# Thank you, Canada **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 21, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505 "2006-09-21T01:55:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/1 "2006-09-21T01:55:15Z")
For finally clearing Maher Arar, an innocent man, of a terrible accusation. Boo, USA, for still playing politics and denying culpability even in the face of overwhelming proof. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/2 "2006-09-21T02:07:34Z")
Check out [The Newshour](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/terrorism/july-dec06/canada_09-20.html) for, as usual, quality coverage of this story. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/3 "2006-09-21T02:17:27Z")
I occasionally stop being civil (gasp) when the subject of Maher Arar comes up. Because I’ve yet to convincing evidence that the same thing couldn’t happen to any number of people. If the only thing standing between any non-U.S. citizen at a U.S. airport and Maher Arar’s fate is _the competence of the INS_ (BCIS, USCIS, whatever) and the goodwill of whatever intelligence agency is least upstanding at the time, then we should all be just a wee bit concerned. Thankfully, at least Maher Arar’s personal ordeal is over. ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/4 "2006-09-21T02:29:55Z")
Thank you, **Mangroege**. The [Arar Commission](http://www.ararcommission.ca/) report makes no-one look good, except for Mr. Arar. The Newshour article you link to had its own share of eye-openers, though: > [@](#): > > JEFFREY BROWN: Arar is now seeking compensation and an apology from the Canadian government. In Washington yesterday, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales was asked about the case. > > ALBERTO GONZALES, U.S. Attorney General: **We were not responsible for his removal to Syria. I’m not aware that he was tortured, and I haven’t read the commission report.** > > Mr. Arar was deported under our immigration laws. He was initially detained because his name appeared on a terrorist list, and he was deported according to our – according to our laws. What the hey? > [@](#): > > JEFFREY BROWN: …And late today, Canada’s parliament **unanimously** passed a motion that the government should apologize to Mr. Arar. The inquiry commission that issued its report Monday was appointed more than two years ago, after Mr. Arar was released from prison and after his case had attracted much attention in the Canadian media. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/5 "2006-09-21T03:04:36Z")
PAUL CAVALLUZZO also states; “Canadian authorities were willing to accept Mr. Arar, and that was only 200 miles away, yet the American authorities sent him to Syria.” I hate to say it, but Sheesh! :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Foldup\_Rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/df788c/32.png) [@Foldup\_Rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foldup_Rabbit)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/6 "2006-09-21T06:52:23Z")
He moved down here recently since his wife has taken a teaching position at my university. I can’t imagine what a horrifying ordeal they’ve both been through, but I’m glad they’re able to settle in a sleepy little town and start moving past it all. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/7 "2006-09-21T07:19:03Z")
Considering that Justice O’Connor concluded that the Mounties are just as responsible for this particular balls-up (by feeding raw, uncorroborated gossip about Mr. Arar to the US authorities), I’m not sure that Canada has any right to be thanked! ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/8 "2006-09-21T12:47:27Z")
[QUOTE=Foldup Rabbit] He moved down here recently since his wife has taken a teaching position at my university. I can’t imagine what a horrifying ordeal they’ve both been through, but I’m glad they’re able to settle in a sleepy little town and start moving past it all. [/QUOTE] That’s good news. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/9 "2006-09-21T12:58:07Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] Considering that Justice O’Connor concluded that the Mounties are just as responsible for this particular balls-up (by feeding raw, uncorroborated gossip about Mr. Arar to the US authorities), I’m not sure that Canada has any right to be thanked! [/QUOTE] That is true, and pretty well covered by the commission’s report. I’m thanking the Canadian people, the press, and finally the commission for finally copping to the truth in the matter. Which does still put them at least one step ahead of us. How on earth could Gonzales have the balls to state: > [@](#): > > We were not responsible for his removal to Syria. I’m not aware that he was tortured, and I haven’t read the commission report. How rarrowly does he have to define “we” to make such a claim? ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/10 "2006-09-21T13:51:47Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] How rarrowly does he have to define “we” to make such a claim? [/QUOTE] “We” in this case means that Gonzales and the Prez didn’t personally put Mr. Arar on the plane. It was done by some of those darned bloated federal bureaucrats that George wants to rein in. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2006, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/11 "2006-09-21T15:17:35Z")
“Nothing could be finer than to be in her vagina in the morrrnnnning” _That vagina_? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/12 "2006-09-23T15:07:43Z")
Crude silliness aside, **Northern Piper** , is your location one of the Carolinas? Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/13 "2006-09-23T15:22:55Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Crude silliness aside, **Northern Piper** , is your location one of the Carolinas? Peace, mangeorge [/QUOTE] [Rhymes with vagina](http://www.regina.ca/) ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/14 "2006-09-23T16:04:03Z")
[QUOTE=Gorsnak] [Rhymes with vagina](http://www.regina.ca/) [/QUOTE] Living in Canada for my first 32 years, I’m used to it… but my husband giggles every time he says it. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/15 "2006-09-23T22:37:25Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] Crude silliness aside, **Northern Piper** , is your location one of the Carolinas? Peace, mangeorge [/QUOTE] I see **Gorsnak** and **Ginger** have already answered, but to confirm, no connexion to the Carolinas. If twere, then I’d be **Southern Piper, y’all** or something. 😉 Why Carolinas? I"m not following the reference? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [September 23, 2006, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/16 "2006-09-23T23:18:25Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] I see **Gorsnak** and **Ginger** have already answered, but to confirm, no connexion to the Carolinas. If twere, then I’d be **Southern Piper, y’all** or something. 😉 Why Carolinas? I"m not following the reference? 😕 [/QUOTE] Caro-LYNA Re-GYNA ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/17 "2006-09-24T00:00:33Z")
Heard an interview with Arar the other day. He is suffering. He has psychological problems and doesnt sleep well. Beatings and deprevation leave scars. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/18 "2006-09-24T00:23:28Z")
[QUOTE=Northern Piper] I see **Gorsnak** and **Ginger** have already answered, but to confirm, no connexion to the Carolinas. If twere, then I’d be **Southern Piper, y’all** or something. 😉 Why Carolinas? I"m not following the reference? 😕 [/QUOTE] See post #11, and [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_in_the_Morning). I learned that beauty in the USN. Wanna see the next verse? It’s at least as bad. mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/19 "2006-09-24T00:26:36Z")
[QUOTE=gonzomax] Heard an interview with Arar the other day. He is suffering. He has psychological problems and doesnt sleep well. Beatings and deprevation leave scars. [/QUOTE] And his family and friends too, I’m sure. Wish there were something I could do. Maybe a letter. ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2006, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505/20 "2006-09-24T00:30:40Z")
[QUOTE=mangeorge] See post #11, and [this](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolina_in_the_Morning). I learned that beauty in the USN. Wanna see the next verse? It’s at least as bad. mangeorge [/QUOTE] Not the second verse, the second line of the chorus. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thank-you-canada/373505.md?page=2)