'Hush' over Afghan mission must end: Kenny

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CTV's Question Period: Defence experts debate the mission

Sen. Colin Kenny, chair of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence is comparing Afghanistan to Vietnam, but retired major-general Lewis McKenzie says progress is being made.

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Sen. Colin Kenny, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on National Security and Defence, speaks with CTV's Question Period in Ottawa, on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009.

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Soldiers will not be offended. We follow direction from the political power, we do not question it. As a reflection of Canadian society, if the people want the Army out, we are out. Politicians must reflect the wishes of the general public and act accordingly -- they will always stand proud of accomplishments to date. It is time to be honest with all Canadians.

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'Hush' over Afghan mission must end: Kenny

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'Hush' over Afghan mission must end: Kenny

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Sun. Sep. 20 2009 5:37 PM ET

Liberal Senator Colin Kenny says politicians are too afraid of offending soldiers and their families by questioning Canada's role in Afghanistan, but it's important to have an honest debate about the mission.

"The issue is we've got to do something to get Canadians away from the hush," Kenny said Sunday on CTV's Question Period.

"There's a hush in the country and it's out of respect for the families, it's out of respect for the soldiers. Nobody wants to say anything that could possibly upset the families or the soldiers, and so we don't have a debate."

In a recent op-ed column in the Ottawa Citizen, Kenny called Afghanistan Canada's Vietnam, a war that lasted for more than a decade and left nearly 60,000 U.S. dead.

Kenny, who is also Chairman of the Senate National Defence Security Committee, says his criticism may seem "offensive," but Canadians deserve to know what the government hopes to achieve in Afghanistan before the mission ends in 2011.

Violence in Afghanistan's volatile south has increased in recent weeks, particularly since a U.S. troop surge and a highly contentious presidential election.

Kenny said the increase in violence makes it clear that Canada's strategy to clear, hold and develop former Taliban strongholds is not working.

"Triple D was the answer to things for a while: defence, diplomacy, development. We hear from the government about different innovations, and after a while you're saying, 'I'm sorry, you don't have any credibility,'" Kenny said. "We don't have clear goals in Afghanistan. One of the overwhelming things that comes in my mail is people saying, 'Why doesn't the government tell us what they want to achieve there?'"

Retired Maj. Gen. Lewis Mackenzie responded to Kenny's remarks by saying the increase in violence is in fact a sign that Canadian troops are doing valuable work in Afghanistan.

According to Mackenzie, the influx of American soldiers has allowed the Canadians to concentrate on a smaller area in their fight against the Taliban.

"Violence is increasing dramatically in the south for one reason and one reason only," Mackenzie told Question Period. "That's because we're out there kicking a hornet's nest with additional resources. That's going to happen."

He said Canada's strategy has been hampered by the fact that NATO failed "to provide the resources necessary to take this thing to a proper conclusion early on."

But Mackenzie said with the American surge and President Barack Obama's renewed focus on combating the Taliban in Afghanistan, the new commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, will adopt Canada's clear, hold and develop strategy.

But Kenny pointed to widespread allegations of voter fraud in last month's presidential election, a thriving drug trade in Helmand and Kandahar provinces and the recent passage of a law that allows for marital rape as signs that the mission in Afghanistan needs to be reevaluated.

"I've come to the conclusion that there's nothing we can do for the 131 (soldiers) that have died except mourn them, respect them, support their families," he said. "And there is something we can do for the next 130 and that is have a really good look at whether what we're doing over there is worthwhile, and maybe get out."

Comments are now closed for this story

David P., from PG.
said
0 0

Our mission to Afghanistan is a complete waste of time. History will prove that it to be a waste of time, money and lives. We don't need to do anything except leave. Now! The country was a mess before, is a mess now and will be a mess tomorrow, irregardless of what we do.

