“These are detestable murderers and scumbags” – Gen. Rick Hillier, chief of defence staff
While I’m supportive of Hillier, I’ve been a lot more cynical than the majority of cheering masses who’ve applauded the Liberal government’s after-the-fact support of his statements.
I’m not suggesting Hillier received marching orders or a script, but I do suspect he’s been let off his leash for reasons more pressing than a sudden resolve to root terrorists from their dens. My hunch is that internal polling after the attacks in London revealed how open Paul Martin’s Liberals are on their right flank should national security suddenly rise to become a priority among the electorate.
They’re racing to reposition themselves.
My cynicism was reinforced when the media wing of the Liberal Party came in on cue to calm the jittery nerves of blue Liberals and red Tories. This was no mere jump from their ideological one-trick pony to a fresh horse for the Star – they took the thing out behind the barn and shot it.
This country is sending a timely signal of where it stands in the struggle against international terrorism with plain-talking Gen. Rick Hillier’s announcement of a more active and dangerous role for Canada’s military in Afghanistan. Rather than being cowed by the horrors committed in London, Canada is proceeding with plans to fight the Taliban and Al Qaeda. … Canadians can take pride in that their country is responding with more than words, and more than heartfelt condolences after the London bombings. Undeterred, it is taking action by bringing the battle to a mutual enemy. It was thus in 1939, when Canadians did not quail, or hide, or falter in confronting a brutal foe. And so it is again.
An “uncowed” Star resurrecting the gallant ghost of “Red Ensign” Canada. The buttons pop.
Think about what has transpired here for a moment.
Nearly four years after co-ordinated attacks that killed thousands, changed the skyline of the world’s greatest city and staggered the economy of an entire continent, four years in which thousands continue to be slaughtered in bombings, beheadings and mass executions across the globe – Canada’s military remains so tragically under-equipped and underfunded that an incident involving name-calling is hailed as Canada’s message to the enemy that we shall not “quail” before the threat of Islamist terrorism.
And if that didn’t yank you from your happy little rhetoric-induced buzz;
Michael Forestall, a Tory member of the upper chamber’s national security and defence committee, said Tuesday the minister of defence is considering plans to refit the 1960s-era aircraft for a mission in Afghanistan’s volatile Kandahar region.
Col. Alan Blair, wing commander of 12 Wing Shearwater near Halifax, where 22 of the Sea Kings are based, confirmed in an interview that Defence has asked for a plan on how the Sea Kings could be used in the mission.
“Yes, we’ve provided some input for options, but it’s completely out of my hands what is done with that,” he said.
Murderous scumbags, indeed. Let’s just save everyone a lot of trouble and start lowering the flags now.
Ok. In advance, I submit that instead of lowering the flag in repect, we should keep the flag flyin’ high… with a personal message for our Troops, or the terrorists.
This will force all participating, into shelling out for a new flag.
I remember when one of the Sea Kings Liza-Minellied its way across the country a few years ago. It was like watching Steve Fonyo with a seventy-pound backpack. You’d swear the rotors were duct-taped on and that the pilot wore Butch Goring’s helmet. The thought of shipping those whirling calamities to Afghanistan, and then piling a bunch of soldiers into it, and putting it into a combat situation…
Well, like you said, start lowering the flags now.
The best use for the Sea Kings at this stage, would be to disguise them as Blackhawks or some such useful aircraft, then leave them on the ground with the keys in the ignition in Afghanistan, and pray that the terrorists would steal them.
That would kill two birds with one stone, if you get my drift.
Hmm, I think Joe’s on to something. Kind of a Trojan horse in reverse, on a rocky slope. Safe for our troops, and for these seemingly irredeemable helicopters, death with “dignitude”.
For them helicopter.
Damn! I was considering declaring Paul Martin, “Mr. Poopypants”!
EBD:
The Butch Goring helmet reference completes that image so perfectly all I can say is bravo.
Hillier’s remarks are certainly in line with everything he has ever said as Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of the Land Staff. His forthrightness is well-known/legendary in the CF.
I agree with the possibility that the government “let him off the leash” a bit but wouldn’t be surprised if he had taken it upon himself either.
