This case disturbs me because it shows that the Canadian government will ignore its own official statements and policies to avoid a confrontation with our enormously important ally to the south.

The treatment Omar Khadr received was, is and continues to be counter to every standard of Canadian criminal law, not to speak of our internation pronouncements on torture and the employment of child soldiers.

Worse, Mr. Khadr has endured eight years of very hard time, an experience that will make it very difficult for him to rehabilitate himself, let alone allow the state to do so. The death penalty was never on the table, so one day Mr. Khadr will be released from custody. What sort of person will he be then?

If he is a monstrously angry and vengeful person when he eventually emerges from prison, the Canadian and American governments can share the credit. God knows, they're doing their best to achieve that objective.