Who's Doing What? Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 Army Guy & Weaponeer: I have been thinking of organizing a large "care package" for the troops in A-stan. What kind of stuff do you guys miss over there? Quote Harper differed with his party on some key policy issues; in 1995, for example, he was one of only two Reform MPs to vote in favour of federal legislation requiring owners to register their guns. http://www.mapleleafweb.com/election/bio/harper.html "You've got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society." (Stephen Harper, Report Newsmagazine, January 22, 2001)
Jean_Poutine Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 It's contigency planning. There are also plans to send additional M-777 Howitzers and CP-140s for surveillance. A-10s and Apache attack helicopters would probably be better for the job in Afghanistan, but Canada doesn't have those so.... Even the Dutch -- who the Globe & Mail, and subsequently many readers, praise for having a more peaceful approach -- are using Apache attack helicopters in Afghanistan. The Globe, of course, made no mention of the Dutch using Apaches in that article. The reason they didn't mention it is because they have mentioned it in the past. Even the CBC has reported the Dutch using Apaches. http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2006/12/19/c...ii-tuesday.html The article I referred to basically argued that Canadian forces were acting too much like the Americans (typical ugly American stereotype) and that Canada should learn from the Dutch. It argued that the Dutch have the better approach because they haven't taken the kind of Casualties that Canadian forces have, and suggested that Dutch efforts to understand Afghans and work on development was the reason as if Canadians haven't done that. If the Apaches were mentioned, it would have destroyed the argument that the author was trying to make. Therefore, I would disagree with you as to the reason why the Apaches were left out. Essentially, the author wanted to put the focus on carrots rather than sticks, but it's good to have both, and the truth is that the Dutch and Canadian forces are using both. Quote
jdobbin Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Posted January 31, 2007 The article I referred to basically argued that Canadian forces were acting too much like the Americans (typical ugly American stereotype) and that Canada should learn from the Dutch. It argued that the Dutch have the better approach because they haven't taken the kind of Casualties that Canadian forces have, and suggested that Dutch efforts to understand Afghans and work on development was the reason as if Canadians haven't done that. If the Apaches were mentioned, it would have destroyed the argument that the author was trying to make. Therefore, I would disagree with you as to the reason why the Apaches were left out. Essentially, the author wanted to put the focus on carrots rather than sticks, but it's good to have both, and the truth is that the Dutch and Canadian forces are using both. There was a fear on the part of Canadian military brass about what Dutch leadership of the force would be like when they took over. I wonder how they feel about it now. Quote
Jean_Poutine Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 I saw the news about the air conditioning. Even a fast track of purchases would still not get new tanks to the troops before 2010. A team of staff officers, who monitor the military surplus-equipment market, did talk to both European countries last June about purchasing little-used A-4 and A-5 versions of the Leopard-2 tank.A new Leopard-2 tank goes for about US$6 million, but used ones can be had for US$350,000. http://www.cbc.ca/cp/national/061101/n110194.html You don't have to wait 3 years for surplus-equipment, and at that price, they could have picked them up at the cost of the upgrades, but the article says that they couldn't identify a need. A few months later, they sent tanks to Afghanistan....I'm aware of the plan to replace the Leopards. They wanted to replace them with Strykers, which are light armoured vehicles. From what I've read, the LAV IIIs that Canada uses as light armoured vehicles have better armour than Strykers. Why replace a tank with a vehicle that has less protection than the light armoured vehicles already in use? That's a forehead slapping moment imo. Quote
weaponeer Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 The LAV & Stryker are the same vehicle. What makes our LAV better is we have added a turret equipped with a 25mm gun. If you see pics of the US Army Strykers in Iraq you will notice they are surronded by what looks like a metal fence. It is used to protect them from RPGs. RPGs & really big IEDs are the biggest threat to our Leopards. There was talk about purchasing about 100 used German Leopard2s. Depending on the success of the Leos in Afghanistan, you may see this go ahead. The big prob with tanks is moving them around the world. Now that we are buying C17s, and tarnsport ships this will not be as huge an issue. Remember also, tanks need support. When you have tanks, you need repair vehicles for them, tank tow-trucks, tank transported trucks etc... I like tanks, they bring a presents to a battlefeild that says "we are serious, do not mess with us". It's shock value. The Swiss have surplus L2s' as do the Germans & Swedes..... Quote
weaponeer Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 Here's some goo Afghanistan vids, http://www.canadaka.net/link.php?id=15862 Quote