Jay
said
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General Mackenzie is 100% right.
What I do not understand is why Mr. Kenny, a Senator, is allowed to make false statements under the guise of "important to have an honest debate." Afghanistan is not Canada's Viet Nam. It does have clear goals there and they are being achieved. Or should I say here, cause that's where I am right now. Great having the internet here. Thank you Canada for your continued support.

nellieswife
said
0 0

Let's be perfectly clear here, these politicians are most certainly NOT afraid of offending soldiers, or their families...what they are afraid of, is losing popularity, and *gasp* perhaps votes. Call it what it is.

Richard L. Provencher
said
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Yes, Senator. We do know what is going to happen. Your party which sent us there in the first place, and accepted the toughest fighting area for our ill-equipped troops (by your party) will be out in 2011. Read about the debate in Hansard. I can't wait for the Conservatives to get a majority in the Senate so we can retire all these Liberal Chair media grabbers, because their party has nothing to advance to the Canadian people except having an election. Boy were they surprised when the other two opposition parties publicly announced they would support the government on key legislation.

charlie
said
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Lessons from Sen. Kenny comments on our presence in Afghanistan - should be translated to read 'I am doing my bit in trying to undermine the Harper Government and create any opportunity to give Iggy a soap box to preach from". Kenny is not interested in a debate of the goals there but rather in creating the illusion that Harper somehow is to blame for any concerns. Kenny demands concrete plans - oops, maybe he should pass that request on to his fearless leader Iggy - for Iggy's PLAN for Canada. He and Iggy can look up the definition in the dictionary if they have some difficulty understanding the meaning of the word. I am fed up with the Liberal smoke and mirrors approach to real problems. Take a position Iggy - and for heaven's sake stick to it for more than 24 hours!

ARJAY
said
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I've never understood the argument that we must stay in Afghanistan to "support our troops." I support our troops by hoping that they stay safe. But what's that got to do with staying in Afghanistan?

Was it the troops who decided to go there, or was it the politicians? If it was the politicians, then it is perfectly logical to criticise the mission without dishonouring our troops.

They may support the mission, but that doesn't automatically mean that the Canadian population doesn't have the right, somehow, to question whether Canada ought to continue the mission or not.

That's a political decision, and it's based on whether we feel that Canadian soldiers should continue to die to complete a mission that is not well defined. I thought we went there initially to keep the peace, then had the mission changed to military support for the American aim of capturing Osama bin Laden.

But that mission seems to have been forgotten. Now we seem to be there for the more open-ended idea of bringing democracy to the region. But Western-style democracy may not be possible given Afghanistan's history and culture, in which case, this mission is ill-conceived and doomed to failure.

Those who argue that we need to stay in Afghanistan to "support the troops" are appealing to emotionalism and sentimentality rather than to reason.

Perhaps the best way to support our troops is to bring them home.

Oil???
said
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@ JMB
(and all others that think the same)

This nonsense about a pipeline makes no sense on any level other than the fact that the mere uttering of 'oil' can taint anything in todays world. The US have now spent billions in Afghanistan, lost numerous young soldiers and equipment all so they can build a pipeline?

Yet this pipeline is used to transport oil to Iran, Russia, and China...all great nations in the US minds...oh but wait, the US doesn't even own companies as a government. So they spend all this just so a privately run oil company can make half as much money for the US to take a pittance of a tax cut from the whole time never ever seeing a drop of this oil on their own soil? Maybe its so the can help Tajikstan earn points with the enemies of the US by providing the big bad three with all the oil they need. I heard we may even be helping the US build a large pipeline through China to N.Korea too, just so they don't feel left out.

Larry in Kanata
said
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Let's not (again) confuse military command with political will. Our military have always been the pillar upon which the Canadian identity is upheld. Our political powers have deemed it necessary to throw our military into a never-ending battle of chieftains, war lords and drug empires. We are willing but the Afghan people are controlled by these bandits, Karzai included. How can we build anything in this foreign country when the political leadership there is so corrupt that we can never win.

observer in ontario
said
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the military should have come back home in 2003.

