Stevenpfo

Why is it that both sides can't be wrong? Everyone keeps claiming that Chechnya or Chechen terrorists did this. The Chechen people did not do this nor did they want it. Terrorists done have borders. They come from a country and reside in countries because they have no choice in that. The choice they do have is to become a terrorist. As is obvious in the fact that not all of the terrorists were from Chechnya. The problem in Chechnya is an old one. Russia took it over and it rebeled on several occasions (1850s, 1919). Then they took the Nazi's side in WW2 probably hoping for freedom again. After Germany lost a large (if not, all) of the Chechens were deported to Kazakhastan (I believe it was there or another place in that region). In 1956 they were allowed to return home. Rising tensions in 1994 led to open warfare between the two and the capital (Grozny) was pounded into the ground. I've also read that during these periods of turmoil most people in Chechnya packed up and left. To me this says they want no part in the fighting (obviously). I know after Chechnya was granted its freedom Chechnya attacked Russia and I wonder if it was a provoked attack or if it was an attack led by a faction that the government had no control over. Even if the government had control over them it wasn't a peoples government because the 'democratic' elections in Chechnya have either been one sided or the elections have been rigged. I think both sides have been wrong on this issue in the way they've handled it. The way they are handling it is NOT going to make anything better. There needs to be a mutual third party intervention. Some proper democratic elections. There is too much hatred now between both factions and terrorists are involved now. Terrorists who could care less about their 'own people' back in Chechnya. The Chechen people are just a pawn for the personal aims of the terrorists.

Your father sounds like a good man and i'm glad he didn't end up with PTSD. But just because he was lucky and it didn't affect him does not mean it doesn't affect other people. I'm am a member of the Canadian armed forces (infantry) and your comment " these people (professional soldiers) are paid to die" is disgusting. We are NOT paid to die. We are trained to be tools for the government. We are trained and paid NOT to die. But to carry out the will of the government at home and abroad. You make it sound almost as if, as a soldier, i am not allowed to have an opinion. While i'm at work I salute and do as i'm told (as it should be). But when I go home at night I have an opinion and a life. I have a family to look after. I am of the opinion, though, that if you don't like the army then don't resign when your contract comes up. Soldiers are not second class citizens who are paid to shut up and die. We are paid to do our job. PS - I didn't read the article. This is a reply to what you said and not the article.