Prof Byers is miffed that he wasn't invited to be a member of the panel, seeing that he is, at least in his own mind, the foremost authority on the subject in Canada. What we're seeing is a bitchy intellectual throwing a hissy fit.
Posted at 2007-12-17 07:36:26 [PermaLink]I really miss the Western Standard's contest to find the nuttiest professors across Canada. This guy would be a good candidate for the list.
What's Ezra Levant up to these days? Has anyone offered him a job? Not the U.N., I'm sure.
"Has anyone offered him a job? Not the U.N., I'm sure."
That I would love to see - along side of John Bolton
The following is my Letter to the Ottawa Citizen, thanks for posting the link: It’s pathetic that although Mr. Byres doesn’t feel the panel worthy of his presence, he feels duty-bound to expostulate about its composition and “pre-determined outcome” to the public at large – even with inclusion of some rather colossal factual errors. Mr. Byres, by virtue of his non-participation, has effectively removed himself from having any effect on the panels’ recommendations, even if it were only to establish his allegations of a “pre-determined outcome”. As far as I’m concerned, the mere fact that the panel would invite someone like Mr. Byres speaks volumes as to its impartiality and willingness to hear from “the fringe”. The colossal factual errors I alluded to is the fact that Mr. Byres states the “panel has been focused on recommending one of four set options” as if there were no other options available when this is not the case, the panel may explore other options (source: PM website). As well, Mr. Byres states: “all of them (the four options) featuring continuing roles for the military”. Well yes, that is technically true, but the option he refers to is as written as follows: “withdrawal of all Canadian military except a minimal force to protect aid workers and diplomats”. For all intents and purposes, isn’t this the withdrawal of all CF troops? (Hint: Yes it is) I for one am relieved that Mr. Byes has opted to stay at home and far away from this very important meeting.
Posted at 2007-12-17 09:57:18 [PermaLink]Silly professors should stay hidden in Ivory towers.....
Posted at 2007-12-17 12:21:55 [PermaLink]Make no mistake.Byers is not a tenured academic.He is a leftist rabble rouser and trouble maker, and with his views and charges (that Canadian soldiers should be charged with war crimes..) this man should be held in custody for sedition.Simple as that.
Posted at 2007-12-17 13:19:56 [PermaLink]Like it or not, Byers most certainly is a tenured academic, I'm afraid.
Posted at 2007-12-17 14:25:17 [PermaLink]aw, good ol' Simon - zing! zang! Byers drip goes bang!
Posted at 2007-12-18 08:14:41 [PermaLink]Canadians for Afghanistan, a new, non-partisan advocacy campaign dedicated to an extended Canadian commitment to the Afghan people, beyond 2009, responded in last Saturday's Ottawa Citizen.
Check us out at www.supportourmission.ca
The Ottawa Citizen
Published: Saturday, December 15, 2007
Re: “Why I said no to Manley,” Dec. 13.
It is unfortunate that Michael Byers has chosen not to lend his knowledge of the law of armed conflict to the Manley Panel, to help them make the best possible recommendation on the future of Canada’s mission. Instead, by electing to use his invitation to publicly attack the independence and character of the panel’s members, he does a disservice to the people and government of Afghanistan, who are relying on Canada to consider the potential extension of its mission seriously and with maturity.
In his opinion article, Prof. Byers’ glazes over the broad multilateral support that the international effort in Afghanistan enjoys. More importantly, he ignores the value of the assistance Canadian development workers, civil servants and troops are providing the Afghan people.
However much Prof. Byers would like it to be, Afghanistan is simply not Iraq.
The United Nations, NATO and more than 35 countries are providing the humanitarian, diplomatic and military support Afghans need to build a more hopeful future. This is a definitive test of the modern multilateral order. It was 50 years ago this week that Lester B. Pearson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his part in Canada’s effort to bring a peaceful end to the Suez crisis. Before and since then, Canada has been a leader in promoting global peace and security. Afghans and their government are now asking us to prove that multilateralism still works. They deserve better from Professor Byers.
Margaux Carson,
Ottawa
Canadians for Afghanistan