David in Dartmouth
said
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SENATOR KENNEDY TALKS OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF HIS MOUTH!

He seems to forget that the Government of Paul Martin made the decision...rightly or wrongly ...!! to go to Khandahar.

I think we have done incredibly well and with very light casualties.

Now that we are just beginning to get the strategy right..and most importantly boots on the ground...THIS my friends is NOT the time to cut and run....

Thank god we didn't have the level of instant communications in World War 2 that we have today or we would be speaking German and or Japanese!!

We could never have even hoped to prosecute a war under these conditions.

We have gained very valuable experience, and are making great stides with developing the Afghan Army and security forces.

This will be of invaluable assistance to the other NATO forces in theatre.

Regrettably, we still need to win over the Afghans themselve to have even a hope of prevailing.

The Pakistanis have now seen what the Taliban are about, and have had a tetonic shift in opinion to root these thugs out.

The same needs to happen in Afghanistan.

Mr. Harper....STAY THE COURSE!!!

Pro Patra

RossD
said
0 0

Heading east on the 401 just minutes ago, I was witness to a display of emotion and patriotism as regular folks lined the bridges from Oshawa through Bowmanville awaiting the motorcade that brings home yet another hero. As difficult as it is to lose another soldier, my thoughts were/ are we need to finish the job over in Afghanistan, otherwise their sacrifices are in vain and the cowards that are terrorist will continue to attack our way of life. Leave it to Liberals to politicize the mission looking to score points with the electorate. Shame on you!

Elizabeth, Ontario
said
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We need to support our troops and give them the equipment they need to fight this mission. Liberal discussions are of no value at this time after many years of the Liberals slashing the defense budget. God Bless our troops and their families.

George from Thunder Bay
said
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Must we remind the Senator that it was the former Liberal government who committed Canada to this UN sanctioned mission and it will be the Conservative government that has indicated we will withdraw our troops in 2011. Talking about it is some 5 years too late. Perhaps if the Liberal senator was so concerned about the mission he might have had a discussion with his boss at the time Paul Martin then PM of Canada who made the decision to send troops to Afganistan. He did attend some of the governments caucus meetings I would have thought? His let's talk about this musing, is a little too late I am afraid. Canada honours it's commitments and this mission will be no exception.

Allan Eizinas
said
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Al Qaeda - not the Taliban is the enemy. The Taliban are the same USA and Canadian backed and supplied Afghanistan nationalists who fought for their country against the Russians to throw them out.

The Taliban won that war.

Al Qaeda is in Pakistan. Separate Al Qaeda from the Taliban as the enemy, negotiate with the Taliban to keep Al Qaeda out of Afghanistan, declare victory and go home.

That is what Obama is going to do.

Michael from Toronto
said
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Liberal Senator Kenny is wrong.

It is not a "hush". When you are at war you do not keep questioning your predicament because your enemy will not change his tactics even if you did.

Islamists are dedicated to destroying all infidels and that includes all Western nations including Canada as well as parts of Asia and Africa that are not Muslim. All historical events especially recent ones confirm this strategy by our enemies. Look around the world and see how Islamists are attacking any nation where they see as an opportunity to seize a foothold. Our exiting a pitiful small effort in Afghanistan will not change that and will only serve to morally label ourselves as losers.

We can do nothing about being attacked by the Islamists if they choose to and they have chosen to for the last 1400 years. This problem will likely not be solved within our lifetimes. We did not choose war but we have been forced to fight and must do so without any time limit until the Islamists are all utterly defeated.

We have a moral responsibility as representatives of all free people that transcends our lives and this country.

Robert Thomas
said
0 0

For me I have mixed emotions on Afghanistan.
But I do know that a soldier shouldn't have to die in order for the OTHER side - the soldier's seeing the war as futile from being heard. We are supposed to be living in a democracy. We truly SET a "good example" for Afghanistan.
If we cannot have democracy and debate here, how will they ever have it there????

