madmax

I said, "travelling the world". I have travelled to Europe and am more than Aware of the Dutch Teachings, cause I am DUTCH. It is true about peacekeeping whether you choose to believe it, that is your problem and you are historically just as naive as the children in our schools whom you would like to see educated. I would argue that it is this larger than life attribute to peacekeeping that has extended our "goodwill" and reputation far beyond the measures of WW2 and added significantly to it, and certainly far more than WW1 with regards to Canadas reputation around the globe. It is because of our "reputation" that we have long claimed the role of peacekeepers, and long since stopped pulling our weight as peacekeepers compared to the rest of the world. But being a pioneer of such a mission, is why the myth is so ingrained into the Canadian Mindset. Far more so, then it deserves. I am well aware of our military contributions throughout history. I know our military past and I wish that it was taught in our schools. I am a strong believer in increased funding to the military and greater security of person for returning veterans.

That is a Myth gained through Canadian History, not the Star or the NDP. Peace Keeping is Canada's proud contribution to the world stage. It is one of the many reasons we travel the world with flags on our napsacks. The problems with Peacekeeping are great when the sides don't want peace. Creating the conditions for peace and enforcing it with peacekeepers of neutral origins has been successful. Don't slam peacekeeping because it can be a difficult dirty and thankless job for the soldiers, like many other missions.

I concur with the above. Is there a successful model for th 3 block concept? Imams assist with religious and moral problems. Religious police are just that. Religious Police as found in Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan. This is bone tossing to the fundamentalists and providing a job for the successful applicant. Don't softsell this, it's the culture, and its what the fundys want.

Karzai doesn't equal Taliban. He is a Pashtun, and about as moderate of one as we are ever going see as a leader. Former President Rabbini, and other members of the government are indeed Taliban style Islamists. But Karzai advocates negotiating with the Taliban/Pashtun leaders to attain peace and security. He is alone in this thought. Afghans will want us out because that is their history. They also want government their way, which since the mid 70s long lost its secular and feminist nature. It isn't coming back soon. They want Islam not democracy, from the North to the south, short of those communist Uzbecks whom want neither of the above, just power. They want women covered, and women want to be covered for safety. But if women can choose the colours, and shop, then that is the progress at hand. Much Like Kite Flying and Radios, music. But the Fundamentalism and the Pashtun codes aren't going away, it is their way of life, There isn't anything our troops can do about this one way or another. They were bombed into the stoneage by the USSR and it's about the 12 century with electronics and cars today.

If you say so, but the talk of others suggest we stay 60 years or more. You had a good quote earlier, showing the culture. Of course, history shows that the Pashtuns once giving sanctuary/protection under their roof are loath to back off. Removing the Foreign fighters occurred swiftly, as they fled towards Pakistan and the Mountains. The regular Pashtuns have bled back into their tribes and into their villages. Pakistan is not a country with such a code, and notice how the supply of foreign fighters have increased, whereas the handing over of "Al Qaida" Catches have decreased. It is no coincidence. I believe this is where we differ. I don't believe NATO is anywheres close to achieving its objective. I believe there is alot of ground lost in the last five years. I agree, and would add, if Al Qaida never attacked the US proper, NATO would not be in Afghanistan. Perhaps you need to convince Jean Poutine whom you have lauded as a poster. He would disagree with you on this. I would think feminist studies are definitely on the backburner, but I don't want to stereotype

I wasn't trained for any "peacekeeping". And just like Martin, Harper went into this thing head first. Which is why there was dialogue in sending Sailors into the landlocked country to drive military vehicles, so other forces could engage the enemy.

