The Very Height of Naivety

A number of pundits and op-ed types have denounced Canada's decision to stay out of the United States' idiotic ballistic missile defence (BMD) program. My opinion on this program has been expounded elsewhere in this blog. That being the case, I'll spare you all the reasons why the whole program is a waste of time, trusting that you can read up on that yourself. Instead I want to discuss why some have come out against Canada's decision. Specifically, they say that Canada is giving up an opportunity to have a "seat at the table." In other words, Canada will not be consulted over the use of the BMD system over Canada's airspace. Perpetual pain-in-the-ass Paul Cellucci has said that Canada is giving up sovereignty over its airspace by opting out of BMD.

Now let me kindly explain why all the above is utter bullshit. Does anyone really think, for even a second, that the Americans would actually care what Canada said even if we were "consulted" at some seat at the BMD table? Do you really think that the manic unilateralists now in charge would have the remotest urge to listen to us? No, they would do what they wanted, regardless of our wishes. Our seat at the table would be nothing more than a symbolic place. Anyone who thinks that Canada's promised so-called seat at the table would give us any say at all is delusional. If anything, by opting out at least we are making it plain that we'd have no say in this system, which is the case regardless of whether Ottawa signed on or not.