Finally a foreign policy that makes Canadians proud

[Montgomery Burns]

Harper considers visiting troops in Afghanistan for first trip as PM

OTTAWA (CP) — Stephen Harper is considering one of the most chaotic corners of Afghanistan as a preferred destination for his first prime ministerial foreign trip. Perilous, sandswept Kandahar is being weighed against a more genteel option — visits with the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico — for Harper’s first trip abroad. Harper is expected to make all those stops eventually. He began pondering the Afghanistan option in the days after his election win. In a post-election briefing with top military brass, Harper was urged to visit Canadian troops stationed in the southern Afghan city.

The prime minister was told that such a visit would send a strong message about his commitment to the military, and about Canada’s desire to make a difference in the world. Officials in at least two federal departments said Harper has expressed support for the idea — without committing to it.

I hope he commits to it. That would send a strong message to the world that Canada promotes freedom and liberty.

I was embarrassed when Paul Martin and Jack Layton were bragging - in the first debate - about not helping the Iraqis create a democracy, just days after they had turned out in droves to vote in a historic milestone election in the Middle East. I know Iraq is different than Afghanistan, but still...it sends a message to the world.

Peter Mackay to terrorist group Hamas: Change stance or lose funding:

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will not help fund a new Hamas-led Palestinian government unless the militant group rejects violence and agrees to recognize Israel, Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said on Monday. He also said Canada was reviewing the $25 million it gives each year to the Palestinian Authority to fund aid projects.

But former PMPM told us that the Palestinian (displaced Arab) Authority were our friends...

[ritamd]

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

[scribblet]

Harper considers visiting troops in Afghanistan for first trip as PM

OTTAWA (CP) — Stephen Harper is considering one of the most chaotic corners of Afghanistan as a preferred destination for his first prime ministerial foreign trip. Perilous, sandswept Kandahar is being weighed against a more genteel option — visits with the presidents of the U.S. and Mexico — for Harper’s first trip abroad. Harper is expected to make all those stops eventually. He began pondering the Afghanistan option in the days after his election win. In a post-election briefing with top military brass, Harper was urged to visit Canadian troops stationed in the southern Afghan city.

The prime minister was told that such a visit would send a strong message about his commitment to the military, and about Canada’s desire to make a difference in the world. Officials in at least two federal departments said Harper has expressed support for the idea — without committing to it.

I hope he commits to it. That would send a strong message to the world that Canada promotes freedom and liberty.

I was embarrassed when Paul Martin and Jack Layton were bragging - in the first debate - about not helping the Iraqis create a democracy, just days after they had turned out in droves to vote in a historic milestone election in the Middle East. I know Iraq is different than Afghanistan, but still...it sends a message to the world.

Peter Mackay to terrorist group Hamas: Change stance or lose funding:

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will not help fund a new Hamas-led Palestinian government unless the militant group rejects violence and agrees to recognize Israel, Foreign Minister Peter MacKay said on Monday. He also said Canada was reviewing the $25 million it gives each year to the Palestinian Authority to fund aid projects.

But former PMPM told us that the Palestinian (displaced Arab) Authority were our friends...

This is a good move by Harper and shows support for our troops and for democracy. I sure hope they 'review' the aid given to the PLO, I'm hoping they will cut off all aid until the new 'government' agrees to peace with Israel.

[margrace]

[]

Yes I suppose Mr. Harper will be very knowledgeable of the 4000 years of history that created the problems in the Middle east and solve it over night. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a thooth. That is how both Isreal and Palastine see things.

Can he teach them to go a little further and Love your neighbour as yourself. Well we can't do it in Canada so how will he promote it there?

[shoop]

Yet again, thanks for the insightful comment Rita.

Why not just cut and paste "I hate Harper." You add no more thought than that to any of your posts and aren't really contributing anything else to the discussion.

btw - I think you meant *toady*.

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

[Conservative1]

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops

Are you for real!?!?

