Canadian troops VS Armchair critics

[Army Guy]

Here is an interesting read, i know you've all heard my rants here about Afghan and how important our presence and assistance is ....to both the Afghan people and our troops...

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[Wild Bill]

Here is an interesting read, i know you've all heard my rants here about Afghan and how important our presence and assistance is ....to both the Afghan people and our troops...

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It's good to see something like this in the media, finally! Still, on small point upset me greatly. What's this about our troops being under gag orders about the mission?

This goes beyond mere security and "loose lips sink ships"! This is an affront to personal liberty! Is freedom of speech denied to those in uniform?

Soldiers are citizens too! Some would say they have MORE right to citizenship than others, given that they are prepared to lose their lives to defend it!

As I said, this is not a security issue. It is censorship for POLITICAL purposes, pure and simple!

Any general who accepted that order should have resigned his commission!

Frankly, I'm disgusted!

[Keepitsimple]

Here is an interesting read, i know you've all heard my rants here about Afghan and how important our presence and assistance is ....to both the Afghan people and our troops...

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Yes, it is refreshing to hear facts instead of media speculation....

Among soldiers, there is confidence that Canada's task force is finally in a position to focus on what the government has always wanted them to do. That is, to "clear, hold and build" within their area of operations which, thanks to the Americans, is now about 60 per cent smaller, and to devote more time to mentoring Afghan army and police to take over the fight against the Taliban. It's hoped this will deny the Taliban and al-Qaeda safe havens from which they can again use Afghanistan as a kindergarten for global terrorism.

[Sir Bandelot]

It's good to see something like this in the media, finally!

Finally, perhaps but now at this time the US is preparing to change their strategy. General McCrystal recommends what amounts to a pull back scheme, retreat to the urban areas and defend them, the main focus on protection of what's left that we still hold under our control. NOT, seeking out and confronting Taliban in remote regions.

[Jerry J. Fortin]

If it were only that simple. The soldiers know this, and the Taliban know this, funny how we don't. Afghan is only the tip of th iceberg folks, it isn't over there.

[jdobbin]

Here is an interesting read, i know you've all heard my rants here about Afghan and how important our presence and assistance is ....to both the Afghan people and our troops...

The Harper government has put a lid on what soldiers can say. They limited access of Parliamentary committees and have accused any Opposition commentary by calling it support for the Taliban. Our allies in the war have left us at the pointed end of the stick over the years while downplaying our contribution as NATO observed today.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...id=aippsAZXtF6Y

“Talking down the European and Canadian contributions as some here in the United States have done can become a self- fulfilling prophecy,” Rasmussen said.

The election remains disputed.

Our top Canadian soldier has been furious by the local population for security breaches.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/...article1303571/

Over the course of the 50-minute meeting, Gen. Vance told the elders they and their people had to be more vigilant. His plan, he said, is to secure many more villages the way he has secured Deh-E-Bagh. “I can't do that until the lands behind me are safe.”

And he made it clear he was unwilling to sacrifice more Canadian lives. “If we keep blowing up on the roads, I am going to stop doing development,” said Gen. Vance. “If we stop doing development in Dand, then I believe Afghanistan and Kandahar is a project that cannot be saved.”

This has been the worst year for casualties in the war and yet we keep hearing that things are getting better.

http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/ByMonth.aspx

Blaming Canadians for having doubts on the long term situation ignores the fact that Canadians support our soldiers all the while they are doing this.

[DogOnPorch]

This has been the worst year for casualties in the war and yet we keep hearing that things are getting better.

http://www.icasualties.org/OEF/ByMonth.aspx

Blaming Canadians for having doubts on the long term situation ignores the fact that Canadians support our soldiers all the while they are doing this.

More folks die in traffic accidents in Canada that fighting in wars...by far. Want to limit Canadian casualties in Afghanistan? Don't make 'em drive up IED laced roads without need. No patrolling for the sake of patrol. That being said, 100-150 KIA was an average regimental volley of Springfield muskets @ Gettysberg or Antietam. Gone in a second...not over many years. Context, I suppose. This is barely a war as our grandparents understood them.

[Argus]

The Harper government has put a lid on what soldiers can say. They limited access of Parliamentary committees and have accused any Opposition commentary by calling it support for the Taliban

I would not say the opposition supports the Taliban. I would say that the opposition, especially the Liberals, do not care a damned what happens in Afghanistan. The only thing the opposition cares about - particularly the Liberals - is scoring cheap political points any way they can. They have been operating like that since Dion took over, looking for any reason, however small, to criticise the mission and cause trouble for it.

As you so clearly demonstrate here, bringing up, once again, anything you can find, from local political corruption, to unwilling allies, to growing casualties to try and cast aspersions on the mission, to make Canadians doubt its validity and to do your very best - as a loyal Liberal - to turn Canadians against the mission - in order to score political points against the government.

It is a bright and cheerful day at Liberal party headquarters whenever a Canadian dies in Afghanistan, because then all the blogging Liberals can get on every web site and blog and tsk, tsk, tsk sadly about another life lost.

[DogOnPorch]

It is a bright and cheerful day at Liberal party headquarters whenever a Canadian dies in Afghanistan, because then all the blogging Liberals can get on every web site and blog and tsk, tsk, tsk sadly about another life lost.

Probably nearly running folks off the road while using Twitter...another one bites the 401.

[Sir Bandelot]

Blaming Canadians for having doubts on the long term situation ignores the fact that Canadians support our soldiers all the while they are doing this.

Agreed, and the fraudulent election has really pulled the rug out from under us. The failure of this election is a pivotal moment, now tiping towards failure. The situation is quickly deteriorating to an emergency level.

