Long story short, 23 year old punk acts like an idiot, and uses Native issues as a vector for his resentment of one of the greatest countries in the world because he doesn't like its mid-east policies... well, that's my take. I'll also include some of the reader responses, because some actually add something to the analysis.



http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/660209


Jul 03, 2009 04:30 AM
Comments on this story (26)
John Goddard
Staff Reporter


The head of the Canadian Arab Foundation has distanced himself from an anti-Canadian rant posted on a Facebook site by an official of the group.


Mohamed Boudjenane said the Internet posting by the group's western vice-president Omar Shaban "is not the type of position we hold as an organization." Shaban has resigned.


On Tuesday, Shaban posted an item on Facebook calling Canada "a genocidal state" for its treatment of native peoples and saying he "couldn't be more ashamed to be Canadian." He titled the posting, "F--- Canada Day."


The following day, Canada Day, he wished readers, "Happy Genocide Day Canada."


"We don't support that type of statement," said Boudjenane. "But at the end of the day, no matter what we do, we'll be blamed for it."


Boudjenane suggested the posting was a minor indiscretion, adding: "You know how many Quebecers say `F--- Canada' every day?"


Shaban, 23, lives in Vancouver.


Yesterday, he launched a blog with an essay titled, "I Will Celebrate Canada Day When the Natives Do."


In the piece, he denounced former prime ministers Lester Pearson and Paul Martin, and current Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, for various Middle East-related stands.


"I also apologize for being a citizen of a country that followed George Bush's order and went to Afghanistan," Shaban wrote, assuring readers the views are his own and not those of the Arab federation.


The first person known to object to the original Facebook posting was Toronto Muslim commentator Tarek Fatah, co-host of CFRB Radio's Strong Opinions talk show and author of Chasing a Mirage: The Tragic Illusion of an Islamic State.


"(The federation) no longer represents Canadian Arab interests," he told the Star.


"There has been a takeover of the organization by militants of (Lebanon-based) Hezbollah and (Gaza-based) Hamas."


Ottawa takes a similar view. Effective three months ago, Citizenship and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney ended the group's $1 million annual federal grant.
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re: Why ...

Emma. Free Speech. However, I find insincere Shaban's championing of the cause of the "Natives." Nothing wrong with the cause, just Shaban's motives. Anything to justify his hatred.
Submitted by Proactive Indifference at 9:30 AM Friday, July 03 2009



Non Event
I think this is all non-event and I wonder why The Star is reporting it in the first place. This is not the first time a young member of some group expresses their opinion in a very immature way. What I find saddening is that despite the head of the foundation trying to distance his group from the opinions of Shaban, there are still voices that jump on the opportunity to bring in the "Arabs hate us and everybody like us" litany. This cultural/ethnic profiling is dangerous for the values we all cherish in this country. I can see the hatred, and it is not coming from where some of us here want everyone to believe.
Submitted by Aro at 9:28 AM Friday, July 03 2009


Re: Arab group
The real question here is ..Why is this group getting taxpayer money?...
Submitted by Sharps74 at 9:28 AM Friday, July 03 2009


ir8native
What if a first nations group were to make these statements...where would you send them?
Submitted by boom. at 9:28 AM Friday, July 03 2009


Maybe Mr. Shaban just had a bad day?
I know for a fact that I sometimes say things that are really not meant to be said when I'm having a bad day...Ok..He is angry at the treatment of the natives of Canada and letting out his frustrations out in public forum was a mistake..but hey I forgive him...He did the right thing and resigned..I'm just hoping Mr. Shaman relizes that to live in a free country one must try to be a little more understanding on the fact that sometimes things are not always good, but, as all Canadians we are proud to live in a society that at least is peaceful and we try our best to move forward with the fact that all are opinions are met with the at least a resounding ear that listens no matter what the opinion is...It's ok to be angry Mr. Shaman...nothing wrong with that...but try not to generalize that Canada is F****D because it is not...Canada is Great...and I'd rather be hear then somewhere else!!...Anyways Have a Great Day Everyone!! PS- Don't Worry, be Happy!!
Submitted by 1cobraharemslave at 9:19 AM Friday, July 03 2009


Re. "Love it or leave it pal!"
So if you're an immigrant to this country you forfeit the right to be critical of it? I don't agree with all of Shaban's comments, but as a Canadian I would never question his right to voice his opinions. If you're that prepared to stomp on someone else's freedom of expression, I'm assuming you wouldn't have a problem with it being done to you, should you happen to have thoughts that the majority find unpalatable.
Submitted by Mambosun at 9:17 AM Friday, July 03 2009


One VP of a group
Does represent that group of people.
Submitted by not surprised at 9:14 AM Friday, July 03 2009


to 'MNajjar'
right on - well put!
Submitted by TaxPayerMG at 9:12 AM Friday, July 03 2009


And people still want Al Jazeera TV in Canada?
Submitted by opinion_guy at 8:57 AM Friday, July 03 2009


Wow...
Could someone ask Mr Shaban to explain why he's singled out Canada as such a menace to humanity... the country that took him in (assuming he immigrated here) /shaped him (assuming he grew up here)like Canada is some sort of international pariah. Look around Shaban dude... Canada is a world leader. Hey, let us know what you think about (insert any muslim country here)'s behaviour while your at it. Just to give us some context, eh?!
Submitted by Roble at 8:51 AM Friday, July 03 2009


Are you serious?
I will accept these absurd rants if ANY of the Arab countries come anywhere close to Canada's commitment to the human rights. I'm proud of Canada's commitment to peace which includes the war in Afghanistan.
Submitted by b1eqic16 at 8:50 AM Friday, July 03 2009


First Nations is a racket...
Don't be fooled...the whole system the Indians have now is perfect for keeping its people poor, damaged, and landless...Only the Native elite reap the benefits of the system in place...One simple change that the Native elite don't want changed, allow individuals to own land without Band approval on reserves...The elites keep their own people land poor and hoard the money for their own family...stop blaming Canada
Submitted by VanGrungy at 8:45 AM Friday, July 03 2009



[IMG][/IMG]

Ofcourse Shaban lives in that "genocidal" country. Typical third world asylum seeking hypocrite.

"In the piece, he denounced former prime ministers Lester Pearson and Paul Martin, and current Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff, for various Middle East-related stands. "

Let me guess, he basically wants Canada to initiate a state of total war against Israel and switch (numerous) sides and ally Canada to a series of radical religious fringe groups with diametrically opposed positions on most issues. Sadly the vast majority of Canadians disagree with his positions on this matter and therefore as a democratically elected government, the government is enacting the will of the people.

Mr. Shaban is welcome to voice whatever views he wishes regarding Canada here in Canada and if the shame of paying taxes to genocidal is too great for him, there is nothing stopping him from emigrating. I would suggest Syria and also suggest he continue to critique government policy when he arrives there.

---

"Patriotism is your conviction that this country is superior to all other countries because you were born in it."
George Bernard Shaw

Get over it. He has as much right to voice his concerns as any another Canadian.

And a comment made on facebook should not be receiving this much publicity.

Also, I find it idiotic how people have to make statements distancing themselves from certain groups or individuals because they share a common bond.

Of course this individual has the right to say what he pleases. However, other people retain the right to call him a douchebag.
I find it highly suspicious that this individual knows much about Native relations in Canada. Perhaps he checked a book out of the library at one point.
Still, he has a right to voice his opinion in any venue he chooses.
I still think he's an idiot.

The existence of any non-native in the new world is disrespective to the natives, Anglo or Arab.

---

Greek Resistance