Patricia
said
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We need to openly and honestly discuss this war in Afghanistan. The logical and sane thing to do, which must be talked about a lot, is to bring our troops home...no more deaths, no more maimings and no more fear of injuring the feelings of the soldiers and their families. Those who have perished there have died honourably but enough is enough. Bring the young men and women home and stop sacrificing their valuable lives for a country which has no desire whatsoever to be brought into the 21st Century.

Michael, Cambridge ON
said
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Question is who is the coward in this situation?? We won't admit our own mistakes. The situation in Afghanistan was our own doing. Afghanistan was a good place until Americans decided that communism is evil so we armed the Taliban. We created evil there. We backed them up. Now all of this led to this situation developing in Afghanistan. Changes ought to start here.

I don't support war however, I support to remove Taliban from power. Problem is we are doing the same mistake here. We are in progress of making new Evil.

History will decide whether aftgan war was right thing to do.

Back to Topic -I think people need to be fully aware of our contribution to in creatation of this evil face in middle east.

Again. If we want change then it start here at home.

Mish
said
0 0

Our noble troops have done a superb job at great sacrifice however its time for the COWARDS
of Nato to step up and do their share in the dangerous zones
Bring our troops home!!
this is a never ending war
you cant force our cultures down their throats

Hope
said
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Some one said this is a war against drugs, well that isn't exactly true. The truth be told the Taliban had pretty much eliminated the problem. The poppy fields were all destroyed. Since the US and Nato have been in Afghanistan the problem has increased dramatically (skyrocketed) and is now affecting other countries as well. Iraq now has a heroin problem which never existed while Saddam was in power, Iran has a large heroin problem and much of the heroin is now being shipped to other countries such as Canada and the US and Europe countries.
The war has created a Heroin problem.

GP
said
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There must always be an honest and open debate, which is separate from support of our troops. We cannot blindly push ahead. I think everyone will agree on this.

With respect to Afghanistan itself, this is a tribal area where relationships and alliances are built along tribal and clan points of view. It�s clear that many in the West do not seem to get that is how those relationships work in that part of the world. They are based on clan/tribal culture and values. The Afghanis and surrounding regions have never needed or wanted to think past those small direct relationships. They don�t care about the �big picture�. They change relationships like the wind and are often forgotten as quickly as they are made.

With respect to the corruption, once again these are a people that think in very small terms�what is in it for me/my clan or tribe. There is no need to think past that immediate benefit because their lives do not go beyond that. If we think we are going to come in and change that we are wrong. It is what it is, always imperfect and largely uncontrollable unless you play by their rules.

The goal is to deny terror extremists a safe haven, not to change these deep cultural beliefs. If these folks are your allies you need to leave them to their clannish and, by western standards, corrupt ways or they will turn on you in a heartbeat.

JMB
said
0 0

The invasion plans for Afghanistan were written up long before 9/11 in the event that the Taliban refused to allow an oil pipeline through the country.

Everyone seems content to believe that we are there on some humanitarian mission and/or to get Bin Laden.

Our goals in Afghanistan would be easily determined if we simply take a serious look into why we really went there in the first place.

Phil in London
said
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Just a minor point but it was in fact the LIBERALS who sent the troops into combat in Afghanistan but why confuse the issue with facts right?

What I don't understand is how this stance sits with the visiting professor's speech last week when he lamented about how in his DADDY's Canada we stood STRONG on the world stage?

Perhaps the good senator would like us to follow the example of the proportionally represented nations of Cowardly Europe who prefer to guard Canteens at NATO headquarters while the Canadians, Dutch and Yanks do the dirty work?

willow b
said
0 0

If the politicians are scared to debate the issue, pass it on the voters in the form of a plebiscite. The votes will vote in favour of bringing our troops home and the politicians are off the hook for not making the decision that everybody wants.

