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6 Independent & Free Press,Thursday, August 4, 2011 OPINION Kick 'em out There is just no pleasing some people. Recently, during a press conference at Pearson International Airport, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews asked for the public's help in finding 30 suspected international war criminals he says are hiding here after entering the country illegally. Since the government issued that dramatic appeal, five of the 30 have been apprehended and there have been 115 calls to the Canadian Border Service Agency's snitch line-- a number that has even suprised Toews. In nearby Mississauga, a sharp-eyed off-duty police officer spotted 42-year-old Arshad Muhammad as the suspect was shopping at the Factory Tile Depot on The Queensway E. Muhammad is allegedly linked to a Muslim group responsible for terror attacks in Pakistan. Immigration lawyers and some members of the media have criticized the federal government for going public with their efforts to track down suspected war criminals. Critics, including Amnesty International, say the move undermines the idea that people in Canada are innocent until proven guilty. They say the feds are using immigration law to bypass the criminal courts. The Public Safety Minister says war criminals have managed for too long to "blend into a trusting and welcoming Canadian society." We agree. The 30 suspects are named on international warrants and each of them is here illegally. It's neither our duty nor responsibility to afford them due process. Rather, it's our duty and responsibility to remove them-- and the possible threat they pose-- from our midst. 905-873-0301 Publisher: Ken Nugent General manager: Steve Foreman (sforeman@theifp.ca) Retail advertising manager: Cindi Campbell (ccampbell@theifp.ca) Managing editor: John McGhie (jmcghie@theifp.ca) Distribution manager: Nancy Geissler (ngeissler@theifp.ca) Classifieds Kristie Pells (classified@theifp.ca) Accounting Rose Marie Gauthier Editorial Cynthia Gamble: News editor (cgamble@theifp.ca) Ted Brown: Photography (tbrown@theifp.ca) Lisa Tallyn: Staff writer (ltallyn@theifp.ca) Eamonn Maher: Staff writer/sports (emaher@theifp.ca) Letters policy Letters must include an address and daytime phone number. Anonymous letters will not be published. Letters should not exceed 150 words and may be edited for content and/or length. Publication is not guaranteed. Email: jmcghie@theifp.ca Steve Nease Mail or drop off: Independent & Free Press, 280 Guelph St., Unit 29, Georgetown, ON., L7G 4B1. Letters to the editor Project was a chance for a little `payback' Dear editor, As a followup to Shannon Speer's letter of July 7, I would like to thank Shannon for her kind words, and for the opportunity to contribute in a small way to the wonderful project she dreamed of and spearheaded. The Glen Williams Public School Diversity Mosaic does indeed represent the spirit of connectedness in this great town of ours! I would also like to personally thank the Potters and Sculptors Guild of the Credit Valley Artisans (CVA). This is a local group of clay-inspired mud lovers who didn't hesitate to offer the use of their kilns to fire the tiles. I am particularly fond of these folks, as the courses and encouragement offered by this guild gave me my start in clay back in 1997. The CVA has been responsible for nurturing the arts in Georgetown since 1975, when the Recreation and Parks Department offered them the use of a small cottage in Cedarvale Park. Since then the `Cottage', as it is affectionately known, has remained home to four groups working in stained glass, hand weaving and spinning, painting and drawing, and of course potting and sculpting. Most artists work in isolation at their chosen craft. The CVA provides the opportunity for artists to benefit from contact with their peers, share space to work and equipment. Throughout the year, the CVA organizes art classes and workshops for the Georgetown community, mounts art shows and holds bi-annual sales at the Cottage. If you would like to know more about the CVA, you can visit their website at www.creditvalleyartisans.ca Myself and others like me have benefitted from the support of the local creative and arts community. This project seemed like a good chance for me to pay a little bit back. Thank you Shannon, and the Glen Williams Public School! Carolyn Filter, Georgetown celled but they had to deal with the food that had been donated to them. ALS walk organizers did a quick turnaround and thought of their local food bank, the Georgetown Bread Basket. They delivered a huge amount of food to the GBB that was to be given to the participants. All in all, despite the unfortunate circumstances, they managed to put a positive spin on the situation. On behalf of our clients, we thank you. Maryse Mallet-Sinnis, Media co-ordinator, Georgetown Bread Basket WEB POLL RESULTS (Go to www.independentfreepress.com) When Halton Region announces restrictions on water use do you adhere to them (i.e. watering lawns on even/odd days)? · Always (65%) · Never (21%) · Sometimes (14%) Dale is a gem Dear editor, I want to let the executives of Georgetown's Food Basics know that their employee Dale is appreciated by the people who shop at their store. I have seen him many times going out of his way to help people load and unload their groceries from the carts. I hope management appreciates the quality of service that he gives. Herman Star, Erin GBB benefactors Dear editor, As a result of horrendous weather conditions, this year's walk for ALS had to be cancelled. Not only was their event can- The Independent & Free Press The Independent & Free Press is published Tuesday and Thursday and is one of several Metroland Media Group Ltd. community newspapers. Editorial and advertising content of The Independent & Free Press is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited.