Stand on Guard

This morning, the RCMP announced the arrest of 12 suspects in connection with planned terrorist activities in the GTA. They had apparently tried to acquire 3 t of ammonium nitrate. Assistant Commissioner Mike McDonell noted that only 1 t of the explosive had been used in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which killed 168 people and was at the time the deadliest terrorist attack on U. S. soil.

While the guilt of these individuals must still be determined by the criminal justice system, these arrests should remind all North Americans why we are fighting in Afghanistan. Canada is not immune to terrorist strikes and must act intelligently to ensure that the threat thereof is minimized to the greatest extent possible. This means defeating existing terrorists, addressing the root causes of terrorism and being vigilant at home while not subjugating the civil liberties we enjoy that distinguish our Nations from the terrorists we are fighting. The Mounties "always get their man" and today they honorably upheld this proud tradition, for which all North Americans should be grateful.