Suspending Credulity

Suspending Credulity

 Evan Dyer @EvanDyerCBC

• Khurram Sher trial about to begin under heavy security at Ontario Superior Court in Ottawa #cbcott #ottnews
• 
  February 10 at 10:57 AM

  Evan Dyer @EvanDyerCBC

  Sher is arraigned, pleads not guilty. Michael Edelson defending. Justice Hackland presiding. #cbcott #ottnews

Just kidding, folks. What's all the fuss about? Can't a fellow make a joke around here any more? Get a life, why don't you?

"He's talking about how to build bombs and mount attacks in North America. It's alarming isn't it?
"Here is a man who has sworn an oath to the Taliban and al-Qaeda, learned how to build bombs. Is that funny?
Crown prosecutor Jason Wakely

"It raises eyebrows."
Khurram Sher, accused

"You had a shared interest in geo-politics. True?"
"You communicated regularly about the Muslim community in foreign countries."
Crown prosecutor Jason Wakely

"Sure."
Khurram Sher

Incidental, coincidental, most unfortunate, miscommunication, and obviously misinterpreted. Completely innocent, in fact. Just a few casual friends having an animated "what if?" conversation, presaging nothing, just a way to blow off steam and have a few laughs. Why is everyone so serious about this. What's wrong with people? This is a free country, isn't it? Just exercising the right to free speech. Got it?

Federal Crown prosecutor Jason Wakely wanted to know from Khurram Sher who has taken the stand in his own defence -- because he is more than capable of defending himself from untoward, absurd and totally out-of-whack from reality charges --  that if he was aware he was in the company of a "dangerous, crazy, radical man", why he sat there companionably, adding to the conversation, inserting his own opinions and recommendations.

A conversation of some 70 minutes caught by an RCMP wiretap, heard as evidence in the Crown's case against Khurram Sher, father of three, accomplished medical professional with a high-charged, high-endowed position waiting for him, giving a completely erroneous impression far, far from reality. He, conspiring with two others to facilitate terrorist activity? Perish the thought. Or, if you think it, just forget about it.

The conversation between them was antic, they were kidding around, kibitzers all. And the $400 cash Sher forked over was meant to aid children living in Iraq. Definitely not to buy weapons for jihad. He was lied to. Not his fault. But he was reconciled to the latterly-realized impression that his money wasn't to be used for charity, after all. He was trusting, gullible. Going to hold that against him? A man who doesn't mind parting with money for charitable purposes? How much do you claim on your tax returns?

Oh, and loose talk about terrorizing successfully, making people who are 'the enemy' fearful ... "breaking the back of the enemy and taking them from underneath ... like they do to Israel"... well, so what? "Bombs on buses, that's how they put fear into the Israeli", Mr. Walkley repeated. So, he prodded and probed, when that casual conversation turned to violence why no effort to protest, doctor, Canadian citizen, university alumni?



"Why didn't you say 'Is this the same person you sent the money to for charity?" Well, again, all is not as it seems: "They said it went to the brothers. I was lied to It didn't go to the poor and needy."
Fine then: "Is it a fair description of what they tell you that the money is going to finance the Mujahedeen?" Tediously beyond comprehension, this repetitive line of interrogation: "It's a possibility. It sounds like it's not for a good purpose", Mr. Sher obligingly agreed.

And his friend, who had picked him up at his uncle's house where he was staying in Ottawa, en route to his new home and job in London, Ontario, and who said he was going to introduce him to someone 'interesting' ... "You never say 'What are you doing with this guy? He's crazy. Why did you introduce him to me?" Instead, in his state of fatigue and confusion, he left a gift of a Real Madrid soccer shirt for his friend, as a sign of their friendship and mutual regard.

During the cross examination, Mr. Sher affirmed that he and his friend had taken part in a letter-writing campaign to newspapers and politicians between 2006 and 2009 protesting the treatment of Muslims in international conflicts. Writing to the Montreal Gazette where Mr. Sher's home was then, to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, urging his cessation of "blind" support of Israel, slamming the "injustice" done by Israel to Palestinians.

Writing to American President Barack Obama for the return of Omar Khadr to Canada. It was the obvious imbalance of media coverage demonizing Islam that motivated Mr. Sher and his colleague. Free speech and all that, remember? Oh, and that dicussion between the three alleged terrorism conspirators related to training and surveillance at CFB Trenton.

Curiosity, simply that, no more. Wanting to "see if anyone bites", because of his growing suspicion of the other two men's possible ill intentions. No intended targets. No plan of attack. Back to square one. Innocent of all charges. Things are simply not as they seem to the suspicious minds of the RCMP, let alone the focused and determined legal mind of a Crown prosecutor.