[Calumny]

Here are some links for anyone who has an interest in Canadian defense policy.<br /> <br /> http://www.forces.gc.ca/admpol/eng/home_e.htm<br /> <br /> http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/reports/dps/main/05_e.asp<br /> <br /> Please note that Canadian commitments are not limited to 'U.N. approved' ventures.<br /> <br /> It might be better to discuss Afghanistan and the Canadian Army in a forum thread rather than through a repetitious comments, insults and snide remarks attached to each new related article that pops in.<br /> <br /> I agree that if the sole purpose of a Canadian presence in Afghanistan is to act in the role of 'mercenary' or 'hired gun', as some would have it, protecting business interests, a pipeline, what have you, and if that presence can not offer anything good to the Afghan people, then our forces should be withdrawn.<br /> <br /> If there is no clear goal or plan to reach that goal that coincides with the interests of the average Afghani and can be agreed to by most Canadians and all that beckons is the Vietnam-like quagmire some allude to, then our forces should be withdrawn.<br /> <br /> I also agree that the answers to the above can only be arrived at through Parliamentary debate and that this debate should occur at the earliest opportunity and that if the government can not provide satisfactory answers to the above or respond in terms other than mindless Jingoism, our forces should be withdrawn forthwith. <br /> <br /> However, Canada was part of the effort which unseated the Taliban government and whether right or wrong in that regard must have some responsibility to assist in the formation of some type of relatively stable government. This to my mind is where efforts should be focussed in ensuring that this is what the Canadian presence is there to accomplish, as opposed to occupying the role of mindless dupe to so-called U.S. imperialism. and/or corporate interests.<br /> <br /> And like it or not, the current situation is not, as some have pointed out, appropriate for a 'peacekeeping' role, given that some semblance of peace must be achieved before there is any to keep.<br /> <br /> I'm well aware of Afghan history and in being so do not discount the difficulties involved here or feel confident that any effort will see success. However, I think we do have some responsibility to try.<br /> <br /> Canadians have been spoon fed a lot of nonsense concerning our role as 'peacekeepers' and what that actually entails, as opposed to Pearson's intent, by successive governments simply to mask the underfunding of our forces for years while on one hand riding U.S. coattails while on the other playing the anti-American card whenever convenient.<br /> <br /> I tend to think most people are by nature peaceful and would prefer to live a peaceful life. However, for whatever reason, a minority is enamoured with violence and/or the acquisition of power over others and has no problem with using violence to achieve their ends. While some may not like to think about this or prefer to believe that a Ghandian non-violent or passive response to an aggressor would have the same effectiveness utilized within a Nazi or Stalinist regime as it had in respect of a tired bankrupt empire lacking the will to maintain its colonies, the reality is that until the world rids itself of those who enjoy violence and/or power, there will be occasions where dealing with the same will require a reciprocal reaction and the sacrifice of those who are willing to undertake actions they might otherwise prefer to avoid to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.<br /> <br /> Like most, I'd prefer the world to be otherwise however, it isn't and pretending this isn't the case is simply fantastical.<br /> <br /> Just look at the nature and tone of comments made by some who profess to want peace and you'll see what I mean.<br /> <br /> There's a reason people speak of a 'fight for rights'. None of the rights or privileges we enjoy today were 'given' to our ancestors. All were achieved with the cost of some blood, whether shed in war, protest or picket-line, by those, whether soldiers or suffragettes, who were willing to 'fight' for what they believed was right. <br /> <br /> As we're seeing now in our society, taking these rights for granted or as in some way God-given , rather than as something that must be constantly defended, just results in them slowly shrinking into nothingness.<br /> <br /> <br />

[Armyguy]

