"No Means Yes:
Canadian Complicity in
the 'Missile Defence' Weapons Development Program."
By Richard Sanders, coordinator,
Coalition to Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) and editor of COAT's magazine,
Press for Conversion!
This COAT web-resource uses 55 graphics-filled slides to present an
entertaining and informative overview of Canada's many important roles in the
US-led Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) weapons-development program.
Although this is a serious power-point presentation--containing many
quotations and much data--it is balanced with healthy doses of humour and
satire. The little-known facts about Canadian involvement in BMD are thus
exposed in a user-friendly and humourous manner. For instance, among all the
graphic images, I've slipped in some witty quotations from Mark Twain, Oscar
Wilde and even Walt Kelly's cartoon possum, Pogo! Also included are the words
of such profound, intellectual thinkers as George W. Bush, Paul Martin and
Stephen Harper.
Few Canadians have the foggiest idea that our government, military and
corporations are very deeply embedded in the US-led BMD weapons program. Even
fewer are acquainted with any of the details regarding Canada's complicity in
the creation, design, research, development, testing, maintenance, operation
and deployment of various, important BMD weapons systems.
In fact, most Canadians are still suffering from the widespread, debilitating
belief that the Canadian government actually rejected any participation in BMD!
Those Canadians who do have some inkling that this country is
involved in BMD, would probably point to NORAD as the venue for our
contribution.
We are now rapidly approaching the second anniversary of the Canadian
government's request to modify the NORAD treaty. This amendment pulled us even
more deeply into BMD on August 5, 2004. However, Canadian complicity via NORAD
is actually the least offensive example of our involvement in this
US-led program, which is easily the largest, weapons-development program in
world history.
The wholly fabricated myth of Canada's "NO" to missile defense (which is still
being trumpeted by the government, corporate media and even some peace
activists and the NDP!) has all-but completely destroyed the peace movement's
efforts against BMD in this country. Protests against BMD in Canada have been
all but extinguished since February 2005. That's when the Liberal government
staged their successful PR victory and pulled the wool over Canada's eyes by
simply proclaimed a phoney and meaningless "no" to "joining" this US
initiative.
The truth is that Canada couldn't "join BMD" in February 2006 anyway,
because--for more than a decade--we had already been a major player in
the exclusive BMD club. And, of course, we still are!
The "No Means Yes" slide show was presented by COAT coordinator, Richard
Sanders, at the World Peace Forum (WPF) in Vancouver on June 26, 2006. A
shortened version of it was done in Victoria on June 22.
Make Canada Say a REAL NO to "Missile Defence" Weapons!
Please Help COAT's campaign to Rebuild Canadian Opposition to BMD
The next time someone tries to tell you that Canada did not join
BMD, please set them straight!
First, simply ask what possible evidence they might have to indicate that
Canada did not join BMD.
Then, mention that COAT has assembled more than enough proof to demonstrate
beyond a doubt that Canada has been deeply engaged in BMD work for many years.
Tell them that this data is all available online at COAT's website and that it
totals about 80,000 words, and includes some 800 different references.
Here's what else you can do:
Use COAT resources / Support COAT's work:
Bring COAT's Anti-BMD Slideshow to your City or Town
After more than a year spent virtually chained to my computer,
writing dozens of articles exposing the hidden details of Canada's complicity
in the thoroughly-offensive, "missile defense" weapons program, I'm keen to
get out there and present my research.
If your peace/anti-war group would like to sponsor a showing of COAT's anti-BMD
power-point presentation, please contact me at the email address below.
Other projects:
(1) The New Face of Terror
in Afghanistan: Electing Warlords, Drug Barons and World-Bank Pirates
(2) Video Documentary on
US War Pretext Incidents (updated description)
(3) Article: Canadian
Military Components used in Israel's War Against Lebanon
Contact:
Richard Sanders, coordinator, Coalition to
Oppose the Arms Trade (COAT) and editor of COAT's magazine, Press for
Conversion!
Email: overcoat@ rogers.com