scribblet Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 Rick Mercer has a good piece, worth a read. http://www.theindependent.ca/article.asp?AID=1333&ATID=6 Further on in your column you ask why more people aren’t questioning Canada’s role in Afghanistan. I understand this frustration. It’s a good question. Why should Canada honour its United Nations-sanctioned NATO commitments? Let’s have the discussion. I would welcome debate on the idea that Canada should simply ignore its international obligations and pull out of Afghanistan. By all means ask the questions Noreen, but surely such debates can occur without begrudging the families of injured soldiers too much airtime at Christmas? Personally, I would have thought that as a professor of women’s studies you would be somewhat supportive of the notion of a NATO presence in Afghanistan. After all, it is the NATO force that is keeping the Taliban from power. In case you missed it Noreen, the Taliban was a regime that systematically de-peopled women to the point where they had no human rights whatsoever. This was a country where until very recently it was illegal for a child to fly a kite or for a little girl to receive any education. To put it in terms you might understand Noreen, rest assured the Taliban would frown on your attending this year’s opening night gala of the St. John’s International Women’s Film Festival. In fact, as a woman, a professor, a writer and (one supposes) an advocate of the concept that women are people, they would..... Quote Hey Ho - Ontario Liberals Have to Go - Fight Wynne - save our province
Army Guy Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 scriblett: Nice find scriblett, Rick mercer is one hell of a stand-up guy. Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
Army Guy Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 You don't have to wait 3 years for surplus-equipment, and at that price, they could have picked them up at the cost of the upgrades, but the article says that they couldn't identify a need. A few months later, they sent tanks to Afghanistan..... As an infanteer, i'm a big fan of tanks...but what we really need to do is sit down and think about any purchase we make. Now we have a government that is willing to spend some of our tax dollars on equipment , who's future is not garenteed we need to get the right equipment now, and pray that what ever government comes into play next does not cancel those contracts... As much as i love tanks, it may not be a wise choice when you list all of the other equipment we truely need...we still need additional arty pieces, enough for all the brigades, additional LAV III vehs for all the brigades and Appache helos would be nice to assist our new Chinnoks, the Airforce could use more UAV's, and a contract for F-35 would be nice...the Navy is hurting big time thier list is huge, but without them we cut off one of our modes of transport and support...unfortunatly this is going to take bils to solve.... I'm aware of the plan to replace the Leopards. They wanted to replace them with Strykers, which are light armoured vehicles. From what I've read, the LAV IIIs that Canada uses as light armoured vehicles have better armour than Strykers. Why replace a tank with a vehicle that has less protection than the light armoured vehicles already in use? That's a forehead slapping moment imo I'm not a big fan of the MGS, (the striker tank) but it did have some merit, one it's wheeled, meaning easier to maintain, cheaper to maintain, able to travel long distances without the need for transport. Other merits was speed, a LAV can reach speeds of over 110 kph, and with a little help from your maintainer well over 120 kph, and it had a large portion of it's parts in common with the existing LAV... All of that and the fact we hostorically did not deploy tanks in any large numbers... It's down side was it's lack of armour, could only fire gun in the front postion, had a nasty habit of igniting anything to it's front whne main gun was fired, including infantry. Could not fit in a herc, it was not designed to be used as a tank replacement but rather as a Infantry support gun. the list goes on and on CASR web site has a good article on it. Who's Doing What?: Army Guy & Weaponeer:I have been thinking of organizing a large "care package" for the troops in A-stan. What kind of stuff do you guys miss over there? First off thanks, without PKGs from home this tour would have been alot harder. but if i could offer some advice. We have recieved so many pkgs it is unbelieveable,thousands of them so many in fact that for awhile we we not recieving any mail from home, entire planes have been used just to get pkgs through. Do not send any pkgs marked "for any soldier" they no longer send them, and are normally returned, just to many of them...it's not that we don't want them there just to many of them... Best thing to do if you know somebody over there is to address it to them, if you don't know anyone then go to DND web site and e-mail a soldier and get his info, you'll need his service number, and his unit and the address... PKG normally take over a month to recieve so no baked goodies or anything that will spoil, next they say no liquids, but if you wrap them extremily well they'll get thru...keep in mind the mail is handled by army guys, so it needs to be packed and taped very well, "postal clerks we will never be" Things that might be needed, hard candy, Maginzines or books any type "no porno", flea