Why would anyone doubt the killing of Osama bin Laden?

So Osama bin Laden  is now officially dead, okay. 

Still there are tons of people out there who doubt the story.  Some think he's still alive and others contend he's been dead for years.  There are plenty of American citizens who doubt what their own government is telling them. 

Who can you blame them?

Oswald's magic bullet, the Gulf of Tonkin, "I am not a crook", babies tossed from incubators, weapons of mass destruction....

There's a very long list of 'disinformation' that's come out of Washington over the years, propaganda designed to push public opinion in one direction or another, and frequently at times of conflict or outright war.  They say the first casualty of war is truth, so I won't cast aspersions on anyone who doesn't lap up whatever kool-ade Washington is dispensing. 

Maybe its true, maybe not.

Of course if it isn't true, if Osama was already dead or if he's still hiding out...Why now?  Good question so here are two quick thoughts.

U.S. president Barack Obama should get a very healthy boost in approval ratings as Americans celebrate the killing of this Orwellian Emanuel Goldstein.  Its hard to see this as doing anything to hurt his chances at re-election next year.  The Republicans are just beginning to ramp up their search for their nominee in 2012.  But is anyone paying attention now?

More compelling though is what this means with regard to U.S. relations with Pakistan.  How effective with Islamabad be at limiting efforts to expand the Afghan war to neighbouring Pakistani territory?  With Pakistan's military and intelligence community being accused of colluding with bin Laden it will be difficult if not impossible for them to resist U.S. overtures for greater freedom in breaching Pakistani sovereignty.

NDP deputy leader Thomas Mulcair quickly clarified his thoughts on the matter, after leaving the impression he doubted the story.  Even if he is convinced bin Laden was killed, there are plenty of other people out there who have their doubts, and they're not all wearing tin foil.

 

Click the button below to vote for Canadian Soapbox at CanadianBlogosphere, then click green.

(You can vote once every day)

Life in the army, heading back to base

After a very enjoyable Christmas holiday season with my kids and family, its back to work Monday. Since joining the CF in March of this year at the ripened age of 43, (now 44 and counting) I've had lots of readers commenting on posts about my experiences at basic and asking what's now in store.

After completing BMQ (Basic Military Qualification) or boot camp if you will, I was posted in Ontario where I am awaiting training in my trade...communications. While waiting the CF keeps members busy with various taskings. I was sent to CFB Wainwright for a month in the fall to take part in a training exercise involving the next rotation of soldiers going to Afghanistan.

Here's a youtube video giving a description of the exercise, it was also reported on TV and in major print media.



I've also been to CFB Meaford for a Soldier Qualification course, learning to survive in the field and how to safely handle various arms. I still have a long road to haul before I'm qualified in my trade and eligible to be deployed.

With Canada extending the mission in Afghanistan I'm hopeful of having the opportunity to serve there. I want to see things with my own eyes, as opposed to hearing the biased opinions of those who've never been there.

I will be writing still, however expect this blog to be sporadic at best. Very best for the new year everyone.

Are New Democrats Canada's only democrats? Where's the Afghan Debate?

Life right now does not permit me to keep as close an eye on the news as I would like. With that being said it was impossible to miss the announcement that the Canadian Forces will be maintaining a presence in Afghanistan until 2014. This is a decision with which I am in full agreement, that's my personal opinion. And I am well aware that it is not an opinion shared by all, which is as it should be. Previous to joining the CF I was opposed to Canada's involvement, now I view it as integral on a variety of levels and for a myriad of reasons.

That's the joy of living in a participative democracy, we get to debate important issues, exposing them to public scrutiny before our elected officials make a decision.

Whoops, my mistake. Back to reality now.

Anyone who knows anything about this issue is aware that the decision was reached via what many are calling a back room deal between the Liberals and Conservatives. For those of us old enough to remember the debate over the FTA (Free Trade Agreement) its a case of déja vu all over again.

In that case then Conservative Prime Minister Brian Mulroney ran on a platform which said nothing about pursuing an FTA with the US, and during the election he repudiated the idea of negotiating a Free Trade deal with the U.S. After being elected however he changed course and his government inked a deal. The only thing that prevented Mulroney's government from ramming the legislation through was a Liberal dominated senate which forced Canadians into an election, with the FTA the only real issue.

The dynamics are a lot different this time around however. While a majority of Canadians voted for parties opposing free trade, our 'first past the post' electoral system allowed Mulroney's Tories to win a substantial majority. This time Stephen Harper and the Liberals are bed mates, with the NDP the only national party with seats in the House of Commons calling for open debate about extending Canada's mission in Afghanistan.

Should people be surprised at this so called "back room deal" with the Liberals? Hardly, Harper has flip flopped on many issues, as most politicians do. Like Trudeau, Mulroney and Chretien before him, Harper has often campaigned one way and governed another....appointing senators, taxing income trusts, government transparency, balanced budgets....its a long list.

So Canada will be staying in Afghanistan until 2014, okay. Its a policy I can support, and one I would be willing to debate. After all democracy is supposed to be one of the reasons Canada is in Afghanistan in the first place. The NDP seems to be the only major national party in favour of full and open discussion and debate. How about Conservatives and Liberals? Its beyond hypocritical to talk about the virtues of instilling democratic values in Afghanistan while squelching debate in Canada.

