Category: Afghanistan

The handwringing continues over the war in Afghanistan. Do we support it or don’t we? Should we stay the course or cut and run? Are we warriors or peacekeepers? What’s the latest from Bin Layton on all this? Has there been another poll on this yet? Why do we see all these antiwar types all over the media when poll after poll shows that most of us actually support the mission? Who, what, where, when, how, why!? ACK!!

For months (no, make that years) now, we’ve been pummelled from all sides by media utterly obsessed with this melodramatic gawking at our collective bellybutton. Sun Media and cnews hopped on that bandwagon themselves today with a whole slew of articles and links on their website chewing over the question of what we think about the war; including:

Waging a war of words
(Adam Clayton, Winterpeg Sun)

[…]The plan was to walk through some of Winnipeg’s busiest spots with a sandwich board sign urging people to support our soldiers in the war-torn country — and then hit the streets a few days later with another sign saying the opposite.

After my first sign sparked virtually no reaction outside the bus shelter at Portage Place on Tuesday afternoon, I headed to Osborne Village thinking I was bound to get a response from a youthful, anti-establishment crowd.

No such luck, as people would read the sign and then quickly look away.

Calling it a day, I hoped the anti-war sign would provoke more of a reaction. Man, did it ever.

Give war a chance
(Dave Breakenridge, Calgary Sun)

Trying to figure out how many people in Calgary support the war in Afghanistan should be like asking first-graders if they like puppies, right?

Drawing battle lines
(Thane Burnett, TO Sun)

Our signs gave no indication we were from the press. We were to stand silent, and let people react to an opinion.

Polls suggest about 59% of Canadians support Canadian combat troops being used in Afghanistan — with about half the country wanting our men and women to all return home when our current military commitment ends in 2009.

Despite the numbers, any debate seems low and muffled.

When I suggested this national project to test our convictions, I assumed almost everyone — as Canadians often do — would walk politely past any controversy.

I thought you wouldn’t have much to say. And I was wrong.

Battle on homefront
(Nelly Elayouby, Ottawa Sun)

A dishevelled homeless man wearing a camouflage cap charges toward me, the smell of booze wafting in my direction.

Arms stretched out, he grabs at my picket sign as I walk through a downtown underpass.

The sign reads “Support Our Troops in Afghanistan,” a message he doesn’t agree with.

“You’re brainwashed just like the rest of them!” he yells, pointing his head toward Parliament Hill.

“Give me that sign, let me rip it for you!”

A war of words
(Joe Matyas, Freeps)

Tyler Fairweather had only been on the street for a minute with his “Support our troops in Afghanistan” sign when a man in a cube van flashed a thumbs-up in approval.

As he walked to the busiest corner in downtown London in the late afternoon, the affirmations kept coming — nods, waves, winks, a few “yeses” and “right ons” and more thumbs.

Fairweather, 17, has a 19-year-old cousin enlisted in the Canadian Forces who’s now in Edmonton preparing for a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

Strong views on either side
(Andrew Hanon, Edmonton Sun)

In my case, the people of Edmonton were too polite to get up into my face, no matter which placard I wore. The one that read “Support our troops in Afghanistan” earned more honks and thumbs-up from passing drivers, but drew more dirty looks and clucks of disapproval from pedestrians along Whyte Avenue. One young woman glared through her eyebrow piercings and shook her head, but never said anything as she shouldered her way past me. I even marched into HUB Mall at the University of Alberta to see if anyone would challenge me there. But the of only people who spoke to me were a former soldier and two active reservists, both whom had done tours in Afghanistan. Cpl. Marta Rzechowka said the media’s fixation on body counts has helped people forget the reason our soldiers are there in the first place ­ rebuilding a shattered country and routing the despotic maniacs who previously ruled it. She added that the federal government hasn’t done a very good job of explaining the mission to Canadians. Cpl. Greg O’Neil agreed: “The media report a lot on casualty rates, but nobody seems to hear when we build a bridge or a school. I guess that just doesn’t sell papers.”

So, just where the heck do Canadians stand on this issue these days, you ask? Well, the online poll at canoe.ca which was put up yesterday is still running and, while the number of votes has more than doubled, little has changed:

And yes, the poll that has been running here (at the top of the left sidebar) is still unanimous. That’s never happened before.

