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Dear Mary Elizabeth Stearns,
Just like you, I've already sent my on-line fax from ceasefire.ca directly to Prime Minister
Chr�tien, expressing my concern about Canada's involvement in the U.S.
national missile defence system.
I'm also asking thousands of Canadians to join me. I hope you'll do
the same: forward this letter to at least three of your friends, family
members, and those on your favourite e-mail list. Let's ask them to get
involved.
Let them know they can go to ceasefire.ca to send their own on-line fax
opposing Star Wars directly to the Prime Minister.
I'm doing this because as a journalist it's my role to provide my
audience with information so they can participate in debates and make
informed decisions. As a citizen, I believe it's vital that we all
participate in the decision making to ensure our government is acting on
our behalf.
As Canadians we need to fully understand the potential dangers of
the national missile defence program. The Union of Concerned Scientists
calls the missile defence proposal "misguided and irresponsible." I
agree.
It's unproven technology. It's extremely costly. And, most
disturbing, it's potentially destabilizing.
The computer control system is so complex that, like any new
computer program, it will be filled with "bugs." Many computer people
believe the technology simply can't work 100 per cent of the time - which
is what it has to do if it is to be of any use.
The system is beyond human control. The response time is literally
measured in fractions of a second. That means real people can't weigh the
consequences before unleashing the defence. This is madness.
President George W. Bush's priorities are upside down. Military
research and expansion are his first priorities; that's why missile
defence is at the top of his list.
A complex technology like the missile defence shield is not going
to give us the security we need. So long as there are enormous inequities
in wealth and power in the world, there will continue to be resentment and
hatred, which are the breeding ground of insecurity and even
terrorism.
Instead of missile defence, we have to promote security by creating
a fairer and more sustainable world for everyone.
Our government's priorities need to be our human and environmental
security. Straightforward values like public and environmental health must
rightfully be at the top of any government's agenda.
Even countering nuclear weapons with Star Wars makes little sense.
It would make more sense to rid the world of nuclear weapons. And this
could be a reality if the United States wanted to get rid of nuclear
weapons.
This is where Canada has played a role in the past, and we can
continue to do so. I hope our government re-ignites its fervour to push
for nuclear disarmament, just as we worked for the banning of land
mines.
The U.S. missile defence system could irreversibly undermine world
security. Canada should not participate in this dangerous scheme.
We all have a stake in our government's actions - that's why it's
so important that we understand how missile defence affects Canada. It's
also crucial for us to participate in the decision making.
If you've already sent your on-line fax then there's just one more
thing to do right now:
Send this letter to at least three of your friends, family members,
and those on your favourite e-mail list. Ask them to get involved, or
simply direct them to ceasefire.ca,
where they can get more information and send their very own letter
opposing Star Wars to Prime Minister Chr�tien.
I've sent my letter to the Prime Minister and I've informed
thousands of my friends. I hope you'll join me.
Sincerely yours,
David Suzuki
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