Catchme claims that tanks are being used to smash through Afghan buildings and such, but, of course, doesn't support that assertion with anything Then respond to Catchme in her post. If you are going to quote me and respond to Catchme, take a hike. I said..."Even our Leopard Tanks cannot go up the Mountains any better than the Soviet Ones." That is the Quote you have chosen to respond to with pictures showing me what a tank is capable of. I have been in a Tank, you don't have to show me pictures of a tank on a Gravel or Paved road. I said MOUNTAINS. Oh get over yourself. The Leopard Tanks particularly the newest versions are arguably the best tanks in the world. These powerful engines won't do bugger all in the mountains. This was the comment, and yes Tanks can operate on a Battlefield in Afghanistan. Is this some sort of surprise? You should ask for a job in the aquisitions department of the DND now that you are an expert. Surprisingly enough, I can find pictures of Iraqi Children on US tanks, early pictures, and Lebanese SHia Families rallying around Israeli tanks back before the days of Hezbollah. Yes it is. And I stand by it There is only 2,200 troops. How many in the Medical Facilities? Afghans have been receiving foreign doctors and medicare long since the departure of the USSR. I am not certain, who other than Afghan Civilians and Soldiers would be treated by Canadian Medical Facilities? That is where we differ. The Taliban don't have to care, and we do. But it will make no difference. No I don't believe that all ethnics think alike. It is a gross generalization. However, you wish to think that the various different Afghan factions will think like you do or westerns do, and this is just not gonna happen. If this was the case, Hamid Karzai would have more support. You would be listening to Rawa, which has the most western leaning values of any movement. But Afghanistan is a mesh of the Good the bad and the Ugly. With alot of bad and alot of ugly wielding the power.

Well like I mentioned in the other thread on this topic, hmm, who had to start a new thread on the same topic? Well anyways, like I said, the show wasn't that funny, a bit of a yawner, typical sitcom stuff. But here, wow, this thread is funny. I can find the stereo types and the wackos that I would want to put in a TV show. But alas, they don't pay enough.

It's your green movement that shut down these nuclear plants in Ontario. Now look at the mess we're in. You say some crazy, unfactual stuff. Bruce Nuclear was falling apart and sold off as a basket case. Billions is being poured into the Nuclear facilities and there are delays. Just because the environmentalists would like to have these Nuclear Plants shut down, doesn't mean, their "will" has been the reason why they have been offline.

Yeah, maybe Global could fund the program, then you would realize it is a comedy show. You do know it is a comedy show ?

I got a Canadian Dish to watch Canadian News and the CBC as I so choose. Never really could get it before off the Antanee. I have a bad Direct, Good Dishnet, and really, sports is sports, movies are movies, so what are you getting that's different. Commercials

The USSR didn't need a mandate. It wasn't their policy to seek one Even our Leopard Tanks cannot go up the mountains any better than the Soviet Ones. Quite frankly, they may be great for our troops, but exemplify the failure that afghanistan has become 5 years on. And if you understand anything about tactics derived in virtually 25 years of assymetrical warfare. A bunch of breeding Jihadists lucky to have running shoes, no education and running around mountains in search of water, and maybe a bite to eat at a home of protection, firing off an RPG and setting off radio shack style triggered IED for the price of religion or a few rupees, vs $1 million to fly each tank and then the costs to operate them is exactly the game they want us to play. Tanks do not inspire friendship. It inspires fear, and demonstrates power. That transcends the population, not just the Taliban. You are half right, and half reading to much propoganda. The people will not support NATO if members of their family are killed by NATO forces period. I don't believe you could find a "moderate" Afghan unless he has been western educated. This is not the case with the vast majority of uneducated Pashtuns. The Taliban do not have to Torture or Kill anyone. All they need to do, which they have been doing, and is an old tactic from the 80s, is to mark a door, showing their turf. This shows they are around, and will be back. The people only have to think, hmm, will this foreing soldier be around in the next 5 years, or will it be our cousins, brothers or rival Pashtun Tribes. Once the soldiers leave an area, the Taliban/pashtuns can return, whether they are welcome or not, and settle scores of revenge at this time.

I found these interesting. It shows some of the goings on facing troops in Afghanistan. By Raymond Whitaker Published: 01 October 2006 You can see what is facing other countries, and obviously, for the UK, the cost of investing in two campaigns. One thing we do have in our favour was the decision not to join the coalition of the willing.

I agree. And when the leadership in Somalia aren't held properly accountable, a whole regiment and its history suffers even worse.