I was disgusted by the government reaction to the London bombings. At G8 to the question of “how has the government reacted?” Martin answered that the military immediately stood-to… in order to lower flags to half-mast. And there was the super-swift issuing of “regret and sorrow”. Sorry, but public statements were not the reaction we Canadians were looking for… how about some assurance of increased security? Defence of the realm is your job, though I suppose swanning with rock stars and lowering flags is important too.
Kate, Thank you for you for your usual incisive analysis vis a vis Hillier. Martin is essentially controlled or manipulated by his coterie of followers who have been his outriders for years. I am guessing that he would be glad of nothing more than retirement if it could be done without losing face. After the Chretien years, when government became a facade of role playing, career boosting, lying and eventual stealing Martin inherited a huge mess that will take a long time time to rectify, maybe a decade. Meanwhile surrounded by these manipulators, a bureaucracy that reflects years of liberal dominance, he has long ago forgotten why he wanted to be Prime Minister, Mr. Martin is like the emperor who appears in public naked but is protected from reality by his court officials. The people of Ontario and others are like the people cheering in the streets as the emperor clothed only by his illusions marches at the head of his followers.
Come election time, the decision by Chretien to scrap new helicopters will bite the Librano$ in the ass, particularly if there are casualties. Stephen Harper sounded like a leader in Washington yesterday at the international conservative think-tank on terrorism, promising more military might and a separate unit for security. Lorrie Goldstein in today’s Toronto Sun has a good piece ‘Why Liberals hate Canada’ in response to Radwanski’s NP piece last week on why Tories hate Canada. Sorry I can’t provide the link. I’m pretty bad at that sort of thing.
http://www.torontosun.com is about the best I can do.
Here.
I agree with Kate; I think it’s an election tactic. The Liberals have one and only one interest – their retention of power. They have no political, economic or social principles that refer to the ‘good of the country’ or the ‘well-being of the citizens’. Their agenda is simple – do whatever needs to be done, to retain control of the government.
Martin is irrelevant; he’s a bureaucrat, a back-room committee walker. The people who make the decisions are behind-the-scenes. I’m very sure that all blogs, both left and right, are thoroughly read by the Liberal Team. They are very aware of the Western Standard, the trend to the right – and – they are very aware that Canada has become, since WWII – functionally invisible on the world scene.
The SSM was about the vote in the cities; that was all it was about – the vote. This new ‘rattling of sabres’ is, as Kate pointed out, not about increasing the capacity of the military to act, but about increasing the visibility of the military as an active force within, and only within, the minds of the Canadian voters.
I’ve been surprised by the repetitive documentaries on Canadian TV about Canada and WWII – images of bravery, committment, collaboration, etc etc..with not a word said about the rejection of such for the last 50 years.
Now, suddenly, there’s a senior military figure defining the Canadian military as, not police, but soldiers. There are reports of going to Afghanistan to fight, not patrol. There’s even an image that there actually are evil people in the world who can’t be denied by multiculturalism.
It’s all about votes. The Liberals are fighting for one thing only – their retention of power.
As someone who’s lost my lunch in a Sea King, I’m as averse to letting anyone else fly in them as any of you are. But I’m wondering if you’re looking at this the wrong way.
We’re going to Kandahar. We’re going to need something other than Griffons to move people and stuff around. The Defence Policy Statement calls for new medium to heavy lift helos, but we can’t buy those in time for this particular mission. So what can we use?
Anyone? Bueller?
Sea Kings or Cormorants are what we have. Personally, I’d take two of the SAR choppers, since they’re a whole pile more reliable, and have more power and range. But I can’t speak to the other issues (avionics, armour, etc).
This is about our military once again finding a McGyver-like way to get the job done. Castigate the Liberals all you want – I’d love to see each of those who voted down the EH-101 a decade ago fly missions in the Sea Slug – but applaud the CF for getting creative on how to accomplish the mission they’ve taken on.
It makes me proud of our Armed Forces to know that soldiers like Hillier will call it as he sees it, and will go after the bad guys with whatever weapons and tools are at hand. And it makes me want to vote the Liberals out of power, so we can give him and his soldiers better weapons and tools.
That’s the answer . . . take a couple of the SAR 101’s for the troops and replace them with two Slugs here. . . but that won’t happen because local news will be all over the SAR screw-ups at home.
The other option is borrow from our Allies . . . “please, we’ll trade you a couple of crewed choppers for three free months of training at one of our ranges” . . . maybe the Dutch or Germans would buy into that deal.
Damian – no one is saying that the Armed Forces can’t get the job done. I also don’t think anyone here thinks any less of our men and women in uniform – what is being condemn and should have been condemned in MSM at least 10 years ago is the total lack of equipment the military has had to work with. Further, I seriously doubt anyone on this comments page actually voted down the EH-101’s. This is a Conservative Blog! Recinding the EH-101 contract was the one and only Red Book Promise the Liberals ever kept. On the subject of the Sea Kings, sending 40 year old helicopters that are barely mananging to say aloft in light duties in Canada, into a war zone – you can’t really think this is good idea. Yes, Kate is right, we may as well start lowering the flags now … Though I did like that reverse Trojan Horse image above …
Thanks, TB
People, the Sea King is a tremendous 21st Century weapons platform.
It can carry several tonnes of high explosives (in Canada thats fertilizer and diesel oil) and then crash on the enemy!
If we can find some Suadi pilots we are in business.
For the first time in Sea King history the phrase “look out its gonna crash” would be coming from the other side.
Every time I see Paul Martin all I can see in that man’s face is ..”Tell me where you are going and I will lead you”.
PMPM is Canada’s Bill Clinton.Clinton rattled his saber a lot but he was draining the lifeblood from the military at the same time.
They were withering on the vine because new equipment and training were being denied them.
PMPM’s idea is to send your young people to their death in outdated or poorly-equipped euipment to meet their mission. Rememer Somalia, anyone?
Kate and others, you are exactly right. PMPM is rattling his sword to show how resolute, strong and determined he is – Yeah – to win votes, even if it is done through the blood of his countrymen!
Anybody who has read the Singapore Straits Times will see similarities to the Star’s stance as official cheerleader for a one-party government.
Come to think of it, Singaporeans bear some resemblances to the Ideal Canadian: nice, polite, and oh-so-happy to be living in a nanny state…
Whatever the Grits say or do must be understood from the point of view of ” what would a good con-artist say or do.
While one can say that Grits only want to retain “power”, one can just as easily say that they strive to maintain “dominion” over us. They are all about image and “what will people think about us”. As a Tee shirt once said. If you can’t dazzel them with brilliance, baffle them with bull.
No question even from me that Martin is trying to shore up his right flank. Personally, and knowing a few people at Defence, I think he had been more inclined that way from the beginning but couldn’t corral his left flank enough. Same thing on Iraq and missile defence. I say inclined because I think he tried to move the party that way but then couldn’t and polls went against him. Say what you will now about leadership abilities and dithering, but minority governments are hard enough for strong-minded leaders.
And as for cutting the military budget, don’t forget that it was Dick Cheney and Republicans who supported cuts to defence and intelligence budgets as well, and they did it before Clinton was around.
Anti-terror team target imam
VANCOUVER – A counter-terrorism team of police and other national security experts is investigating a radical Muslim cleric in Vancouver who has been known to promote Islamic holy war against Jews and other non-Muslim people. (Vancouver Sun)
http://www.primetimecrime.com/
Oh right TB, it’s the freaking Yanks fault again.
Good grief. Is there anyone in this God forsaken country with anything to say that does not include negative spin about the USA? I am sick of it.
Admit it. Canada is a cowardly country that pretends to be a democracy. The natural governing party has maintained a grip on power despite never winning 50 per cent of the vote. These days, the approval rating of the government languishes in the 30-37 per cent range. The Liberals (and their worn out cowardly supporters)play, act, pretend, manipulate, shift, steal, defraud, intimidate and fight for the gutter.
Instead of moral leadership, we get the liberal agenda of moral decadence and perversion. In the place of truth, we get rabble. Instead of substance, we get bullshitters.
One truth remains. Weak systems and weak leaders are always tested by disaster.
Tick, talk.
Um, where exactly is the anti-american rhetoric of which you speak anselm? Seems to me that I merely pointed out, in counterpoint to Paul of York’s comment, that it wasn’t Clinton or Martin or Chretien who started the military budget cuts. Until 9/11, we were all pretty much thinking the big military machine built up to battle communism was not the same kind of machine needed after its collapse.
But I’m waiting for your rant about Paul’s anti-Americanism, but I won’t hold my breath. Or is critism of an American president not anti-Americanism for you?
Why they attack us and why we must attack in Afghanistan: a brilliant article from, of all places, the Guardian: “It’s not only about Iraq: The animating ideology of the caliphate helps explain al-Qaida actions that otherwise make no sense”, by Jonathan Freedland
http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5243055-103390,00.html
Key excerpt:
“…al-Qaida has a programme that predates and goes beyond Iraq. It seeks to end all western presence in those lands it deems Islamic. That’s why it has, over the years, targeted France and Germany as well as the US and the UK. When Tony Blair asks “What was September 11 the reprisal for?” he should know the answer. It was for eight decades of US-led, western meddling in territory that al-Qaida believes should be Muslims’ alone.
This is the ideology that defines al-Qaida and which explains why it was in business from 1993 and not just 2001 and after. Tellingly, those who monitor Islamism in Britain say the big surge in growth of extremist groups came not after 9/11 or Iraq but in the mid-1990s – with Bosnia serving as the recruiting sergeant. In the same period Chechnya, Kosovo and Israel-Palestine all came into play – again predating Iraq.
What it adds up to is a more mixed picture than either Blair or the anti-war movement has allowed. Iraq has played a key part – of course it has – in angering large numbers of young Muslims, pulling them towards an extremist message once confined to the lunatic fringe. But that message is not only about Iraq, Afghanistan or even the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza – and we delude ourselves if we think it is.”
Al-Andalus, here they come.
Mark
Ottawa
Damian,
Before we send the Sea Kings anywhere, lets bring Baril and Cretin back to see if they have screwed up enough courage to fly in one.
Our Armed Forces have a history of making things work, BUCKSHEE, we called it. Granted, a certain amount of buckshee will always be required… the designers don’t always get it right..but why in God’s name must buckshee be the order of the day?
Give our troops what they need to get the job done, and then they might, just MIGHT, recommend the Armed Forces to their sons and daughters as a career!
The Liberals are not a true political party, they are just a party of Special Interest Groups. Gay rights, minority right advocates, anti tobacco lobbiest and hundreds of others. Not one unique idea of their own. They just bend toward whichever group puts pressure on and is making the most noise. This has not been a genuine political party since Pearson’s day.
The silent majority still make up the largest portion of this country.
The victims of all this political (sic) correctness is us. If your rights in any area where these special interest groups are active – then – you are a victim. Up to an including white guys whether more qualfied or not being past over.
As for these so called polls – they are conducted in Lib. strongholds (Toronto and GTA) I have never been polled and have been around a long, long time. Besides, these Questions put forward are no different than the question put to Quebecers before the last referrendum. The questions are scripted to get the answers they want – just like the CBC.
As for the MSM (mouth piece of leftist) I don’t watch or listen to them. For all my information I check the BLOGS. I watch Fox News and listen to Rush. Could care less what the LEFT are talking about it’s just baffle-gobble. I do not buy the G&M, Toronto Star, or any other leftist newspaper or magazine.
I haven’t put foot in Toronto for at least 11 years. It is balkanized and is nothing but Sodom and Gomorrha. As for Broadway, I go to the States. Will not spend one cent in T.O. They get enough from my taxes which is against my principles.
As far as being politically correct – “I’M NOT” – DON’T HAVE TO BE – don’t intend to be and don’t care who doesn’t like it….. I know who I am – don’t have to be told what to be – and will not be led by the nose by these friggin bleeding heart, socialist commie yahoos!
As for this war on TERROR – no other word for it, I stick to what I said in another blog. This is war and you fight war with war. No pussy footing around.