Eme
said
0 0

I would like to know how many soldiers have been injured. Seems that number has also been kept hush hush.
*Lost limbs
*eyesight
* PTSD
* Clinical depression
* Anxiety states
* Adjustment disorders
* Phobic disorders
* Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
* Bi-polar illness (manic depression)
* Issues relating to past and present substance abuse/dependence (drug and alcohol)
* Psychotic conditions in a non-acute phase
* Issues relating to anger

Anyone have any numbers.

Red Fox
said
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What this unelected Senator fails to point out is that it was Chretian who sent us there, it Was Chretian who doubled the size of the cntingent, it was Martin who moved a Battle Group into Kandahar, it was Manley who recommended we stay and it was Iggy who voted for the extension...is he not getting his party's speaking notes?

Chris
said
0 0

@ Craig W

Well I for one as a proud Canadian who knows of our past history as the BEST war fighters around, would prefer to take on terrorists at the risk of becoming a 'Target' then let them use Canada as a staging ground, financial gathering point or a patsy country that will give them documents for ease of travel.
They won't stop, why should we?

Live Free or Die
said
0 0

I believe Canada's contribution to this war is commendable and necessary to rid the planet of these terroists and their supporters, and I believe they're doing so to the best of there ability. But for 95 percent (and countless wounded and maimed) to die in roadside booby traps is unacceptable. We need capable equipment for all personal NOW!!!

thunderbutt007
said
0 0

The Soviet Union deployed almost 3/4 million troops to Afganistan over 10 years and had 118,000 troops supported by 47,000 Afgani troops in 1985. They lost 15,000 troops, sufferd 54,000 wounded and 1/2 a million sick. 1-2 million civilians died. The soviets waged total war, ignored the Geneva convention and decimated the country. And they couldn't win !

Britian fought 3 Anglo-Afgan wars. They didn't win.

Canada has shouldered more than our share of the load for too long while our allies sit back in relative safety. A full 10% of the casulties to date are Canadian troops. Exceeded only by our real friends the Americans and the Brits.

We will not win this one. Time to bring our kids home. Turn the keys over to the Karzi government and call it quits. Harper has it right. We must not extend the mandate.

david sawkiw[saskatchewan farmer]
said
0 0

This is NOT our Vietnam.

It WAS the Vietnam of the USSR.

They lost a lot of troops and a lot of money over there.

War is about political power and ideals, this is a cauldron that eats people from both sides, nobody wins.

Rose
said
0 0

The more troops sent to Afghanistan the more violence erupts. Thing have not been going as well in Afghanistan as we have been lead to believe.
Their unemployment rate stand now at 40% In 2000 it was only 8% Their poverty rates are at a whooping 53% and going up each year. The infant mortality rate is also growing. literacy was up to 21% for about five years but is now down again in 2007 and 2008 to 12.5% down from 2000 which was 15%. The death rate is also rising from year to year.
There definitely has to be a debate on what is happening to not only our soldiers but the citizens of Afghanistan. Civilian deaths are over 8.000. Injured Civilan are over 56,000. Military deaths are at 1,403. Injured numbers are not being told to us.

afghan soldier
said
0 0

First of all I want to say this is not Vietnam !! Or it's not like when the Russians came to Afghanistan !!! At that time we did not want the Russians! but now we are fighting not only the Taliban we are fighting al qaida! and we need Canadains we need Americans we need all the nato members to help us out! it is not only Afghanistan's problem, so lets finish the job and lets finish the Taliban and al qaida together.

MDouble
said
0 0

The only true objective in Afghanistan for the US is the Caspian Sea Project which is a lucrative oil & gas pipeline that will pass through that country. Canada is there helping that cause but the rest of world doesn't see or hear about that objective. We hear about the Taliban, search for Bin Laden, and attempting to stabilize the country.

