Mackenzie Institute: Difference between revisions
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The organization has published "dozens of papers, hundreds of lectures and thousands of media interviews around the world."<ref>{{cite web | title =About the Mackenzie Institute | publisher =Mackenzie Institute | url=http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/about.html | accessdate =November 15 2006}}</ref> In [[1994]], the institute released a report written by John Gunning, detailing what it described as the anti-police activities of the [[Law Union of Ontario]]. The report claimed that several [[judges]], Crown [[prosecutors]], and [[legal counsel]] for government agencies were [[Marxist]]s "determined to change society without our collective or informed consent." ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' journalist [[Michael Valpy]] ridiculed this report in his newspaper column, describing its author as a "tireless ideological warrior and under-the-bed searcher for leftist conspiracies".<ref>{{cite news | last =Valpy | first =Michael | title =It's A Plot, I Tell You, A Plot! | language =English | publisher =The Globe and Mail | date =July 20 1994 }}</ref> |
The organization has published "dozens of papers, hundreds of lectures and thousands of media interviews around the world."<ref>{{cite web | title =About the Mackenzie Institute | publisher =Mackenzie Institute | url=http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/about.html | accessdate =November 15 2006}}</ref> In [[1994]], the institute released a report written by John Gunning, detailing what it described as the anti-police activities of the [[Law Union of Ontario]]. The report claimed that several [[judges]], Crown [[prosecutors]], and [[legal counsel]] for government agencies were [[Marxist]]s "determined to change society without our collective or informed consent." ''[[Globe and Mail]]'' journalist [[Michael Valpy]] ridiculed this report in his newspaper column, describing its author as a "tireless ideological warrior and under-the-bed searcher for leftist conspiracies".<ref>{{cite news | last =Valpy | first =Michael | title =It's A Plot, I Tell You, A Plot! | language =English | publisher =The Globe and Mail | date =July 20 1994 }}</ref> |
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In 2005, the institute released a report entitled "Waiting for the Kaboom: Indicators to Watch for", described as a citizen's guide to finding terrorists. In this report, John C. Thompson encouraged Canadians to watch for theft of credentials and credit cards, attempts to buy weapons in bulk, increased visits to access tunnels under office towers, and large groups of men living together "for no apparent purpose". He also warned Canadians about people wearing bulky clothing in hot weather, arguing that suicide bombers sometimes wear several sets of underwear to protect their groins for the virgins they believe martyrs receive in the afterlife. These guidelines were welcomed by some law enforcement groups, but were also met with some criticism.<ref>Rob Faulkner, "Institute offers anti-terrorism tip sheet", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 10 August 2005, A6 |
In 2005, the institute released a report entitled "Waiting for the Kaboom: Indicators to Watch for", described as a citizen's guide to finding terrorists. In this report, John C. Thompson encouraged Canadians to watch for theft of credentials and credit cards, attempts to buy weapons in bulk, increased visits to access tunnels under office towers, and large groups of men living together "for no apparent purpose". He also warned Canadians about people wearing bulky clothing in hot weather, arguing that suicide bombers sometimes wear several sets of underwear to protect their groins for the virgins they believe martyrs receive in the afterlife. These guidelines were welcomed by some law enforcement groups, but were also met with some criticism.<ref>Rob Faulkner, "Institute offers anti-terrorism tip sheet", ''Hamilton Spectator'', 10 August 2005, A6.</ref> Canadian MP Joe Comartin described the report as "quite offensive, particularly to the Muslim community." <ref>[http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/381/snsn/evidence/ev2064417/snsnev25-e.htm#Int-1436100 38th Parliament, 1st session, |
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Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness], October 25, 2005. The Mackenzie Institute later issued a revised version of the report, under the new title "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack".<ref>[http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2005/precursors-attack.htm John C. Thompson, "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack"], Mackenzie Institute, current as of 20 March 2006, accessed 15 May 2007.</ref> |
Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness], October 25, 2005.</ref> Canada's [[Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (Canada)|Public Safety]] ministry declined to comment on the release.<ref>Stewart Bell, "Think-tank urges public to watch out for terrorists: 'Our turn is coming soon'", ''National Post'', 9 August 2005, A4.</ref> The Mackenzie Institute later issued a revised version of the report, under the new title "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack".<ref>[http://www.mackenzieinstitute.com/2005/precursors-attack.htm John C. Thompson, "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack"], Mackenzie Institute, current as of 20 March 2006, accessed 15 May 2007.</ref> |
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The Mackenzie Institute makes frequent comments on Canada's military mission in [[Afghanistan]], and supports increased funding for the Canadian military generally. In 2006, the ''[[National Post]]'' newspaper referred to the institute as a "defense and security think-tank".<ref>For instance, Lynda Hurst, "Deep well of Taliban fighters", ''Toronto Star'', 13 September 2006, A1 [Afghanistan]; Chris Wattie, "Canada's hollow army is 'short of everybody'", ''National Post'', 4 May 2006, A6 [funding].</ref> |
The Mackenzie Institute makes frequent comments on Canada's military mission in [[Afghanistan]], and supports increased funding for the Canadian military generally. In 2006, the ''[[National Post]]'' newspaper referred to the institute as a "defense and security think-tank".<ref>For instance, Lynda Hurst, "Deep well of Taliban fighters", ''Toronto Star'', 13 September 2006, A1 [Afghanistan]; Chris Wattie, "Canada's hollow army is 'short of everybody'", ''National Post'', 4 May 2006, A6 [funding].</ref> |
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Revision as of 17:52, 17 May 2007
The Mackenzie Institute for the Study of Terrorism, Revolution and Propaganda is a think tank in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1986 by former British Army Intelligence officer Dr. Maurice Tugwell, it is a non-profit organization that depends upon individual donors and charitable foundations. The institute publishes online research papers on a wide variety of political matters, with a focus on terrorism, political extremism, warfare, and organized crime.[1] Its mission is to "provide research and commentary on its subject matter, to promote informed public debate, and to hold to the proposition that our liberal democratic tradition must be safeguarded and fostered" It is also "concerned with the social and political stability of Canada, and works to enhance it when it can". The institute is named after Canadian explorer, Sir Alexander MacKenzie. [2] Its current executive director, John C. Thompson, often appears as a television contributor on terrorism and military issues.