If WMD is used on the States you better believe the States will react strongly with the blessing of it’s people. I predict they will give notice to Medina (you see it really comes down to the crudades reversed). Then – bingo – Medina gone. The warning will go out – one more and Mecca is dust, all the while they will clean out terrorists strong holds in Iran, Syria and quite a few more little hotbeds including the cells hiding out in their country as well as ours.
You see, this is the very most important fight of their history, because if they don’t win they can kiss their butts good-bye along with ours. Those left will be living under a completely differnt set of rules (TALIBAN). No more U.S.A. OR Canada.
Don’t you think the government in the USA doesn’t understand this. Political Correctness – gone – those Conservative are not shrinking violets.
As for our stupid government they have their heads so far up where the sun don’t shine that they live in UTOPIA. The Canucks will not wake from their slumber till Toronto is attacked (by TERRORISTS – YES – TERRORIST) DARE I BE MORE BLUNT.
I suppose that if there is a golden lining to the poopy pants it may be this:
Real polls (as opposed to propaganda polls) show Canadians take national defence and the terrorist threat more seriously than the True Dopian ” intelligentsia”.
TB,
I read those links and the arguments that Cheney “cut” military spending are a mixture of ad hominem and straw man. And on the other hand, what exactly is the point of accusing conservatives of cutting military spending when the military became better trained and better equipped and more effective under their leadership?
It boils down to this: American leadership (in foreign affairs and some other areas) is personified by a man like George Bush. He has strong, active, forceful ideas that piss people off (like the child who wants to stay up late or not do his chores). By the way, what did your father do and say when the bully wouldn’t leave you alone? I suspect he said “don’t fight, run away” or maybe it was “go tell a teacher and they (the Americans) will take care of it.”
Canadian Leadership was summed up best above by Duke:
“Tell me where you are going and I will lead you”.
Canucks are pathetic.
An international conference to end the threat from the Islamic murderous/terrorists; Blair.
Appeasement, anyone? Pacifism, anyone? Die on your knees, suckers.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ freerepublic.com
Blair Proposes Islam Extremism Conference
Posted by oldleft
On 07/20/2005 8:54:09 AM PDT � 13 replies � 142+ views
AP/MyWay ^ | 7/20/05 | Thomas Wagner
LONDON (AP) – Prime Minister Tony Blair said Wednesday he was considering calling an international conference on how to eliminate Islamic extremism following the London suicide bombings, while Britain’s Muslim leaders demanded a judicial inquiry into what motivated the four “homegrown” suicide bombers. -snip- “The scale of disenchantment amongst Muslim youth is very clear to see,” said Inayat Bungalwala of the Muslim Council of Britain. “Various factors are at play: underachievement in education; a high rate of unemployment; discrimination in the workplace; social exclusion, and also the government’s own policies, especially in Iraq. The process of how we get four…
On 9/11, at 11:45 a.m. PST, I walked into my local pub. There was a young guy sitting by the door who looked very much like a 24-year old bin Laden. His long wiry hair was tucked into a cheesecloth(think old hippie) shirt, and he was wearing thrift shop clothing – pants, sandals, etc. He extended both hands to me, inviting me to sit with him. I declined. My brother-in-law had left Logan airport around 6:30 a.m. bound for NY and was still missing. This guy, not content to let me sit alone with my thoughts, proceeded to chat away – in a N. American ‘accent – no dialect, no intonations – just flat N. America-speak. I told him I was worried about the atrocity that morning, and to please go away. He then went on to tell me how the US was the no. 1 terrorist organization in the world, how it had taken 20 years to plan 9/11, and then catalogued every American ‘slight’ to Islam over the decades. He kept jumping up and down to use the pay phone, angry because he couldn’t get through to wherever, and angry because his money, which was being wired, hadn’t arrived because everything was shut down. The pub is beside a bank. I left after a few hours, but he stayed around that day, all day, using the phone, waiting for money. At one point, he was so angry, he started yelling “what are they afraid of? do they think we’ll all flee to Nebraska?”(from Vancouver????) Anyway, I went about my business for a few days, trying not to think spooky thoughts about this guy, finally talking to a cop I know. She told me to call the RCMP. I did. I’m no Nancy Drew, but I would hope that they checked the payphone logs to see where calls were going to, and follow up with the bank next door to see if money had been wired. TO their credit, they did go in and interview pub staff, but I’ve never heard a word back from them. But it continues to haunt me, particularly his remark about 9/11 being in the works for 20 years. My history is appalling but something significant happened on that date 20 years prior to 9/11, and that is supposedly what triggered the terrorist attack. I’ll know this guy when I see him, and I will remember every detail of our conversation, and I know as I sit here, I will see him again. Call me spooked today, but this all came back to me reading the posts this a.m.
