Hundreds support troops at Edmonton rally.

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

Here is the story.

Freezing cold and a biting wind didn't stop more than 300 people from showing up at a "Red Friday" rally in Edmonton to support Canada's troops in Afghanistan

Good work for the supporters of our troops to get out and brave the cold! The boys will appreciate your efforts.

Shakeyhands · November 4, 2006

I'm still confused by this. I think its great that people get out to these Rally's but I wonder if it includes support for the mission... I know the one put on here by the writer and publicized heavily on AM640 was twisted by many, they advertised that you din't have to support the "mission" but wanted people to come out to support the troops, THEN reported that all these people supported the mission...

I mean who doesn't "support" the troops?

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

Fair question, but would anybody go to a rally like that if they really didn't support the mission?

*If* they did wouldn't they bring signs or make their views known on the distinction?

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

Support the troops! -- bring them home.

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

Support the troops! -- bring them home.

Typical leftie response. Pithy, self-indulgent, uninteresting...

cybercoma · November 4, 2006

Support the troops! -- bring them home.

Why do you have such disdain for the innocent Afghanis who are relying on our troops?

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

Why do you have such disdain for the innocent Afghanis who are relying on our troops?

Don't expect any reasonable debate from him.

You'll get slogans and attacks but that's about it.

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

Support the troops! -- bring them home.

Why do you have such disdain for the innocent Afghanis who are relying on our troops?

My view is that as a Canadian my obligations are toward the noble men and women who signed up to defend this country. I think we should be more concerned with protecting their lives and limbs than with the impossible to resolve needs of remote foreigners.

(Sorry to Ricki Bubba if that doesn't sound reasonable to him, but his faculty of reason is demonstrably impaired anyway.)

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

My view is that as a Canadian my obligations are toward the noble men and women who signed up to defend this country. I think we should be more concerned with protecting their lives and limbs than with the impossible to resolve needs of remote foreigners.
(Sorry to Ricki Bubba if that doesn't sound reasonable to him, but his faculty of reason is demonstrably impaired anyway.)

What a mature and well thought-out personal attack. :lol:

Seriously though. The Canadian Forces make it very clear in recruitment that overseas service will be expected of recruits. Nobody signs up thinking they will only serve in Canada.

Here's a link to the Forces recruiting page.

killjoy · November 4, 2006

I think we should be more concerned with protecting their lives and limbs than with the impossible to resolve needs of remote foreigners.

That wasn't the story when it was Rwanda....unless of course something was done about that, then it would be the same story.

Ships are safer in harbor. That's not why we have them.

.

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

Seriously though. The Canadian Forces make it very clear in recruitment that overseas service will be expected of recruits. Nobody signs up thinking they will only serve in Canada.

Which in no way changes my rationale.

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

I think we should be more concerned with protecting their lives and limbs than with the impossible to resolve needs of remote foreigners.

That wasn't the story when it was Rwanda....

:huh:

I certainly never advocated Canadian intervention in Rwanda.

Ricki Bobbi · November 4, 2006

Which in no way changes my rationale.

Hmmm, but when you said this:

My view is that as a Canadian my obligations are toward the noble men and women who signed up to defend this country.

it didn't make sense. Part of the deal they signed up for in defending 'this country', was defending this country's best interests abroad ... as decided by the Liberal Government and re-affirmed by a majority vote in Parliament after the Conservatives won.

You may not see it as in the country's best interest, but hey that's a democracy...

Cameron · November 4, 2006

It's not about just protecting Canada off the shores of the country. This war in Afghanistan is about protecting Canadian interests as well as protecting our right to protect ourselves by making places around the world less inhabited by god-willing-killing terrorists. Having boots on the ground in Afgh. means that we are willing to go to the front door of the terrorists and knock.

This mission is one of utmost importance, and must be completed.

Some food for thought.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sud-IdjIV-o

Sully · November 4, 2006

What's funny about all this debate, is that we sit here and talk about a situation that we are so far removed from. Ask the soldiers if they want to come home? We sit here most of the time pretending that we speak on behalf of the soldiers and their wishes, remember we do not. I am glad that we have fellow citizens who will KNOWINGLY put their lives at risk to maintain and protect Canadian values. I am also glad that we have politicians that are willing to put our soldiers on distant battlefields, rather then allow a fight to happen in our own Canadian backyard. Whats also great is that we also have people on one end of the political spectrum who will do the fighting, come home to people on the other side who do not support their actions, and do it again if the need arises.