collars"fleas are bad here we put them on the legs of our cots i keep one in my ruck", floor hockey equipment, such as hockey sticks, orange balls, eye wear, other than that we normally can get everything hear. Floor hockey is big here and we play every chance we get... Things not to send that have been sent: rifles and pistols: "people are sending over old rifles and pistols" AMMO: knives or swords, Money ...please do not send cash, cheques, anything like that... liquor ....yes we like it, but can;t drink it, don't need the temptation... Sex toys...i had a private trying to explain to me how he got a dildo in the mail...it was addressed to any female soldier he opened by mistake....lets just say he carefully reads the address now.. tools.... instructions for making explosives at home....Sorry got all that i need.. Cookies and cakes...all gone bad...i mean very bad.... Pies...same as above Anyway you get the idea if you can think of it someone has sent it.... Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
jdobbin Posted January 31, 2007 Author Report Posted January 31, 2007 Here's some goo Afghanistan vids,http://www.canadaka.net/link.php?id=15862 Thanks for the link. Hope they get air conditioners in those things before it gets too hot. As someone said, those things were meant for battles in Europe and no one thought they'd ever be in a place with record hot temps. Quote
Who's Doing What? Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 Who's Doing What?:Army Guy & Weaponeer:I have been thinking of organizing a large "care package" for the troops in A-stan. What kind of stuff do you guys miss over there? First off thanks, without PKGs from home this tour would have been alot harder. but if i could offer some advice. We have recieved so many pkgs it is unbelieveable,thousands of them so many in fact that for awhile we we not recieving any mail from home, entire planes have been used just to get pkgs through. Do not send any pkgs marked "for any soldier" they no longer send them, and are normally returned, just to many of them...it's not that we don't want them there just to many of them... Best thing to do if you know somebody over there is to address it to them, if you don't know anyone then go to DND web site and e-mail a soldier and get his info, you'll need his service number, and his unit and the address... PKG normally take over a month to recieve so no baked goodies or anything that will spoil, next they say no liquids, but if you wrap them extremily well they'll get thru...keep in mind the mail is handled by army guys, so it needs to be packed and taped very well, "postal clerks we will never be" Things that might be needed, hard candy, Maginzines or books any type "no porno", flea collars"fleas are bad here we put them on the legs of our cots i keep one in my ruck", floor hockey equipment, such as hockey sticks, orange balls, eye wear, other than that we normally can get everything hear. Floor hockey is big here and we play every chance we get... Things not to send that have been sent: rifles and pistols: "people are sending over old rifles and pistols" AMMO: knives or swords, Money ...please do not send cash, cheques, anything like that... liquor ....yes we like it, but can;t drink it, don't need the temptation... Sex toys...i had a private trying to explain to me how he got a dildo in the mail...it was addressed to any female soldier he opened by mistake....lets just say he carefully reads the address now.. tools.... instructions for making explosives at home....Sorry got all that i need.. Cookies and cakes...all gone bad...i mean very bad.... Pies...same as above Anyway you get the idea if you can think of it someone has sent it.... I got a good laugh out of some of that stuff people have tried to send. I'm glad I asked 'cause Flea collars is something I never would have thought of. For the eye-wear would ski goggles be what you would want? Quote Harper differed with his party on some key policy issues; in 1995, for example, he was one of only two Reform MPs to vote in favour of federal legislation requiring owners to register their guns. http://www.mapleleafweb.com/election/bio/harper.html "You've got to remember that west of Winnipeg the ridings the Liberals hold are dominated by people who are either recent Asian immigrants or recent migrants from eastern Canada: people who live in ghettoes and who are not integrated into western Canadian society." (Stephen Harper, Report Newsmagazine, January 22, 2001)
Army Guy Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 something like a racket ball eyewear, light not bulky...but anything will do were really not picky...it's kind of funny, that they are concerned about us lossing an eye playing ball hockey, but rules are rules... something i forgot to add to the list is wet naps, showers are few and far between...and gum, anything that is funny, a good laugh is hard to come by...or just a letter, which is the best thing i have recieved, it takes your mind off the war, and gives us something to do like write back...tell them about whats happening in your town or city, something funny..remember not all of us have access to computers or radios so any thing negetive is not good, local or at home...I've stopped sharing my computer for that very reason, the media was effecting my troops moral... Quote We, the willing, led by the unknowing, are doing the impossible for the ungrateful. We have now done so much for so long with so little, we are now capable of doing anything with nothing.