Can you support the troops and be against the mission?

There is much debate taking place in the MSM right now as to what form, if any, Canada's role in Afghanistan should be post July 2011 when the current mission is slated to end.

This is a bit of a political hot potato right now given waning support for the war in general, particularly in Quebec where Harper's hope for a majority government will likely live or die. Unfortunately there is more being said by political pundits than by our Prime Minister or other elected officials, including opposition members.

The central question is: Will Canadians abide by an extension of the current mission irrespective of what form it takes?

For members of the Canadian Forces, the mission is all that matters. Members don't define it or argue its merits, we carry it out. It doesn't matter if that mission is in Afghanistan or in Haiti. Where our forces get deployed is a decision for politicians to make, not for soldiers.

Sometimes I think Canadians forget that we live in a democracy, which means our government ultimately represents the collective will of the people. As as a soldier in the CF I don't see myself serving the government so much as serving the people of this nation.

Obviously it is possible to support the troops while perhaps disagreeing with a particular mission such as the one if Afghanistan. And if it is a high enough priority citizens have every right to push it up the political agenda by contacting their elected officials.

I am actually hopeful of getting the opportunity to be deployed to that volatile region, to see with my own eyes the situation and to understand it better. That may or may not happen depending on the decisions that are made by the powers that be.

But ultimately it should be the will of a majority of the electorate.

Supporting the troops is about more than putting a sticker on your car or observing a moment of silence on the 11th of November. True support means engaging in the political process and ensuring that when CF members are called upon to participate and complete a mission, that the mission itself reflects on the majority will of Canadian citizens.

Conservatives to "fast track" immigration for hundreds of Afghanis

Listening to CBC radio last night I heard a report that Immigration Minister Jason Kenney is opening up a "fast track" for Afghanis who have been supportive of our war effort in that country and who've worked for the Canadian government for 12 months or more. The National Post is also reporting the news HERE, quoting Mr. Kenney as saying there is the potential for "hundreds" of Afghan citizens who would be offered a quicker path to Canadian citizenship.

It will be interesting to see how much play this gets with Stephen Harper's religious right Christian base. Personally I'm a big fan of immigration, with Canada's low birth rate its not simply a matter of humanitarism and multi-culturism, but of economic need. Still, many fundamentalist Christians I know are quite hostile to the Islamic faith, viewing it as something of an "evil" religion.

I wonder how many will choose to settle in Calgary?

Thanks to you Canadian Soapbox is now listed in the Top 3 at Canadian Blogosphere. To help this blog climb even higher click on their icon, then hit the green button to vote - limit 1 vote per day per IP - thank you.

Stephen Harper - Above the law, and beneath contempt

Do you believe in democracy and the rule of law? I do, and I hope the majority of Canadians feel the same. But one fact is clearly evident, our Prime Minister does not.

Canada's Federal Court ruled back in April of this year that the Canadian government must pursue repatriation for Omar Khadr. The decision was reached because not requesting his release from Guantanamo Bay's prison violates our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, specifically the right to security of the person. The decision was appealed, but the original verdict has been upheld.

This is important stuff, very important...regardless of one's personal feelings on the accused's guilt or innocence.

It wasn't very long ago when a person in authority could imprison an individual and mete out any punishment deemed appropriate, including torture and execution, without the benefit of a trial. In fact it still happens in many corners of the globe. I'm talking about justice systems with no courts, no representation and little recourse for someone snatched up by the state's officials. Thankfully societies such as our's have developed to a point where individuals have rights and the ability to seek justice...at least in theory.

Stephen Harper wants to take Canadian society back hundreds of years, in fact he already has.

Here's what our Charter says at the very beginning:

"Whereas Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law".

In section 11 it says this:

Any person charged with an offence has the right

(a) to be informed without unreasonable delay of the specific offence;

(b) to be tried within a reasonable time;

(c) not to be compelled to be a witness in proceedings against that person in respect of the offence;

(d) to be presumed innocent until proven guilty according to law in a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal;

(e) not to be denied reasonable bail without just cause;

(f) except in the case of an offence under military law tried before a military tribunal, to the benefit of trial by jury where the maximum punishment for the offence is imprisonment for five years or a more severe punishment;

(g) not to be found guilty on account of any act or omission unless, at the time of the act or omission, it constituted an offence under Canadian or international law or was criminal according to the general principles of law recognized by the community of nations;

So, how many violations of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms have occurred in the case of Mr. Khadr? The most obvious is his right to be tried within a reasonable time. Omar Khadr was imprisoned at the age of 15, he's now 22. That's almost one full third of his life spent in detention, in limbo, with no judgement having been made about his guilt or innocence.

Don't get hung up on subsection f, the one about military tribunals. All that means is that the accused doesn't have the right to be tried by a jury. If the U.S. had tried this man in a reasonably expedient fashion, and found him guilty, our Charter would not have been violated. Simply leaving him in a jail notorious for accusations of torture without ever bringing him to any form of trial does violate Canadian law.

But our government does nothing.

So you think Canada is a nation ruled by a constitution, and that citizens of this country have rights which are enforceable by our courts? Not in Stephen Harper's Canada. Our highest court makes a decision regarding the rights of a fellow citizen, and our Prime Minister simply ignores it.

If Omar Khadr's Charter rights can be abused by our Prime Minister, then so can your's and mine. I am aware that the accusations against this young man are very serious, that's all well and good. If serious accusations are all that is needed to deprive someone of their rights, then those rights and the Charter espousing them are being used by Stephen Harper as toilet paper. All that is needed for the state to deprive someone of their (sic) God given rights is heinous allegations with zero proof.

The rights enshrined in our Charter are implied at the beginning to have been endowed to us from God. Obviously Stephen Harper thinks his authority to be superior to that of the Almighty. He certainly governs in that fashion.

Bring Omar Khadr home to Canada and try him for his alleged offences. If found guilty, mete out punishment to the full extent of the law. If found innocent, let him go. Those are Mr. Khadr's rights, the same as any citizen of this country. If you think otherwise, then simply anoint Stephen Harper king and abolish our parliament, our courts, and all our democratic institutions.

We're told that part of the reason we're fighting in Afghanistan is to prevent the Taliban from denying Afghan citizens rights we as Canadians take for granted. We're setting a horrible example, Stephen Harper is ruling Canada in a manner the Taliban would be proud of.

Thanks to you Canadian Soapbox is now listed in the Top Ten at Canadian Blogosphere. To help this blog climb even higher click on their icon, then hit the green button to vote - limit 1 vote per day per IP - thank you for voting.

Running to Afghanistan - 5 km at a time

For regular readers who may have missed it, back on August 4th 2009 I wrote about my decision to apply to the Canadian Forces, with the intention of serving in Afghanistan:

A 43 year old looks to join the army, and go to Afghanistan

Reaction from friends and family has run the gamut, some have been very supportive while others have tried to dissuade me. Before making application though my mind was already made up, I've decided that if I'm accepted that I'll enlist for a minimum three year hitch. After that? Three years is a long time, and that's something I'll evaluate at that time...assuming I'm successful.

Its interesting what happens to a person when they make a decision, cutting off all other possibilities...the energy one finds.

At 43 years of age I realize I will never be as fit as I was at 18...if nothing else I am a realist. But I'm determined to give myself the best shot possible at seeing my goal come to fruition. And that has given me energy for something I've never been too keen on...exercise. I'm generally pretty fit, but I've never enjoyed exercise for the sake of exercise. Put a basketball or tennis racket in my hands and I'll gladly play for an hour or more, getting fit obviously but that isn't the ultimate goal. Being one who enjoys sports I don't consider playing a sport exercise, its fun.

But I know the Army will require lots of running, push ups, sit ups and chin ups. Up up up!!! Suddenly I've found myself motivated to go jogging, and my body is holding up better than I expected. I'm already running 5 km in the evenings, and doing it in just over 30 minutes. I'm also doing push ups and sit ups in repetitions of 25. I haven't done any chin ups yet because I need a bar, I'll have to find something...a low hanging tree branch or something.

I know this, if I'm accepted for basic training I will be in good shape for the physical tests involved.

Now for the reasons, I touched on a few of them the last time I wrote about this, but now I'd like to go into more detail.

To understand who I am you must know that I'm divorced, and that has become a defining aspect of my life...for good and for bad. Before the divorce if anyone asked what my principle focus was in life, the answer was simple, my kids. I have a 10 year old son and a very soon to be 5 year old daughter, and they're incredible. While my ex-wife focused in heavily on her career, I compensated by concentrating on the kids.

I took parental leave both with Buddy and his sister, the Princess Raspberry. With Buddy that involved taking a 3 month leave from my job as an inside sales person with Pitney Bowes. With Raspberry it coincided with a period of unemployment. A problem with my marriage, one I accept full responsibility for, is that I wasn't serious enough about my career. When the kids were sick I'd take the day off, no problem. While other parents lean on grandparents or baby sitters, I preferred looking after them myself.

Daily activities included bike rides with my sun when it was warm, or going skating in the winter. Wrestling matches with my son were de rigeur, and I could easily withstand his flying knee drops (not any more though, he's over 100 lbs now and over 5' tall).

My ex-wife was doing exceedingly well in her career, working for one of Canada's major banks. She's very driven, and very conscious of status. I knew this, so as I was contemplating my next career I was looking for something that would be remunerative, but something that would also provide me with the flexibility to spend as much time as possible with my kids. I thought I'd found it, as a financial consultant with Investors Group.

It was too late, my ex had already made up her mind. A guy I thought was a friend of mine, I'll call him Uncle Dickhead, fell into a boat load of money. A family member of his died leaving a sizable estate, of which he was the beneficiary. About this same time my ex started going on made up business trips all over Ontario. I was a trusting spouse, and even while I was attending training sessions for my new job, I was rushing home on Fridays so that she could get away for her weekend business trips.

I should have put two and two together, but I've stopped beating myself up over it, husbands and wives are supposed to trust each other. At the same time that the ex was leaving the home on numerous weekends, Uncle Dickhead told me his second marriage was over. I used to take Buddy to swimming lessons on my weekends alone with the kids. I'd drop his sister to my in-laws, then after swimming we'd pop over to my "friend's" house so that Buddy could play with his dogs. But on those weekends when she was away, he was never home.

After hearing that my wife wanted a divorce, things started to add up of course. I confronted her about her weekend trips and found out they were a lie. I shouldn't have been surprised, when we were dating she used to spend weekends at my apartment...lying to her parents about job related trips to North Bay. The MO was the same, except now I'd be cast in the role of her parents.

I knew she'd been sneaking around with "Uncle Dickhead", but didn't have any tangible proof...not that it matters. When confronted with the accusation she'd always say, "you can't prove it". Incidentally, the reason Dickhead gets the moniker Uncle is because that's how the kids refer to him. I'd known him for over 30 years, and considered him a close friend for more than 10.

So what does this have to do with joining the Army? Everything.

The ex married Dickhead's mone...errrr, she married Dickhead. And now he is living in the same house as my kids. At the time of the divorce I was working for strict commission, and I started well. But after I'd figured out what my ex had been up to my life went to crap. I engaged in stupid and destructive behaviour, I started dating and living beyond my means. I racked up a pretty sizable debt, trying to maintain as close a relationship as possible with my kids, but with little money coming in. But I wasn't making enough to live on and had to give up on Investors Group finally.

Finding work should have been easy, but it wasn't. I picked up my kids 3 or 4 times a week from school, as well as helping out in the classroom, and I wanted that to continue. Finding a job that would permit that proved near impossible, unless I was willing to work the midnight shift...which I did. I got a job at the LCBO warehouse in Whitby, unloading trailers of booze from 12am til 8 in the morning. I was able to continue coaching my son's baseball team as I'd done for the previous 2 years and before that 2 years of soccer. The only problem was I was working for a temp agency making poverty level wages. Luckily I'd moved back in with my father, about the time my mother was dying from lung cancer.

I've come to the realization that my life is at a standstill. The thought of Dickhead being there when my kids wake up in the morning, and him tucking them into bed...it drives me nuts. Thankfully I've never been a violent person, if I was I'd probably have ended up in jail. That is the reality of my life, something I have to deal with.

I can't make enough money working at the LCBO to live on, not as a temporary contract worker. I'm back there again as a temp, this time as a shipping clerk. And the thought of taking a 9 to 5 job would mean I'd only be seeing my kids every other weekend, a fate I don't deserve either. So I've picked the Army.

Obviously it will mean even more time away from my kids, but when I'm on leave I'll have loads of time for them. And I know they'll be proud of their father, someone who took some risks and served his country. Three years in the Army should provide me with something of a nest egg when my hitch is up, at which point I'll decide whether or not to continue. I'll have made my own way, not relying on a windfall inheritance to define who I am.

Leaving the kids aside there are other reasons as well. One is obviously adventure and a desire to see the world, and not just the good side. I've read plenty about war, but I've never experienced it first hand. If my application is accepted I will get to see conflict through the eyes of a soldier.

Its fair to say this might be part of mid life crisis, although I prefer to think of it as a reassessment. My father worked for almost 20 years in the financial industry, and as a family we moved often between the US and Canada. Like any kid I didn't have a choice or a voice in the decisions that were made. We moved when I was less than a year old, again when I was three, later when I was 5, and 8, and 10 and 12. My adult years unfolded in much the same fashion, I didn't pick my jobs so much as they picked me.

Choosing the Canadian Forces is MY choice, right or wrong, good or bad, its MY decision...and I intend to make the most of it. That is why I'm actually enjoying putting on my running shoes and getting out for a nightly run. I fully intend to serve my country in Afghanistan, and I've started down that path, 5 km at a time.

Thanks to you Canadian Soapbox is now listed in the Top Ten at Canadian Blogosphere. To help this blog climb even higher click on their icon, then hit the green button to vote - limit 1 vote per day per IP - thank you for voting.

A 43 year old looks to join the army, and go to Afghanistan

For those who missed it, July 24 was my 43rd birthday. So the forty three year old referenced in the title to this blog post, is yours truly.

I don't yet know whether I'll be accepted or not, but I've set the wheels in motion. I've been contemplating this decision for some time, for the better part of the past six months. I wasn't even sure that the army would accept a recruit of my age. I knew of a couple of guys who had joined in my age bracket, but thought maybe they had some specialized skill.

A trip to a recruitment centre answered that question quickly enough back in April. A Sergeant there told me I wasn't forty two years old, I was forty two years young. From what I understand the Army has a retirement age of sixty, and recruits joining as enlisted personnel must agree to a minimum three year commitment. So long as a prospective recruit can fulfil that obligation before retirement age, he or she is free to apply.

Of course there's more to it than just applying. There's an aptitude test, a background check, a physical and a medical. I've already passed the aptitude test, pretty much like a lot of IQ exams you see on-line. In fact I scored well enough that were I considering enrolment as an officer, my results would have qualified me. But I'm looking at this as a three year hitch, after which (assuming they take me) I'll decide whether or not to continue.