LASTLY WHEN A CITIZEN SIGNS UP TO BE A SOLDIER THEY KNOW THE RISKS OF THE POSITION, I HAVE NEVER SIGNED UP AND I KNOW THE POTENTIAL RISKS.

gerryhatrick · November 4, 2006

This is not a Federal Political topic.

Everyone suports the troops.

belinda emerson · November 4, 2006

I am glad that we have fellow citizens who will KNOWINGLY put their lives at risk to maintain and protect Canadian values.

I too am glad that fellow citizens will put their lives at risk to maintain Canadian values. What does that have to do with Afghanistan?

The current Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recognizes the Koran as being supreme over any other legislation and for this reason it's perfectly legal for them to execute Muslims who convert to Christianity. What Canadian values are being protected by Canadians dying for an Islamic theocracy? The fact that the Harper Conservatives and a handful of Liberals voted to extend the mission doesn't make it right.

rogue state · November 4, 2006

so, the supporters should go and fight to protect canadian values in afganistan

support with fight, not only with rallies and turmoil.

Mahmoud Ghalehnoii

normanchateau · November 4, 2006

so, the supporters should go and fight to protect canadian values in afganistan
support with fight, not only with rallies and turmoil.

Mahmoud Ghalehnoii

Yes, Mahmoud, all Canadians, especially those in Quebec, are eager to fight for the distinctly Canadian values in Afghanistan. Too bad most Afghanis don't seem to appreciate our efforts.

Afghanistan will do for Harper what Iraq has done for lameducks Bush and Blair.

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

It doesn't matter if the soldiers 'know the risks' when they sign up, I still don't want them exposed to 'the risks' of futile irrelevant missions.

It also doesn't matter if they 'believe in' their mission. To do their jobs thry have to believe in it. Since that's their job requirement we can't expect them to be doing a strategic policy analysis. Therefore trategic policy analysis is our obligation here at home. We owe the soldiers careful thought on the risks we ask them to take.

cybercoma · November 4, 2006

My view is that as a Canadian my obligations are toward the noble men and women who signed up to defend this country. I think we should be more concerned with protecting their lives and limbs than with the impossible to resolve needs of remote foreigners.
(Sorry to Ricki Bubba if that doesn't sound reasonable to him, but his faculty of reason is demonstrably impaired anyway.)

So, you don't think we should've been involved in Dieppe? We should've let those 'Euros' deal with their own problems?

cybercoma · November 4, 2006

I am glad that we have fellow citizens who will KNOWINGLY put their lives at risk to maintain and protect Canadian values.

I too am glad that fellow citizens will put their lives at risk to maintain Canadian values. What does that have to do with Afghanistan?

The current Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recognizes the Koran as being supreme over any other legislation and for this reason it's perfectly legal for them to execute Muslims who convert to Christianity. What Canadian values are being protected by Canadians dying for an Islamic theocracy? The fact that the Harper Conservatives and a handful of Liberals voted to extend the mission doesn't make it right.

And it says, 'In God We Trust' on American money. Doesn't mean they're going to go killing a bunch of Muslims.....oh, wait.

Figleaf · November 4, 2006

So, you don't think we should've been involved in Dieppe? We should've let those 'Euros' deal with their own problems?

:lol:

What a ludicrously inapt red-herring.

Sorry, but in case you didn't notice, this thread's about Afghahistan.

normanchateau · November 4, 2006

So, you don't think we should've been involved in Dieppe? We should've let those 'Euros' deal with their own problems?

Of course we were right to be in Dieppe. Canadian involvement in Afghanistan is more like American involvement in Vietnam. It does not remotely resemble Canadian involvement in World War II.

White Doors · November 4, 2006

I am glad that we have fellow citizens who will KNOWINGLY put their lives at risk to maintain and protect Canadian values.

I too am glad that fellow citizens will put their lives at risk to maintain Canadian values. What does that have to do with Afghanistan?

The current Islamic Republic of Afghanistan recognizes the Koran as being supreme over any other legislation and for this reason it's perfectly legal for them to execute Muslims who convert to Christianity. What Canadian values are being protected by Canadians dying for an Islamic theocracy? The fact that the Harper Conservatives and a handful of Liberals voted to extend the mission doesn't make it right.

Funny that the vast majority of the Afghan's themselves disgaree with you. This is also a UN mandated war. Under what circumstances do you believe that Canada should go to war to help others? Or do you believe that Peace is simply the absence of war?