Doug: Sorry those were the best links I could come up with. I’m at work. Limited time and resources. Cheney did lead the charge on cutting military budgets – for better or for worse. It wasn’t an attack on Cheney or the Republicans, so much as confronting the statement above that it was Clinton. And what an odd view now to take that voting for those cuts of military budgets; seems to me the Republicans used the same voting record very well against Kerry in 2004.
From you though, I’m interested in your response to my anti-American question. I actually love a lot of America and believe that, on balance, it has done more good than bad in the world. I didn’t even critize the US, but you are quick to label me anti-American. So I’ll ask you again: why do you think it is anti-American rhetoric to comment on or even critize the actions of a former Representative and Secretary of Defence and current VP more than 15 years ago, but it is not anti-American for criticizing a US PRESIDENT who did the same thing a decade ago?
Murderous scumbags indeed.
Well wailing about this may not do much more than make more people aware and that helps.
John Reid is actually holding fire to pm Martin’s and the Libscammers feet and he needs our support.
House of Commons votes 277 to 2 to keep information commissioner John Reid on for another full year. Pm Martin ignores the vote and allows Mr. Reid only three months!
What contempt for the house and our elected Mps!
How can this injustice be allowed?
Will Commissioner John Reid�s lawsuit to have Chretien�s agenda books released be squashed? John Reid is trying to do the right thing for you and I. Us Canadians.
This is my humble effort to lend support to Mr. Reid, who is doing his best for us at considerable risk.
Check the story – Ottawa Citizen, July 19th and BendGovernment.blogspot.com
Please lend Mr. Reid some help and support, send an Email, at least. 73s TonyGuitar
Mr. Reid’s efforts will provide more breaks in the Liberals Teflon coating.
Kate, regrettably, I agree with you.
Down here when Democrats start talking pro-military action, we automatically smell a rat. Hillary is presently advancing the proposition that we should grow a larger army. This is a completely transparent attampt to pander to the right. Might run for President, you know.
A Canadian leftist once chastised me for imposing an American view on political parties in Canada. They told me that in Canada the liberals could lower taxes and play up the military to deny conservatives an issue, and that I didn’t know what I was talking about.
While regrettably they were right, naturally I think the no-confidence vote caused Librano strategy people to go into overtime.
And it’s all pretty easy to do. All one has to do is create a high-profile mission and wave the flag about it. Results? Liberano$ cruise to victory in the next election.
Incidentally, TB, after the cold war was over we had a breathless moment called the Clinton Peace Dividend, when we thought we might be able to downsize the military. It was a pleasant fantasy and short-lived.
We’re also trying to upgrade in a cost-effective way. For example, the usual way of thinking about tank treads comes from WWII and doesn’t take into account huge advances in the technology and quality of tires. Lots of productive thinking to be done.
Talk is cheap. What will Hillier and Martin say after a terrorist attack in Canada? It will be interesting to see what the voters will say if that attack comes just before the next election. Will the terrorists think they can sway the Canadian elector too?
This silly tough talk is all about votes. The really tough do not “brag”, they “do” by preparing themselves for the next fight. Politicians brag.
jypsy in ontario. Again, I totally agree with you. If the terrorists really do have nukes then the last thing they want to do is detonate one in the US. They made a similar mistake once with 9-11 and lost two countries, with more to come.
Canada is a different story. Look for a big terrorist attack in Canada soon in my opinion.
