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Originally Posted by valo403
Where's the moral panic? The only thing resembling morality arguments I've seen has come from opposition to this.
In this thread I've seen Jolinar come up with numbers and a legitimate argument, and I've seen you dismiss them without any basis. I'm not entirely sold one way or the other on this, I hate having to deal with getting visas to travel, but I've only heard one supported argument so far. You've made a good point about excessive bureaucracy, but I've seen that point countered by a supported argument. If it comes back to a lack of need for these measures I'd ask you what the alternative is. Do we simply allow abuse of the system? Turn a blind eye to the glaring fact that it is occurring? Do we let it go on for a while and then only react when we realize it's a pressing issue? Isn't it better to be proactive? If these measures are overkill what's the more effective solution?
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You mean the numbers that Jolinar made up? That was pretty compelling, I agree. Until you realize that he doubled the number of Mexican asylum seekers and then invented imaginary costs for the rest of the numbers based on inside information that only he has but which can't be verified by the rest of us.
If you don't think the arguments being made in favour of this have the flavour and feel of a moral panic, then I respectfully disagree. You can package moral panics in all sorts of rhetoric, but if you don't think this has anything to do with the political rhetoric of nativism that is currently favoured by the Conservatives... well, let's just say that once again I respectfully disagree.
As for the heretofore hypothetical international effects, we're already seeing them--and it's getting a little chilly out there:
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, the Czech Republic reacted strongly, with Foreign Minister Jan Kohout calling the action unprecedented against a European Union member and a war ally in Afghanistan. Kohout indicated to The Associated Press that the Czechs are likely to impose visa requirements on Canadians travelling to the country.
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http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/...s-refugee.html
Also, for those who claim that there will be no administrative headache (see link above):
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The department said it is working to increase its visa processing capacity in Mexico City, but the sudden imposition of the requirement will mean short-term delays in travel as resources are put in place.
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I sure hope this is worth it!
In any case, here's a "supported" argument for you. If instituting a visa requirement makes it harder to seek asylum, why not lift the visa requirement for those nations that according to Kenney have more "legitimate" asylum claimants?
The Czechs, meanwhile, have recalled their ambassador. Yeah, they're not upset at ALL.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/...as-mexico.html
Note also that the EU is entering the fray, since this restriction affects an EU member.
Great idea, Kenney.