Dave
said
0 0

Mr Kenny when you get elected by the PEOPLE of Canada. Then and only then do you have a mandate and voice to speak for the people. As far as I am concerned it was the liberals that sent the troops to afganistan in their green uniforms and outdated equipment. People seem to forget the Americans offered us the use of their camo uniforms cause they felt bad for the troops Harper once he got in the rushed the proper uniform which we had to buy cause the Canadian military did not have any gray uniform. Harper is doing a great job on the other hand those the Americans should of stayed in afganistan to begin with and the mess would not be as bad instead they switched to Iraq. We also need other NATO countries to step up. Also china offered years ago to send troops to the boarder and help patrol it with thousands of troop which NATO turned down. We should accept that offer they have been haveing the same problem with their Muslim population and extremeist. A 20,000 strong line of Chinese soldiers along the boarder will help to stop the Taliban from crossing into other countries.

Niagara George
said
0 0

Ten years ago we were part of an invasion of a foreign country. The UN sanctioned the invasion, under great pressure from the United States. The invasion had two main aims. One was to rid the country of the Taliban, but the more important one was to find Osama bin Laden.

Both aims of the attack were botched. bin Laden easily escaped to Pakistan, because that route was left open for him.

The Taliban was reduced in power, but was never destroyed. Of course, England gave up on trying to do that many years ago and the Soviets gave up, after huge losses, in the late 1980's.

The positive thing about the UN attack was that the Arab world quietly supported it. There was a chance for major advances in the cause for peace and the end of terrorism.

All of that ended when the world stood back and let the Americans invade Iraq. The Taliban soon found new friends in the Arab world and any hope for peace was lost.

Unfortunately, our good soldiers and their families have paid the price for the world not stopping the Bush revenge madness.

...

Sadly, the father of Pte. Couturier, our most recent casualty has described the true state of our involvement in Afghanistan.

Tom
said
0 0

I don't ever question the commitment and bravery of our men and women in the armed forces and noble sacrifices they have made in defence of our rights and freedoms. On the other hand I am led to believe that perhaps not enough of the good people of Afganistan are ready yet for democracy. One can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. To leave is not "cutting and running" but simply may be doing the best thing at the right time. When is enough enough?

CDN Soldier In Trenton
said
0 0

I've seen first hand every Canadian Soldier that has come back to Canada throughout the past year... and it is never easy for Canadians to go through.

This Liberal honestly thinks that there is nothing we can do as Canadians to remember and honor these brave 131 men and women who have died since the start of the mission... He thinks that we should have a big debate and try to drop the spirits of the Canadian people, and the families of the Canadian Soldiers who have or are currently serving overseas.

Try taking your speech somewhere public, with an open invite to Canadian Soliders and their families... and see how many cheers you get... I'll be the first to boo you off the stage.

Of course this is only 1 Soldier's opinion

Support Our Troops... and God Bless the 131 Soldiers and their families.

Garry in NS
said
0 0

In this world of instant-everything, too many Canadians seem to expect Afghanistan to become a fully fledged democracy within a decade. Canada has had 142 years to develop our democracy; the USA has had 233 years. It may very well take a generation or two before Afghanistan becomes a true democracy. Everyone has to understand that you cannot take a nation that was based on tribalism to democracy over night.

STEVE H.
said
0 0

I find it rich that a liberal Senator in Collin Kenny stands up/tells all that we aren't/can't win this mission. This is a gentleman from the liberal era that cut and slashed the defense budget over many years to the point where we as a military became irrelevant. I can say this because I just retired from the AF after 32.5 years. He says debating the mission is a productive endeavour and politicians should not be afraid of demoralising or offending the troops by doing so. Yet he seems to think it's reasonable to tell these same troops, day after day that they can't win. IMHO, he, like Ignatieff, have huge credibility issues. I love how he tries to compare it to the Vietnam era, which I might add, it was the Trudeau liberal era that gave aid and sanctuary to American draft dodgers and deserters! This and this issue alone puts his and the liberal parties credibility in serious question. IMHO, the gov't should only be there to supply the military with the tools they need to bring this mission to a successful conclusion, not try and run or second guess this mission from 12,000 miles away.

