Calgary Board of Education Proposed Arabic Language and Culture Programming Open House

Calgary Board of Education

Proposed Arabic Language and Culture

Programming Open House May 19, 2011

5:30 pm – 7 pm Central Memorial – 5111 21 St. S.W.

There are far more reasons not to host Arabic language and culture programming in Calgary Public Schools than there are for it’s inclusion.

First and most compelling are the ties that instruction in Arabic would have to Islamic ideology. There is no reason for us to risk supporting islamic views in our public school system, views that run completely counter to our western culture and traditions. I realize that with the above statement, many will accuse me of racism – however nothing could be further from the truth. While Arabic is a race, islam is most certainly not, and while the distinction is important, the two are historically very closely related.

Within our own country and around the world, groups of Islamic idealists are attempting to subvert our western values with the values of their Arabic home countries. From the UK to the Netherlands, in Germany, France and Australia, islamic fundamentalists of Arabic descent preach hatred and contempt for kaffirs, or non-believers. We cannot allow these groups a foothold here in our public education system. While some teachers may support the idea of ‘cultural relativism’, I don’t believe that the Arab culture is superior or even equal in any way, shape or form to our western Judeo-Christian culture and belief system.

This past February in Winnipeg's Louis Riel School Division, a dozen muslim immigrant families demanded changes to the curriculum to accommodate their fundamentalist view of Islam. The families don't want boys and girls in the same classes, such as physical education, and they don’t want any music taught to their muslim children, period.

Winnipeg School Superintendents says the families are "adamant' about this, despite both phys-ed and music being compulsory. How would Calgary teachers, who are already short staffed, handle any similar request for gender separation in gym? How long before islamic parents can "adamantly" demand no female teachers for their sons – or that headscarves for girls be required?

In the U.K. in 2007, some schools stopped teaching the Holocaust because it contradicted the anti-Semitic views held by "adamant" families there. The history of the Crusades was dropped too, because the "balanced" approach taken by schools contradicted what the local mosques were teaching. And in 2008, schools in Bristol yanked gay-friendly books out of libraries when Muslim parents complained.

I SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION, and there are far too many legitimate concerns with our funding of inclusive education for all Calgary children to further divide this limited budget to include any instruction in Arabic culture. An April 19, 2011 CBE press release announced plans to cut 324 jobs this fall due to budget restraints, these cuts are on top of the 172 support position cuts announced in March.

Alberta Education has failed to deal with the group ‘Parents for Public Education’ - a group representing hundreds of parents who have reneged on their school fees for the past eight years, saying the up to $132-per-child charge is unlawful. Would the political will exist to deal with issues of inappropriate islamic teaching and curriculum if it were to become an issue?

Last month parents of public school students in Calgary learned that second language classes will no longer be mandatory in Grades 4 through 9, starting in the next school year. French and other languages will still be offered as an option in Grades 7 through 9, but schools with students in Grades 4 through 6 will decide whether to offer a second language, and which one to offer. Does it make any sense to stop teaching one of Canada’s two official languages, while at the same time offering classes in another unofficial one?

There is already the Edmonton Islamic School Society, operating as the Edmonton Islamic Academy, that last year received $3,473,000.00 from Alberta taxpayers (Canada Revenue Agency - Schedule 6: Detailed Financial Information). That’s 3 1/2 million dollars of my tax money to a school that has just recently been linked to the World Islamic Call Society based in London Ontario. That group had their charitable status revoked last week by the Canadian Government, because they’ve been caught transferring money here in Canada from Libyan Leader Moammar Gadhafi to the bank accounts of known islamic terrorists.

I don’t believe there is any single good reason to approve spending Calgary Public Tax Dollars on Arabic language and culture teaching. I believe I’ve outlined the risks clearly here. Unless all of you here petitioning for the effort can show me your fingers aren’t crossed, that you’re not practicing taqiyyah (ISLAMIC def: Concealing or disguising one's beliefs, convictions, ideas, feelings, opinions, and/or strategies) and say,
“We’re all modern Arabs here in Calgary, who don’t want sharia law, we know that Islam is a not a ‘religion of peace’, that the burqua is a symbol of opression, that gay men and women will be welcome in these arabic classes, that crucifixs’ can be worn, that the Holocaust really happened, that the Crusades were a defensive war against islamic invaders, and that Israel has every right to exist.”

Only then can we begin a discussion on the value to Canadians of an Arabic cultural education.

Is Alberta funding Terrorism?

An open letter to my MLA - Dave Taylor.

Hi Dave,
Canada Revenue has revoked the charitable status of the World Islamic Call Society, a "charity" directly linked to Mouammar Gaddaffi. The revocation came in light of revelations that the charity was a front used to funnel funds to terrorists.

The World Islamic Call Society is directly related to the al Rashid Mosque and its subsidiaries in Edmonton, the Edmonton Islamic Academy.

This 'Academy' also does business as the Edmonton Islamic School Society - they share the same address - 14525 127 St, Edmonton Ab - T6V 0B3.

Dave, There is clearly a direct link between these organizations. According to their latest filing the Edmonton Islamic School Society received $3,473,000.00 in tax dollars from the citizens of Alberta.