There’s been a lot of musing of late about the media’s role in the war on terror. Just what the heck do they think they’re doing, anyway? The way they slant the news, it’s enough to make you seriously wonder sometimes if they really aren’t on the terrorists’ side and deliberately trying to undermine our efforts to preserve our freedoms (including, ironically enough, freedom of the press). Why are they like that, anyway?

Over at the Calgary Sun, columnist Ezra “The Lip” Levant publishes his take on that question today. It makes for an interesting read, I’ll say that much.

That is the lesson every terrorist learned during the Vietnam era — if you can just survive long enough without being killed by the military, the media will save you. In Vietnam, for example, the 1968 Tet Offensive by North Vietnam was a military disaster — more than half of the 84,000 Communist troops involved were killed, and no territory was won.

It was a wipe-out. But anti-war media, led by Walter Cronkite, declared it a massive victory for the Communists, demoralizing Americans and undermining the military.

The full article can be found here.

I like seeing stuff like this, really, I do. In spite of all the bawling and cut-and-run crap coming from all the usual suspects at the far left of the political spectrum, you still end up with poll after poll after poll saying essentially the same thing: Yes, we support our troops and, yes, we do support what they are doing in Afghanistan! Here’s the latest one from canoe.ca’s question on the subject:

Do the math yourself and you see that a clear majority (65%) believe that our troops should damn well stay right where they are until the job is done. So where the hell is all the “widespread opposition” to this “unpopular action” that we keep hearing about over and over again?

Well? I’m waiting… 🙄

Hell, even the poll here that’s been up for the last 3 days shows ONE HUNDRED PERCENT support for keeping up the fight until it’s one. Granted, I don’t exactly get a lot of Lefties on this site 😉 but it’s not like the odd one doesn’t pop by every now and then. You would have thought, listening to all the bleats from the MSM on the subject, that there would have been at least one of the over 20 people that voted so far would have said something other than ” When the job is done,” wouldn’t you?

I usually like to put my own opinion on just about everything, but sometimes, it’s better to shut up and let something speak for itself. The following is a press release found at newswire.ca detailing the deeds of four of our soldiers serving in the Afghan theatre and the honours that they have earned. I believe no further embelishment is required.

Attention News Editors:
Governor General announces the first-ever awarding of Military Valour Decorations

OTTAWA, Oct. 27 /CNW Telbec/ – Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaelle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, announced today the awarding of the first four Military Valour Decorations to members of the Canadian Forces who have displayed gallantry and devotion to duty in combat.

The recipients will be invited to receive their decoration from the Governor General at a presentation ceremony to be held at a later date.

Military Valour Decorations are national honours awarded to recognize acts of valour, self-sacrifice or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy. They consist of the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour. This marks the first time that these decorations, which were created in 1993, have been awarded.

Note that the rank used in this document reflects the substantive rank held by the member at the time of the incident.

