Pubdate: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 Date: 10/12/1998 Source: Calgary Herald (Canada) Author: Alan Randell Criticized The US Related: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v98.n876.a07.html Note: Headline by MAP Ford has her bloomers in a knot because Amnesty International has decided to criticize the United States because its citizens provide most of AI's funding. Therein is her message. It's OK to brutalize your citizens as long as you bribe Amnesty International not to interfere. In fact, I would not be surprised if AI's financial support emanating from the U.S. does not increase as a result of this campaign. Providing funds that result in your country being told to meet standards of civilized society is truly `value for the money' in my book. If AI decided to put Canada under that same microscope, by all means count me in for a contribution. Another burr under Ford's saddle is that the U.S. is not at the top of the brutality league. She would presumably prefer that Amnesty International focus exclusively on the most brutal regime on the planet and leave every other country alone. No wonder the U.S. funds dictatorships. As long as there are more repressive countries around, those of Ford's persuasion will defend America's `right' to do what it will with its citizenry, free of outside censure. Alan Randell Victoria, B.C.