Sometimes you get the sense that some hard right conservatives types aren't happy unless every inch of living space is governed by rules and regulations. Their natural impulse is toward control and conformity ... "if in doubt lock it all down boys!". Which makes it ironical to listen as they wax eloquent about the values of freedom and democracy - especially as it pertains to the needs of the people of Afghanistan and Iraq.

What they seek to export for the benefit of others, they practice at home only under extreme duress.

There hasn't been a major terror attack in N. America since 9/11. That's six long years. A remarkable fact given the toxic levels of global animosity toward America. Bush and Harper seem to believe that this is due to tougher legislation and anti-terrorism measures. That thinking is in large part bogus. Given the porous nature of our societies - the international links retained by immigrant families, leaky border security and ports that are wide open to exploitation by any terrorist group with expertise and resources - it's patently obvious that a determined adversary could launch an attack at will.

Why hasn't it happened?

Well, there is this leader of the free world who in true Texas style is toting a big ole side arm. Thing is he isn't shooting at Al Qaeda - he's shooting at his own foot. This spectacle of the great democracy-promoting crusader blasting away at his own Guccis is of course both amusing and gratifying for those who regard themselves as the enemy. I mean how can they do a better job than Dubya himself.

Stephen Harper made the mistake of publicly aligning himself with elements of the Bush doctrine when a lot of us were bailing out of there like rats on amphetamines fleeing a sinking ship. Escapees watched with a feeling of deja vu as Harper dutifully began to intone from the neo-con hymn sheet.

You would think that over time and with little evidence mounting he would have smartened up, as even Bush is attempting to do in tiny measure. But oh no, this week the PM was hot and bothered because anti-terrorist measures introduced hastily after 9/11 were struck down in the House of Commons. The vote was 159-124 in favor of termination. Moreover this week, the Supreme Court of Canada declared it unconstitutional to detain foreign terror suspects indefinitely while the courts review their deportation orders.

All of this speaks to both common sense and a genuine belief in equity and fair play. All the very best

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