As for the rest, I'm no Lance Armstrong or anything, but for a 43 year old I'm in decent enough shape I think. That's part of the attraction certainly, I don't imagine there are many work out regimes tougher than basic training. The thought of being lean and of fighting trim does appeal to the testosterone coursing through my veins. The bigger hurdle is probably the medical, I think I'm healthy...but we'll see if there are any hidden medical conditions lurking.

There's more of course.

Some might suggest a guy in his forties, looking to enlist in the military for the first time...that part of the reasoning might have something to do with a 'mid-life crisis'. There is definitely merit to that argument, although instead of a 'crisis' I'd prefer to call it a reassessment.

I realize that my life is pretty much half over right now, and while I may be losing the battle to father time...I'm still in the game. I've always admired professional athletes who manage to hang on, playing past their prime. They're able to compete despite diminished physical skill by using their brains, and at times a bit of trickery. The body still knows what to do, but the mind takes on a greater role in devising strategies to survive against those younger and stronger.

Another aspect is my desire to live a life of significance, to see and experience different things. I've had debates over the past few years about our western way of life, versus the attitudes of those from other cultures. I have a brother who is a teacher, and he's told me what Afghan immigrant students have told him...and has framed his pro-war arguments around their experiences. But second hand accounts don't mean much from where I sit. I prefer to see things first hand, through my own eyes...not through the filter of another. Two people can see the same event, yet draw diametrically opposed conclusions.

Some have probably read my views on the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, and may be surprised by my decision. You shouldn't be.

If there's one thing I've learned in this life, its that very few things are absolute....and as I get older the list of things that are strictly black and white gets smaller and smaller. Experience has a way of nudging one's beliefs in one direction or another. Those who are pro-war have their reasons, as do those who advocate for peace. Is either side right or wrong? Not from where I sit.

Everyone knows the old saw about walking a mile in another's shoes before passing judgement. Well, given the opportunity, I will be walking in the boots of a soldier for at least 3 years.

I am fully aware that this decision could have serious and possibly fatal ramifications, that's a risk I am willing to take. Nothing in this life is guaranteed, but I will take full advantage of the teaching and training the military provides if given the chance, using it to do all I can to ensure my health and survival.

I've been wanting to blog on this for a while now, but held off until I talked with my son about my decision. He's scared for me, and both of us cried...but he understands my reasons and supports my decision. Of course his biggest fear is that I'll be killed, that's my biggest fear too.

I still have some hurdles to clear obvioulsy. I went jogging tonight and managed 3 kms without being seriously winded, but my legs are sore. My cardio seems good for a smoker, thankfully I keep pretty active. I stopped at 15 push ups, that's something I'll build up to over time. I could have managed 20 or 25, but I'll have at least a month to work my way up slowly.

Life is an adventure, that's something we tend to forget as we get older. I'm looking forward and I'm hopeful for the chance to push the envelope and to broaden my experience.

In another year or so, that might be me in the picture at the head of this post. Children deserve to live in peace and security, and with freedom. The ultimate reason for Canada's involvement might be for reasons more geo-political in nature, but our soldiers are striving to improve the lives of ordinary Afghan civilians, that's what I believe.

We'll see. I hope I'm given the chance to judge whether actual experience measures up to my ideals.

Thanks to you Canadian Soapbox is now listed in the Top Ten at Canadian Blogosphere. To help this blog climb even higher click on their icon, then hit the green button to vote - limit 1 vote per day per IP - thank you.

Every person who doesn't vote is spitting on our soldiers' graves...

I've already expressed my opinion on the war in Afghanistan, that the U.S. led invasion is more about resources and geopolitics than democracy and human rights. But my view on the war's ultimate purpose in no way diminishes the high regard I have for our men and women in uniform. I do believe we are in Kandahar province because that region is of vital importance for a long planned gas pipeline. And while all the soldiers I have spoken with are aware of this fact, that's not the reason they're serving.

Our soldiers ARE there to improve the lives of the Afghan people. Our soldiers want to see girls attending school. They are proud to be working toward the establishment of a democratic Afghanistan.

And in doing this job on behalf of all Canadians, 125 have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Yet in this country, where we hold our democratic ideals in such high regard, nearly 10,000,000 people didn't even bother voting in our last federal election. That is a joke!!! In fact its worse than a joke, it is the ultimate in disrespect.

If our fighting men and women are willing to travel to the other side of the world to uphold the virtues of our democratic society, we citizens remaining safely behind can at least have the decency to honour their commitment by taking an hour or so out of our day to mark a ballot.

I don't care if one's leanings are right or left, libertarian or Marxist, hyper political or a-political. Canadians have a responsibility to inform themselves of the options available, and then to make a choice and exercise their franchise.

Every citizen of this country who is eligible to vote, and doesn't...they're spitting on the graves of every soldier who has died in the service of our nation's armed forces.

If you have friends, family or acquaintances who've told you that they don't vote, send them this. Cut and paste it, email it, share it, whatever...I don't care. Its disgusting that anyone should have to be shamed into exercising a right that many on this planet have died for, but if that's what it takes so be it.

Thanks to you Canadian Soapbox is now listed in the Top Ten at Canadian Blogosphere. To help this blog climb even higher click on their icon, then hit the green button to vote - limit 1 vote per day per IP - thank you.