Several newspaper reports have described the institute as a conservative or right-wing organization.[3] Thompson has repeatedly rejected this description, describing himself as a "classical liberal".[4] He has written, "if being a traditional liberal these days means being condemned as a right-wing nut, I plead guilty".[5]
The organization has published "dozens of papers, hundreds of lectures and thousands of media interviews around the world."[6] In 1994, the institute released a report written by John Gunning, detailing what it described as the anti-police activities of the Law Union of Ontario. The report claimed that several judges, Crown prosecutors, and legal counsel for government agencies were Marxists "determined to change society without our collective or informed consent." Globe and Mail journalist Michael Valpy ridiculed this report in his newspaper column, describing its author as a "tireless ideological warrior and under-the-bed searcher for leftist conspiracies".[7]
In 2005, the institute released a report entitled "Waiting for the Kaboom: Indicators to Watch for", described as a citizen's guide to finding terrorists. In this report, John C. Thompson encouraged Canadians to watch for theft of credentials and credit cards, attempts to buy weapons in bulk, increased visits to access tunnels under office towers, and large groups of men living together "for no apparent purpose". He also warned Canadians about people wearing bulky clothing in hot weather, arguing that suicide bombers sometimes wear several sets of underwear to protect their groins for the virgins they believe martyrs receive in the afterlife. These guidelines were welcomed by some law enforcement groups, but were also met with some criticism.[8] Canadian MP Joe Comartin described the report as "quite offensive, particularly to the Muslim community." [9] Canada's Public Safety ministry declined to comment on the release.[10] The Mackenzie Institute later issued a revised version of the report, under the new title "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack".[11]
The Mackenzie Institute makes frequent comments on Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, and supports increased funding for the Canadian military generally. In 2006, the National Post newspaper referred to the institute as a "defense and security think-tank".[12]
References
- ^ "Public Policy - Mackenzie Institute". Policy.ca. November 25 2005. Retrieved November 16 2006.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=and|date=(help) - ^ "The Mackenzie Institute". Mackenzie Institute. Retrieved May 14 2007.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Michael Doxtater, "How the Mohawks look at history", Globe and Mail, 11 July 1991, A17; "Mail bombs spark public warning", Kitchener-Waterloo Record, 20 July 1995, A3; Geoff Baker, "Who's behind mail-bomb plot?", Toronto Star, 30 July 1995, A2; "Tamils protest paper's story", Toronto Star, 13 February 2000, p. 1; Rob Faulkner, "Institute offers anti-terrorism tip sheet", Hamilton Spectator, 10 August 2005, A6.
- ^ John Thompson, "Defending the institute", Globe and Mail, 23 July 1991, A14.
- ^ John Thompson, "The liberal view", Globe and Mail, 29 July 1994, A16. See also " Murray Campbell, "Wonks", Globe and Mail, 2 December 1995, D1.
- ^ "About the Mackenzie Institute". Mackenzie Institute. Retrieved November 15 2006.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ Valpy, Michael (July 20 1994). "It's A Plot, I Tell You, A Plot!". The Globe and Mail.
{{cite news}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - ^ Rob Faulkner, "Institute offers anti-terrorism tip sheet", Hamilton Spectator, 10 August 2005, A6.
- ^ [http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/Content/HOC/committee/381/snsn/evidence/ev2064417/snsnev25-e.htm#Int-1436100 38th Parliament, 1st session, Subcommittee on Public Safety and National Security of the Standing Committee on Justice, Human Rights, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness], October 25, 2005.
- ^ Stewart Bell, "Think-tank urges public to watch out for terrorists: 'Our turn is coming soon'", National Post, 9 August 2005, A4.
- ^ John C. Thompson, "Precursors of Hostile Intent: Signs of a Potential Terrorist Attack", Mackenzie Institute, current as of 20 March 2006, accessed 15 May 2007.
- ^ For instance, Lynda Hurst, "Deep well of Taliban fighters", Toronto Star, 13 September 2006, A1 [Afghanistan]; Chris Wattie, "Canada's hollow army is 'short of everybody'", National Post, 4 May 2006, A6 [funding].