ReeferMadness Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 As if we needed more evidence of the Americanization of Canadian attitudes and politics, these license plates are emblematic of the type of war glorification that permeates politics down south. It's regrettable but just another sign of the impact Harper is having on this country. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/alberta-unveils-support-troops-licence-plates-180742969.html Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
Shady Posted November 9, 2013 Report Posted November 9, 2013 Yeah, damn those people that support our troops. Damn them to hell! Quote
ReeferMadness Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 Yeah, damn those people that support our troops. Damn them to hell! What about damn those people whose violent tendencies and lack of judgement cause them to want to send to send troops into pointless wars in faraway places? Or damn those people who want to cut taxes to the bone and use whatever little tax revenue remains to purchase expensive war toys despite lack of evidence that they actually make us safer? Or damn those people who really don't give a rats ass how many people get killed in wars, as long as they are poor and dark-skinned? If you really want to support the troops, exercise better judgement about how and when they are sent in to kill people. Then, more of us will be able to fully support the troops. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
Shady Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 What about damn those people whose violent tendencies and lack of judgement cause them to want to send to send troops into pointless wars in faraway places? Or damn those people who want to cut taxes to the bone and use whatever little tax revenue remains to purchase expensive war toys despite lack of evidence that they actually make us safer? Or damn those people who really don't give a rats ass how many people get killed in wars, as long as they are poor and dark-skinned? If you really want to support the troops, exercise better judgement about how and when they are sent in to kill people. Then, more of us will be able to fully support the troops. I don't know about all of them, but I don't really see any problem with the new plates. Especially considering all of the other types of plates that are offered. Quote
The_Squid Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 How does a licence plate support any troops. Throw a ribbon and a bumper sticker on there too.... Supporting troops by not getting into unnecessary wars would be the best way... Quote
Michael Hardner Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I think Alberta should come up with a "Destroy Our Troops" plate just to be fair. What does 'Support Our Troops' even mean ? How do I not support our troops ? And why would people object to an empty plate-itude ? Seriously, is there anybody else sick of pointless fights ? I just want a "Screw you I disagree !" plate to cover off every possibility. Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
Big Guy Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I think that there is a big difference between supporting those who follow orders and go to fight where those "arm chair generals" in Ottawa decide to send them and supporting those cowards in Ottawa who send Canadians out to die to satisfy selfish political agendas. How many politicians and/or members of the families of these elected folks in Ottawa were killed or injured during that fiasco in Afghanistan? Quote Note - For those expecting a response from Big Guy: I generally do not read or respond to posts longer then 300 words nor to parsed comments.
Michael Hardner Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I think that there is a big difference between supporting those who follow orders and go to fight where those "arm chair generals" in Ottawa decide to send them and supporting those cowards in Ottawa who send Canadians out to die to satisfy selfish political agendas. How many politicians and/or members of the families of these elected folks in Ottawa were killed or injured during that fiasco in Afghanistan? I don't know - but you seem to know what 'support our troops' means. Please tell us. Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I suppose it means you support them regardless of your feelings toward whatever war they might be involved in. It's not the fault of that Cpl in the Princess Pat's that Canadians don't agree on the political justification for him (or her) being where they are, (s)he still deserves the best that our taxes can provide to help them stay alive while they do the job we expect them to do. I probably won't change my number plate. I support them anyway. Quote
Michael Hardner Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I suppose it means you support them You used a phrase while defining a phrase. Example: "What is gooplexictation ?" "Gooplexictation is what happens when you gooplexictate something." It's circular. What does it mean to support the troops ? Is it an emotional state ? Does it involve some positive action of some kind ? Or does it mean you simply don't condemn them ? Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) You used a phrase while defining a phrase. Example: "What is gooplexictation ?" "Gooplexictation is what happens when you gooplexictate something." It's circular. What does it mean to support the troops ? Is it an emotional state ? Does it involve some positive action of some kind ? Or does it mean you simply don't condemn them ? You didn't read it all. "best that our taxes can provide" In other words, you don't remove support for new equipment, good wages, good pensions, etc., regardless of cost, just because you don't think we should be in Afghanistan. Or wherever. The troops are separate from the war. Edited November 10, 2013 by bcsapper Quote
Moonlight Graham Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 The troops are just doing their job. Our country couldn't function without them, unless our NATO friends came to our rescue I suppose. Troops defending our country are absolutely necessary (unfortunately) because some other governments and non-state actors (ie: terrorists) would wish to harm our security. Supporting our troops doesn't mean you have to support governments and where they put the troops though. Quote "All generalizations are false, including this one." - Mark Twain Partisanship is a disease of the intellect.