<< Star of Military Valour ----------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------- Name Current posting and hometown ---------------------------------------------------------- Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V, C.D. Edmonton, Alta., and Victoria, B.C. ---------------------------------------------------------- Medal of Military Valour ------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- Name Current posting and hometown ---------------------------------------------------------- Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Edmonton, Alta. Denine, M.M.V., C.D. ---------------------------------------------------------- Master Corporal Collin Ryan Shilo, Man., and Morrisburg, Ont. Fitzgerald, M.M.V. ---------------------------------------------------------- Private Jason Lamont, M.M.V. Edmonton, Alta., and Greenwood, N.S. ---------------------------------------------------------- The citations for the recipients (Annex A), as well as additional information on the Military Valour Decorations (Annex B) are attached. Annex A ------- Sergeant Patrick Tower, S.M.V., C.D. Edmonton, Alberta, and Victoria, British Columbia Star of Military Valour Sergeant Tower is recognized for valiant actions taken on August 3, 2006, in the Pashmul region of Afghanistan. Following an enemy strike against an outlying friendly position that resulted in numerous casualties, Sergeant Tower assembled the platoon medic and a third soldier and led them across 150 metres of open terrain, under heavy enemy fire, to render assistance. On learning that the acting platoon commander had perished, Sergeant Tower assumed command and led the successful extraction of the force under continuous small arms and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Sergeant Tower's courage and selfless devotion to duty contributed directly to the survival of the remaining platoon members. Sergeant Michael Thomas Victor Denine, M.M.V., C.D. Edmonton, Alberta Medal of Military Valour Sergeant Denine deployed with 8 Platoon, C Company, 1 PPCLI during Operation ARCHER in Afghanistan. On May 17, 2006, while sustaining concentrated rocket-propelled grenade, machine gun and small arms fire, the main cannon and the machine gun on his light armoured vehicle malfunctioned. Under intense enemy fire, he recognized the immediate need to suppress the enemy fire and exited the air sentry hatch to man the pintle-mounted machine gun. Completely exposed to enemy fire, he laid down a high volume of suppressive fire, forcing the enemy to withdraw. Sergeant Denine's valiant action ensured mission success and likely saved the lives of his crew. Master Corporal Collin Ryan Fitzgerald, M.M.V. Shilo, Manitoba, and Morrisburg, Ontario Medal of Military Valour Master Corporal Fitzgerald deployed with 5 Platoon, B Company, 1 PPCLI Battle Group in Afghanistan. He is recognized for outstanding selfless and valiant actions carried out on May 24, 2006, during an ongoing enemy ambush involving intense, accurate enemy fire. Master Corporal Fitzgerald repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire by entering and re-entering a burning platoon vehicle and successfully driving it off the roadway, permitting the remaining vehicles trapped in the enemy zone to break free. Master Corporal Fitzgerald's courageous and completely selfless actions were instrumental to his platoon's successful egress and undoubtedly contributed to saving the lives of his fellow platoon members. Private Jason Lamont, M.M.V. Edmonton, Alberta, and Greenwood, Nova Scotia Medal of Military Valour Private Lamont deployed with the Health Support Services Company, 1 PPCLI Battle Group during Operation ARCHER. On July 13, 2006, an element of the reconnaissance platoon came under heavy enemy fire from a compound located in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, and was isolated from the rest of the platoon. During the firefight, another soldier was shot while attempting to withdraw back to the firing line and was unable to continue. Without regard for his personal safety, Private Lamont, under concentrated enemy fire and with no organized suppression by friendly forces, sprinted through open terrain to administer first aid. Private Lamont's actions demonstrated tremendous courage, selflessness and devotion to duty. >>

Annex B
——-

The three Military Valour Decorations, namely the Victoria Cross, the Star of Military Valour and the Medal of Military Valour, were created by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, on January 1, 1993. The Decorations may be awarded posthumously.

The Victoria Cross is awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy.

The Star of Military Valour is awarded for distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy.

The Medal of Military Valour is awarded for an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy.

Anyone can propose a nomination for the Military Valour Decorations. If a member of our Canadian Forces meets the criteria, submission will be made through the member’s chain of command for consideration by the Military Valour Decorations Advisory Committee, and the Governor General. For all three Military Valour Decorations, recipients must be a member of the Canadian Forces or a member of an allied armed force that is serving with, or in conjunction with, the Canadian Forces, on or after January 1, 1993.

Shortly after the beginning of Canadian involvement in Afghanistan, it was established that the basic conditions for the awarding of the Decorations were met. The gallant actions of Canadian Forces members in the face of increased hostilities in recent months have provided the occasion to award them.

For further information: Media information: Lucie Brosseau, Rideau Hall Press Office, (613) 998-0287; Media Liaison Office: Department of National Defence, (613) 996-2353 or (613) 996-2354; Public information: Chancellery of Honours, 1-800-465-6890

Reality is starting to sink in. Okay, maybe that’s not the right way to put it. The Dippers are still banging away on the “bring ’em home at any cost” drum (why fight the enemy when you can embolden them with apparent gutlessness on the part of their foe?), so they clearly haven’t pulled their heads out of their backsides. Our soldiers, on the other hand, have always had it not too far in the backs of their minds that they may well one day be called upon to perform the three functions for which soldiers ultimately exist: killing, dying and doing as they’re told.