MISTERc
said
0 0

Chretien was arm twisted, bambozzeled & shamed by Bush and the Conservative opposition at the time into going into this usless undertaking. We could move the entire population of Canada into that region for 20 years and it would not change the culture that has been ingrained there for centuries. What can we expect from a valiant, dedicated, sincere contingent of 3 to 4000 thousand Canadian soldiers? Over 130 have given their lives and many, many more have serious life altering injuries. The Afgans must sort out their own destiny.
Bring our young men and women home. We are proud of your dedication and effort. You will be welcomed home as winners because you have proven that the people of this region simply do not want a democtaric, peaceful way of life.

Red X
said
0 0

The mission is a lost cause! Given the reason to go to Afghanistan was not to help women etc. but revenge for the events of September 11, 2001.

The projections by the end of 2011 will be 200 Canadian deaths and 5-600 injured...

reece
said
0 0

Personally to me this is all about a war against drugs since the Talibans funding is largely coming from it. America is the #1 destination for the drugs and it receives shipments by the tonnage at its ports every month without fail. When was the last time there was a drug seizure at an American port? Hmmm. And anyone thinking this is a religious issue should put down the pipe because few of the so-called Taliban actually practice it. They consume drugs, alcohol and watch American TV via satelite (per CIA intelligence). Without drugs, Afghanistan is an empty desert in the outback with not much else to do but pick your nose.

I retired from the Armed Forces many years ago and realize now how fortunate I am considering that we are fighting a war in order to maintain a status quo in our bid to keep illegal drugs hence jobs like policing, lawyers, judges, insurance.... with drugs made illegal, these people get to keep their hefty pay and some actually believe they are part of the solution to societal problems because to realize they are the problem makes their work quite lame indeed.

TiredoftheLies
said
0 0

I really wish this Afghan Mission was simply about freedom and democracy, but that is a complete and utter lie. This mission is about power and control for the west and it's corporate intrests and I stress corporate intrests, because War is money and this endless battle is making ALOT of people rich!

Politics is a sick and disgusting quest for power and has nothing to do with making our world a better place.

I know the majority of my society worships money so I never expect to see any changes...

KMC (Markham, ON)
said
0 0

As a Liberal Senator, Kenny should be aware, it's a whole lot easier to send in troops, as Jean Chretien's Liberals did, with NATO countries patting him on the back, than it is to withdraw toops in the face of intense international pressure.

Perhaps, Paul Martin's Liberals should have kept Canadian troops on a "peacekeeping" mission in Kabul, rather than changing it to a combat role in the more dangerous Kandahar region.

While a date for withdrawal, of Canadian troops, has already been set and agreed to by all Parties, Kenny's implied suggestion of a unilateral, immediate withdrawal is unrealistic and contrary to the will of Parliament.

Of course, most Canadians want the troops out, but the Government can't just pick up the 'phone and say, "Come on home, lads, we're outta here"

As Kenny well knows,Canada, as a member of NATO, has a responsibility when called upon.

wayne
said
0 0

It truly is imperative that open and honest discussion needs to take place on this process (Afghan Mission). There was no discussion prior to sending troops to this region and only the govt. stating that we may not agree with the government position but that as citizens we should support the troops. This only masks the governments deviant process while eroding our own democratic process. As well the process of "hiding behind" families who have committed members to the region does not bode well for Ottawa's attempt at "democracy". It is time the Liberals (since they began the involvement) and the Conservatives (who have extrapolated the event), need to act and be more DEMOCRATIC. Lets talk

Doug
said
0 0

Honest debate is needed on many issues. Parliament seems to have lost this ability. Back benchers are stymied, the press picks sides, individuals are smeared, and the leaders say one thing to get elected and then do the opposite when elected.

