Have Your Say on the war in Afghanistan
We asked, With the Wednesday, Jan. 2, repatriation for Gunner Jonathan Dion, has your view on the war in Afghanistan changed with the calendar?
Canada is doing what needs to be done to win the war in Afghanistan. We are winning hearts and minds with hospitals, schools, bridges and the infrastructure that is needed to build hope for the future. These good things can only be fully realized with personal security. The Taliban will transform itself into some other idealistic, brutal and intolerant entity. It can and will be managed by the people of Afghanistan once they know what they can aspire to. Educated youth will be the difference in the end. The real enemy at this time is a total lack of commitment from some of our NATO allies. France, Italy and Germany have cemetaries filled with young and proud Canadians. When they needed our help we made no excuses and delivered to them the peace and prosperity they now take for granted. We stayed in Europe for 45 years. This war would be over now if those who have been given their freedom by our country would get off their butts and stand with us for peace and freedom as forcefully as we stood for theirs. We should be proud. They should be ashamed.
-- Jamie Caswell, Oshawa
There has always been fighting in Afghanistan, and it seems that there will always be. I am for our troops being in this far away land to help a besieged people. BUT, if our armed forces are going to put their lives on the line, then the government of this country should make sure that the armed forces of Canada are protected with the best equipment possible. This does not appear to be the case. Too many of our soldiers are dying needlessly from roadside bombs. Perhaps in the future we should send some politicians to see how our equipment holds out before we ask our men and women to use it. Thank you for allowing me to vent an anger that has been boiling for some time.
-- Roger Mariner, Ajax
No, Canada should not extend it’s presence in Afghanistan beyond 2009. But alas, the sheep that are the Canadian people will keep eating up any patrio-facist propaganda and will gladly support the war without end right into a recession as seen in America. I am officially offended that my local news (Oshawa This Week) is clearly the tool of propaganda for the war, with the new year’s issue dedicated mainly to “supporting our troops,” a blank idea and a slogan that means nothing. If you really support the troops, get rid of those stupid bumper stickers and go to a recruiting centre. It would also be nice to see our local media promote thinking for yourself instead of reporting word-for-word whatever our government tells us.
-- Michael Flynn, Oshawa