Afghanistan: Where's Jack Layton?
Posted on Wednesday, March 15 at 09:13 by Eleanor
We want someone to point out what the consequences to Canada are likely to be of our slavish carrying-out of US policy of world domination.
Consequences like:
- 20 years of quagmire,
- depletion of our national treasury, and loss of social programmes,
- thousands of casualties - killed, maimed, injured, traumatized, and bereaved,
- plus the casualties of terrorist attacks on Canada because of our foolhardy actions over there (we are making terrorism MORE likely, not less),
- the probability of being drawn into war against IRAN if the US goes ahead with its plans to attack that country,
- militarization of our culture, loss of freedom of political discourse,
- loss of our social peace and civil liberties, fear directed against our Muslim minority,
- loss of Canada's good reputation and all of our traditional ideals.
For God's sake do something to RESIST the barrage of propaganda that's coming down! Do something now, while there's still time to get out.
And if you're worried about looking bad, Jack, please just remember the stand that Tommy Douglas took against the War Measures Act. It was not long at all before he was vindicated. And even if you it happened that you weren't - I hope that we're in politics to act according to principle.
Please offer Canadians some leadership on the Afghanistan tragedy. And do not delay.
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on March 15, 2006]
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Jack won't do anything because there won't be support in the Commons... just NDP and BQ that will vote (maybe) against the renewal of that UN contract. The NeoCons and the Liberals have the majority. These elected bodies are not representing Canadians, they represent their own interests and those of the big corporations that will benifit from the conflics... hell, even Tim Hortons is not making money off that war.
It is not up to Jack to do anything about it... it is up to us.
sorry!
Jack Layton is not your Daddy, and he can't save shit.
Where is he on Marc Emery? How much campaign money did the NDP get from Marc, from money that was made selling seeds, I'l bet?
Jack Layton is a piece of shit.
Stop voting for the 3 parties that are played by the same puppetmasters.
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"The more you read and learn, the less your adversary will know." --Sun Tzu
At the same time, there is no realistic chance of getting out before the end of the current 9 month obligation. Discussion needs to move to what we will do at the end of that obligation and why parliament doesn't have to approve wars.
Layton needs to be careful not be put in a position where Harper can successfully paint him as being unCanadian and not supporting the troops as well. That tactic was very successful for the Republicans and it is obvious that Harper is using it here. Not only that, but with the mainstream press, including Mansbridge and the CBC, acting as Harper's cheerleader, Layton has to be doubly careful.
His recent visit to Afghanistan was nothing than a Photo-op, and his speech to the troops, rehashed Republican rhetoric.
George Bush has used "cut and run" more times than "smoke 'em out of their holes"
I have been impressed of late with Pat Martin and really believe that the NDP could benefit from Harper's poor showing in the early days of his leadership. Forget the Liberals. They'll be grappling with the sponsorship scandal for months or even years.
Take a lead over the "not open for discussion" stance of Harper on the war, and either validate our involvement or bring our people home.
The best support any soldier can get is to get them the hell out of harms way, sent there on the whims of corrupt politicians. Especially, when they're being poisoned and killed by leftover DU dust covering tge countryside.
'
Ed Deak.
They really want to become, turn themselves into, or be absorbed by The Liberal Party of Canada. They are Liberals in a Social Democratic body, constantly suffering an identity crisis. Until the transformative final surgery, they don't want to rock the boat, or anyone to know what they really are. Nothing.
Sorry Jack, but it is most likely you folks will only get a bite out of the discarded remaining "progressive" rump, when the main "big business" body of the Martin Libs joins in an alliance with The Conservatives as the United Party of Pro-US Capitalism, of which Emerson is but the leading edge, and indicator of what is really to come.
The poor pathetic NDP. Always a bridesmaid and never a groom.
Better the remaining radical and progressive NDP elements of the Party give it up, face the fact they are riding a horse with no balls, that is really just an it, and get in common cause with other radical and progressive Canadians to create something not suffering such a bewildering political identity confusion.
Nice folks. Just really, really wishy washy and living in a pipe dream of "Liberal" respectability taking them by the hand and making a respectable woman out of them.
They have done what few here have or would do in any circumstance and to try to diminish any of their opinions diminishes us all. Ray, you embarrass me. You embarass us.
"it is a no brainer... I choose Peace and diplomatic solutions every day."
Well, yea. It is. Even the modern soldier prays for peace, but prepares for war.
"And to fall into the NeoCons retoric and Bush's attack first strategy is very brainless... It is very clear that OUR army is under US Command."
But Afghanistan was attack *second*. And that the US is in overall command is a given. But ever since WWI, our troops are commanded by our Generals. Even in Peacekeeping, our Generals are rarely in overall command.
"This is why they are under attack."
No, they are under attack because the Taliban won't give up their opressive regime easily.
"They act like the US Army and they find their actions acceptable... well, I don't! "
So, our soldiers torture prisoners? Don't think so. You may want to get some more actual info on that, rather than speculation and FUD.
"This is why they should be pulled out at the end of the term and sent to a real peacekeeping mission."
The end of the term is the day after Afghanistan can stand on it's own.
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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden