Troops As Pawns
The federal Conservatives' strangely-timed proposal to extend our presence in Afghanistan, when the current mission does not expire until next year, is an attempt to bolster their tough guy image and solidify support from their hawkish constituency. It is cynical, self-serving and just more evidence that they don't give a shit less about soldiers dying, the costs incurred to the country or the dissemination of democratic principles around the world. They care about their own shallow, thread-clinging hold on political power- just like George Bush and his retarded band of withered old men with tiny penises (and that includes Condoleeza Rice).
At the same time, we hear about more environmental programs being cut. I guess the secret plan is to kill soldiers quickly and the rest of us real slow-like. Just my opinion of course.
At the same time, we hear about more environmental programs being cut. I guess the secret plan is to kill soldiers quickly and the rest of us real slow-like. Just my opinion of course.
Labels: Environment, Harpocrites, War
posted by K-Dough at 7:30 PM
25 Comments:
The new gov't is a despicable polarizing force that will stifle real debate with accusations and smears.
But Emily, that's very similar to the govn't beneath our border... ohhh...
Emily- I hear you- they are creating wedge issues already with a mind toward the next election. They are setting us up for useless moralistic arguments that will get the blood pumping and detract from remebering how well our economy and markets functioned under the Liberals.
I believe that this is simply a politico-cultural lag - a right-wing backlash to complacency, that will eventually blow over like a toxic gas cloud, and we'll see the sun shine again.
You are right, they are using Afghanistan as a wedge issue in a can't lose bid, but the larger issue, for me anyway, is that it sets a precedent for going to Parliament before committing troops.
It's not enshrined in law, but a precedent is something that at least has to be actively aknowledged in the future. It is a move that will outlive this government I hope.
Kevvyd: You forgot to say "and you can put that in your pipe and smoke it!"- love the new pic!
right on. I was at a secret Tory meeting and we calculated that for every 10 soldiers dead, our polling numbers nudge up 2 pints.
Hey Chuckercanuck...
I was at the same secret Tory meeting. Remember when we all cheered because the Liberals committed our troops to afstan in the first place and we positively salivated about the fact that the Liberals systematically starved our forces of money and equipment to ensure maximum casualties?
Ahhh. Good times. Good times.
CC: "2 pints"? blood? beer?
"2 pints". CC is just acknowledging that today is "Talk Like a Newfie Day"
K-Dough, it is really amazing, how they are forcing opposition parties to vote on the issue tomorrow because they know support for the mission is low and if he wants to extend the mission he will have to do it now before god forbid any more casualities happen. The opposition parties now can vote against the motion and be branded as not supporting troops or they can support the motion and later keep their mouths shut. It is a nasty game Harper is playing with our troops.
Personally I think after the feb 2007 deadline, our troops should leave afghanistan and go to Darfur where they are more needed.
Could this 'debate' raise questions about the long term goals vs Canada's limited possibilities to be a part of any other UN peacekeeping initiative? Methinks the Harper Conservatives have as little respect for the UN or most of Europe as the US government.
By the way, for a party that derides 'social engineering', aren't the PCs joining George Bush in trying to engineer western-style democracy/capitalism in Afghanistan, just as in Iraq? Just as in Iraq, all the young men are siding against the foreigners. An Islamic government seems inevitable. Who will replace these foreign armies? The tribal armies?
Build bombs, make money... god I love America... I mean Canada.
Emily- By the way, their use of the term 'social engineering'is completely inappropriate. It doesn't apply at all to progressive social policy reform.
Social engineering is autocratically moulding behaviour through laws and regulations like: forcing people to maintain savings accounts, or recite propaganda in school, like in Singapore.
The Liberals are not forcing men to marry other men or forcing people to smoke pot.
Once again their understanding of complex ideas is facile and incorrect- just like the so-called Harris whiz-kids' understanding of economic theories was.
"Methinks the Harper Conservatives have as little respect for the UN or most of Europe as the US government"
You mean the UN that did such a bang-up job in Rwanada & Darfur? And was sprung into action in Bosnia so quickly that NATO had to intervene to stop the slaughter?
Say it ain't so...
I am not buy marksomething satilite products no more
The legacy of the Bill Davis' PC party was a period of growth and forward movement, despite minority governments.
So far, I'd have to say minority Federal governments suck for both major parties, though Harper gets points for actually working on some things. Dithers tried to apologize/get angry/be indignant about everything in his attempt to eventually get a majority, Harper appears to be engaged in some secretive long-game strategy to achieve same. Both are just as distasteful, IMHO.
Canadians don't seem ready to hand the keys over to anyone yet, but I'm certain they don't want to spend anymore time stuck in this fucked-up strategy game.
K-dough: "Social engineering is autocratically moulding behaviour through laws and regulations like: forcing people to maintain savings accounts, or recite propaganda in school, like in Singapore."
Or through religious strictures, such as: no sex before marriage; homosexuality is punishable by ostracization/coercive measures to "cure" the homosexual/imprisonment/stoning; the whole concept of blasphemy limiting freedom of speech, etc.
mark something -- while I don't make going out of my way not to buy American goods an obsession, whenever I have the option of buying a European or Canadian good that's more or less equivalent, I will usually opt for the non-American good.
ouch! that hurts homo
nope
my message tomorrow is about gay guys with spindly calves taking over the donut shops on Church Street.
you're taking over a donut shop on Church Street? Wait, I thought you were a straight guy?
"how morally reprehensible the Conservatives' policy on Kyoto is..."
*ahem*
Can anyone...anyone please tell me exactly what the chretien/Martin governments have done to even try to meet the Kyoto targets?
Just asking...
"Can anyone...anyone please tell me exactly what the chretien/Martin governments have done to even try to meet the Kyoto targets?"
The silence is deafening...
"Can anyone...anyone please tell me exactly what the chretien/Martin governments have done to even try to meet the Kyoto targets?"
The silence is deafening..."
geeezz
I would have thought you folks were a little better prepared than that...
"Can anyone...anyone please tell me exactly what the chretien/Martin governments have done to even try to meet the Kyoto targets?"
Actually, in the absence of any cogent response, and to save embarassment, I'll answer for you:
Nothing.
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