Letters to the Editor column

The Winnipeg Sun
Mon Dec 14 2009
Page: 12
Section: Editorial/Opinion
Column: Letters to the Editor

WORN OUT HIS WELCOME 

Re: ‘Witch hunt punishes wrong ones,’ Peter Worthington, Dec. 9.

The Sun does its readers a disservice by presenting the case against Helmut Oberlander as a “witch hunt”. The term suggests that the government is motivated by something other than justice in its efforts to take from Oberlander the privilege of citizenship and remove him from Canada. To be clear, this is a serious matter and it is proper that the courts be fully engaged in the outcome, but Oberlander’s membership in a Nazi mobile killing unit responsible for the murder of more than 90,000 Jews is also a serious matter.

The federal court’s order that the cabinet re-assess its decision reflects the importance of due process, but perhaps only in the mind of Worthington can it be interpreted to mean “back off and leave the guy alone.” In February 2000, the federal court determined that Oberlander had lied or misrepresented his war-time activities in order to gain entry to Canada. Enough time has passed. Oberlander has long since worn out his welcome.

It is time for him to go.

LEN RUDNER

ONTARIO — CANADIAN JEWISH CONGRESS