So my 2 questions are these:
1.  Are my tax dollars here in Alberta being used to fund terrorism?
2.  Is this group related in any way to the push for Arabic language programming in Calgary Public Schools, and will you be at the 'Open House' at Central Memorial High School regarding this issue on May 19 from 5:30 - 7 pm?  Your prompt reply would be much appreciated.

"Community is about caring about what happens to others and knowing there are people who care about you. It's about feeling safe when you go out for a walk, and feeling secure in letting your children out to play. Community allows us to leave this world a better place than we found it by combining our efforts through strength in numbers."  - Dave Taylor, Maiden Speech in the Alberta Legislature, March 9, 2005


h/t  BCF

Geert Wilders in Toronto

Some say you should live every day as if it were your last.  Geert Wilders has intimate knowledge of this viewpoint -  it's the reason the Dutch leader spends each day travelling with several bodyguards, and never sleeps in the same house two nights in a row.  Mr. Wilders appears to be a very brave man.  He's also a very thoughtful and intelligent politician. 
An unpopular stance regarding islam has made him a big target around the muslim world.  The International Free Press Society brought Geert Wilders to Canada to share with us his views on Free Speech in his home country, and what has happened to his countrymen as a result of the islamic invasion.

I had the pleasure of meeting Geert Wilders on May 9 in Toronto, and what I remember most about that meeting is how relaxed and personable this man who 'rides the tip of the spear' was, amongst a roomful of journalists, activists and admirerers.  Blazing Cat Fur, Kathy Shaidle, Barbara Amiel, Meir Weinstein of the JDL - this was not an event to miss!  Jonathan Kay wrote an insightful article that gives no quarter to those who accuse Mr. Wilders of racism or xenophobia.  Enjoy Geert Wilders full on, just as if you were there, a remarkable experience.  Ezra Levant provided a terrific interview with Mr. Wilders, on his Sun TV show The Source.

 I stopped by to visit the Ezra, (the man, the legend) at his shop - he's a terrific host, and I got a glimpse behind the scenes.  I got to meet and watch a well organized and dedicated Sun staff bring you the truth   .... Thanks Ezra!

Finally, a real highlight of the trip - lunch with the Toronto Press Club at the U of T Faculty Pub, with spirited and frank discussion of the event many of us had attended.  Hosted by the lovely Moira, I can recommend both the Seafood Cassarole and the Teriyaki Steak.  For an Alberta boy to recommend the steak at a pub in Toronto .  . ... well, it's gotta be good.  I'm looking forward to my next trip!

'The Economist' becomes a left wing rag

For those of you who see 'The Economist' as an in depth analysis of the world, look a little closer.  The May 7-13, 2011 issue (with Osama the dead terror-monkey on the cover) contains unsupported weak, leftist commentary in each of several successive articles.

To wit:
1.  In 'Now, kill his dream' - Bin Laden is referred to as 'A man who warped a faith', suggesting that islam isn't warped at all, it's just a victim of barbaric maniacs.  Yeah, right.
2.  In 'Nudge it along' - The West and Israel, for their own good, should encourage Palestinians (hamas & fatah) to get together.  They spout hope that hamas will change their blood thirsty ways during the beauty of the 'arab spring', that we should 'give unity a chance' as rejuvenated Egyptians may 'tease (the process) along'.  Good grief, they make it sound like a high school dance.
3.  In 'Harper leads into new territory' - The liberals are identified as 'a consensual centerist party with a dash of Euro social democracy' and identifies Quebec voting enmasse for NDP candidates with no talent or expectation of ever governing as people who 'now want to play a more constructive role in federal politics'.  Ha! That one made me almost fall off my chair.
4.  In 'Harper's champagne moment' our new prime minister is identified as 'a stiff, cold figure', and Iggy (the loser) as 'a writer and academic'.  They state that Harper is 'unlikely to curb carbon emissions . . . from Alberta, with it's carbon-belching tar sands' - then they follow up with the usual fear-mongering about a 'secret agenda' that we only ever hear from the liberal far-left.  It struck me funny that Harper actually IS an Economist, and 'The Economist' finds it difficult to say anything good about him.
5.  In 'Toddle to the top' they wail that in the US 'state pre-school spending has decreased almost $700 per child' - from 2001 - down to what still amounts to over $4000.00 for each 3 - 4 year old enrolled in pre-school.  For someone like me, who never sent any of his kids to frikkin' pre-school, I'm wondering where my share of this tax funded largesse for little liberals went.

The not-so-subtle liberal undertone is there in almost every single article, it's enough to make you open a window and hurl the magazine as far as you can - in my case not far, as the only reason I bought it was for something to read on the plane from Toronto.  Still, the couple coming home from Jamaica in the seats in front of me no doubt believe I'm cursed with Tourette's from the muttered expletives I expelled until I put the damn rag down.  When I found this Jokes about Economists link, I felt better.

Research shows conservatives’ value on personal autonomy make them less likely to be influenced by others

Just until I get the material from my Geert Wilders / Ezra Levant event organized, here's something to chew on . . ...
Research shows conservatives’ value on personal autonomy make them less likely to be influenced by others.