From your post you seem to be implying that somehow the international community was against the removal of the Thaliban. Last I recall the internatinal community wasn't aligned against what happened there, or is happening right now in Afghanistan for that matter. http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=1597518

In light of this how would Harper's visit somehow display that he is a, "a war monger" and "Bush toady"?

[politika]

I am a definate supporter of Harper going to Afganistan, but it is a busy time for the administration. If he does it is a dangerous place, will Harper be provided with adequete security?

[wellandboy]

I am a definate supporter of Harper going to Afganistan, but it is a busy time for the administration. If he does it is a dangerous place, will Harper be provided with adequete security?

If we can't I'm sure the Americans, Aussies, Poles et al, will provide additional protection

[scribblet]

[]

Yes I suppose Mr. Harper will be very knowledgeable of the 4000 years of history that created the problems in the Middle east and solve it over night. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a thooth. That is how both Isreal and Palastine see things.

Can he teach them to go a little further and Love your neighbour as yourself. Well we can't do it in Canada so how will he promote it there?

He likely has as much knowledge of history, or more, than you or I do. What happened 4000 years ago has nothing to do with what happened a few years ago. Harper can try and do as much as any other P.M. can do, and is doing the right thing by our troops. Other than that, I'm not clear on what your point is.

[tml12]

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

your comments border on the utterly ridiculous.

[ritamd]

Yet again, thanks for the insightful comment Rita.

Why not just cut and paste "I hate Harper." You add no more thought than that to any of your posts and aren't really contributing anything else to the discussion.

btw - I think you meant *toady*.

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

This not an attack the poster discussion, I mean what does it add, less than what you accuse me of forsure?

Harper can't even get a grip on how to run a government let alone scoot around to Afghanistan, with a nothing but a PR move, he is a Bush "toady" and his actions will show so even more as I said.

[Hicksey]

Yet again, thanks for the insightful comment Rita.

Why not just cut and paste "I hate Harper." You add no more thought than that to any of your posts and aren't really contributing anything else to the discussion.

btw - I think you meant *toady*.

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

This not an attack the poster discussion, I mean what does it add, less than what you accuse me of forsure?

Harper can't even get a grip on how to run a government let alone scoot around to Afghanistan, with a nothing but a PR move, he is a Bush "toady" and his actions will show so even more as I said.

I need to step in here.

I am usually the first to step in and remind people that we shouldn't start the back patting or get too excited because Harper really hasn't achieved anything yet. And it seems that point comes in handy here.

But Martin had 18 months on his own and and 12 years to study PM Chretien up close and achieved nothing of note, except to end up with his name associated with the arguably the biggest scam in Canadian history.

Mneawhile, Harper hasn't even convened a single day of parliament. How can you say that he can't get a grip on how to run government when he hasn't had the chance yet? I'm not here to defend him. But you have made comments that cannot be backed up with fact, yet at least.

You won't catch me defending his choices of Emerson nor Fortier. I'm not a fan of either.

But, why don't we wait to pass that judgement until we get to see him in action?!

[Army Guy]

I hope he does commit to it, Not only will it be a great for moral of the troops, but he'll be able to see for himself the problems in Afgan and perhaps that will reflect in future decisions of Aid packages, re-constrution measures or even military equipment needed for the job.

How that equates into war mongering i don't know. Whats wrong with shaking a few soldiers hands, and allow them to meet the man that holds thier furture in his hands. Or for that matter give him a better picture of whats going on in Afgan.

Thats not war mongering just showing good leadership.

As for security, aside from his JTF escort he'll have a good portion of those 2200 armed military personal securing the area, he'll be safer there than in is own living room. But then again nothing is 100 % secure is it.

[scribblet]

Yet again, thanks for the insightful comment Rita.

Why not just cut and paste "I hate Harper." You add no more thought than that to any of your posts and aren't really contributing anything else to the discussion.

btw - I think you meant *toady*.

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

This not an attack the poster discussion, I mean what does it add, less than what you accuse me of forsure?

