CSIS and Desist

The images said it all: members of Canada’s police and security services all in uniform standing in front of several Canadian flags presenting their story on the bust of 17 Canadians on a very wet June 2nd in Toronto.

The image was staged to say the least. It was presented to media in the form of collective strength; police and CSIS working together to combat terrorism in Canada. But if you heard the statements and press conference on radio instead of television, you really didn’t learn much at all. In fact, it was what officials didn’t say, that was of note. [nothing about targets or charges; plenty about fertilizer bombs] As I was listening, I was waiting for the two words that put all of this into a prism for most people. About ten minutes into his statement, Luc Portelance said the group was “inspired by al-Qaeda”. It was the punch line we were waiting to hear.

In a show of real muscle, over 400 officers were involved in the arrest. Sharpshooters were seen covering the courthouse in Brampton as the accused were arraigned. Practically every image I saw in a newspaper included an armed police officer in a bulletproof vest.

Later in the day, the FBI weighed in with its contribution stating that two men from Georgia had paid a visit to Toronto to discuss “training and tactics” with three of the accused. A good bust with a little international flavour thrown in for good measure. By Tuesday the story was all over the American networks reduced to its lowest common denominator as “homegrown terrorism”.

The Prime Minister weighed in as well, “We are a target because of who we are and how we live, our society, our diversity and our values; values such as freedom, democracy and the rule of law. The values that make Canada great, values that Canadians cherish." [Sounds like someone has the same speech writer as George W. Bush.]

But Mr. Harper’s assessment isn’t correct. Most young extremists are wannabes; losers in their own community who want to prove themselves. They don’t really value anything except being a member of a club, any club. While some of our youth try sports or community service, these people go for the gusto of suicide bombing and the expression of repressed anger based on a misappropriation of their own low self-esteem.

But when I see the theatrical presentation of our “security” forces I can’t help but be skeptical. It was too neat a presentation; well scripted and dramatic.

I look forward to Act II.

That’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.