madmax Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 A good analysis. Full Report http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/31/opinion/edjones.php The insurgency can be divided into two main tiers. The top tier is made up of the Taliban leadership structure and key commanders, including former Afghan leader Mullah Omar, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Jalaluddin Haqqani, and several hundred other military and political commanders. These men are motivated by radical Islam, and see the insurgency as a fight with Western infidels, and the West's "puppet government" in Kabul.The bottom tier includes thousands of local fighters and their support network. These are primarily young men from rural villages who are paid to set up roadside bombs, launch rockets and mortars at NATO and Afghan forces, or pick up a gun for a few days. Most are not ideologically committed to jihad. Rather, they are motivated because they are unemployed, disenchanted with the lack of change since 2001, or angry because a local villager was killed or wounded by Afghan, U.S. or NATO forces. A successful counterinsurgency strategy must separate these two tiers. Dealing with the top tier requires a Machiavellian approach. Members of this group cannot be converted. They must be captured or killed because of their ideological commitment to jihad. Doing this entails a difficult political and diplomatic feat: convincing the government of Pakistan to undermine the Taliban sanctuary on its soil. Washington has been unwilling to confront Pakistan over the fact that most of the top-tier Taliban leaders live in Pakistan. There is virtual unanimity among UN and NATO officials that Omar is based Quetta, Pakistan. Omar sits atop a shura, or leadership council, that holds strategic command of the Taliban. Quote
madmax Posted January 31, 2007 Report Posted January 31, 2007 More general information with regards to problems in solving Afghanistan. WCSH6.com The president of Afghanistan is once again calling for talks with the Taliban and other militant groups. President Hamid Karzai told a crowd at Kabul's main Shiite mosque Tuesday that he wants to "open a way for negotiations" to end bloodshed. Karzai's call comes as U.S., NATO and other Western officials warn of a Taliban offensive in the spring. Monday, two suspected militants died in clashes in southern Afghanistan, along with one police officer. Militant leaders have rebuffed Karzai's previous offers for negotiations. Last year was Afghanistan's bloodiest since the Taliban was removed from power in 2001. About 4,000 people lost their lives in insurgency-related violence. While taking into consideration the analysis prior, the need to talk to lower level tribal leaders is necessary in order to sway them into Karzais fold, and not the Radical Taliban leader Omar, and not the Former Pashtun Leader Hekmatyar. The latter being much worse than the Taliban. Quote
weaponeer Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Great info, thanks for the post..... Quote
jdobbin Posted February 1, 2007 Author Report Posted February 1, 2007 While taking into consideration the analysis prior, the need to talk to lower level tribal leaders is necessary in order to sway them into Karzais fold, and not the Radical Taliban leader Omar, and not the Former Pashtun Leader Hekmatyar. The latter being much worse than the Taliban. There were talks this week but the anger of the tribal leaders with Pakistan's government was explosive. As some of the links you gave have shown, everyone believes Pakistan harbours the forces the destabilize Afghanistan. Quote
weaponeer Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Really, what is Pakistans interest in the talibs. There bigest prob is India. I say put pressure on them thought India. Quote
jdobbin Posted February 1, 2007 Author Report Posted February 1, 2007 Really, what is Pakistans interest in the talibs. There bigest prob is India. I say put pressure on them thought India. I think whatever pressure can be brought to bear should be brought on Pakistan. Until those two provinces are neutralized, the danger will always be great. Quote
weaponeer Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Those provs are lawless. One advantage to that is "if" SOF units cross the border, there's really nobody there to check their passports!! It does make it easier to have map & navigation "errors"..... Still, what is Pakistans interest in these clowns??? Quote
jbg Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Really, what is Pakistans interest in the talibs. There bigest prob is India. I say put pressure on them thought India. Frankly, we should cut off aid to countries and peoples that won't cooperate with us, and cut off their air, land and sea access to the outside world. If they want to suicide-bomb, they can kill each other. If they starve, they'll see what a disastrous direction their combative "religion of peace" is taking them. Why, oh why, did Pakistan have its hands out for earthquake aid in December 2005, when it seems to have plenty of money for weapons, including a first-class nuclear weapons program. Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