And I don’t think it’s really a Conservative/Liberal, or Republican/Democrat thing. Blair is a Democrat, Bush a Republican, and yet they agree on this war on terrorism. I think it’s all about love for your country and several social issues. Give people enough money and social programs for long enough and you lull them to sleep. Many of them will come to expect that sort of thing and keep voting in the party that promises to continue these programs.
I really do think that the far left, who have taken over the Democratic Party in the US, hate America. Ditto for the far left in Canada.
Talk is cheap. What will Hillier and Martin say after a terrorist attack in Canada?
Crittenden, lumping Hillier in with Martin on this issue is absolutely unjustifiable. Look at the man’s record and tell me where you get off implying our top soldier is nothing but a blowhard. What an assinine comment.
Again, if you want to hammer the Libranos on defence and security issues, be my guest. I do at every opportunity over at my own site.
But attacking all Canadians (Doug’s “Canucks are pathetic” remark – Hillier was pathetic enough to be 2IC of III Corps – that’s U.S. Army, dipshit) or General Hillier like Critter does above, or the CF in general is simply ignorant.
Oh, and turning Kate’s comment space into an indiscriminately bile-spraying Canadian right-wing version of the Democratic Underground or Kos isn’t particularly useful either.
A key point about the London bombers (terrorists). They were British citizens and three were born there. Yet, assuming for the moment that they were reacting against British actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, they acted as Muslims first, seeking revenge for presumed Muslim grievances. They did not act as the British citizens they were, by working within the democratic political structure to try to change the policies they are assumed to have opposed.
In short, they considered themselves Muslims, not Britons. That is what is frightening. No divided loyalty there.
Mark
Ottawa
Damian. You are right. I should not have lumped a man in with a boy. But why is Hillier agreeing to put Canadian boys in Canadian helicopters that can barely fly, and sending them over to a war zone?
Talk may be cheap but there comes a time when the man in charge has to say; ‘Martin, enough is enough. if you want my men to fight your war then give us the eauipment we need.”
And I am definitely right wing. So thanks for the remarks.
GORMAN: We can’t have any firing in there, I want you to collect magazines from everyone
HUDSON: Is he fucking crazy?!
FROST: What the hell are we supposed to use, man?! Harsh language?!
—Aliens
It’s the old saw: accommodation versus assimilation. Canada’s view of multiculturalism favours the former, as does Britain’s. The maligned US melting pot prefers the latter. But which is more conducive to patriotism/nationalism? Or, which is less likely to offend the majority, and safeguard the security of citizens?
Well, John Crittenden you could be right regardless of Damian’s comments. I heard on Fox News that Hillary Clinton is using this method. She probably is running in the next election – good luck Hillary. The Left there is not doing too good.
Also heard on the news that the “TERRORIST” have five nukes in their arsenal. Could be alot of bolagna to keep the masses frightened but then maybe not. We will defintely see!
They would be nuts to attack the States with one of those. Biological warfare is more to be expected in the States. As for Canada, I am also sure that we will be attacked and soon. Sure will wake the Canadians up. Well, we have very little military even though the ones we have are well trained – as far as machinery – it’s all falling apart. I can see the NDP 4.5 bill. buying equipment from the US. Never thought the Libs ever planned to go through with that one when it was put together.
What I want to know from the previous blog, is because we think like Conservatives should we not be saying what we mean. Why, this is political correctness and I despise that theory that was thrust on the masses. Something you may have noticed – we say what we mean and mean what we say. This is most unlike the Libs where you have to read between the lines.
Since I don’t think your a Liberal Liberal I have commented on your comments. Most Libs I just ignore.
Sorry the previous blog I was referring to was of course Damians’.
A pause for thought…
To Our Brave Men and Women heading to Kandahar – WE SALUTE YOU!!! May the sacrifices you will make for Canadians, Afganis and the rest of the world make a difference in the fight against tyranny and terror. Our hopes and prayers are with you all. Thank you.
To our leaders in government and military – do everything you can to bring our people back safely! Do not bind their hands unnecessarily from doing the hard work. Give them all the support and equipment they need to get the job done as safely as possible. Do not jeapardize anyone solely for political gain. Finally, generously look after the families of those that will bleed and die for us in that far away land so that they know we are grateful.
I agree with Martin B. God bless and God speed.
