PM Harper started out strong with his visit to Afghanistan. Finally the troops were getting the equipment and support they needed and deserved. Canadians came out to Red Fridays to show their support, people began actively displaying their support for our troops for the first time in decades, the Highway of Heroes is a prime example of grass roots support, which thankfully is still going strong.
Then, it all fizzled. When is the last time that the Prime Minister has visited Afghanistan? I can't remember. All we hear now is that the mission will end in 2012. What a slap to the faces of our men and women who have poured their hearts, souls and in 146 cases their lives into our mission in Afghanistan. I am sickened by the opposition dictating to Parliament that our mission must end, but I am also just as disappointed with the Conservatives for not fighting it harder. Remember that the government DOES NOT have to consult Parliament on matters of national security, so if the government wanted to they could extend the mission.
I know Quebec doesn't support the mission, but they didn't support WWII either, so why are the Conservatives letting them have more power than they deserve? It's become all about votes, and that saddens me. Our troops should never be used as political pawns. The opposition has made them a political target, and the Conservatives are doing nothing to stand up for our troops.
The Conservatives distinguished themselves with their support for our troops early on, and the plans for the Arctic met with great support, but that has all fizzled, they are now no different than the opposition. They are so intent on winning a majority that they have forgotten what got them into power in the first place.
I am strongly supportive of our military, and I feel the Conservatives have abandoned them, I wonder how much more betrayed the people in the military feel. The opposition has been pounding our military for political gain, this is backfiring on them. Canadians are patriotic. We might not show it, but it is deeply ingrained in our identity.
I want the Conservatives to come out in support of our troops again. I do not want Canada to abandon the women and children of Afghanistan. I do not want us to cut and run. I do not want us to retreat like the opposition and Quebec want. Winning votes in Quebec is not worth it. Our troops have been in the toughest part of Afghanistan for years, and they have been making progress, now we are telling them that because it is not politically expedient, they must give up. It sucks. It makes my stomach churn with disgust. Disgust at all political parties, who are making our military a political target.
Our people in the military are human beings, not robots. They have families who love them, they have feelings. The opposition have done their best to smear them, and they are not allowed to fight back. It is up to us to show our support. Why isn't our government fighting for them anymore? Why are they allowing the opposition and media to define the issue? Maybe they should show Canadians the human side of our troops, like this video:
Maybe Conservative MP's should get back to their roots, and get the stale, poisoned Ottawa air out of their heads.
8 comments:
Stephen Harper last visited Afghanistan a year ago this month.
"Our troops should never be used as political pawns."
They always have been,in every regime that ever held power, it's just that History expunges that part out of the books.
We're led to believe the soldiers marched off to every war with the blessings and love of our politicians, but usually about twenty years or so after the fighting's done,the truth starts to emerge,and it usually disappoints.
Most politicians, not all, but MOST, come from a different class than the people who serve in the military,and they simply aren't comfortable in their company. Pols love to laud "our brave boys" but consider them a necessary "evil", for want of a better term.
Politicians look on soldiers the same way the members of the arts and theatre groups looked at the jocks,back in our college days.
I come from a military family,and have always supported the soldiers, but often NOT the politicians who sent them off to war. Four family members currently serve in the Canadian Forces,two have done tours in Afghanistan.
Can anyone from any soldiers family tell me they admired the way Chretien sent our troops off to Afghanistan,in the wrong camo uniforms,and having to hitch a ride with other Countries' Forces?
And arrived there with no air support because Chretien cancelled the helicopter contract?
Our soldiers have acquitted themselves very well in Afghanistan, as they have everywhere they've served, and I DO NOT understand the Opposition's relentless attack on them!
The "detainee" issue is a disgrace to both the NDP and the Liberal Parties! It would be called "treason" in another time.
The mission is supposed to end in 2011,next year. The politicians involved in Afghanistan, from all Countries involved in the war, have no empathy with the soldiers, and no stomach for fighting a war TO WIN.
The current crop of politicians whether from Canada,the U.S.,Britain, or any other European Country, will not support the soldiers in doing the job they have to do. They'll send them there with one hand tied behind their back, and charge them with crimes for any activity that wouldn't be acceptable at the Toronto Lawn Bowling and Tennis Club.
And OUR kids in uniform will die trying to do their jobs for these bastards under those conditions!
War: I'm all for it,IF we let our soldiers fight the f***ing thing the way they MUST to WIN!
But if we won't let them do the dirty work, then bring 'em home in 2011, and we can listen to the pols lie about how they supported them "over there".
DMorris
To be honest, Hunter, I want our troops home yesterday. Too many Canadian lives have been lost and for what? The people of Afghanistan must also fight for their country but it seems that the fight for democracy in that country just isn't gaining any ground - as well as having a corrupt government and an economy dependent on the poppy trade. I may be a minority among Conservatives, but I never supported our efforts in Afghanistan.
Hunter, I disagree that the Conservatives did not "fight it " harder, i.e. the mission ending in 2011.
The Conservatives and the Liberals agreed to a resolution (March 2008) ending the combat mission in 2011.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/revised-motion-afghanistan.html
Notice that the resolution was passed prior to the Afghan detainee issue.
I believe the PM has been disillusioned by several factors:
• The increasing number of CF casualties & injuries. He has to phone the family to tell them about their loved one's death.
• The lack of active cooperation from NATO partners, with their caveats that prevent them from engaging in a more active (combat) role.
• The increasing rumours of scandal involving the Karzai government.
• The mounting cost, with sometimes questionable results -- at least, that's the impression one gets from the few reports that trickle out to the general public.
• The increased opposition to the mission among the Canadian population, even among supposedly conservative radio-talk show hosts, who now question the cost versus the apparent poor results (increasing violence).
I support the mission only insofar as our government supports it. Personally, I thought it was a monumental mistake for the US to get into the Iraq War, and to retaliate for the 9/11 attack by launching a war against Afghanistan.
Perhaps I've watched far too many movies and TV shows like The Unit where the power of Special Forces is used to ferret out the enemy. That's what I envisaged for getting that sob Bin Laden.
Ideally, yes, I would like to see the people of Afghanistan get help to come into at least the 19th century, never mind the 21st. But they don't seem to want our help to help themselves.
Unfortunately, our form of government, our democracy, is not necessarily an easily exportable commodity. So, I'm looking forward to our mission's end.
The Liberals, NDP and Bloc voted against the extending the mission.
A small group broke away from Dion to undermine his leadership and adopt the Manley recommendations.
The opposition hijacked the Special Committee on Afghanistan that was to discuss exit, aid etc.
They have spent years suggesting our military, government, were aware, and covering up details of torture.
I will say this again, Canadians have a very clear choice in the next election.
Punish the coalition parties and support the military, civil servants who they have attacked relentlessly.
I agree that the mission should be extended, but if public opinion has shifted against the war, I don't see the PM having much choice in the matter. It is a minority government.
"Support Our Troops." Used early in the invasion and occupation of Iraq as a counter to the growing anti-war movement, this patriotic slogan has since undergone a metamorphosis. As the scores of mentally disturbed soldiers return from the battle fields to their home-towns and try to re-integrate into society, their friends and families are learning that no amount of support can ever heal the psychological wounds that soldiers suffer. I invite you to my political discussion blog: http://pltcldscsn.blogspot.com/
these are our soldiers doing their jobs!!!
Why are our useless,gutless M P s bitch'n about prisoners of WAR? This war folks, let my boys do their JOBS! Voting commie next time thanks to you weak human beings!
Post a Comment