursued if arms control treaties were abandoned. I urge you to outline to Mr. Martin the full scope of missile defence, which your administration's documents and officials clearly say weaponizes space. For two years, he has incredibly refused to look at the facts, and your meeting with him provides a crucial opportunity for his voluntary ignorance to end.
Lastly, it is important Congress moves to embrace fairness for Canada's softwood and beef industries. The tariffs and border closures do not reflect fair trade principles or science, and harm economies on both sides of our border.Had we met, I would have underlined America’s dependence on Canadian energy exports and noted it is incongruous to welcome oil while refusing lumber and beef. For this reason, as a last resort, I support the linkage of these exports since fairness must apply across the board.
In closing, I am disappointed we could not enjoy a respectful exchange of views. In my trips to Washington to meet with members of Congress, I have met many Americans who, like me, are concerned about the direction of your administration.
Most Canadians are concerned, too. I fully respect the right of American citizens to elect a president who shares their values, but would have welcomed the opportunity to explain why Canadian values must guide our choices.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP
Leader of the NDP
(Available from here).
Official visits can provide opportunities for greater understanding of common concerns and diversity of thought. It is these exchanges that make such visits potentially beneficial and productive, particularly if elected representatives and citizens hear each other's point of view.
On your first official visit to Canada, it is unfortunate arrangements do not include an address to Parliament, and include only meetings with party leaders who more closely share your views. Sadly, my requests to meet with you were denied. During Mexican President Vicente Fox's recent visit, he met with leaders of all parties in our minority Parliament. We enjoyed civilized, respectful dialogue. It is unfortunate such a dialogue will not occur now, resulting in you receiving a skewed view of Canada's values and concerns.
I share those concerns, and believe it crucial you be aware of them. Ideally, I hope your administration heeds the world's concerns and rejoins multilateral efforts on common problems. I continue to hope this is possible, but in the event it is not, hope Canada will respectfully disagree with those policies that are at odds with our values, while maintaining the valuable friendship between our countries. Your visit to Halifax is emblematic of that friendship. In the wake of the attacks on September 11, Canadians mourned with our American friends and opened their homes to passengers diverted by the tragedy. Friends, however, sometimes agree and sometimes do not, as the rich history of Canada-U.S. relations indicates.
Unfortunately, arrangements mean you will be shielded from much of Canadians' angst. I had hoped our dialogue would provide a clearer understanding of those concerns. Such a meeting will not occur, and so I am obliged to present many concerns to you in writing instead.
I was proud to be part of the peace movement that helped convince former Prime Minister Chrétien to keep Canada out of the war on Iraq. More than 100,000 people have since died, and yet despite the correctness of global opposition to the invasion, your administration shows few signs of working with the world on meaningful efforts to make us all safer. Were a dialogue scheduled with you, I would have outlined a few.
First, we must collectively fight the looming catastrophe of climate change and the underlying dependence on oil. Unless we move swiftly towards renewable energy and energy efficiency, growing demand and dwindling supply of fossil fuels will increase conflict - and exacerbate the human tragedy and upheaval climate change creates. This is an imminent threat, and on environmental policy your administration and ours must change course. Canada, it should be noted, is in no position to lecture on this issue since our record on climate-changing pollution is actually worse than your own.
We can work together for sustainability and economic growth. My party supports working with American states, including Gov. Schwarzenegger’s California, to create larger markets for more fuel efficient and green cars. The technology is available today for us to create a cleaner tomorrow, and I hope you and Prime Minister Martin abandon your opposition to these good ideas so our countries may work together on them.
Second, new generations of nuclear and space weapons make our world unsafe. This month, Russia announced new nuclear weapons in response to missile defence; China is inevitably next. Weapons of mass destruction are dangerous in anyone's hands, and the world would be safer if your administration abandoned new nuclear weapon development and Star Wars, which leading scientists say will never work. Your administration sends the wrong message by abandoning arms control treaties while demanding other countries adhere to them. I also believe with the growing scourge of global poverty, nations with resources should invest in alleviating that poverty and encouraging sustainable development. We should not spend a trillion dollars on Star Wars when we could invest in fighting the poverty and desperation that provides fertile ground for terrorists.
Here, you need to be aware Mr. Martin does not speak for Canadians. His support for missile defence runs counter to our tradition of multilateral peacekeeping, and it is incompatible with Canadian values for us to join a weapons system that could only be pursued if arms control treaties were abandoned. I urge you to outline to Mr. Martin the full scope of missile defence, which your administration's documents and officials clearly say weaponizes space. For two years, he has incredibly refused to look at the facts, and your meeting with him provides a crucial opportunity for his voluntary ignorance to end.
Lastly, it is important Congress moves to embrace fairness for Canada's softwood and beef industries. The tariffs and border closures do not reflect fair trade principles or science, and harm economies on both sides of our border.Had we met, I would have underlined America’s dependence on Canadian energy exports and noted it is incongruous to welcome oil while refusing lumber and beef. For this reason, as a last resort, I support the linkage of these exports since fairness must apply across the board.
In closing, I am disappointed we could not enjoy a respectful exchange of views. In my trips to Washington to meet with members of Congress, I have met many Americans who, like me, are concerned about the direction of your administration.
Most Canadians are concerned, too. I fully respect the right of American citizens to elect a president who shares their values, but would have welcomed the opportunity to explain why Canadian values must guide our choices.
Sincerely,
Jack Layton, MP
Leader of the NDP
(Available from here).
