REDEEMING THE MAPLE LEAF:

Rain can't halt pro-U.S. rally on the Hill: 4,000 gather to support Iraq operation (Paula McCooey, March 30, 2003, The Ottawa Citizen)

Supporters of the war in Iraq grabbed their opportunity yesterday to voice their approval of the U.S.-led coalition forces' efforts to remove Saddam Hussein from office and liberate the Iraqi people, while a smaller crowd rallied for peace outside the U.S. Embassy.

Nearly 4,000 supporters of the U.S. and coalition forces weathered the rain to relay their opposition to Prime Minister Jean Chretien's decision to exclude Canada from the 45 nations listed as allies.

Signs piercing the sea of red, white, and blue read "God Bless America" and "Shame to Chretien."

The ralliers, many of them more senior than their "peace" opponents, stood before the Peace Tower to hear words that validate their convictions.

"We have to stand by the people of operation Iraqi Freedom," Debbie Jodoin told the crowd.

Ms. Jodoin, a member of an anti-Liberal group "Free Dominion," organized the rally. Strong backers of Free Dominion and the pro-war rally included members of the Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties, as well as personalities such as CFRA talk show host Lowell Green.

Mr. Green stood with his hand on a boy's shoulder in front of the soaked crowd.

"I want to introduce to you to Ahmed," he said, as the crowd cheered.

"Ahmed is an Iraqi who had to flee his own country. And with God's will and the allies of the coalition, Ahmed may soon be able to go back to his own land and live in freedom."

The ralliers responded by yelling "free Ahmed."

Ontario Conservative Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Gary Guzzo said speakers and citizens alike were standing on the parliamentary lawn to differentiate "what is right and what is wrong in this world."

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the coalition forces who are today in danger, protecting our freedom, and our thoughts and prayers are more importantly with the captured soldiers and we hope and pray for their safe return," Mr. Guzzo said, emphasizing his approval of Ontario Premier Ernie Eves' and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein's support of the war.

Thank goodness...Mr. Martinovich had to be feeling lonely. Posted by Orrin Judd at March 30, 2003 9:44 AM