Well, Duh . ...
Meanwhile, liberal 'sheeple' tend to follow 'gaze clues' more easily - indicating that biology may play a significant role in whether someone is a conservative or conversely, unlikely to think for themselves.
*NB - For liberals who may find the whole article longer than they're attention span, here's a shorter version.

Not Everyone Loves Geert Wilders

Only days after after London, England was branded a major grooming city for Al-Qaeda, hundreds of Muslim protesters carrying placards proclaiming ‘Islam will dominate the world’, surrounded the US embassy in the U.K., branding US leaders ‘murderers’ and warning that vengeance attacks were ‘guaranteed’ for the killing of Osama bin Landen.

Now Geert Wilders, the  Dutch parliamentarian who has famously said that he does not hate Muslims but that he does hate Islam, will be speaking in Canada.  Dr Liyakat Takim, Sharjah Chair in Global Islam at McMaster University says, “I’m astonished he’s coming, to be honest.  This is not a discussion. He is spreading hatred toward Islam and his comments are nothing short of inflammatory."

Muslims are upset that Mr. Wilders has been invited by a 'private group', and that the event is 'closed'.  But wait a minute.

These muslims ignore the fact that their own 'private events' in mosques around the country every friday are 'closed' - and that recent Wikileaks evidence written by U.S. military chiefs, list the Al Sunnah Al Nabawiah mosque in Montreal among nine so called 'houses of prayer' worldwide considered as a place ‘Al Qaeda members were recruited, facilitated or trained’.  The classified documents claim the mosque’s former Imam and current Guantanamo inmate, Mohamedou Ould Salahi, was the leader of the Canadian-based Al Qaeda cell. 

Wow, if any event should be 'open', it should be Friday afternoons at the 'Al Noodles Mosque' in Montreal!

These muslims also ignore the fact that whenever events such as these, where the truth is spoken about islam by knowledgeable, front line patriots, you radical islamists shout them down and disrupt the event.  Here's a thought, if muslims want 'open discussion' on their ideology, let them invite speakers and hold their own events.  When Ann Coulter was in Calgary she was confronted by a member of the audience who, rather than ask a question, decided to start speaking at the mike instead.  Ann simply said, "If you have a question, ASK IT. If you want to make a speech, rent a room like I did, and make it there."

That's the way it works here, muslims.  I'll have a bar-b-que and invite my friends, and no matter what we're going to talk about, you're not invited.  The IFPS will rent a room and invite their friends, they'll talk about islam, and you're not invited.  Every Friday, you muslims all meet in your ideology and indoctrination hall, and  . ... Surprise!  We're all not invited.

Geert Wilders is going to speak at a private event, and I'm invited . . ... and I've gotta tell you - I'm thrilled.  You muslims are not, and that's OK here in Canada.  There's nothing wrong with what the IFPS is doing, in fact, there will be accredited journalists and videographers there - so it'll be a much more transparent and honest event then any of the meetings you hold every friday at mosque. 

In fact, frequently when video cameras are secretly used to record your muslim meetings, scandals follow.  Such as the 'Undercover Mosque' series. When cameras are secretly used to film your private schools, scandals follow.  Such as the 'Madrassa Beatings video.  I'd suggest you clean up your own backyard first, before you start telling your neighbors that the fence around their yard is too high.

This 'fence' around the IFPS event is just high enough, thank you.  It's what you would refer to here in Canada as 'regulation height'.  The restrictions on who can attend this event featuring Geert Wilders are very much like a fence - yes, they're designed to keep you out. 
Just like a bar-b-que in my own yard, just like the fence around Buckingham Palace, just like the fence around your mosque - the restrictions are designed to keep some people who aren't wanted from attending a legally sanctioned event being held on a piece of legally held private property.

OK, your feelings are hurt because you're not invited.  Tell me about it, brother!  I was deeply hurt that I wasn't invited to the Royal Wedding - I'm actually a fan of the Royal Family, and Ezra Levant pointed out last week on his show that the Monarchy provides a real stability that supports Western Democracy.  I just wanted to smile and wave, not disrupt the event like the the Muslims against Crusades.  But I understand the rules here in our western democracies, there's a fence, I'm not invited, that's it.

So, it's clear that I understand how you muslims feel, you're not invited, you're not welcome . . ... I get it.  Tell you what, if you ask me nicely, I'll send you a video link of the event.  I understand that if the Conservatives manage to pass Bill C-51 that I could be taking a big risk (up to 2 years in jail) by sending a hyperlink of what you whiners might consider a hate speech event - but I'm willing to take the chance.  Now, as the EDL would say in the UK, "Sod off"!

Making Sense with Nicholls: My Open Letter to Stephen Harper

Making Sense with Nicholls: My Open Letter to Stephen Harper:

Here's what you said about the HRC in 1999, "Human Rights Commissions as they are evolving are an attack on our fundamental freedoms and the basic existence of a democratic society ... it is in fact, totalitarianism."

Harper knows what the right thing to do is. Scrap election gag laws, end the Wheat Board monopoly, and get rid of both the gun registry and the HRC's.