Hurtig challenges Canadian government

Rushing to Armageddon: The Shocking Truth about Canada, Missile Defence, and Star Wars, has sat by my bedside these past few weeks. This is no cozy bedtime read. When my youngest son, Locky, saw it and commented on the "cool cover," he said it looked like a Star Wars story. I told him that, sadly, that is indeed what it is about, and that I had to read it and write a review about it. Of his own volition, Locky asked if I needed a picture for the article--"I'd draw George Bush in a space suit riding on a missile, with tons of money in his pockets. I think he wants to always win," he replied matter-of-factly. Out of the mouth of a six-year-old.

Mel Hurtig deals with the sobering and frightening issue of Canada's role in the United State's military plan to put weapons in space. When I look up to the heavens at night, as a peacemaking mother of three, I think of many hopes and dreams, and I am horrified that I must now look to the skies as a place of potential weapons in space that could blow us all to kingdom come. Although the subject matter of his book is carefully researched, and clearly articulated, it is Hurtig's wry sense of sarcastic humour ("excuse me, but didn't you just say the opposite") that makes the book enjoyable rather than overwhelming. He structures the book in logical, chronological chapters that bring the reader on a journey from despair to a call to action. His arguments are more than convincing that America plans to control space, deny all others access, and thus create a hegemonic domination of world events and indeed the globe. Given Canada's history of supporting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, why on earth is Steven Harper et al insisting on "being at the table" with U.S. NDM (National Defence Missiles) plans?

First, Hurtig examines what a nightmare NDM would be because they would defend nothing, but arms industry profits, have been proven to be ineffective in even discerning between threat and decoy, and would re-ignite a new arms race and second Cold War (not to mention annihilate the planet as we know it if utilized). Yikes! Hurtig then delves into the billions of dollars spent on useless tests, unfinished reports, and dismal research for defence missiles, all of which have been at the expense of health, education and social programs, not just in the United States, but worldwide. He exposes the deplorable less than 0.1 per cent of American GNP going to aid, while this year's military budget skyrocketed to $450 billion ($51 million per hour)! He also reviews Canada's respected leadership role as ambassadors of disarmament--both of which are at risk if present plans to support the American NMD plans continue. Throughout the book, Hurtig also examines the irony of President George W. Bush's administration being on a rampage to destroy weapons of mass destruction while at the same time stockpiling the largest supply on the planet, and the ludicrousness of going after 'rogue nations" when it is the U.S. who is the greatest bullying rogue-threatening "if you're not for us you're against us," and vetoing UN resolutions. "The United States will consistently insist on the right to military tools it will deny to all other nations," he quotes, I guess, for Bush, some people are more equal than others.

Before offering solid recommendations for Canada's chance to be part of the solution, Hurtig concludes his persuasive dialogue by illustrating how much more threatening and fearful these plans to put weapons in space are than any threat of terrorism, and that no missile could prevent a rebel from creating a plutonium bomb to put in a boxcar, or assembling nuclear devices to smuggle in luggage. He asserts we would lessen the "pandemic of insecurity" by looking at root causes of what angers "enemies," by building bridges rather than invisible walls.

Hurtig concludes with a clear call to action. Canada must "tell the emperor Bush that he has no clothes"--that missile defence will do nothing, but harm and ignite a new more deathly arms race. We Canadians must keep our good reputation and sovereignty: defend disarmament treaties, increase foreign aid, and keep space--"the final frontier"--of peace and interdependence rather than the ultimate dimension of warfare.

Katie Marshall Flaherty is active in Toronto's Children's Peace Theatre.

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