I am not in favour of bashing Americans, Aussies, Brits, etc., because a people seldom have a whole heckuva lotta control over the people they voted for once those people are elected. I have too many friends around the world to feel comfortable pointing my finger at 'people'. Governments and government policies is another issue. And I think that is fair game regardless: Canada, Switzerland, where ever.

I happen to trust the Yanks. I have never bought into the view that Americans are arrogant as a people. I know too many who are not. I can say the same about Canucks. I am in agreement with Mick, but I would also like to say that I like Blackcatter. This was not something done by Americans, although I don't blame those poor deprived people who enter Canada to get a decent beer. This was done by sick bastards who will pay a price for their crime.

When 9/11 took place, a fire department I was on in a small town in Alberta sent $1000 to New York's fire department to 'help'. A grand don't amount to a whole lot in the scheme of things, but it is something the guys wanted to do to express a solidarity with fellow firefighters who just happened to be American. It is in the nature of good people to want to help. That money came from the firefighters themselves, not from a department budget. I don't know of a single guy on any fire department anywhere who would not put it on the line for other people, especially kids. The guys never ask nationality, sex, colour, religion or language before they enter a structure.

The threat to children is particularly onerous. On the bright side, the Jewish community will have the support of other Montrealers. Good people will stand in solidarity with them, and the RCs and CSIS will catch the bastards. Let us not make this a political issue. It is an issue of terrorism, plain and simple. And to them, the civilized world should give no quarter.

Bruce Murdoch