122 Dead Canadian Soldiers - Obama wants more

The death of Master Cpl. Charles-Philippe Michaud on Sunday brings to one hundred and twenty two the number of Canadians who have sacrificed their lives serving Canada's war effort in Afghanistan. The number doesn't resonate the way 100 did, or the way number 200 will...but every life lost is a tragedy.

Back on February 20th of this year I predicted that U.S. president Barack Obama would eventually be calling on Canada to extend its mission beyond 2011.

And while we're not yet being asked to extend our mission date beyond 2011, only a fool would believe that request isn't coming. Obama's handling of this issue has been masterful, going to great lengths to laud our efforts while not even hinting that Ottawa will be asked to extend our combat operations. Like a good manager who lavishes praise, it will make it very difficult if not impossible to refuse when the eventual request does come. And when it does come, Canada should say no...we shouldn't even be there now.

On June 30th the Globe and Mail reported that U.S. officials are testing the waters, looking for a way to convince their Canadian counterparts to extend our mission.

"U.S. probing ways to keep Canada in Afghanistan"

As the U.S. ramps up its troop levels, and the fighting becomes more intense, we should fully expect and be prepared for an ever increasing number of causalities. Canadians are serving and dying in the most volatile region of that country, Kandahar province, an area of vital importance given the long proposed TAPI pipeline.

When the Soviets invaded this geopolitical hot spot they eventually ramped up to 200,000 troops, backed by another 200,000 Afghan communist forces. They employed the same propaganda we're hearing about fighting terrorism and the improvement of human rights. Yet even with those numbers the Soviets were forced to withdraw.

Obama is committing less than half that number, and is looking for allies to bolster the size of his forces. Pulling out now is likely an impossibility, both politically and logistically. But come 2011 we should stick to our stated objective and withdraw from all military involvement. Who knows how high our death toll will be when that date rolls around, war is an ugly affair. But as Stephen Harper has already admitted, this is an unwinnable war. Its a truth both the Russians and even Alexander the Great learned, eventually Barack Obama will learn it too.


Click on this button to vote for this blog on Canadian Blogosphere.

Enough Dithering - Bring Omar Khadr "HOME" Now

In Canada's system of democracy and government we are supposed to uphold what is generally referred to as the, 'Rule of Law'. Citizens of this country are assured of certain protections and rights written into our laws and upheld by our courts. Our Federal Court has ruled that Stephen Harper's Conservative government must ask the United States to send Omar Khadr home. Rather than act swiftly on this ruling our government is hemming and hawing and contemplating an appeal.

Take a quick look at the illustration I provided of justice. Its of a woman holding a sword in one hand and balanced scales in the other. After weighing the evidence, if guilt is determined...the sword of justice is applied. But also take note of her eyes, they're blindfolded. It doesn't matter the accused's skin colour, or his religious background. Lady Justice's judgement is based strictly on the evidence, nothing more and nothing less.

Everyone knows the story about Omar Khadr, about how this fifteen year old Canadian ended up being held in Guantanamo Bay. Taken to Afghanistan by his father to fight against the American led invasion, he is alleged to have killed a U.S. medic. He has not been convicted of anything however, instead he's been left to rot for 7 years. We've all heard the axiom, "justice delayed is justice denied"...well this young man has spent nearly a full third of his life being held in a prison notorious for allegations of torture.

When Khadr was brought to Guantanamo Bay he was severely injured with no assurance he would even survive. If he had died as a result of his injuries none of this would matter. There would be no need of a trial or even a formal inquiry. This young teenager could have simply been buried and tried posthumously in the court of public opinion. He would have been branded a terrorist without benefit of any defence and all would have been quickly forgotten. That didn't happen though, he didn't die. Our government though has decided to treat him as though he's no longer among the living.

We are now hearing further allegations against Mr. Khadr, or young Master Khadr if you prefer, given his young age when these alleged crimes took place. It is said he may have been involved in the making of road side bombs or IEDs, the same devices responsible for the deaths of so many Canadian soldiers. While this strikes me as an obvious ploy by the Conservatives to sway public opinion against Khadr's repatriation, in point of fact any further allegations are totally irrelevant.

We've given the United States almost 7 full years to bring forth a case in this matter, and they have failed to do so. If our American friends are unwilling or unable to bring this case to trial, then Canada should take responsibility for its own citizen.

If Omar Khadr is found guilty of any crimes, for the death of the U.S. army Sergeant or the making of IED's, he should be punished according to whichever laws and statutes apply. If he is found not guilty he should be set free, that's the way our system works. Our's is not a country of arbitrary justice, when the civil liberties of one individual are diminished we are all less secure.

The question is as basic as it is simple. Will Stephen Harper and his Conservative colleagues stand up for basic precepts of justice and the rule of law? If they don't we should all be worried about our constitutional protections, because they'll no longer exist.

Comments are welcomed and feel free to pass this along via email or through a social network like FaceBook, just click on the ‘Share’ icon below.

Fox Talk Show Ridicules Canada's Afghan War Effort...

I just had the misfortune of watching a youtube video on a Fox talk show called "Red Eye". In this snippet they use Canada's decision to withdraw from Afghanistan in 2011 as a springboard to belittle not only our efforts in that country, but also to belittle the very lives of the 116 Canadians who have died fighting in this conflict.

