Cut and run or stand on guard for thee?
Why are 2,200 Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan?
Looking on a map of the world, one couldn't find a place more removed from our northern frontier. Prior to the US-led invasion of the country to overthrow the Taliban and its Al Queda allies, most Canadians probably couldn't even spell the country's name correctly.
The savage axe attack on Canadian Lieut. Trevor Greene of Vancouver, possibly set up by the same local tribesmen he was trying to mediate with, reminded Canadians of a mission that is far from over. Just days later, Canada's top general had to be evacuated following a bomb attack nearby. Afghanistan is back in the spotlight.
Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) is one group trying to muster opposition to the ongoing mission. I often see their posters plastered around Vancouver announcing some new rally. While I haven't witnessed one of their events in person, their list of local supporters runs pretty long and includes Vancouver City Councillor Tim Louis, some human rights organizations and various student groups, in addition to the predictable assortment of leftists.
MAWO's rhetoric is simplistic enough - railing consistently in their articles and press releases against imperialist American oppressors (and, by default, the Canadian stooges that help them) that have brought only "death, destruction and devastation."
According to MAWO, the Canadian mission is responsible for widespread unemployment, illiteracy and infant mortality (as though those problems didn't exist or weren't created under the warlords, and later, the Taliban).
Like any lobbyist or special interest group, MAWO's occasionally extreme rhetoric overlooks some inconvenient facts: since the medieval, reviled regime of the Taliban was overthrown, Afghanis don't want them back in power. And it ignores improvements on the ground documented by reliably international organizations like UNICEF.
Canadian forces are helping prop up a national democratically-elected government that has asked them for assistance in putting down an insurgency by those same Taliban fanatics that helped keep Afghanistan in the stone age. Also, those regions of the country that are no
w relatively secure are now the beneficiaries of billions of dollars in foreign aid that helps build infrastructure and feed a society decimated by decades of war.
The Canadian mission in Afghanistan is a worthy effort. Our politicians should not be afraid to debate the mission in parliament. Stephen Harper and the leaders of the various parties could use the debate to at least remind voters of the very good reasons why our soldiers are over there.
tags: Canada in Afghanistan, Canadian forces in Afghanistan, democratically elected, ally, MAWO, anti-imperialist rhetoric, left-wing propaganda, peace keeping mission, modern warfare
Looking on a map of the world, one couldn't find a place more removed from our northern frontier. Prior to the US-led invasion of the country to overthrow the Taliban and its Al Queda allies, most Canadians probably couldn't even spell the country's name correctly.The savage axe attack on Canadian Lieut. Trevor Greene of Vancouver, possibly set up by the same local tribesmen he was trying to mediate with, reminded Canadians of a mission that is far from over. Just days later, Canada's top general had to be evacuated following a bomb attack nearby. Afghanistan is back in the spotlight.
Mobilization Against War & Occupation (MAWO) is one group trying to muster opposition to the ongoing mission. I often see their posters plastered around Vancouver announcing some new rally. While I haven't witnessed one of their events in person, their list of local supporters runs pretty long and includes Vancouver City Councillor Tim Louis, some human rights organizations and various student groups, in addition to the predictable assortment of leftists.MAWO's rhetoric is simplistic enough - railing consistently in their articles and press releases against imperialist American oppressors (and, by default, the Canadian stooges that help them) that have brought only "death, destruction and devastation."
According to MAWO, the Canadian mission is responsible for widespread unemployment, illiteracy and infant mortality (as though those problems didn't exist or weren't created under the warlords, and later, the Taliban).
Like any lobbyist or special interest group, MAWO's occasionally extreme rhetoric overlooks some inconvenient facts: since the medieval, reviled regime of the Taliban was overthrown, Afghanis don't want them back in power. And it ignores improvements on the ground documented by reliably international organizations like UNICEF.Canadian forces are helping prop up a national democratically-elected government that has asked them for assistance in putting down an insurgency by those same Taliban fanatics that helped keep Afghanistan in the stone age. Also, those regions of the country that are no
w relatively secure are now the beneficiaries of billions of dollars in foreign aid that helps build infrastructure and feed a society decimated by decades of war.The Canadian mission in Afghanistan is a worthy effort. Our politicians should not be afraid to debate the mission in parliament. Stephen Harper and the leaders of the various parties could use the debate to at least remind voters of the very good reasons why our soldiers are over there.
tags: Canada in Afghanistan, Canadian forces in Afghanistan, democratically elected, ally, MAWO, anti-imperialist rhetoric, left-wing propaganda, peace keeping mission, modern warfare
posted by Jonathon Narvey @ 4:10 PM
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