Q: What do you think about wavering public support for Canadian troops overseas?
A: "Canadian support has never really been that strong, in my experience. There's quite a bit of confusion as well as to what's going on over there and what we're doing.
"The Canadian public in general is a lot more isolated than in most countries.
"We tend to think that we can just sit back. I think part of that is because we have the U.S. below us and two oceans beside us - but you can't just stand back and let other countries like Afghanistan or countries in Africa just rot. "You've got to get out there and help. "I think it's important that [the public] understands what the military is doing over there and that they make informed, educated decisions."
Q: Do you have any fears or reservations about joining an overseas tour?
A: "I think anybody would be nervous, but that's part of the job. I think any soldier who volunteers to go over there has to take a serious look at himself before he volunteers, that's for sure."
Master-Cpl.
Bonnie Stefanov
Canadian Scottish Regiment
Q: Why did you volunteer for Task Force 2007?
A: "I think it would be a really good experience to go over and do that - a chance to actually go out an do something to maybe help rebuild communities, see what it's like to see something other than Canada."
Q: What do you think Canada's role is overseas?
A: "That's totally not my call. I'm in this to do my part."
Q: What do you think about wavering public support for Canadian troops overseas?
A: "If the people don't support it, there's nothing really I can do about that. I'll go where I'm sent. I have the support of those around me and that's all that truly matters to me."
Q: Do you have any fears or reservations about joining an overseas tour?
A: "There's risks. I hope nothing happens to anybody I know, but there's risks. What are you going to do?"
http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=15&cat=23&id=611414&more=
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on March 21, 2006]
Note: http://www.kamloopsthis...
OUR SOLDIERS IN THEIR OWN WORDS
Posted on Monday, March 20 at 10:19 by AnonymousContributed By
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and i speak as an ex military engineer ,that was asked to leave, because i voiced my opinions,all the time and as i was told,"tow the line or get out"."YOU ARE HERE TO SERVE,DO YOUR DUTIES AS ORDERED,RIGHT OR WRONG,UNQUESTIONED".
as a civilian,i can say without hesitation,whatever you hear,will be drivel,sanctioned by the boys uptop,the old boys club,and this is a CLUB like no other.
We need to support them, as they are not the enemy. But in supporting our troops we need to make sure that where they are sent is in Canada's best interest. That they are under Canadian command, and that what they are doing reflects Canadian values, not the upper crust, but the people of Canada. They are our military and our sons and daughters, sister and brothers, husbands and wives and when they come home broken it is we who will live with them and their horrors, or in some cases we will learn to live without them. To say it is worth the sacrifice, when it is someone else life you are offering as the sacrifice, is irresponsible, without all the facts.
If there are other alternatives that is what we should be exploring. Can we stop the munitions flow, can we stop the funding? Can we find out who is backing the insurgents and stop their supplies? We need debate and we need full disclosure before we follow blindly into war. War must always be the last resort, and at present it seems to be first choice and that is not progress. Using military people who are sworn to uphold the 'party line' is exploitive. What else is a person going to say? There job is on the line.
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If I stand for my country today...will my country be here to stand for me tomorrow?
do not send our soldiers into harms way for false prophets to glorify themselves.
they were not sent by us,they were hijacked by rogue politicians ,with an agenda not known to us.
they are our PROTECTORS not your THUGS...
I find it extremely disquieting that a major result of the "liberation" of Afghanistan has been the resurrection of the warlords as a major force in Afghan life (they sit in government), AND a resurgence in poppy growing. Yet, the only news we hear is how we must suppress the Pashtun Tribes, the Taliban, and Al Queda.
While I am in full support of the Canadian military being in Afghanistan, I would like some assurance that it is for the reasons we have been told.....to bring democracy. I am hoping that they have no "supplementary" role is being bodyguards to the warlords as the latter increases poppy production to record levels, evidently with the tacit blessing of the British and Americans.
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RickW
Under the UN flag? I'll fill you in what that means to us. It means they can shot you and you cannot shot back. They can steal from the poor and you cannot do anything. The UNHCR is a scam. It only supports who can pay. In Bosnia, we could not give wood to a old lady, because she was not on the list? What list? There was not list. Just she could not pay. UN Civie truck drivers stole and sold food, and supplies. We were told on one convoy to stop at the town limits of Bos Gohova. We did, the Muslum Mafia in that towm was given all the stores. Did you ever here of that? NO. Why, no one would believe it.