Michael Hardner Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 You didn't read it all. "best that our taxes can provide" Ah, ok. Like when that veteran came forward to try to press for benefits for those wounded in the line of duty ? And the MInistry in question offered to help him out personally, if he'd stop talking about it... I think I support our troops when I hear stories like that. Quote Looks like someone has a new patronizing catch phrase ! Michael Hardner
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 Ah, ok. Like when that veteran came forward to try to press for benefits for those wounded in the line of duty ? And the MInistry in question offered to help him out personally, if he'd stop talking about it... I think I support our troops when I hear stories like that. Yes, me too. Quote
ReeferMadness Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 I suppose it means you support them regardless of your feelings toward whatever war they might be involved in. It's not the fault of that Cpl in the Princess Pat's that Canadians don't agree on the political justification for him (or her) being where they are, (s)he still deserves the best that our taxes can provide to help them stay alive while they do the job we expect them to do. I probably won't change my number plate. I support them anyway. If I was confident that this "best that our taxes can provide" would be used only in a defensive way, I might agree. As it is, I don't. A bigger military budget will result in us following the US into more stupid, unnecessary, counterproductive wars. Spending more on fancy death machines actually increases the risk of harm to Canadian soldiers. The war in Afghanistan is a case in point. After a dozen years, the international coalition has lost to a poorly armed, poorly trained bunch of religious fanatics. Not only were the lives of thousands of western soldiers wasted, they killed thousands of local soldiers and civilians, they alienated the local population and destroyed the local economy. Who won? The fanatics. And the big corporations that sell war toys and soldiers-for-rent. And after the coalition leaves, the Taliban will move right back in. It could probably have been avoided. Most people don't remember but the Taliban offered to hand over bin Laden to a neutral country for trial shortly after 9/11. The war-mongers in the White House and the Pentagon wouldn't even consider considering it. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 If I was confident that this "best that our taxes can provide" would be used only in a defensive way, I might agree. As it is, I don't. A bigger military budget will result in us following the US into more stupid, unnecessary, counterproductive wars. Spending more on fancy death machines actually increases the risk of harm to Canadian soldiers. The war in Afghanistan is a case in point. After a dozen years, the international coalition has lost to a poorly armed, poorly trained bunch of religious fanatics. Not only were the lives of thousands of western soldiers wasted, they killed thousands of local soldiers and civilians, they alienated the local population and destroyed the local economy. Who won? The fanatics. And the big corporations that sell war toys and soldiers-for-rent. And after the coalition leaves, the Taliban will move right back in. It could probably have been avoided. Most people don't remember but the Taliban offered to hand over bin Laden to a neutral country for trial shortly after 9/11. The war-mongers in the White House and the Pentagon wouldn't even consider considering it. That's exactly what I mean. I don't care if we invade Norway because Statoil undercuts Petro Canada. I want the troops looked after. I'm not sure how giving them better equipment increases the risk of harm to them. Quote
The_Squid Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 It's meaningless sloganeering often used to try and suppress dissent. Quote
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 Yeah, that's why I won't be changing my plates. Not sure what dissent it's suppressing, though. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 (edited) As if we needed more evidence of the Americanization of Canadian attitudes and politics, these license plates are emblematic of the type of war glorification that permeates politics down south. But of course, support for the troops and the glorification of war was just fine for Canada and the Empire's great world wars. Amazing how it permeated politics up north. http://www.canadaatwar.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=7837 Edited November 10, 2013 by bush_cheney2004 Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
ReeferMadness Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 That's exactly what I mean. I don't care if we invade Norway because Statoil undercuts Petro Canada. I want the troops looked after. I'm not sure how giving them better equipment increases the risk of harm to them. Well, I do care what we do. And the more we spend on offensive weapons, the more likely it is that those weapons (and the soldiers using them) are going to be deployed by some jingoistic idiot politician licking American boots. An excellent example is the F35 procurement. With its single engine and short range, it's a poor choice for defending Canada. However, it's an excellent choice if what we really want to do is play a support role for some American-led misadventure in some other part of the world. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
ReeferMadness Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 But of course, support for the troops and the glorification of war was just fine for Canada and the Empire's great world wars. Amazing how it permeated politics up north. http://www.canadaatwar.ca/forums/showthread.php?p=7837 I think I smell a troll. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
ReeferMadness Posted November 10, 2013 Author Report Posted November 10, 2013 It's meaningless sloganeering often used to try and suppress dissent. Exactly. Quote Unlimited economic growth has the marvelous quality of stilling discontent while preserving privilege, a fact that has not gone unnoticed among liberal economists. - Noam Chomsky It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it. - Upton Sinclair
bush_cheney2004 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 I think I smell a troll. Please stay on topic....we were talking about license plates in Alberta, Canada and the glorification of war. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Guest Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 Well, I do care what we do. And the more we spend on offensive weapons, the more likely it is that those weapons (and the soldiers using them) are going to be deployed by some jingoistic idiot politician licking American boots. An excellent example is the F35 procurement. With its single engine and short range, it's a poor choice for defending Canada. However, it's an excellent choice if what we really want to do is play a support role for some American-led misadventure in some other part of the world. Ah, Americans. I see. Quote
bush_cheney2004 Posted November 10, 2013 Report Posted November 10, 2013 Ah, Americans. I see. For the record, Americans did not invent license plates. I think France did....blame them instead. Quote Economics trumps Virtue.
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.