Craig W
said
0 0

I don't get why we are enforcing U.S foreign policy designed strictly for economic gain for themselves at the expense of others, when their only answer to the obvious discontent to their overseas presence is to use deadly force and torture to try to force other countries into line instead coming up with a policy that benefits everyone.
Our reputation as peace keepers is now shot and we have now become a target for terrorism.
I think more debate before we joined this farce would have been prudent, but I guess better late than never.

keith
said
0 0

Mike from New Westminster:

You're points ring hollow since it wasn't Harper who sent the troops to Afghanistan in the first place.

the troops are doing great work and as long as they feel they are making a difference I support them.

PPCLI 1-2-3
said
0 0

I have lost 10 people I have known well since the summer of 07 while I was there, I just watched some friends leave to go earlier in the week and I myself am going in the coming weeks. when I return from this tour I plan on going again in 2011 and if they will let me I would keep going till either i die or the job is done. I don't think we should tuck tail and run lets stay till the job is done.

And to all you liberal hippies and ndp communists can go hide in your dream world if you think they wont come after us if we leave.

The more we talk about leaving the more they will try to kill us to see if they can push us out.

Wade Ens - Liberals Play Games again.
said
0 0

The Liberal Party is for and against the mission based on the poll of the day. Rights of schools girls should not be subject of change of opinions based on polls.
I guess be they have an American Leader that supported the invasion of Iraq and Afganistan etc a leader that would still be in the USA if he had a money you can expect more of this cheap politics from the Liberals which don't stand for anything anymore and focus on polls and political stunts instead of a commitment to women and human rights. Conservatives have from South Africa to Afganistan pushed for human rights.
Too bad the Liberal Leader came to Canada to get a pension together if only he made a enough money to retire as an American that he calls himself when we are not watching.

lost_in_space
said
0 0

RCR
said
0 0

If I hear 1 more person compare Afghanistan to Vietnam I think I'm going to lose my lunch. Kenny should realize that if the war ends tomorrow and we all leave it doesn't end. Ask Spain and Britain. The Americans are finally taking this war seriously and sending the resources needed. If they need to send more so be it. One thing Bush said that I agree with. This is going to be a long war and there can be no defeat. Al- Quaida won't stop. Sleep well defeatists.

Mike New Westminster, B.C.
said
0 0

Thank you, Senator K. We do need a debate. My own opinion--always has been--is that once Harper sent our troops into to combat, their job was to kill Taliban. Killing Taliban is the way to gain the support of farmers who want to stop being afraid, who want the Taliban to be afraid instead, and they will support us if we can make that happen. Alas, it will never happen because our soldiers won't ever be provided with what they need in manpower and equipment, due to poor leadership from NATO and the Harper team. Elmer's boy, in particular, has proved to be a real dud.

Dave
said
0 0

It's funny how Liberals love to, on one hand, delight people by telling them of Canada's role in the world, yet on the other, state that we no part in Afghanistan. The UN asked Canada to step to the plate and support the mission and we have done so with great honour, and great sacrifice. Kenny is certainly dishonouring the many great soldiers who have served there, and those that have died there, by bringing this into debate. Canadians agree that by 2011 our commitment to the region, after 10 years, will be done. Surely even a Liberal can understand the importance of this.

Marc O
said
0 0

I think that as much as the intent of our mission to Afghanistan is noble, eventually we have to start looking at the situation and assess whether we are helping to bring democracy and equality to a land where generations of Afghans lived under repression and oppression, inequality of the sexes, and a lucrative drug trade that has not abated in spite of our every efforts.

Chief among my concerns is the flagrant corruption that has been ongoing. While I believe Hamid Karzai is doing the best he can, I cannot support a regime that is kowtowing to the Taliban, has endorsed laws that support the Taliban's treatment of women as property, and has been reelected on a demontrably large number of forged ballots.

I believe at this stage Canada has to reassess our 'humanitarian' mission. Are we bringing positive change? Or are we propping up a corrupt and unelected regime that does not represent the will of the Afghan people?

Toad
said
0 0

Lew is right, the mission needs more troops and the full support of all NATO members. Germany's contribution, for example, has been reprehensible and cowardly.
On the other hand we need to clean out Karzai and his criminal element which probably means the entire country.

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