Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

FELDSTED – Posturing doesn’t change the facts faced by families other than to raise hopes of compensation that may take years, or may not materialize


A ‘furious’ Justin Trudeau says Iran must conduct an open investigation into downing of Ukrainian jet ... this from a Prime Minister who stonewalled investigations into the SNC-Lavalin and Vice-Admiral Norman affairs!
The usual aircraft crash investigation is an exercise in futility. Iran has admitted to ‘mistakenly’ shooting down the aircraft with surface to air missiles. Painstakingly sorting through the debris to establish the cause of the crash is wasted time and effort.
How the ‘mistake’ was made is an Iranian affair, and the Prime Minister is dreaming if he thinks outside observers will be invited to participate in an internal military investigation.
There are treaties for compensation for crash victims of international airlines where the airline is found at fault but that would not apply in this case. The civil aviation act prohibits member nations from shooting down a civilian aircraft but does not address the compensation issue.

The families of victims have few legal recourses. Apparently, the Ukraine and Iran are engaged in negotiations for compensation for victim’s families.

Canada’s posturing on the issue does not change the facts faced by victim’s families other than to raise false hopes of compensation that may take years or may not materialize.


The notion that compensation will ease the sense of loss and grief overwhelming victim’s families, friends and loved ones is cynical. Each of us processes the sudden and unexpected loss of a loved one differently.
There is no magic elixir that can deal with lives turned topsy-turvy in an instant.

Grief shared is a temporary balm for those left bewildered, but then come months of rebuilding lives in a new and vastly different reality.
Canada needs to tone down the rhetoric, and focus on immediate needs of families ... such as assistance in identifying bodies and arranging for Canadian victims to be returned to their families as quickly as possible.

We don’t know what forensic facilities Iran has, and we have expertise that can help. DNA matching is complex but may be the only way to identify victims of a fiery crash; victim identification may require multi-national cooperation.

Angry accusations are not helpful.

John Feldsted
Political Commentator, Consultant & Strategist
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

PEATS: I am writing with a critical concern regarding the imminent closure of the Eljen Medical Clinic, a vital healthcare facility in our community

The following is a copy of a letter sent to me, which was sent to BC’s Minister of Health Adrian Dix. It is with regards to the impending closure of the Eljen Medical Clinic in Dawson Creek.   Dear Minister,   I am writing to you today with a critical concern regarding the imminent closure of the Eljen Medical Clinic, a vital healthcare facility in our community. The closure, scheduled for the summer of 2024, is a result of the utterly burdensome terms and conditions imposed by the bureaucratic Northern Health. As a result, Dawson Creek stands to lose four doctors who have made this city their home, and who wish to continue serving the people of our community.   The impending closure of the Eljen Medical Clinic is a significant blow to our city. Not only will it result in the loss of highly qualified and dedicated healthcare professionals, but it will also deprive thousands of Dawson Creek residents of access to their primary physicians. At a time when healthcare se

Selina Robinson: "You broke my heart . . ." (The Real Story)

The mildly Zionist, innocuously leftish and now ousted advanced education minister’s letter to her New Democratic Party caucus colleagues, explaining why she has resigned the caucus to sit as an independent. The letter is an historic document, an artifact of the disgraceful cultural moment we’re living through. It’s important. It’s also a scorcher. It’s gathering a heck of a lot of attention . I’m printing it in full here. I’ve been insisting that what happened to Robinson is a much bigger deal and a completely different story than the one we’d all been led to believe. The necessary background: My piece in the National Post: The despicable untruths behind Selina Robinson's political lynching . More importantly , a Real Story investigation: The Problem With The Selina Robinson Story. . . It wasn't true. What follows is the story of what really happened. Let’s just get into it. Apart from punctuation and spelling I replicate the letter faithfully, with some further comm

Poll finds ignorance regarding BC NDP decision to co-manage public lands with indigenous (Western Standard)

. . . . The poll allowed British Columbians to give weight to key priorities. More than half say that the respect for reconciliation and the leadership shown by the government in including indigenous partners in decisions are both important to them. That said, concerns about further complicating resource development (which already necessitates the consideration of indigenous peoples' interests in relevant regions) and economic risks, are equally weighted by the population. ARI also found there is a sense the consultation timeline has been rushed. One-quarter (26%) say the current timeline offered by the government is acceptable. But more disagree, including half (48%) who want to see more consultation, extending deliberations into the fall or later this year, and one-quarter (27%) who want to kill the proposed changes entirely . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

Labels

Show more