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.


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Did Sarah Palin take out Canadian citizenship?

Surfing around various Canadian blogs recently I was amazed at how many are writing about the resignation of the former GOP vice presidential candidate. Granted, as governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin is about as close to being Canadian as an American can get...but holy hockey moms!!!

Its not like there aren't events taking place here in Canada that don't warrant at least equal attention.

Many who enjoy casting Stephen Harper in a negative light were likely disappointed with the Prime Minister's moving words in eulogizing former Tory MP Dave Batters who committed suicide this past June 30th. But give credit where credit is due, Harper struck all the right chords and brings national exposure to an illness affecting many Canadians, that of anxiety and depression. The Prime Minister spoke movingly of Batters' struggle, quoting directly from the Toronto Star article:

"While we cannot understand why a loved one would act with such sudden finality, we need to know that Dave is not alone. Each year, nearly 4,000 Canadians make this same choice. Although science has made progress in understanding mental illness, "we still don't know enough about depression, and less about suicide," Harper said. Toronto Star story here.

Those preferring to cast Harper in a negative light aren't without resource however. The National Post yesterday reported on the Tory use of attack ads in Quebec. The Tories are attempting to portray the BQ as being soft on pedophiles because they voted against a bill mandating minimum sentencing for those convicted of trafficking in children.

Talk about a Dubya like, 'you're either for us or agin us' stance. Ideologues like Harper love to hide behind wedges issues like children and support for our soldiers. It sure beats meaningful debate, and it serves their political modus operandi of divide and conquer. Fortunately Canadians are smart enough to see through the obvious smoke and mirrors. Just because the Bloc doesn't want judges to lose their discretionary power in sentencing, that does not mean they're soft on punishing pedophiles.

There's always plenty happening in our country. Canadian bloggers shouldn't need to flip on CNN in seeking out topical stories to write about.

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Ignatieff displays a strong jab during sparring

Bravo to Michael Ignatieff for calling out the Conservatives, taking issue with their dirty and divisive campaign tactics.

The National Post reported on Iggy's visit to Calgary, where he was speaking to party supporters. The Liberal leader took Harper and the Tories to task over their characterization of the Bloc Quebecois as being 'soft on pedophiles'. Sadly this is the type of campaigning Harper seems to love, and its about time someone confronted this sleazy form of politicking.

Iggy struck a near perfect chord in chastising his political foes. Gone is the whining of Stephane Dion, screaming 'liars liars pants on fire'. Rather we have someone speaking in a manner befitting a statesman. Quoting directly from the article Ignatieff said:

"I will never descend to that level of attack because when we do this, we fragment our country, we divide our country. We create suspicion and fear and hurt, where there has to be healing."

The danger here, for Liberal supporters, is in affixing too great a significance to this superb showing by their new leader. While victories, no matter how small, are always welcomed...this is but a mere skirmish, with the actual war still somewhere over the horizon. Certainly the Conservatives have taken stock of Iggy's statements, and are no doubt at this moment refining their strategies. Besting Harper on the summer BBQ circuit is one thing, winning the fight at the ballot box is quite another.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of Ignatieff's verbal barrage is that it shows a heretofore seldom seen tenacity. The Conservatives have won two minority mandates on the strength of their offensive game, with little evidence or need of any defence. By attempting to put the Tories on their heels Ignatieff and the other opposition parties may be able to discover a weakness.

It will be hard for the Liberals to castigate the Tories for their handling of the recession, in light of their willingness to support the government. But appearance and style do count for something, if they didn't Harper never would have bothered with that lame attempt at softening up his image.

Michael Ignatieff has taken a small step, at a time when many TVs are shut off and newspaper subscriptions are suspended. But its an important step, and one that is decidedly in the right direction. This is only pre-fight sparring right now, the real fun starts when Canadians are told we're going to the polls.

Kudos to impolitical and Musings from the political youth corner for ignoring Sarah Palin's resignation and writing about events here in Canada.

Ignatieff stampeding today
Whoever disapproves of Harper's legislation is a pedophile, porn supporter etc...

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Reflections on the 4th of July - From a Canadian Who Grew Up in America

I am Canadian born, something for which I am extremely grateful, but up until the age of twelve the majority of my youth was spent in the United States. When I was less than a year old my father was transferred to New York City, and we settled in the borough of Staten Island. After three years in the Big Apple he was transferred back to Canada, but we only stayed a year before he was asked to go back, working once again in the shadow of the Twin Towers.

Seeking more of a bedroom community the second time around he opted for New Jersey. We lived in the northern suburb of Glen Rock from the time I was four until I was nine. Norman Rockwell might well have used this sleepy little burg as inspiration for his paintings, with its quaint little downtown and rolling green lawns. While less than an hour from Manhattan, the northern burbs of NJ are a world removed from the hustle and bustle of New York City.

Canadians don't learn much about our country's rich and storied history until high school. American children on the other hand are spoon fed the story of their nation's birth almost from the moment they can walk. Children as early as kindergarten wear Pilgrim hats made out of construction paper every Thanksgiving, learning about the landing of the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. I asked some kids recently if they knew who the first Prime Minister of Canada was...I got blank stares. That would never happen with school aged children in the United States being asked who their first president was.

American history is captivating, with heavy doses of mythology to stir the imagination.

George Washington owning up when asked by his father who had chopped down a cherry tree saying, "I cannot tell a lie". The first president setting the tone for Americans to believe their leaders to be true and honest men. The orders given at Bunker Hill during the Revolutionary War: "Don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes". Young Americans learning about the Minute Men who fought and won against enemies more numerous and better armed.

The crossing of the Delaware at Valley Forge, the Boston Tea Party, no taxation without representation, 'give me liberty or give me death'. I could go on and on. Doubtless there are many Canadians who know this history every bit as well as Americans do, given our fixation with and exposure to U.S. media. But when you couple that with the daily routine of reciting the pledge of allegiance in school, its no small wonder that Americans are imbued with a deep and boisterous love for their country.

And in Glen Rock on the 4th of July...it was something to behold. A packed parade route with floats you'd expect to see in a big city, not in a sleepy little town. The kids in grade six got an extra special treat, they could decorate their bikes with flags and streamers: red white and blue. Then they'd pedal their way along the parade route, not as spectators but as actual participants. WoW!!! Alas, we moved before I had that chance. The fireworks display was in the neighboring (yes I know that's the American spelling) town of Ridgewood, and once it was over the ten minute drive home took over an hour.

I mentioned the flag, "Old Glory" as its known to Americans. What's the Canadian flag called? The red and white banner with the leaf in the middle? The U.S. flag has a history and symbolism all its own. The 13 stripes (7 red, 6 white) represent the original 13 colonies. The number of stars (50) correspond to the number of states. Even the colors have meaning, red for hardiness and valor, white for purity and innocence, and blue to represent vigilance, perseverance and justice.

As Americans gather to fete their nation's Declaration of Independence from British rule we Canadians sometimes look on with something of a turned up nose, or perhaps with even some envy. To understand Americans you really have to spend some time living among them. Americans may seem loud and obnoxious compared to the more staid and conservative Canadian attitude, but ultimately the vast majority live up to the ideals ingrained at an early age, that of being honest, truthful and brave. I'm not talking about the political leadership, but of ordinary citizens.

I'll leave you with a short Schoolhouse Rock song and cartoon. For those old enough to remember the 70s this will probably bring back some memories if you lived in or close to the U.S. Call it "Early American History 101 - The Simplified Edition".

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