Under the UN flag, lil girls were sold to who ever would buy. People were shot and killed.Why? It was not in our Mandate, not in our ROEs. We were there to Observe, not keep the peace. I was shot at and shelled many times. What could I do. DICK ALL. Why, the UN said I could not, and our uninformed People of Canada agreed.
It was not until NATO did the war stop, I was on the first tour in 95. We went in heavy handed. They knew, if they shot at us, we could shot back. If they raped or killed, we could get them. I was on one patrol with a RCMP and a Serb officer. We walked in a he arrested two murders. During the UN times we could not.
So that is your UN. It is filled with crime and infighting.
As for you Hanns, you talk a big story. How long were you in? 3 yrs? just a Pte or Cpl. One of the ones I have now, that are not getting what he wants like a child? So I'll quit and hate the military. And tell everone it so bad.
Well fella. I'm going on 27 yrs, a warrant officer. My wife spent 13 yrs, I have two daughters in one for 6 yrs, seving in Afganistan and the other over a yr.
I and she has shown picture to friends that are not military and now have a new view. I have showed them when I was first there and now with her tour how life is now. It has changed. The military has been good to us. Yes some bad times as anyother job, but to have people that will stand by you. No job other than a Firefighter or policemen can say. Can someone working in a factory say that?
Growup Canada, the world is scary and not a bubble. Where the bad guys cannot go.
What we need I hate to say is a 911, for people to awaken
Someone that is clear of mind and informed.
Open your eyes people to the real agenda that is in place.Aphganistan,Iran,Iraq,Saudia Arabia,Kuwait...what do these countries have in common? One: major oil reserves, Two:dictators that make it near impossiable for energy sucking countries like ours to obtain oil at a fair price.
Know what scares me more than anything? Being in a country that is under a pseudo-democracy designed to cow the people instead of serve them. And our leaders push this down the throats of those over there?! No wonder they resist,thier eyes are open to the bullshit!
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A little peice of heaven is found in good deeds.
I appreciate your experiences under the UN vs. NATO, and will certainly take your word for it if you tell us the UN traditional "peacekeeping" model isn't working with the realities of today's conflicts. "Peacemaking", is perhaps more appropriate. The problem I have with the mission in Afghanistan is doubt for why we are actually there. There are lots of humanitarian needs worldwide, take your pick, we could justifiably be many places, but we are in Afghanistan, and directly on the heels of 911.
Why can't we debate the role and presence of our forces in Afghanistan? You suggest people opposing the mission just don’t get it, so why not put the cards on the table, and let's have a look then? That Harper has refused debate or a vote is a clue in. They either can't risk Canadians saying no, or they are trying to keep information from Canadians.
You say “What we need I hate to say is a 911, for people to awaken.”
Interesting, that you acknowledge the degree of the usefulness, a tragedy like 911 provides for garnering unquestioning and unanimous support, for just about any military action put on the table. I wonder who else pondered the strategic spin off from 911 before or after the tragedy took place?
More than half the troops on missions outside Canada, are not in Afghanistan. How does that serve Halliburton?
What do those countries have in common?
People that need our help.
"Two:dictators that make it near impossiable for energy sucking countries like ours to obtain oil at a fair price."
Speaking of needing to wake up to 'the adenda'.
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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden
I am certain that it would be possible to change the UN mandate to be more active inthings going on.
What info? We are Peacemaking. Peacemaking is under a UN charter. We have Peacemaking, Peacekeeping and WAR. The Afghan tour is a Peacekeeping/peacemaking. We have PRT teams, and hard ground forces. I was in Bosnia for peacekeeping and I lost 3 friends. I was shot at, shelled. And could nothing. In 95 it went to peacemaking. No one shot at me then. So what is safer? peacemaking, where I can defend myself, or peackeeping where I can only carry 10 rds and be shot and shelled. You answer?
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27 in the military, 9 tours.
Just pack your bags and go to Bosnia. Did you watch the TV in the 90s? We are peacmaking dude. Get off your long hair, uninformed ass and go to Afghanistan. And see what we are doing, Go help these people.
Come on, It's free. Just contact the UN, the Red Cross, or any other releif program. OOO wait, I couldn't just go to Timmies, or protest us if I went. Or are you just scared? OOOOO, bad men with guns. You talk like they will greet you with open arms. Or open neck. So go. You and others need their eyes opened up to the real world fella.
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27 in the military, 9 tours.