Military Support - make up your minds - stand for your ideas
In the recent Canadian news, one of the bigger stories has been a poll suggesting support for continued Canadian military deployments to Afghanistan have dropped below 50%. The cited reason for the change is a combination of issues about flags at half staff and rising death toll. The largest drop in support apparently being in Quebec where 70% oppose Afghanistan deployments.
Folks....get some kahones.....
Canadian troops have been in Afghanistan since 2002 - almost 4 years. There have been about 2 dozen deaths of military personnel in that time - so about 6 a year.
Ypres (1915) - most of the newfoundland Regiment is killed.
Dieppe (1942) - in one day Canada suffered 907 deaths as well as nearly 2,000 soldiers taken prisoner out of an force of 4.963 men sent.
Would those who bemoan out involvment in Afghanistan have called for Canadian disengagement in either cases (yes, Newfoundland was not part of Canada in 1915 - they are are now and their sacrifice in that battle was immense).
Would those who wish to withdraw support in Afghansitan have supported greater UN involvement in Rwanda because there is a really good chance that even more casualties would have resulted from that engagement.
It is ironic that at the same time as this change of heart is going on there is growing support for engagement in the western Sudan, in Darfur.
Peacekeeping has a cost. Everything does. When things get tough thats when the changes will occur. Is the future benefit of a stable, growing, and peaceful Afghanistan worth the price? Is helping to make any country more stable and peaceful worth some sacrifice?
Folks....get some kahones.....
Canadian troops have been in Afghanistan since 2002 - almost 4 years. There have been about 2 dozen deaths of military personnel in that time - so about 6 a year.
Ypres (1915) - most of the newfoundland Regiment is killed.
Dieppe (1942) - in one day Canada suffered 907 deaths as well as nearly 2,000 soldiers taken prisoner out of an force of 4.963 men sent.
Would those who bemoan out involvment in Afghanistan have called for Canadian disengagement in either cases (yes, Newfoundland was not part of Canada in 1915 - they are are now and their sacrifice in that battle was immense).
Would those who wish to withdraw support in Afghansitan have supported greater UN involvement in Rwanda because there is a really good chance that even more casualties would have resulted from that engagement.
It is ironic that at the same time as this change of heart is going on there is growing support for engagement in the western Sudan, in Darfur.
Peacekeeping has a cost. Everything does. When things get tough thats when the changes will occur. Is the future benefit of a stable, growing, and peaceful Afghanistan worth the price? Is helping to make any country more stable and peaceful worth some sacrifice?
posted by The Avatar | 9:48 a.m.
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