Harper can't even get a grip on how to run a government let alone scoot around to Afghanistan, with a nothing but a PR move, he is a Bush "toady" and his actions will show so even more as I said.

Harper hasn't governed yet, Parliament isn't open, so that statement is pretty silly. As far as being a Bush 'toady' there is no sign of that yet but I'm sure any move to improve relations would be interpreted as such by closed minds.

To Army guy: some people have such an irrational hatred for Bush/U.S. and anything even remotley conservative, it clouds their judgment.

[Spike22]

Yep I hope he commits to it, it would show all us Canadians even more what a Bush toddy and war monger he is, not a supporter of the troops.

Two words for you - Arse and Hole .

[shoop]

Tee hee hee. Very true.

Two words for you - Arse and Hole .

[Black Dog]

Harper shows he has the pulse of the people.

In the exclusive poll for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, The Strategic Counsel asked Canadians if they would vote in favour or against sending troops to Afghanistan. Just 27 per cent were in favour and 62 per cent were against.

Furthermore, 73 per cent of respondents said the decision to send troops to Afghanistan should require parliamentary approval, while 20 per cent said it should not.

Polls are polls, so take it or leave it. But I don't find it a stretch to think people are a little unclear as to what the hell we're doing over there.

[apollo19]

Harper shows he has the pulse of the people.

In the exclusive poll for CTV News and The Globe and Mail, The Strategic Counsel asked Canadians if they would vote in favour or against sending troops to Afghanistan. Just 27 per cent were in favour and 62 per cent were against.

Furthermore, 73 per cent of respondents said the decision to send troops to Afghanistan should require parliamentary approval, while 20 per cent said it should not.

Polls are polls, so take it or leave it. But I don't find it a stretch to think people are a little unclear as to what the hell we're doing over there.

Then perhaps it will be Harper's job to explain the "mission" clearly to both the Canadian public and the Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan when/if he visits? I think it will be a good idea to make it known that our soldiers are not only helping to make the safety of people there better, but also their life in terms of assisting them in rebuilding their communities. My guess is that the public here doesn't really know or care to find out about what our troops do abroad.

[Black Dog]

Then perhaps it will be Harper's job to explain the "mission" clearly to both the Canadian public and the Canadian troops serving in Afghanistan when/if he visits? I think it will be a good idea to make it known that our soldiers are not only helping to make the safety of people there better, but also their life in terms of assisting them in rebuilding their communities. My guess is that the public here doesn't really know or care to find out about what our troops do abroad.

I'm sure people have heard that rigamarole already. I'm betting they're simply having a hard time believing it. The fact is, it's prety hard to, on the one hand, claim that Canada's military is falling apart and in dire need of an overhaul (a fair assessment) and on the other place even more burdens on that same dilapitated military.

[fixer1]

I think we all can stick our collective Canadian chests out a little. This week I read an article where the people in Afgahnistan were volentarily turning in weapons and explosive devices to Canadian soldiers, saying they do not have any use for them any more. It goes a long way when the people find the soldiers not only doing peace keeping but also battle ready to stand and defend the afghan public, are willing to disarm and let them do their jobs.

I have always supported the war in Afghanistan as it was a direct action on the Taliban who were a terrorist government. While the invasion of Iraq was different and I do not support that in any way. I think Canada can do a lot to help rebuild and show a counrty that has 30 years of endless war, that peace is a great thing and it is achievible. Not many countries have the reputation for peacekeeping that Canada has. We may not be the most advance army in the world, but we are one of the most welcomed army. Yes, we will see casualties since our troops are also fighting as well as peace keeping, but this cause is more agreeable to me. I just seem to see that there is value in it.

[Black Dog]

I think we all can stick our collective Canadian chests out a little. This week I read an article where the people in Afgahnistan were volentarily turning in weapons and explosive devices to Canadian soldiers, saying they do not have any use for them any more. It goes a long way when the people find the soldiers not only doing peace keeping but also battle ready to stand and defend the afghan public, are willing to disarm and let them do their jobs.

