Friday digest

- While Tony Blair and George Bush are taking an introspective look at their leadership of the coalition war effort in Iraq, which they admit has not gone as smoothly as they thought (partly because the WMDs that everyone thought were there have not been found), we have former Labour MP, Cindy Sheehan contemporary and Canadian Islamic Congress fundraiser George Galloway suggesting that blowing Blair to bits would be morally justifiable.

I think the more reasoned side in this debate is obvious.

- Speaking of the Canadian Islamic Congress, who you'll remember from comments their (still-sitting) president made in October 2004 suggesting that all Israelis over 18 are legitimate targets for violence, they are now maintaining that access to air travel is a human right. Who knew?

The Canadian Islamic Congress plans a complaint to the United Nations in hopes of ensuring Canadians are given advance notice and a chance to appeal if they are put on the no-fly list being prepared by the federal government.

Congress president Mohamed Elmasry said the organization is seeking assurances that individuals will be notified in advance -- not at an airport when they are barred from getting on a flight -- that they are on the list, which is meant to screen out people who are security threats. It also wants a judicial appeal process for those who want to contest their names being placed on the list.

"Canada is a signatory to the universal human rights declaration," Mr. Elmasry said in an interview. Article 13 of the declaration guarantees mobility rights within each UN state, as well as the right to leave and return to one's own country.

"The UN will not have any power to intervene, but at least we will make the case public in order to put moral pressure on the Canadian government," he said.

The complaint to the United Nations was endorsed yesterday by the policy director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, one of the staunchest critics of the no-fly list that Transport Canada is aiming to establish by the end of the year.

- The latest test of US leadership: whether or not to negotiate with Iran. I agree with Charles Krauthammer, and besides, sitting across the table from Ahmedinijad would just confer legitimacy on him.

- The Enron thieves are looking at facing at least 20 years in prison each. Makes the penalties the crooks got in the sponsorship scandal here in Canada look like childs' play.

- Very interesting post here from Political Staples pointing out that the province of Quebec takes up nearly half (44%) of all equalization payments paid out by the feds (over $600 per Quebecer annually). I've often wondered if without the help of Ontario and Alberta, would Quebec be able to afford their $7-a-day government babysitting program?

- Is it just me or does that damn Capital One commercial with the song "hands in my pocket" repeated over and over again drive everyone crazy?