The Chrétien government's decision not to enter the Iraq war is a defining moment in Canada's foreign-policy history. It is now supported, according to a recent CBC poll, by a staggering 79 per cent of the population.
The record shows that Mr. Harper and his Conservatives wanted to enter that war. But, fearing that it would cost him badly at the polls, Mr. Harper is now trying to squirm his way out of it, saying he only wanted increased moral support for the conflict, not military support. The new line -- offered while crying "Dalton" at the Liberals for their tax-pledge reversal in the Ontario budget -- doesn't stand up to scrutiny.
[Moderators note: Several people sent this one in. I only picked this one as Kevin had already formatted it. -Dr Caleb]
Note: full article:
Stumble It!
Anon#2 lacks a little bit of knowldge between the differences of Canada's war history and U.S war history. Learn and you will see that Canada has done much more in history for people (not for Canada alone). In the U.S their war's are about the benefit of their own country and their own power. I say this about the politicians, I don't believe the majority of Americans believe this is what their destiny is. Only their psycho leaders think this.
Kevin
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"Love actually, is all around us" --From the movie Love Actually.
You sound like you would know a tyrant if you met one. But did you volunteer to go with the U.S. Army? That is possible, you don't have to be American, and infact they'd rather kill other peoples citizens, it's better for their political ratings at home.
But then again, this country also possesses about half of the known nuclear weapons on the planet, enough to easily obliterate every living organism known to man. And the majority of the self-proclaimed "democracy" believes that their government is acting in their best interest.
There are some times when you can't use force to achieve a goal. The simple reality is that power belongs to those who seek power, who are power-hungry, and those who succeed in acquiring it are the ones who are not limited by soft morals.
Now, back to Iraq. I have no qualms about getting rid of Suddam. I do, however, have a problem with using non-existent weapons of mass destruction (WMD) as an excuse. And I also have a problem with using the "free the Iraqi people from oppression" excuse when in reality the invasion was all about Oil. And I have a problem with the 10 years (+/-) of economic sanctions that left the Iraqi people in such a vulnerable state. But most of all, I have a serious problem with going into a country not knowing what you're doing, killing thousands of innocent people, knowing the whole time that once the current government is reposed, there is no viable alternative. A democratic government has drawbacks in Iraq. The three major ethnic groups are all at odds with each other and would not tolerate the election of a member of one of the other ethnic groups. And the result of all this is that if and when the US pulls out, it will be Saddam's former supporters who usurp power again anyways. So all the US (and the Brits) has done is to bring death and destruction into Iraq so that US contracting firms can rebuild the country and be paid in money made by selling Iraqi oil.
Impirial Terrorism. That's what it is.
The "war on terrorism" is not a war that can be fought with weapons and blood. It is the beginning of an Israeli-Palestinian-style perpetual war of eternal retaliation.
A war of ideas will NEVER be won by force. Think about Gandhi and what he did and how he did it. THAT is how you win a war of ideas.
-KY
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Dave Ruston
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Jesse
Your prized healthcare system is slowly being privatized, and yet your tax rate remains the same.
As for Iraq, It is easy to complain about something you are not involved in, and criticize it.
It is also interesting that Canadians' pride lies in wars that happened over 50 years ago. What pride do you have in your country today... Give me something today right now that you are proud of... something that does not include the phrase "better than the US"... You have lost your identity... you stick to the good old days of Trudeau, and pride yourself on Hockey and beer.... (btw... most Canadian hockey players play on US teams)
What is Canada's role in the World stage? It seems that peacekeeping (see thread above) is losing its luster. Why aren't you cheering about Somalia? The country is so self-involved that it has insulated itself from the rest of the world. Do you have an identity anymore?
It remains to be seen that the war is about oil and corporations. The claim is that the oil will belong to the Iraqis. I too am skeptical. But a quick check shows that the US gets most of its oil from Canada:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petr ... mport.html
and a lot of your Canadian corporations have a significant investment from or are subsiduaries of American corporations.
Remember that the Iraqi people are more free now than before. Remember they are still facing hardship, but not as gruesome as before... Look at the countries of the world who are helping them... trying to establish peace.
Not the self-involved Canadians. Stop trying to differentiate yourselves from Americans, whining how you are better than them in some obscure way... do what is right for restoring world peace and help out. People from other countries than the US are dying at the hands of al-Qaeda and Iraqi militants... even Iraqis..
I suggest you read the other articles and comments on vive before making such claims.
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Jesse
something we didn't know, I mean wake up,... well we are awake, just tied up with U.S. corporate influence! Not to mentioned fighting like mad to stop it and the rest of the country from flowing south, but as far as culture goes, that might be a debatable point, since how many Canadians,comedians, movie stars, network anchors,musicians are very big in the U.S.? So maybe it's our culture that is being exported and consumed by the U.S.?
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If I stand for my country today...will my country be here to stand for me tomorrow?