Foreign Policy
Something came into focus for me while I was watching TV news coverage of the national NDP party voting on their position regarding the war in Afghanistan.
The sentiment of most members seemed to be that we (Canada) have no business waging war in some other country. Their affairs are their own, and we are interfering. I could not disagree more. Let me phrase that another way… that’s crap! The fact that some wars are a mistake is not in dispute. My opinion is that while war is horrible, it is necessary in today’s world. Perhaps we will someday reach a place globally where war is done away with, but “it is not this day”. So… it remains that whatever democratic countries able to afford a military, are morally obliged to serve the world by defending the helpless and destroying oppression and injustice. The question is not if we should be at war, but where we should be at war. If not Afghanistan, fine, but then where?
I hate seeing images of coffins draped with my flag on TV. But I know that those young men and women signed up to give their lives to a Canada that will make a difference in the world. They signed up to FIGHT bad people. That is a noble thing, not a barbaric act. Many ignorant Canadians dishonor their sacrifice by believing that war is not necessary. If those dreamers would go live in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, or Afghanistan, I wonder if they would learn appreciate a little rescue.
The world is a giant neighborhood, complete with rich and poor, police and criminals. I want the police to have guns, and know how to use them. I don’t agree that the US is the world’s police. But someone has to be! And Canada must be represented on that force. If the UN won’t do it, then we have to find another way.
The biggest problem with my sentiment here is that it relies on our government to decide where to war against evil in the world. Where to pay the cost of our young blood and know that it is well spent. I don’t envy them those decisions, but they have to rise to the challenge and lead with integrity, and determination.For a hundred years Canada has fought injustice and oppression around the world. It is part of our history, our identity. I for one am proud of that. I challenge you Canada, read the papers differently, vote differently, or at least, buy a soldier a coffee.
The sentiment of most members seemed to be that we (Canada) have no business waging war in some other country. Their affairs are their own, and we are interfering. I could not disagree more. Let me phrase that another way… that’s crap! The fact that some wars are a mistake is not in dispute. My opinion is that while war is horrible, it is necessary in today’s world. Perhaps we will someday reach a place globally where war is done away with, but “it is not this day”. So… it remains that whatever democratic countries able to afford a military, are morally obliged to serve the world by defending the helpless and destroying oppression and injustice. The question is not if we should be at war, but where we should be at war. If not Afghanistan, fine, but then where?
I hate seeing images of coffins draped with my flag on TV. But I know that those young men and women signed up to give their lives to a Canada that will make a difference in the world. They signed up to FIGHT bad people. That is a noble thing, not a barbaric act. Many ignorant Canadians dishonor their sacrifice by believing that war is not necessary. If those dreamers would go live in Iraq, Iran, North Korea, or Afghanistan, I wonder if they would learn appreciate a little rescue.
The world is a giant neighborhood, complete with rich and poor, police and criminals. I want the police to have guns, and know how to use them. I don’t agree that the US is the world’s police. But someone has to be! And Canada must be represented on that force. If the UN won’t do it, then we have to find another way.
The biggest problem with my sentiment here is that it relies on our government to decide where to war against evil in the world. Where to pay the cost of our young blood and know that it is well spent. I don’t envy them those decisions, but they have to rise to the challenge and lead with integrity, and determination.For a hundred years Canada has fought injustice and oppression around the world. It is part of our history, our identity. I for one am proud of that. I challenge you Canada, read the papers differently, vote differently, or at least, buy a soldier a coffee.
posted by Rob Petkau at 12:14 PM
8 Comments:
I agree that there is a time and a place for war, but to assume that we should always be at war somewhere i dont beleive is a fair assumption. and in addition, it's unfortunate that our method of seeing what's going on is through the media...
we have all heard about the coup in thailand and such, with marshall law and all that. everyone i have talked to expected tanks and fighting and bombs... I talked with some friends who are actually travelling in thailand and they said it couldn't be more peaceful. This just kind of showed me that we only see what our media wants us to see.
we need to trust our government and vote for those that we trust most to make decisions we won't understand. but if someone thinks that they can trust the NDP more than the Conservatives, then that is their right and they deserve to be heard as much as anyone else.
being "world police" doesn't mean constantly shooting off rounds. it means acting justly, which isn't as simple as it sounds.
I think the point that is being missed by the NDP regarding the war in Afghanistan is that we didn't wage this war. The war was waged on the Afghans by a portion of their own people that want to oppress and control with an iron fist. I think it's an entirely different situation when we are going to defend people that are being attacked.
Like the Jedi! Jedi don't "attack", they stand in the way of unjust attackers (which will often come to blows). Canadian troops are only "attacking" because they are standing in the path of those who cut off little kids fingers, just for flying a kite. As long as "governments" like this exist - we must be at war with them.
I didn't read everyone else's comments but here's mine:
Unusual for you to comment on a "political" issue. But It's not so out of place. I certainly agree with honoring our military.
I salute you guys with reverence!
God keep our land
U kind of remind me of red foreman.
ROB.
this is jeff - we met at stillwood with Jer Postal.
i want to email you something.
drop my blog and leave me your email. i have a thought i want to throw by you.
peace.
jeffrey.
I agree that war is necessary some times, though peace would be preferred. I think though, that it is easier to go off and fight a physical enemy in a land far away than fight the injustice in our own backyard. The political parties want to address the corruption and injustice of every other government or party but themselves. Maybe what the NDP, Conservatives, Liberals need to do is look at their past, repent and take steps to repair the damage they have done in Canada. It is easier to fight a physical evil than attack the unseen evil that lies in the heart of every man!
Maybe it's not a great idea that the US is the "world’s police."
But I agree with what you said, "But someone has to be! And Canada must be represented on that force. If the UN won’t do it, then we have to find another way."
At least they are trying. Canada is too passive...if it's not our problem don't worry...eventually if someone doesn't do something it will be OUR problem.
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