[QUOTE BY= Calumny] Here are some links for anyone who has an interest in Canadian defense policy.<br /> <br /> http://www.forces.gc.ca/admpol/eng/home_e.htm<br /> <br /> http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/reports/dps/main/05_e.asp<br /> <br /> Please note that Canadian commitments are not limited to 'U.N. approved' ventures.<br /> <br /> It might be better to discuss Afghanistan and the Canadian Army in a forum thread rather than through a repetitious comments, insults and snide remarks attached to each new related article that pops in.<br /> <br /> I agree that if the sole purpose of a Canadian presence in Afghanistan is to act in the role of 'mercenary' or 'hired gun', as some would have it, protecting business interests, a pipeline, what have you, and if that presence can not offer anything good to the Afghan people, then our forces should be withdrawn.<br /> <br /> If there is no clear goal or plan to reach that goal that coincides with the interests of the average Afghani and can be agreed to by most Canadians and all that beckons is the Vietnam-like quagmire some allude to, then our forces should be withdrawn.<br /> <br /> I also agree that the answers to the above can only be arrived at through Parliamentary debate and that this debate should occur at the earliest opportunity and that if the government can not provide satisfactory answers to the above or respond in terms other than mindless Jingoism, our forces should be withdrawn forthwith. <br /> <br /> However, Canada was part of the effort which unseated the Taliban government and whether right or wrong in that regard must have some responsibility to assist in the formation of some type of relatively stable government. This to my mind is where efforts should be focussed in ensuring that this is what the Canadian presence is there to accomplish, as opposed to occupying the role of mindless dupe to so-called U.S. imperialism. and/or corporate interests.<br /> <br /> And like it or not, the current situation is not, as some have pointed out, appropriate for a 'peacekeeping' role, given that some semblance of peace must be achieved before there is any to keep.<br /> <br /> I'm well aware of Afghan history and in being so do not discount the difficulties involved here or feel confident that any effort will see success. However, I think we do have some responsibility to try.<br /> <br /> Canadians have been spoon fed a lot of nonsense concerning our role as 'peacekeepers' and what that actually entails, as opposed to Pearson's intent, by successive governments simply to mask the underfunding of our forces for years while on one hand riding U.S. coattails while on the other playing the anti-American card whenever convenient.<br /> <br /> I tend to think most people are by nature peaceful and would prefer to live a peaceful life. However, for whatever reason, a minority is enamoured with violence and/or the acquisition of power over others and has no problem with using violence to achieve their ends. While some may not like to think about this or prefer to believe that a Ghandian non-violent or passive response to an aggressor would have the same effectiveness utilized within a Nazi or Stalinist regime as it had in respect of a tired bankrupt empire lacking the will to maintain its colonies, the reality is that until the world rids itself of those who enjoy violence and/or power, there will be occasions where dealing with the same will require a reciprocal reaction and the sacrifice of those who are willing to undertake actions they might otherwise prefer to avoid to protect those who are unable to protect themselves.<br /> <br /> Like most, I'd prefer the world to be otherwise however, it isn't and pretending this isn't the case is simply fantastical.<br /> <br /> Just look at the nature and tone of comments made by some who profess to want peace and you'll see what I mean.<br /> <br /> There's a reason people speak of a 'fight for rights'. None of the rights or privileges we enjoy today were 'given' to our ancestors. All were achieved with the cost of some blood, whether shed in war, protest or picket-line, by those, whether soldiers or suffragettes, who were willing to 'fight' for what they believed was right. <br /> <br /> As we're seeing now in our society, taking these rights for granted or as in some way God-given , rather than as something that must be constantly defended, just results in them slowly shrinking into nothingness.<br /> <br /> <br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Yes you are right, I apologise. But I and other are very frustrated about Canadians wanting to pull us out. They didn't want us out of Cyprus,Bosnia, Kosovo, Cambodia, etc. <br /> So why now, is it because we are not wearing that blue beret? If it is, I'll put a memo in. Suggesting, Canadians would leave us there if we just simply change out berets. <br /> Some people (NDP) want a debate, but have they been there? Not on my tour there. So how would they know, what we are doing. Secret ROEs? ROes are clasified to protect us.<br /> Maybe the NDP should go and see and speak to us. Before they beek off.