No means no, sovereignty

Paul Martin's Liberals have declined the American's invitation to the missile defense system for North America. What does this mean? It means the NDP are thrilled and the Bloc have been assured they have a Liberal ear to whisper ideas into. What don't they seem to understand? The U.S. will continue to defend their airspace, and Canada's, should a threat be present. This means that Canada has declined a seat to the table where decisions are made to protect this country. The decisions will be still be made and threats will still be shot down, in Canada or the U.S. This position, influenced by so many anti-American, Liberal backbenchers, the NDP and the Bloc is surprising. These groups continue to position Canada as a nation that has it's own identity, makes it's own decisions and is tied together by 'institutions' like the CBC. When making points of a nation's unique identity and decision-making capabilities why would they influence a decision to release our sovereignty with respect to defense?