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.