Maybe the folks handing in their guns were just scared of being issued a one-way ticket to Gitmo. I question whether these kinds of feel good stories mean sweet f.a in the grand scheme of things.

I have always supported the war in Afghanistan as it was a direct action on the Taliban who were a terrorist government.

Well, technically, the Taliban sheltered terrorists.

I think Canada can do a lot to help rebuild and show a counrty that has 30 years of endless war, that peace is a great thing and it is achievible.

I think this is where I and many other Canadians lose the plot. This whole rebuilding/democratizing Afghanistan is a messanic pipedream. We're dealing with a country ravaged by decades, a country divided along tribal and sectarian lines completely lacking in social cohesion and modern appliances where violence and religious conservatism are deeply ingrained. I don't care how many people you get lined up to cast their ballots for a government with no real authority: building democracy in a place like Afghanistan is not the kind of thing that can be done by handing out candy. What it boils down to is this: how long are we willing to stick this little experiment out? 10 years? 50 years?

[JMH]

[]

Yes I suppose Mr. Harper will be very knowledgeable of the 4000 years of history that created the problems in the Middle east and solve it over night. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a thooth. That is how both Isreal and Palastine see things.

Can he teach them to go a little further and Love your neighbour as yourself. Well we can't do it in Canada so how will he promote it there?

What a strange post.

4000 years.... What history book are you reading? Islam is "the new kid on the block" when it comes to global faiths. The jewish faith pre-dates Islam in a massive way (1200 years?). Christianity pre-dates Islam by many hundreds of years. Hinduism is again ancient along with Budhism.

Allah by comparison, was a very contemporary fella.

That being said, Prime Minister Harper's mission is to rally our troops and give a difinitive sign that Canada will not only fullfill its NATO commitments but be a willfull and commanding presence in the restructuring of NATO itself. The NRF plan must be carried forward with dedication. This plan is ultimately, the most precise way to deal with international terrorism.............a complete and unified approach to ending the conflicts that exist today and tommorow.

It's time to step into the real world "margrace". The Americans tipped the first dominoe, and although I do not agree with their methods, it was inevitable.

Western people are the enemy............that means you too. Canadian and all.

It's time to wake up.

[Montgomery Burns]

Too bad that Harper isn't visiting the troops in Afghanistan on Thanksgiving. I'd like to see a pic of Harper with a tray of turkey so the left could repeat their bullsh*t "it's a plastic turkey!!" meme--just like they did with Dubya.

[geoffrey]

I think this is where I and many other Canadians lose the plot. This whole rebuilding/democratizing Afghanistan is a messanic pipedream. We're dealing with a country ravaged by decades, a country divided along tribal and sectarian lines completely lacking in social cohesion and modern appliances where violence and religious conservatism are deeply ingrained. I don't care how many people you get lined up to cast their ballots for a government with no real authority: building democracy in a place like Afghanistan is not the kind of thing that can be done by handing out candy. What it boils down to is this: how long are we willing to stick this little experiment out? 10 years? 50 years?

While you may be right in the difficulties of the situation, do we not have some obligation as a richer/more powerful nation to aid those citizens towards freedom/democracy? Is it not against the principles of democracy to let one area of the world suffer in oppression while we enjoy freedom? I feel like we have an obligation to help the 3rd world to gain democratic institutions and civil freedoms.

[Black Dog]

While you may be right in the difficulties of the situation, do we not have some obligation as a richer/more powerful nation to aid those citizens towards freedom/democracy? Is it not against the principles of democracy to let one area of the world suffer in oppression while we enjoy freedom? I feel like we have an obligation to help the 3rd world to gain democratic institutions and civil freedoms.

That's a nice, liberal-sounding notion. But realistically, what can we do? Building a modern, democratic society out of the rubble would require an enormous commitment of money, time and resources, certainly a greater commitment than anyone invloved would be prepared to put forward. So while the idea sounds nice, it's doomed to failure.