No, that doesn’t sound very nice, does it? Too bad. It may not be palatable to the “peace in our time” crowd, but every ground-pounder on the planet knows that when you strip away all the niceties and platitudes that are handed to those with weak stomachs and you find yourself in that Godforsaken place where the blade meets the bone, the truest and most honest purpose of a soldier is as an instrument of war. They are warriors first; the rest is good for parades.

It’s a disquieting truth, but a truth just the same. Soldiers often say that when they die, they’re sure to get into Heaven because they’ve already done their time in Hell. While half a joke, there is also a raw and visceral truth at its core. Soldiers spend years peeking through the cracks of the gates of Hell. And when those gates are flung wide from time to time, they walk in of their own accord, so that others will not have to.

“A soldier fights, not because he hates what is in front of him, but in his love for what is behind him.”

In that, we are in debt to them for each and every freedom that we enjoy and take for granted today. And we God damned well owe them our respect. Bleating, as Dipper Megan Walker did in London last night, that “we need to bring our troops home, and not in caskets,” is not respect and it is not support. It’s the gutless bawling of someone scared shitless that something or someone that matters to them may one day have to be placed in harm’s way for the greater good.

Don’t fool yourselves. This is a war and we are in it, whether we want to be or not. The only question is: where do we want to fight it, there or here? So my message to the “bring them home” crowd is simple: either fight, follow or get the hell out of the way but whatever chioce you make, shut the hell up!

Stop disparaging our soldiers’ motivations and judgement by saying no one knows why they’re there. Quit trying to undermine their morale by holding up every gutless whiner or, even worse, a soldier’s grieving loved one caught in a moment of weakness, as some sort of representation of the state of our national resolve. And above all else, knock off the “I support the troops but not the mission” hypocrisy; the two are morally conjoined, whether you like it, or even want to admit it, or not.

How can you support our soldiers? Show your support for what they do. Demand that the government give them the tools that they need; NOW, not decades down the road. Be there for them when they come home and pray for the ones who don’t.

It really is the least you can do.

After recieving many requests from readers of this blog, I have now begun work on a series of pages dedicated to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country in the current Afghan War. This area, which I have chosen to call the Honour Roll (because I’m not creative enough to come up with anything better), can be accessed here or by simply clicking on the “Honour Roll” link on the lefthand sidebar of this page. This will likely cut into by rant time somewhat but I think it’s worth it and, judging by the email that i’ve been getting, many of you feel the same way.

The Honour Roll area will contain no political commentary and while user comments are welcomed, they must all be submitted directly to admin@rightcrazy.com in order to be posted. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but this is being done to prevent the kind of vandalism that has occurred on similar pages in the past.

The Honour Roll pages are not meant for judging whether the war is right or wrong or anything else; they are merely a show of respect of our brave men and women who have given their lives for us, such as:

Trooper Mark Andrew Wilson
Sgt. Craig Gillam
Cpl. Robert Mitchell
Pte. Josh Klukie
Pte. David Byers
Cpl. Shane Keating
Cpl. Keith Morley
Pte. Mark Graham
Sgt. Shane Stachnik
Warrant Officer Frank Robert Mellish
Pte. William Cushley
Warrant Officer Richard Francis Nolan
Cpl. David Braun
Cpl. Andrew Eykelenboom
Master Cpl. Jeffrey Walsh
Master Cpl. Raymond Arndt
Cpl. Christopher Reid
Sgt. Vaughan Ingram
Cpl. Bryce Keller
Pte. Kevin Dallaire
Cpl. Francisco Gomez
Cpl. Jason Warren
Cpl. Anthony Boneca
Capt. Nichola Goddard
Cpl. Matthew Dinning
Bombardier Myles Mansell
Lieut. William Turner
Cpl. Randy Payne
Pte. Robert Costall
Cpl. Paul Davis,
Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson
Pte. Braun Woodfield
Cpl. Jamie Murphy
Sgt. Robert Short
Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger
Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer
Pte. Richard Green
Pte. Nathan Smith
Sgt. Marc Leger

I will be adding an entry or two per day, as I find the time. Hopefully, I won’t be losing any ground.