weaponeer Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Here's a good read I just found on army.ca I found this article in yesterday's Time and Transcript (newspaper from Moncton NB). It's a letter from Matthew (doesn't say is rank) to his mother about the current state of affairs in Afghanistan. I believe most civilians think that soldiers are fighting for their governments or for an idea but this letter demonstrate that soldiers are fighting for one another. I would hope that every Canadian could read this letter. http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/arti...articleID=97530 P.S The link is only accessible trough paid subscription....... Published Tuesday January 30th, 2007 Appeared on page D7 What the war is all about To The Editor: The following is a letter we received from my son, Matthew, who is serving in Afghanistan and I think it will serve to let the public know what our Canadian soldiers are doing there: Good Day all: So far this tour I have received a few comments thrown my way expressing concern. I shall attempt to clear up any misconceptions anyone may have in regards to what I'm doing over here, and what my goals are. First of all, Khandahar, Afghanistan is a war zone. During my first two tours here I was part of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force). Our job was to secure the Capital of Afghanistan, Kabul. We did that. Our next job was to set up an interim government so that they could have an Afghan president and begin governing themselves. We did that. This tour, however, is different from my previous tours in Afghanistan, or any other tour since the 1950s Korean conflict for that matter. There is an armed enemy in Khandahar. They are called the Taliban. In order to retake this country and give it back to the Afghan people we must take control of this area. It is the homeland of the Taliban and the lifeline to their existence. That's why they are putting up such resistance. The end game is near. My specific job on this tour is to kill as many as we can before the battle group moves in and takes this piece of land back from the Taliban. I'm not here to win the hearts and minds of the local population. The innocent people have all left. They were given warning of our intent and anyone who stays will be considered enemy. And that's what we are doing. We are fighting against another enemy. Every Taliban we capture or kill had the opportunity to just leave, or throw down their weapons and surrender. Instead they decided their own fate by taking up arms and fighting to the death. We are not an invading army like the Russians during the 10 year war. We are liberating this country from a terrorist organization and will hand it over to the people of Afghanistan when it is safe. Unfortunately war is graphic, and as for head counts, they are needed to assess battle capabilities of the enemy. War can be messy, yet can be as involved as a game of chess, and either way war has been around since the beginning of time. Even the Holy Christian church had their crusades. I've been on four previous tours where I handed out goats to starting farmers and driven around Bosnia with chickens loaded in the back for families just now returning home because it is safe to do so after 20 years, due to the efforts of myself and other soldiers before me. I've stood side by side with my fellow solders holding back an angry mob stopping them from crossing a river to massacre a group of innocent Albanians. I've even spent over a year driving around hostile countries dodging landmines restricted by rules of engagement that prohibited me from returning fire unless I was already hit. I've given a small Afghan child my jacket because he was so cold his lips were turning blue. I've been spat on, and picked up flyers in Macedonia that read "Go home NATO baby killers". Despite all that we still continue on with our mission. I've done my time as a peacekeeper, however this war is different, because that is what it is . . . war. We are not out here murdering women and small children, these are not innocent farmers just trying to live in their own little part of the world. Those people have all left. Unfortunately war creates displaced people. The innocent must leave their homes. But they can return once our job is complete and believe it or not, they will be better off. Before we ever fired the first round in this area (Panjway) the Canadian Psychological Operations dropped leaflets over the whole area telling people to leave or they will be shot. We deal with village elders and set up timings for the locals to return to cultivate their crops. So it's not like we just said get out and don't come back. Everyone left except the Taliban. They stayed to fight. These people live to kill Canadians and other coalition forces. The Taliban we kill today won't be able to plant that IED tomorrow that takes me out. I'm not here to murder innocent people, I'm here to fight alongside of my fellow soldiers to complete a mission that was set upon us by our government that was elected by the majority of each and every one of us. I've seen how