I've often wondered how seemingly educated and advanced countries like America and Canada can have citizens so easily duped into believing thinly veiled propaganda such as the so called justifications for our invasion of Afghanistan. After watching this video however, its obvious I'm giving our societies far too much credit.

For those who believe we're really there for humanitarian reasons and to prevent the spread of Islamic terrorism, you'll lap this up. In fact you may want to start spouting off on world issues at the local trailer park, I hear Fox is looking for more on air talent to provide "funny" commentary on other serious issues.

Fox...providing brain dead hicks with news, commentary and new careers. Ugh.

Comments are welcomed and feel free to pass this along via email or through a social network like FaceBook, just click on the ‘Share’ icon below.

New 3-D Strategy for Aghanistan - Depart Depart Depart

The Canadian death toll keeps climbing, with three more dead soldiers recently making their way down our hi-way of heroes. Canadians are now hearing the admission of Stephen Harper (among others) that victory in Afghanistan is not attainable. If victory is not possible why do we remain? We're being told that we don't need to exit Afghanistan, rather we need to change our definition of victory.

The message Harper and others are delivering now is that of a 3-D offensive. The 3 Ds standing for Defence, Diplomacy and Development. In reality we need only one D...departure. Departure before another 112 Canadian soldiers have to make their way down Canada's Trans-Continental hi-way with a flag draped over their coffins. Departure before thousands more civilians are killed either by suicide bombers or coalition led air strikes. And finally departure before work can be started on a long coveted natural gas pipeline through the south, including Kandahar Province.

In my last posting on this topic, 'Why Is Canada In Afghanistan...And Not The Congo?' the point was brought up in the comments about Al-Qaeda and the numerous attacks this group is alleged to have made on western interests. I say alleged only because there has never been a court case convened that followed western precepts based on the rule of law. With that being said I don't doubt for a second that there are extremist Islamic elements, elements who try and have succeeded in causing damage to America and her allies.

When George W. Bush finally agreed to convene an investigation into the events of 9/11, albeit one which was tightly controlled...it was revealed that the hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Lebanon and Egypt. Further the commission concluded that the attacks were planned in Hamburg Germany...not in Afghanistan. So why was Afghanistan invaded? Initially we were told it was to get Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden "dead or alive". The ruling Taliban would not hand over their national hero, Bin Laden, who with training and support from the Americans had thwarted the Soviet invasion some 30 years prior.

(Blog entry continued after advertisement)

It is difficult to talk about the war in Afghanistan without at least touching on the September 11 attacks. Nobody will ever forget the events of that fatal day when 2 planes hit the World Trade Centre's north and south towers and 3 buildings collapsed, along with a plane hitting the Pentagon and another crashing into a million bits in a field in Pennsylvania. That wasn't a mistake on my part about three (3) WTC buildings collapsing. So much happened on that horrible day that many people I talk to have completely forgotten that building 7 basically imploded:

In some respects the September 11th attacks can be viewed as a stroke of luck. A Neo-Conservative think tank called Project For The New American Century or PNAC for short, (with such luminaries of the Bush administration as Paul Wolfowitz, Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheney, Richard Perle and Lewis "Scooter" Libby listed among their signatories and contributors) put out a discussion paper entitled:

Rebuilding America's Defences: Strategy, Forces and Resources For a New Century.

In this paper a bold plan of extending America's military reach to areas such as southeast Asia was outlined. However on page 63 it was noted that:

Further, the process of transformation , even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event - like a new Pearl Harbor.

The attacks of September 11th gave this cadre of neo-cons exactly such a 'calalyzing event'. One used to launch wars against countries like Afghanistan and Iraq. The goal in Afghanistan has constantly been shifting, from getting Bin Laden, to establishing democracy, to improving human and women's rights, to preventing a potential incubator for terrorists.

Lost in all these shifting reasons has been any meaningful discussion about the long planned TAPI pipeline or the massive deposit of oil in the Caspian basin. For those willing to seek the information out John Foster, lead economist for Petro Canada from 1976-81, authored a comprehensive paper for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, it was published in June 2008.

“A Pipeline Through A Troubled Land: Afghanistan, Canada, And The New Great Energy Game”

Of course in our digital age of sound bytes and 10 second video clips, in depth analysis requiring hours of reading...well it ain't exactly something the masses lap up. Far easier to just affix simple labels like Taliban, Insurgent, Al Qaeda or Terrorist to anyone who opposes us. Just as in Vietnam when over 50,000 US soldiers died to stop the non-existent dominoes from falling... false claims do make some feel the sacrifice is somehow worth it.


Comments are welcomed, I read them all. Feel free to pass this blog entry along via email or through a social network like FaceBook, just click on the ‘Share This’ icon below.



Back To Canadian SoapBox Home

Why Is Canada In Afghanistan...And Not The Congo?

Canadian soldiers are doing much of the heavy lifting in southern Afghanistan, attempting to secure an area vitally important for a long desired natural gas pipeline route. Over one hundred of our nation's best killed, in what is largely framed as a humanitarian battle against Islamic extremists...with little reporting of the long proposed TAPI pipeline. Our European NATO allies have been reluctant to commit to the battle, with many seeing the war in Afghanistan for what it truly is...an imperialistic land grab over resources and geopolitical gamesmanship.

