| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 8:30:04 AM | We teach our little sons how wrong and how ignoble blows are; schools and church support our precepts and inoculate the growing minds with thought of love and peace. "Let dogs delight to bark and bite,' we say; but human beings with immortal souls must rise above the methods of the brute and walk with reason and self control.
And then-dear GOD! you men, you wise strong men, our self-announced superiors in brain, our peers in judgement, you go forth to war! You leap at one another, mutilate and starve and kill your fellow man, and ask the world's applause for such heroic deeds. You boast and strut; and if no song is sung, no laudatory epic writ in blood, telling how mnay widows you have made, why then perforce, you say our bards are dead and inspiration sleeps to wake no more. And we, the women, whose lives you are-what can we do but sit in silent homes and wait and suffer? Not for us the blare of trumpets and the bugle's call to arms-for us no waving banners, no supreme,triumphant hour of conquest. Ours the slow dread torture of uncertainty, each day the bootless battle with the same despair. And when at best your victories reach our ears, there reaches with them to our pitying hearts the thought of countless homes made desolate and other women weeping for their dead.
O men, wise men, superior beings, say, is there no substitute for war in this great age and era? If you answer 'No' then let us rear our children to be wolves and teach them from the cradle how to kill. Why should we waste our time and work in talking peace, and then declare for war?
Ella Wheeler Wilcox | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 9:46:06 AM | My first thoughts are about your quote - WOW! Wilcox sure can write!!
My second thought is to narrow down exactly what your question is - the "Gulf War" usually refers to the war in Iraq. A handful of Canadians are fighting there through military exchange with the U.S.
But I am guessing your question is about our military fighting and rebuilding in Afghanistan. In general I am completely against using force to achieve goals - I bring up my sons that way. Unfortunately, in many cultures that is a sign of weakness and many will use force against those who want peace. In such cases meeting force with force appears inevitable and many times unavoidable.
In order for the greater majority of Afghanis who want to exercise their free will against a force (the Taliban) bent on forcing their will on them, they need protection. They do not seem able, for one reason or another, to provide protection for themselves, so the United Nations has seen it necessary to provide the force necessary to provide that protection.
The protection and rebuilding is being done by NATO countries with the blessing of the UN. We, as a member nation of NATO, are obligated to fulfill our commitment and honour our obligations.
Am I happy that this "situation" has taken place? Absolutely not!!
But as a former member of Canada's military I know what it is to train and be ready in the event that someone somewhere may need our protection. Whether it is here in Canada or anywhere in the world that the United Nations or NATO or an ally has asked us to go.
I wish with all my heart that all of our troops would return home safely - and soon - and never have to do this again. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 9:55:43 AM | I appreciate your thoughts and opinions...thank you.
There is so much more to this...have you viewed "Loose Change"?
Are you aware that most americans want this war to end and that they believe Bush is no longer representing the ppl but is only in this for Power or Oil and it has nothing to do with helping those poor ppl...which by the way this war is not doing...reports say that it is worse there than ever and the longer we stay the worse it will get.
This is a pointless hopless war that is doing nothing but taking the lives of our young men and women.
Who is the US or any other country for that matter to dicatate or force beliefs, morals or justice on anyone else...that is not Bush's place or anyone elses'.
Before I would allow my son to make a maryter of himself in an effort to impose our Beliefs and laws on another country, I would hide him, fake his death, cut off that all powerful trigger finger, anything to keep him safe..is that not a parents job.
Please know that I am not trying to be argumentative but I am just sharing my opinions and I do hope that things do not get hostile here...we are all entitiled to our own beliefs and this is just a medium to share and listen with an open mind...if we all could live in this way there would be no war.
Thanks again. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 10:09:59 AM | I don't find you argumentative at all !! And your point of view is held by many many people.
It would seem, then, that you are talking about the war in Iraq. And in that case I agree with you !! Especially when you say "Who is the US or any other country for that matter to dicatate or force beliefs, morals or justice on anyone else...that is not Bush's place or anyone elses'."
