That Jewish State Thing

A UN human rights panel has come down against Israeli's attack on a Turkish ship that tried to run the Gaza blockade this summer. The report may be thoughtful and balanced, or it may not. I have no way of telling.

But here's the thing.

I would rather see the rest of the Middle East engulfed in flames than see one hair on the head of the Jewish state damaged in any way.

I admit that it is irrational. It is also non-negotiable. In the same way that I will defend to my utmost ability the safety of the Roma and the rights of homosexuals.

I believe it is simply what must be done by people who care deeply about right and wrong.

To be brutally honest about it, the world gave away its right to moral judgement over these three groups of people when it turned its back on them half a century ago. No balanced and thoughtful UN committees can ever change that. No reasoned finding by any celebrated judicial bright-light can ever wipe away the need to right a grievous wrong that was done. Nothing will ever change the fact that desperate people knocked on our door and asked for help, and we turned them away.

We may kack away at it all we want and pretend to be fair, balanced and thoughtful, in a good modern liberal way, but when we side with Iranian nutbars and UN human rights commissions that are dominated by brutal dictators, we are merely brushing our failings under the rug. We are re-arguing the inarguable -- See! They weren't really nice people! See! It's only understandable that good, decent people could get so vexed up with them that they were forced to try to exterminate them!

Let us not do this again.

Euro Anti-Sealers Create Opportunity for Canadians

How's this for unintended consequences?

Because of the European Union ban on seal products, which went into effect last month, Scottish kilt makers are turning to the skins of cute little ponies and bunnies to make sporrans for their kits. Animal lovers should be appalled. Many Scots are upset about the assault on their culture. And the change probably isn't appreciated by Scottish kilt buyers either.

According to today's Scotsman, the new-age sporrans don't look as good as the traditional seal-skin ones. They probably won't wear as well either.

Who wants to pay more than $1,000 for authentic Scottish kit, only to have it topped off with a piece of blather that looks like a 1950s Japanese knock-off?

Here's an excellent opportunity for Newfoundland outports to join forces with Inuit hunters, hire a few accomplished sporran-makers, set up a factory and offer Scots garb wearers the online chance to buy the real deal -- at a premium price, of course.

Let the Europeans wallow in their moral superiority -- as they slaughter their unwanted ponies and rabbits. But also let them pay the price of their arrogance. That's food on our tables and money in our pockets.

Maybe we should egg them on to ban trade in sheep products and beef products so we can get the whole darned thing.