Meanwhile in another part of the world a far deadlier conflict has been raging for the better part of the past decade, with casualties numbering in the millions. The Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire) is the centre of the widest war in African history with involvement of at least 9 other African states. While the DRC lacks huge deposits of natural gas and oil, it is rich in many other resources...which is is ultimately fueling the conflict.

In Afghanistan much has been made of the plight of women. Canadians are proud to see our nation's military involved in a struggle that is helping many Afghan girls attend school for the first time...a justification the Soviets used when they invaded. Meanwhile in Central Africa an even more insidious and disturbing war is being waged against women and girls...rape on a massive scale.
(Blog entry continued after advertisement)

Perhaps this is part of the reason why our attention hasn't been riveted in this direction. Some news is just too disturbing, which makes ignoring it all the easier. Reading stories about Islamic fundamentalists throwing acid on girls attempting to attend school gets us angry, while reading about the gang rape of a child is too unsettling making it convenient to ignore.

For those with the stomach to educate themselves about this conflict and the way in which rape is used as a tactic of war, then I suggest watching...THIS VIDEO. Be warned however, the content is incredibly disturbing, which is perhaps why there is so little coverage. Mainstream media hasn't totally ignored jt, 60 Minutes did a story as well with the video and write-up available HERE.

But we don't see emails invading our in-boxes exhorting us to do anything about this conflict, no suggestions that everyone wear a certain colour of clothing one day a week to show our solidarity with the pop-gun UN security presence in this forgotten region of the world.

Canadians to a large extent have willingly bellied up to the Kool-Ade bar and drink up with thirst the propaganda being fed to us about our mission in Afghanistan....while we turn a blind eye to a far greater evil. Meanwhile the mining of Congo's resources continues, with western companies reaping huge financial rewards....Of course that's what war is almost always about, economics. Humanitarian concerns are just a sidebar story to convince brave men and women that the lives they're sacrificing are worth the price.

Comments are welcomed, I read them all. Feel free to pass this blog entry along via email or through a social network like FaceBook, just click on the ‘Share This’ icon below.



Back To Canadian SoapBox Home

Follow On FaceBook

Obama Wrong On Afghanistan

Now that the euphoria over Barack Obama's visit to Canada has had time to wear off its easier to take a step back and examine exactly what was said. A large part of the conversation and coverage had to do with Canada's mission in Afghanistan, with Obama heaping praise on Canadians for our commitment and sacrifice, with over 100 of our service men and women killed.

The new President has a ton of political capital to expend, and with his combination of charm, charisma and intellect its difficult to take exception to any of his initiatives. What a contrast to George W. Bush! Even on those very rare occasions where 'Dubya' actually got something right (nothing springs to mind immediately) you still wanted to oppose the dullard regardless.

But make no mistake about it, Obama is wrong on Afghanistan. And while we're not yet being asked to extend our mission date beyond 2011, only a fool would believe that request isn't coming. Obama's handling of this issue has been masterful, going to great lengths to laud our efforts while not even hinting that Ottawa will be asked to extend our combat operations. Like a good manager who lavishes praise, it will make it very difficult if not impossible to refuse when the eventual request does come. And when it does come, Canada should say no...we shouldn't even be there now.
(Blog entry continued after advertisement)

Everyone knows the old saw, 'those who fail to recognize the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them'. Former U.S. NATO commander Dan McNeill is on record as saying that if counterinsurgency doctrine were properly followed NATO would need 400,000 troops to win this war. The Soviets sent in almost 200,000 soldiers backed by about 200,000 more Afghan communist forces when they invaded...and the Soviets were still forced to withdraw.

And why are we there? Obama's tack has been to categorize Afghanistan as a potential incubator for terrorists, one that must not be allowed to resurrect itself under the leadership of the Taliban. This is the same Taliban which enjoyed friendly relations with the United States up until their refusal to approve a U.S. led consortium's bid to build a massive natural gas pipeline. Obvioulsy there's the whole 9/11 issue, but that attack could have been used for justification to invade any number of nations, including U.S. client state Saudi Arabia...which is Osama Bin Laden's country of origin.

Things are bad in Afghanistan and getting worse. Supply routes are so vulnerable to attack that Washington is cutting deals with countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, nations which could easily be labeled 'terrorist states' were they not complying with Washington's foreign policies.

Here we are in the midst of a global economic meltdown that's being compared to the Great Depression...yet both Canadian and US taxpayers are footing a bill in the billions of dollars to secure natural gas and oil pipeline routes. The cost in terms of dollars and human lives is only going to climb higher and higher. Obama is talking about increasing U.S. troop numbers by 30,000 to 60,000....that's a long way from the needed 400,000.

I blogged on this previously here: Afghanistan’s Pipeline – Canada’s War

You can read about General McNeill's comments on troop levels back in June 2008 on BBC: Nato 'needs more' in Afghanistan

Comments are welcomed, I read them all. Feel free to pass this blog entry along via email or through a social network like FaceBook, just click on the ‘Share This’ icon below.



Back To Canadian SoapBox Home

Follow On FaceBook