“Talking down the European and Canadian contributions as some here in the United States have done can become a self- fulfilling prophecy,” Rasmussen said.

Ths leaves me feeling dumbfounded, upset, angry at the fools in parliament for kissing ass so hard to please the Bush administration. Oh we're a team player alright

[jdobbin]

More folks die in traffic accidents in Canada that fighting in wars...by far. Want to limit Canadian casualties in Afghanistan? Don't make 'em drive up IED laced roads without need. No patrolling for the sake of patrol. That being said, 100-150 KIA was an average regimental volley of Springfield muskets @ Gettysberg or Antietam. Gone in a second...not over many years. Context, I suppose. This is barely a war as our grandparents understood them.

Isn't the military that sets the tactics?

And as our top soldier said this week, he is steamed that the Afghan population lets insurgents set up explosives in areas previously sweeped.

If we to do things that our grandparents did, there would be no ramp ceremonies and soldiers would be buried where they died.

[Sir Bandelot]

More folks die in traffic accidents in Canada that fighting in wars...by far.

The comparison is irrelevant, they died in acidents. They were not ordered by our government to go in the street and stand in front of cars.

[DogOnPorch]

Agreed, and the fraudulent election has really pulled the rug out from under us. The failure of this election is a pivotal moment, now tiping towards failure. The situation is quickly deteriorating to an emergency level.

Such drama. To the lifeboats!!

Ths leaves me feeling dumbfounded, upset, angry at the fools in parliament for kissing ass so hard to please the Bush administration. Oh we're a team player alright

Would you prefer Canada join the Taliban and start launching attacks on our former allies? Sound like it.

[DogOnPorch]

Isn't the military that sets the tactics?

And as our top soldier said this week, he is steamed that the Afghan population lets insurgents set up explosives in areas previously sweeped.

If we to do things that our grandparents did, there would be no ramp ceremonies and soldiers would be buried where they died.

They probably have a mandate to patrol...show the flag...Army guy could fill us in there.

[DogOnPorch]

The comparison is irrelevant, they died in acidents. They were not ordered by our government to go in the street and stand in front of cars.

An IED explosion...you have about as much influence over one of those as a traffic accident.

[Sir Bandelot]

Such drama. To the lifeboats!!

Would you prefer Canada join the Taliban and start launching attacks on our former allies? Sound like it.

Are you done now

[jdobbin]

I would not say the opposition supports the Taliban. I would say that the opposition, especially the Liberals, do not care a damned what happens in Afghanistan. The only thing the opposition cares about - particularly the Liberals - is scoring cheap political points any way they can. They have been operating like that since Dion took over, looking for any reason, however small, to criticise the mission and cause trouble for it.

I think Harper has tried to score as many political points with this fight as he could by accusing the Opposition of supporting the Taliban. The problem is that the population of Canada has their doubts about this and he has had to climb down from that inflammatory stance.

As you so clearly demonstrate here, bringing up, once again, anything you can find, from local political corruption, to unwilling allies, to growing casualties to try and cast aspersions on the mission, to make Canadians doubt its validity and to do your very best - as a loyal Liberal - to turn Canadians against the mission - in order to score political points against the government.

I don't have to do a thing in that regard. No one is talking about this mission in Ottawa. No one. Since Parliament resumed, there has only been one question on Afghanistan according to Hansard and it was a softball.

If people in Canada are taking a view, it isn't what any political party is saying about it.

It is a bright and cheerful day at Liberal party headquarters whenever a Canadian dies in Afghanistan, because then all the blogging Liberals can get on every web site and blog and tsk, tsk, tsk sadly about another life lost.

Absolute gutter politics on your part. I can't say I'm surprised.

No one is talking about the lives lost on the political front. No one. The only thing expressed is regret but no one talks about the mission with any detail.

[jdobbin]

They probably have a mandate to patrol...show the flag...Army guy could fill us in there.

My understanding based on what our top soldier has said is that you have to hold land to actually defeat the Taliban. It can't be done from the air.

Edited September 29, 2009 by jdobbin

[DogOnPorch]

Are you done now

Are you through wringing your hands?

[DogOnPorch]

My understanding based on what out top soldier has said is that you have to hold land to actually defeat the Taliban. It can't be done from the air.

He's out to lunch, frankly. Or at least taken out for lunch by the mission statement. Much like Viet-nam, our side isn't going to solve this mess until safe havens in Pakistan are dealt with.

[Sir Bandelot]

Are you through wringing your hands?

I sure would wring something, if I could... lol

[DogOnPorch]

I sure would wring something, if I could... lol

Awwww...I luv u 2.

[jdobbin]

He's out to lunch, frankly. Or at least taken out for lunch by the mission statement. Much like Viet-nam, our side isn't going to solve this mess until safe havens in Pakistan are dealt with.

I've been mentioning the problem of Pakistan since the beginning. If Pakistan can't secure their borders, NATO could clear out the entire land of Taliban only to have them come back across the border.

It isn't just Canada's top soldier talking about holding land. It is the U.S. as well. This is at its heart what the surge is about.

[DogOnPorch]

I've been mentioning the problem of Pakistan since the beginning. If Pakistan can't secure their borders, NATO could clear out the entire land of Taliban only to have them come back across the border.

It isn't just Canada's top soldier talking about holding land. It is the U.S. as well. This is at its heart what the surge is about.

Yup...and I approve of the strategy of blocking all retreat routes to Pakistan once the 'fighting season' starts to draw to a close.

[jdobbin]

Yup...and I approve of the strategy of blocking all retreat routes to Pakistan once the 'fighting season' starts to draw to a close.

Not an easy task for even a modern military with land that is very unforgiving.