Given all of the taxpayer money it has spent challenging Khadr's repatriation, his bail, and his access to the media, I am certain that the enemy of critical thinking, the Harper regime, would prefer that we not watch it. It would much rather that people not understand the hollowness of its bifurcated worldview of good and evil so relentlessly presented since its ascension to power - a rule based upon fear, one that it continues to promote through its foreign adventurism against ISIS, its liberty-eroding Bill C-51, and its constant rhetoric about the danger all of us face from terrorists.
Pablum for simple minds, an ongoing insult to the rest of us.
Today's Star has an exclusive interview with Khadr; I would suggest all those with an open mind read it before watching tonight's documentary. Here are a couple of quotes from Khadr that say a great deal:
"I don't wish people to love me. I don't wish people to hate me. I just wish for people to give me a chance," he says.A plea for a chance to rebuild his life. An understanding that redemption is possible even for those who have partaken in heinous acts.
"I believe that each person, each human being, is capable of doing great harms or great good," Khadr says. "People who did these bad things (torture) are not any different than any one of us.
"Even for people who tortured. There are a lot of people who came back and regretted what they did, so as along as a person is alive there is still hope for him that he's going to change."
Who among us has the right to deny Omar Khadr his chance?
Now that Omar Khadr is able to speak to Canadians directly we are getting to see what kind of a man he is Lorne. He is in some ways wise beyond his years.After the injustice he has been through, including the demonizing by Harper, what impresses me is his benevolence. I think Harpers continued demonizing of Khadr is his anger that he no longer controls the message in this scenario. Canadians are getting a close up view of the kind of man Harper really is. I hope their paying attention. Thx for the heads up on the documentary, I'll watch it.
ReplyDeleteWhile i doubt that we will have regular exposure to Khadr (a good thing if he has any hope of leading a normal and productive life), Pamela, what we will see, I think, is the opportunistic lying from a ruthlessly exploitative and manipulative government fully exposed. I sincerely hope that helps Canadians to make wise electoral choices in October.
DeleteLorne, I plan to watch the interview with Omar Khadr. His first appearance before the media revealed that he is a bright young man. He was put in Gitmo when he was only 15 years old. He was abused and tortured for 13 years and despite that he grew up to be very bright young man. Harper government's attempts to keep him locked up are despicable.
ReplyDeleteFrom what I can see, LD, Khadr is testament to the resilience of the human spirit, spirit that cannot be vanquished by evil men like Harper.
DeleteI'd love to watch it...but its geo-blocked in the US
ReplyDeleteThe easiest way around that, Anon, is to install free software such as Hola, which, I believe, would allow you to mask your i.p. address so it appears you are in Canada.
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