Yup, While this is pretty much common knowledge to anybody doing anykind of research, I am glad you have pointed out these facts, and would have been pleased to see more of them, but I understand. Just how much do you try to inject into this forum. Thanks for doing providing this info for everyone. I

I think you are beginning to understand the complexities of Afghanistan. It is why there has always been the possibility of Afghanistan turning into a quagmire. It hasn't happened yet, but this year, we have been sucked in deeper. I really do believe that Afghanistan needed a Marshal style aid program. It could have been quite an accomplishment had it been taken seriously in 2001 after the invasion and complete route of the Taliban. The fact that 50 years of co-operation was undermined by a NEO con policy towards Iraq and a fixation on Iraq after 2001 before the invasion of the country really set the trend for what the future of Afghanistan held. There is still hope for Afghanistan. But it is complex, and I am not one for slogans or foolish politicians of either stripe. I will post a few articles from the fall which capture the danger, and nature of the inhabitants.

I just purchased an SUV last Thursday. I do care about emissions. I believe it is Canada's problem as much as anyone else's whom contribute to GHG. I have no Problem with the CBC, nor am I going to lose anysleep over some book. I thought Farenheit 451 was behind us. I think you have some pent up rage and social issues. I am certain when someone offers you a job, you will be able to purchase an SUV to drive around Mississauga, where one is essential, and pollute and pay gas to your hearts content. Such rage, Such raging rage, Such outrage. Oh, I have to find those caps and colours.

Just watched it. Ditto above.

Yes it is a great party, unless you are people. I really think it is stupid that the so called conservatives on this forum are calling everything environment as left. And Everything CHG as left. As if Scientists don't vote conservative, and CHG which has been monitored since the 50s is something for others to concern themselves about. I read some really dumb comments about other environment problems that didn't come to pass. Yet these happened during conservative governments and were resolved during these governments. Some issues were global in nature, others were North American. Yet this new "brand" of conservatives seem to be "out to lunch" and far from moderate or realist with regard to the Environment. Then there are the Liberals, well, everything taken care of the Liberal way, Enough Said. The NDP, possibly the only party with working class roots, history of environmental problems within the plants the workers participate. Chemicals, Brownsfields, Nuclear Power, and all that other crap and stuff. Yet, just like the rest of us, knows that companies, businesses and governments need to address environmental issues so that we can profit and benefit from these changes. That the environmental problems of the past were real, and the ones of the present are also real. That the goals can be set to be achievable and not bankrupt us, and give us an environment to enjoy. The green party, is pretty much anti people. Protect everything, say everything and be judged by no one. It is actually a nice place to be when not under scrutiny. But the reality is that the Progressive Conservatives of the past have tackled these issues, the NDP has fought for these issues and been successful, the Liberals have talked alot about these issues. And the Greens just want you to give them a hug, shortly after you get that bumper sticker on your Hummer removed. But Guys (and feminists) edit after the fact These poll numbers are lame, and pretty much unchanged except to show that in the recent months the Greens Surged and Fell, the Liberals Surged and Fell, and the Conservatives and the NDP are about where they were. Which really means status Quo.

Well I read the article. Quite an over reaction on your part. Much Ado about nothing. I do feel bad he got his Hummer tagged with a bumper sticker, like any other act of vandalism. The rest of what you say, and his comments are pure phony fake hype. His to sell newspapers.

Clearly there is Conservative Support for releasing Pensions as well as the NDP.

If the owners objectives are the same. However Sometimes the objective is to purchase the trade, technology, information, or intellectual property, shut down the Canadian Facility, and operate with US capital in China or India. Which, is why, when you mentioned some month or so ago about taxing money leaving the country, (don't know if you followed up on it or not, I couldn't find a followup) I became very interested in the initiative, vs corporate taxes, which don't work, are easily evaded etc.

Mike David, Conservative Mainstream Thinking. I'll listen to the Silent Majority instead.

I have never heard such a load of bollocks. Both Emerson and Khan are opportunists. Both Claim to switch parties to serve their country. Plenty of Liberals and Conservatives switch parties. Some have ran for Liberal in 2004 only to support a conservative in 2006. Some have ran campaigns for the Conservatives in 2006 only to support a Liberal in a bi election. This is going on behind the scenes, and most of it to me seems personally motivated. Party switchers aren't to be trusted, nor does one count on their re election.

I can't see the difference, can you see the difference, is there a difference? Just the smell.