Unfortunately pride will probably get in the way of any early withdrawal of troops. And it scares me to think what might happen when the troops DO leave. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 11:26:45 AM | I hope you don't mind another one 
Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events.
again by Sir Winston
amazing how timeless they are!! | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/12/2007 4:02:31 PM | If only we could live without war. But it seems there is always one group wanting to impose their beliefs, etc on others.
There isn't a day goes by that I don't pray that the war in Afghanistan will end. I have a son in the military. The longer the conflict goes on the greater the chance he will be called to serve. As he said to me, "It is my job. That is what I am trained to do." I don't want him to go but if he is called to report there then I will support him. With every news report of Canadian casualties, I hold my breath waiting, waiting & hoping it isn't someone I know. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 4/15/2007 8:51:06 AM | My heart and prayers go out to you, gennienut, I share your worries and then some of my own. My youngest Son is in the Air Force, and is presently preparing to return to A, for the 4th time since Mr. Bush decided that the situation there should become escallated(sp?). I spend each day praying that my phone won't ring, that I won't get a telegram, and knowing that since my Son is married, I'll get the news second. I pray for him and his dear wife, and for all the soldiers in that terrible place. Living near an army base which has just been 'hit' with the devastating news of several deaths, I'm very aware of the harm my Son is in the way of. I'll add you to my prayer list, please know that you can 'talk' to me at any time you need to. My Son has been in harm's way many times and so far has always made it home after missions. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/11/2007 9:38:08 AM | | Was just perusing the old threads, and this one reminded me of the episode of "Air Farce" just this past Friday night... they were sitting in the coffee shop, and one of the men asked how the others felt about the Canadian Troops being sent overseas to act as peacekeepers..... fellow replied, "Shouldn't there be peace for the peacekeepers to keep before we send them over?" Amen. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/11/2007 11:57:55 AM | That would be a cute comment by "Air Farce" if it were true.
However NATO Forces never went to Afghanistan on a peacekeeping mission. The purpose was to fight the Taliban and protect government agencies and NGO's while they try to do the work of rebuilding.
But of course Air Farce is supposed to be comedy. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/11/2007 2:38:34 PM | The Canadian Forces have three Operations currently, that I've read about, in Afghanistan..... Argus, Athena, and Archer. In no way did I say, or Air Farce for that matter, that we were ONLY there on a peacekeeping mission. Perhaps I had my rose-colored glasses on when I commented on the 'peacekeeping' aspects, but as the daughter of a Navy man who fought during WWII... I feel the right to add some levity into what some think is a useless fight on Canada's part. I for one, am glad that we are there. PEIRomantic, I'm just happy someone replied to my post... usually I just kill the threads once I write something.... cheers..... and next time, perhaps we can play pool..... | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/11/2007 3:38:01 PM | Damsel - don't be in distress!!  For sure you have every right to comment - and add levity. Sometimes I am too serious. But there is so much misinformation - I wouldn't want anyone to have the misconception that our troops are on a peacekeeping mission.
To my knowledge NATO doesn't do "peacekeeping". From a National Defence website: "Afghanistan is not, nor has it ever been a traditional peacekeeping mission."
Our fathers may have crossed paths - Dad was on corvettes during WWII !!
And you are on for the pool game - we are overdue for another get together !! | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/11/2007 4:53:52 PM | | I've seen been on several websites, and have broadened my views on the "peacekeeping" side of things... like how it is missing... oh well, I'll still keep asking for "Peace on Earth" every Christmas. I see Gennie's trying to get things rolling on the 15th, but I'll be back to work then. But I'll take a rain check on the pool. | |
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babs66
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Joined: 2/20/2007
Msg: 18 | |
| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 6/12/2007 8:36:32 AM | | No one in the military at any level has ever commented that Canadians were in Afghanistan on a peacekeeping mission. We use to be Peacekeepers and that was what we were known as, but that has now changed. Many still use that term loosely around the country for lack of a new "name" for our military and what we are doing over there. Airfarce is a great show and they use things as they wish to keep it funny. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 11/28/2008 8:05:49 AM | The term Gulf War is often used in reference to the 1990-91 war with Iraq over Kuwait which was on the Persian Gulf coast.
