Afghan man shot by a Canadian soldier at checkpoint

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 3/22/2006, 2:25 pm

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... ional/home

Some excerpts...

<i>Shortly after the March 14 shooting, Col. Doucette wrote an official letter of sympathy, which was delivered to Mr. Ali Hassan's widow by a senior member of the Afghan police service. Earlier this week, the Canadian government expressed its remorse in a more traditional Afghan way by spending $100 on a gift, a sheep.

As compensation for the shooting, the family said it wants to immigrate to Canada and to have the federal government to pay for educating Mr. Ali Hassan's six children.

In the weeks leading up to the shooting, Canadian troops had faced a variety of roadside improvised explosive attacks and suicide car bombings.

Soldiers are allowed to open fire if they legitimately believe they or their unit are in danger. </i>

The request for a 'free pass' to Canada and free education for the 6 kids has caused some heated water cooler discussions in my office. Just wondering if anyone here had some thoughts on this...

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 3/23/2006, 1:54 am

Well... their father WAS murdered. I don't think it's totally out of the question.

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 3/23/2006, 5:48 am

how many innocent people have been accidentally killed in Iraq? Should their families be given a free pass and a free education in the US and the UK and any other country that's fighting in Iraq?

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/23/2006, 9:00 am

Kathy14 wrote:how many innocent people have been accidentally killed in Iraq? Should their families be given a free pass and a free education in the US and the UK and any other country that's fighting in Iraq?

I don't think everyone of them should get a free pass. I'm sure there is some help out there but a free pass and free education for their 6 kids in Canada is a bit much.

Post by **saman** » 3/23/2006, 9:44 am

i think it's disgusting how the family is turning the death of the father into an opportunity for basically a cash grab. i know they're not actually asking for cold hard cash, but in south-east asia everyone's clambouring to come to the west, so the thought is still the same.

closeyoureyes · Post by **closeyoureyes** » 3/23/2006, 10:16 am

It's a tricky situation. I agree that they're cashgrabbing, but if the canadian military really did murder their father, don't we owe it to them? Especially since he was most likely the breadwinner, therefore without him they'll struggle immensely...

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/23/2006, 10:44 am

closeyoureyes wrote:It's a tricky situation. I agree that they're cashgrabbing, but if the canadian military really did murder their father, don't we owe it to them? Especially since he was most likely the breadwinner, therefore without him they'll struggle immensely...

I don't know if you can say they 'murdered' him. Yes he was killed by the military but in a war zone when he didn't stop as directed at a check point.

closeyoureyes · Post by **closeyoureyes** » 3/23/2006, 10:50 am

Yeah, murdered.

nikki4982 · Post by **nikki4982** » 3/23/2006, 11:24 am

Murder is murder. Warzone or not, they killed the kids' father.

closeyoureyes · Post by **closeyoureyes** » 3/23/2006, 11:37 am

I agree.

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/23/2006, 12:00 pm

I think calling it murder adds a premeditated and intentional tone. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was right that the man was killed.

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 3/23/2006, 12:18 pm

I'm not going to avoid using the word murder, call it whatever you want. But this is a warzone... you don't stop at a checkpoint you could get killed. We know that, they know that. Every day I read about Iraqis being killed and no one considers inviting their extended families to the USA and paying for their education. The Cdn military apologized publicly, met with the family, even gave them a goat which is a traditional offering.

I dunno... I think giving in to their wishes would be a dangerous precedent.

My colleague Anthony wrote a comment which got posted on the Globe site: "I guess they're not too mad at Canada for killing their father. If the Afghani army invaded Canada and shot my father, Afghanistan would be the last place on earth I'd want to emigrate to."

Dr. Hobo · Post by **Dr. Hobo** » 3/23/2006, 9:27 pm

saman wrote:i think it's disgusting how the family is turning the death of the father into an opportunity for basically a cash grab. i know they're not actually asking for cold hard cash, but in south-east asia everyone's clambouring to come to the west, so the thought is still the same.

i agree fully heh

happening fish · Post by **happening fish** » 3/24/2006, 1:22 am

interesting combination of clamour and clamber

Post by **faninor** » 3/24/2006, 2:27 am

It's only murder if it's unlawful. It seems that this wasn't... I'm assuming it was the Canadian soldier's job to make sure people stop at the checkpoint, forceably if they don't willingly.

Sure it's unfortunate, but the soldier surely had no way of knowing that it was just a friendly person who was in a hurry or something and didn't feel like stopping, and not someone getting ready to explode things.

It's like if I were to just walk into Area 51 and ignore the signs saying I'll be shot on sight.

Dr. Hobo · Post by **Dr. Hobo** » 3/24/2006, 2:54 am

faninor wrote:It's only murder if it's unlawful. It seems that this wasn't... I'm assuming it was the Canadian soldier's job to make sure people stop at the checkpoint, forceably if they don't willingly.

Sure it's unfortunate, but the soldier surely had no way of knowing that it was just a friendly person who was in a hurry or something and didn't feel like stopping, and not someone getting ready to explode things.

It's like if I were to just walk into Area 51 and ignore the signs saying I'll be shot on sight.

well put josh
you stole the words that wouldve been in my mouth had my brain been functioning most of the night :nod:

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » 3/24/2006, 5:47 am

Dr. Hobo wrote:you stole the words that wouldve been in my mouth had my brain been functioning most of the night

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/24/2006, 9:54 am

faninor wrote:It's only murder if it's unlawful. It seems that this wasn't... I'm assuming it was the Canadian soldier's job to make sure people stop at the checkpoint, forceably if they don't willingly.

Sure it's unfortunate, but the soldier surely had no way of knowing that it was just a friendly person who was in a hurry or something and didn't feel like stopping, and not someone getting ready to explode things.

It's like if I were to just walk into Area 51 and ignore the signs saying I'll be shot on sight.

Agreed!

starvingeyes · Post by **starvingeyes** » 3/30/2006, 7:20 pm

faninor wrote:It's only murder if it's unlawful. It seems that this wasn't... I'm assuming it was the Canadian soldier's job to make sure people stop at the checkpoint, forceably if they don't willingly.

Sure it's unfortunate, but the soldier surely had no way of knowing that it was just a friendly person who was in a hurry or something and didn't feel like stopping, and not someone getting ready to explode things.

It's like if I were to just walk into Area 51 and ignore the signs saying I'll be shot on sight.

sorry, are you saying all "lawful" violence is legitimate violence? are you sure you don't want to rethink that for a second?

think_about_it · Post by **think_about_it** » 3/30/2006, 7:53 pm

I don't think he said that 'lawful' violence is legitimate