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15 Canadian soldiers and 1 diplomat have died in Afghanistan since 2002.
Unlike my feelings on the war in Iraq, I am not opposed to the war in Afghanistan. I am conflicted about it, though. What was started in Afghanistan by the Americans should have been finished before they ever went into Iraq. I'm pretty sure they were looking for bin Laden and I am pretty sure he's still out there.
Finish one job before you start another, that's my motto. (Not really, but if I were the head of the world's largest super power it certainly would be.)
It turns out that the Prime Minister's office is taking a lead from the adminstration to the south. They have decreed that the media can no longer show images of the soldiers' caskets returning home. Nor will Canadian flags fly at half mast for fallen sodiers. They will be homoured once a year, on Remembrance Day.
I am completely opposed to this. It has been suggested that the reasoning behind this decision is that Canadians may come to believe that "Afghanistan could become Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Iraq." I don't think so. What I do think is that the less we hear about these men is the less likely we are to remember what they are doing. There are not many people who become immune to death, so I don't feel that is a valid reason either. If anything showing the caskets arriving home should make us remember, and appreciate, soldiers who go into a foreign country in the hopes of making this world a better place.
I'm shocked that I also agree with Ralph Klein, who has stated that flags at the Legislature will be lowered to half mast when a soldier from Alberta, or who is based in Alberta, dies. Since there are 4 Canadian Forces Bases in Alberta, there's a pretty good chance that our flags will be lowered when a death does occur. Although I don't think CFB Suffield counts, I'm pretty sure it's all Brits these days. Hmmm. Must look into that.
Have you ever noticed that I get off topic very easily? I do this in real life as well, go from subject to subject and back again. Very annoying to the average person in my life.
Anyway, it is good to see that at least one political official is showing proper respect to our Canadian soldiers. And maybe even the odd Brit or two. (And don't point out to me that if they are now in Afghanistan they are no longer based in Suffield. I know that, I just had no way to end this bloody post.)
24 April, 2006
Sixteen Dead Men
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3 comments:
*sigh* The not showing the caskets and the flags at half mast is stupid.. I dont follow all of this very much and know everything that is going on.. my hubby knows quite a bit but it always ticks me off so I dont get to involved.. probably ticks me off because of stuff like this being done or said!! lol
Agree with you 100% .. not about the getting of topic, even though I do ( you have a excuse, your pregnant ) .. Its sad that it has to be Klien to show up Harper .. where are the Liberal Premiers
While I completely understand where you are coming from and I totally respect the rights of families to mourn in private, if it were my son (who one day wants to be a soldier) I would want Canadians to know what my family had sacrificed for this country; a country that is not mine but is my son's.
I think the media does alot of damage in this country, and I certainly think this is a situation that can and has been taken advantage of, but for the most part I think there coverage is respectable.
Perhaps the government should be requesting permission from the families involved. Then it's up to them if they want media coverage of their loved ones returning home.
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