Gonna send 1500 to Afghanistan eh?
So tell me, the heavy air lift to get the brave men and women there, is coming from where?
Oh thats right the ditherals caught that realization last January when they scrambled around for two weeks trying to hitch a ride for the DART.
Did we suddenly get this lift capability overnight?
And seeing as our troops are currently overtasked, did anyone at DND suddenly wave a majic wand and bingo 5000 troops suddenly appeared out of thin air.
Hillier, is doing what a good general will do. He spoke to inspire his troops.
Martin and the rest of the left wing tool shed, only talked to CYA and photo-op.
Hillier has put the line in the sand. Its up to the ditherals to deliver the needed tools and warm bodies.
Obvilously, like making “inroads in the west” he will fail.
I also agree with Martin B, but will our government give them what they need to protect themselves. I don’t know what we can do to help them at the moment – just pray.
TB,
There’s no convincing a man who won’t be convinced. Liberals or Bush Haters can be presented with the same facts, the same refutations, over and over again. They just turn around in place and ask the same questions or make the same allegations. It is like speaking with a wind-up doll – they only repeat and repeat. You use bluster as your main point of attack and you are blind. Blind because your vanity will not allow you to admit you may be wrong. You love the fact that Liberals want to take care of you from choosing doctors for you to brushing your teeth. You want to be taken care of and lash out at anyone you might change that.
We are not all you. We have a life to lead and a family to raise as we wish, and will defend it, if necessary.
If you want, go ahead and answer my post with another liberal tirade, or hide your tirade in what you think is an opaque cloak, we have heard it all before. We’re not buying it.
You are also not answering it, Paul. It’s a pretty simple question actually: why am I anti-American (despite telling you I think the US is a plus in this world) because I merely mention that the current US VP and Republicans were just as keen on gutting the military and started that before Clinton? Why do you accuse me of being anti-American but don’t consider yourself anti-American for unequivocal criticism of a US President? Simple question. Maybe too hard for you though.
As for all of that other stuff you’ve yammered on about… what on earth are you talking about??? Where did I say a thing about any other issue that you could spew so much venom in my direction?? What are you trying to convince me of exactly? Where did I make any assumption that anyone (let alone everyone) thinks like me? What am I repeating that is so offensive? I can tell you that I do believe we need a stronger response to terrorism and the radical Muslim cultural war and that I think we need more private health care not less. Is that what you are ranting about? this is what I find so typical about people like you (which, because I know you won’t get it, is not to confuse you with any other conservative, let alone every other conservative): a hint of criticism must mean they are in cahoots with the devil. Not a bit different than the angry left.
I can tell you I also believe that the discourse in this country, the silly labelling and petty name-calling by the angry left and the angry right, is childish and a big turn-off for ordinary Canadians, whether they agree, disagree or disagree strongly with the government. I’ve blown my top once in a while over at my own blog, Cerberus, but there are those who make a practice of it. I am so sick of certain Canadians on the angry left and the angry right who are so hellbent on ranting and posturing and hearing/reading their own voice/words that they can’t even focus on the details of the issues or the people in front of them. I guess it’s just so much easier to assume – dare I say, “read in” – everything you hate into a person who might disagree with you on something. And you accuse me of wind up and repeat?! Find yourself a mirror, my friend.
And let’s be clear: I say angry left and angry right and not extreme left or right because I know lots of people who hold even more substantively extreme positions on issues than I’m sure even you do, but have the inner confidence to show respect for others. And to pay attention to what they actually say.
Breaking: Anti-Government Riots in Yemen
15 killed in protests against oil price hikes: – Violent demonstrations across the country. (Hat tip: Armies of Liberation.)
Sanaa, July 20 (YT & Reuters) – Observers expect massive rallies across the country after the death of at least 15 civilians in violent demonstrations mainly in the cities Sanaa, Dhamar and Dhale�. The demonstrations were caused by anger due to the government�s decision of raising the prices of petroleum directive products between 50% and 100%.
Thousands of angry men took into the streets in the capital Sana�a and set fire to tires, blocked streets and hurled stones at the prime minister�s office while shops closed for fear of looting
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> LGF