Stretching the Thin Blue Line:

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Well, you need to take that one up with the feds - the libs got us into Afghan and of course we follow the corrupt UN like nice little lap dogs.

Your beliefs are fine but we do have obligations that are necessary to fill - if we do not then we are out of the game.

Do we tell NATO to stuff it?

Do we tell the world that we are staying home?

We could I admit - but there are more than a few people out there in the big old world that truly do rely upon us.

And yes, we do a lot of good - but the biggest problem is there are a great many in Canada who tend to forget that - or start yelling crap from their arm chairs when something goes wrong.

In the end - as good soldier we do nothing more or less than our bosses tell us to do - and you folks elect them.

Hmmmm ..... I wonder when Taliban Jack is going to go across the pond and wish his fellow Canadians a good day?

Anyway - there are times I agreee with you - and I have been across the pond to one of the smaller shows for the past year - home in July via a commercial airline ticket to Toronto and then a rapid escape from that hell hole a small piece of heaven.

Off to the big show next March or April if all goes according to plan - or staying here if no replacement can be found for me. (Think on this last sentence a bit)

Borg

Freedom of choice to retire? Who knows, you do, but that would be telling.

The main obligation of the Government of Canada is to its own citizens, nobody else's. Do we have treaty obligations? If so please explain the rash of native land claims we seem to be having to deal with. The thing is this...we need to grow a spine and be forced to stand straight and tall and tell the truth. Canada must tell the world where we stand and let the chips fall where they may. Trust me on this please. You can gain more respect acting in an honest manner than not. The real issue is that of the security of this nation first, after that is a done deal then maybe we can help somebody else, but not until we can look after ourselves.

[Machjo]

I wonder, given our relationship with the US whether we need an air suoeriority fighter at all.

What I do believe is we need a warplane that can deliver close tactical support on the ground in all weather. I really don't worry so much about anything else that the RCAF might need to accomplish.

We do not share a common military force with the US; we're merely in an aliance with the US. As such, we still need our own military capability. Having said that, though, i would not be against Canada sharing a force with another country or countries to save money and make the force more effective at the same time. An Anglosphere force could be something I'd be open to. Perhaps a parallel francophonie Force too. It would increase effeciveness and save money, killing two birds at the same time.

But until that happens, Canada needs a complete force of its own.

[bush_cheney2004]

....The real issue is that of the security of this nation first, after that is a done deal then maybe we can help somebody else, but not until we can look after ourselves.

Canada has never been in such a position, and looks to collective security to achieve that goal. That means alliances and responsibilities away from home as well.

[Borg]

The thing is this...we need to grow a spine and be forced to stand straight and tall and tell the truth.

Agree - however social re-engineering has made this a light weight issue in canada.

Borg

[Jerry J. Fortin]

Agree - however social re-engineering has made this a light weight issue in canada.

Borg

That is true, but times do change. So I shall hold out hope for this nation.

[Smallc]

Canada has never been in such a position, and looks to collective security to achieve that goal. That means alliances and responsibilities away from home as well.

That's pretty much correct. It is true for many countries. That's why we have such defence alliances. It'k ind of scary when you and I agree, but it does happen from time to time.