The current one is just called the Iraq War.
Afghanistan? Its landlocked. No territorial access to the Persian Gulf.
Enough with semantics.
I hope Harper (or whoever is pm in 2011) keeps his word on bringing our troops home in 2011.
<img src=http://www.plentyoffish.com/smiles/icon_201.gif border=0> | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 11/29/2008 1:20:53 PM | Well, we're really involved in Iraq where Obama wants out.
But Obama wants to ramp it up in Afghanistan where our troops are stationed and I wonder if that could affect the pre-set 2011 deadline. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 11/30/2008 8:10:00 AM | With any luck this new "partnership" between the liberals, the bloc and the NDP will take care of harpers destructive mandate And bring our friends, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, cousins .. partners .. children .. Home.
There is a myth about our Canadian Soldiers - seems a lot of people have this notion that they are "volunteers". They are Not volunteers. People enrole in the military, the same as anyone applies for any job. Once in, you have to give 6 months notice before they Allow you to leave (if they do). You have NO choice in where they send you and there are consequences if you 'rebel'.
The pay is Good. Very good in fact. The benefits are Excellent. Absolutely 100% FREE health, dental care.
As far as being Trained for war?? That has Only been in recent years and even then - the majority are getting their training on the front lines! Too many are Medicated to enable them to KILL other Pawns ~ Human beings. There are very Few specific trades that are actually trained and prepared for this sort of duty, the vast majority are Not.
The soldier you see on TV giving the interview, spewing propoganda - ONLY what they've been told they can say, is Not representing the average soldier or their feelings / opinion They are Not Free to do that! Please don't believe everything you see on TV. The Only thing you can really rely on is the off button.
Far as the war(s) and our interference in them is concerned, I personally wish we were still courageous enough to stand up for Peace. The Canadian Military has Always been a "Peace Keeping" force. I support our troops, I support my friends in uniform .. Alive. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 12/8/2008 4:23:42 PM | Canadian soldiers (and airmen and navy) don't volunteer, but I believe the majority of them go into their jobs knowing what's expected of them and that they may come into harm's way. Do I think what they're asked to do is right - no. Necessary perhaps. In a perfect world it wouldn't be, hopefully some day we'll have that perfect world, but I doubt it. Whether or not we should be in Afghanistan is questionable, I even question my own opinion on it. But as a life-long navy brat with a father who served for 35 years - part of it in the gulf during the first invasion of Iraq and many other parts of it in situations where he could have come to harm - I know he would have told you he did it because it was his job and he was proud of doing it well, whether or not he agreed with his bosses.
Sorry, I know I don't post much but I actually had an opinion this time, lol. | |
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| Thoughts on Canadians being involved in the Gulf War
Posted: 5/18/2009 5:06:06 AM | I just came across this thread and felt it important to comment.
If we are talking about the ISAF mission in Afghanistan then I would suggest Canada consider staying and helping the Afghan people till a reasonable level of security is established. Tell me , is it ok for no girls to attend school? Is that ok on PEI? Is it ok for families to lose young men by force to the cause of extreme fundementalism? Is it ok to force our sons to participate in a particular political party on PEI?
As graduations in our schools on PEI approach, imagine no female teachers, no female students , the doors shut to them by an extremist party in power. Add to that the issue of direct harbouring of groups that promote terrorist activity.
Canada went to Afghanistan so stay and finish the job. Leaving because it's too hard is shameful. Poor and desperate people have put their hope in what Canada said it would do so let's do it! | |
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