Mackenzie Institute
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mackenzie Institute for the Study of Terrorism, Revolution and Propaganda is a conservative think tank and policy institute 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 research papers on a wide variety of political matters, with a focus on terrorism, political extremism, warfare, and organized crime.[1] Its current executive director, John C. Thompson, often appears as a television contributor on terrorism and military issues.
The organization has published "dozens of papers, hundreds of lectures and thousands of media interviews around the world."[2] However, the Mackenzie Institute is most well-known for the negative media attention it has recieved. In 1994, the institute released a report detailing what it considered 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."[3] This claim was later disproven.
Director John Thompson drew criticism again in 2004 when he allegedly made disparaging remarks about Muslims and Arabs, referring to them as "uneducated," and asserting they, "live in poverty and have contributed nothing (to civilization)."
Several of the institute's members and contributors have been linked to extremist organizations. [1] [2][3] Thompson is alleged to have said the following in 2004, "The Arabs are uneducated; they live in poverty and have contributed nothing (to civilization)." [4]
[edit] References
- ^ Public Policy - Mackenzie Institute. Policy.ca (November 25 2005). Retrieved on November 16 2006.
- ^ About the Mackenzie Institute. Mackenzie Institute. Retrieved on November 15 2006.
- ^ Valpy, Michael. "It's A Plot, I Tell You, A Plot!", The Globe and Mail, July 20 1994. (in English)
- ^ Cockerill, Art. "An Open Letter to the Mackenzie Institute", 10 October 2004. Retrieved on November 15 2006.