these Taliban run a country. I've driven past the National mosque where the Taliban executed 150 innocent civilians in order to instill fear and compliancy in the population so that they would think twice about breaking their rules. I've stood on the bridge where they hanged people who broke their rules, as trivial as they might sound. Let's just say you want to relax for a bit. You send the children out to go fly a kite while you kick back and listen to your favorite tune on the radio and throw on a bit of nail polish. It's a nice warm day and you doze off to sleep with the sound of your pet bird chirping away on the window sill. Oh! Oh! Here comes Mister Taliban and all hell breaks loose. They start by pulling your fingernails out for wearing nail polish or jewelry, but don't worry, it won't hurt long. Soon you'll be hanged from a bridge for having a radio or a caged bird . . . Who will feed your children you ask? Not a problem they'll be swinging next to you for flying a kite. That's the kind of people we fight and kill every day. For every life I take on the battlefield I'm creating a better life in the future. I do not exaggerate my stories, nor will I make them sound any different that what they are. Graphic tales of the sights and sounds your fellow Canadians witness every day. If you think reading my stories makes it hard to fall asleep at night, try writing them. Sorry folks, war just isn't PG-13. I really don't see the big problem anyway since we have all seen actual footage of The Second World War. You think all those young men storming the beaches of Normandy got up and walked away when the filming was done? What's the difference between seeing documented footage of someone dying 50 years ago and hearing a story about what happened yesterday to my comrades? If you want the truth . . . hold on because it will be a bumpy ride. It's going to get worse before it gets better. There is word that the regiment may receive a battle honour for the battle of Panjway. Battle Honors are sewn onto our regimental flag , which is carried into battle and used as a rallying point after a battle. Since 1883 the Royal Canadian Dragoons have earned 25 Battle Honours. You can see that they are not handed out like candy at Christmas. The actions of the troops during the battle of Panjway will do down in history. In 50 years from now what I will have written here will be no different than what you'd see on an A&E documentary about the Second World War today. As for taking the life of a soldier trying to take mine, it's not the act of killing, it's more the satisfaction that I've done my job, and made the country safer for every son, daughter, mother, father serving their country here in Afghanistan. Because have no doubt. He was trying to kill them. It's not a free for all over here. We have rules of engagement we must follow. I cannot discuss them but before anyone pulls the trigger, there are certain criteria that must be met. Margaret Landry, Boudreau-West Quote
jbg Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 Do those "rules of engagement" force Canada to fight with both hands, or one hand, tied behind its back? Quote Free speech: "You can say what you want, but I don't have to lend you my megaphone." Always remember that when you are in the right you can afford to keep your temper, and when you are in the wrong you cannot afford to lose it. - J.J. Reynolds. Will the steps anyone is proposing to fight "climate change" reduce a single temperature, by a single degree, at a single location? The mantra of "world opinion" or the views of the "international community" betrays flabby and weak reasoning (link).
weaponeer Posted February 1, 2007 Report Posted February 1, 2007 The ROEs get the job done:)... Quote
jdobbin Posted February 1, 2007 Author Report Posted February 1, 2007 In Tuesday's Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/f...ack=1&cset=true MASUMGHAR, AFGHANISTAN — In the wind-scoured high desert that was once the heartland of the Taliban movement, the will and determination of a little-heralded American ally have been undergoing a harsh test.For the last six months, the task of confronting insurgents in volatile Kandahar province in southern Afghanistan has largely fallen to Canada, whose troops have participated in myriad peacekeeping missions in recent years but had not seen high-intensity combat since the Korean War. Although its nearly 3,000 troops account for less than 10% of the allied forces in Afghanistan, Canada absorbed nearly 20% of the coalition's combat deaths last year, losing 36 soldiers. A Canadian diplomat also was killed, by a suicide bomber. The disproportionate casualty count in a region that Taliban commanders have pledged to seize this spring has triggered debate at home about whether Canada is finding itself in a quagmire of American making. Quote
jdobbin Posted February 3, 2007 Author Report Posted February 3, 2007 Looks like the British strategy of negotiation resulted in one of the towns it left being retaken. http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070203/world/afghanistan Quote
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