To be honest, I dont think the Canadian Forces are actually helping to fight terrorism because by now, none of the terrorist would be hiding in dark holes anymore or as a matter of fact they were ever. Its not about the terrorism anymore but about how Canada looks like in the eye of the world. Stephan Harper wants to have the Canadian forces there to boost Canadian nationalism and spend more to form a bigger army. He also wants the Canadian forces there to show the U.S that he can kiss Bush's ass then anybody. \n\nWar is based on Making Profit only, and nothing every good will come out of it.
124074
Some say it's nation building like what occcured in Namibia and Cambodia, or peace building like what occured in Central America.  A state cannot have peace until it has security, all commerce and quality of life springs from personal security.  Now it could be argued that with the drug lords, arms dealers, and religious mullahs all vying for power, Canada is there as a sort of international police force to stop drugs and guns and keep moderates in power, then there is more going on.  I doubt that is a secret to anyone but the most naive.\n\n  Canada being Afganistan got it out of going to Iraq (lucky for the PM of Canada he would have likely been charged with war crimes by his own citizens and put in jail!)So there are a multitude of reasons for going there, some more noble than others. \n  As for war being a racket for money making, you won't get any arguement from me!
369758
Not really. In fact, the current occupation of Iraq doesn't have anything to do with the reason we went over in the first place.\n\nWe're doing nothing more than baby-sitting the country, and acting as its local police force, while it's in the middle of a civil war. There is no evidence, none, that says anything we're doing there has any effect on global terrorism. It's purely politics and empire-building.
305834
Dodging the US Military draft was and is still a crime in this country.  The Candians did what they felt they had to do; there are Americans that do what they feel they have to do.  \nHowever, there have been wars forever and there have been men and women who have found ways to avoid going to war, and there were those that were PROUD to serve and die for their countries. \n\nAnother point: our government is in such financial turmoil that we simply cannot afford to support so many people who do NOT earn their way into this country legally.  There are people - legally eligable people - that cannot get financial assistance because there is nothing to give because it's been given to people who didn't EARN it.\n\nFurthermore, 100,000 is a small wimper compared the SCREAM of MILLIONS of illegal immigrants pouring into our country.  \n\nSlavery was wrong of those "Americans" who participated in the trade, and kudos to the Canadians who did take in those slaves and the people who helped to defend the slaves.  \nBut there is no parallel to be drawn between illegal immigration and the protection of enslaved people.\n\nI'm betting you would be hard-pressed to find many people who would say "NO immigration to the US."  What people are saying is "NO ILLEGAL immigration!"  There is due process and EVERYone needs to follow it!!!!  \nEND OF STORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
606190
It should stop any more immigration from THE GREAT ISLAM and send them all back to clear their countries of Fascist bullies. Why are American and European soldiers there and the Islamibads here? Should it not be the other way around. Toronto is sachurated with Muslim "refugees".Sick of it. Was bad enough when we only had Lutherans and Penticostals here.
148836
I do but not only b/c i serve in the military but he has given alot to everyone in 1 way or another, bc like you siad it isnt the easiest job but he need our support now more than ever. and those of you who dont believe in our govt i hope you get attacked by a terrorist, b/c only then can you understand the things he and our military does to protect us. and you critics go find some good sources before you start bashing anyone.
283295
We'll never know the real story right now because:\n\n1) Its Afghanistan and its a very very complicated place.\n2) In war, truth is always hard to find.  (in part because of the chaos of war but also on purpose because controlling information is an important part of military tactics)\n3) Even if our decision makers knew the real truth of what is going on, which is doubtful, they still wouldn't tell us.\n4) There are more than one or two story-lines happening at the same time.\n\nSo if you want a long factual based answer, you're not going to get one no matter who responds to your question.\n\nIf you want opinions, there's lots to go around.\n\nIf you want the truth, go there yourself and keep searching but even there it will be hard to find.\n\nIf you want my opinion, its simply because the Taliban were very very bad people and some of us nice Canadians are willing to risk our necks to help people get out from under their boot prints.
266668
It so is.\n\nMr. Harper and Mr. Bush are both operating from the same faith-based conservative political standpoint, and so, they've got a lot to agree on. The federal budget also shows the cut of $2 billion over 5 years from the environmental programs of the past liberal government, which were geared towards adapting Canada even more to the Kyoto protocal. As it ever so happens, Harper is passing off the protocal in favor of a "made-in-Canada" approach. Atleast he's not dismissing it all togeather like our neighbors to the south. \n\nOn top of that is the recent agreements pretaining to soft-wood lumber, which in the long run will favor America as opposed to upholding fair trade.\n\nHarper and Bush are just two peas in a pod.
355631
I think the last time I heard we have 13,000 troops in Afghanistan... not nearly enough to deal with the actual area that the terroists are located... \n\nmeanwhile we have like 150,000 last time I heard in Iraq... which is not near any terrorist hq... \n\nmaybe we shouldn't have cut and run from Afghanistan... where the majority of the terrorists are... maybe we just created a hot bed for terrorists while we're off trying to solve secrarian violence in Iraq?
366855
I agree 100% with you on this one!!!! There are 20,000 troops in that region, and I have several friends with whom I served with in the past in that region. From e-mail contacts my friends are saying that everything is "hush-hush"!!!! It is the media that has the "lose lips" with bogus reporting, and to win this war against terror most battles need to be kept in the dark!!!
425054
Violence towards these ppl is only going to fuel more violence.\n\nIf that is not evident by now to you and others, then I don't know how much more evidence you need.\n\nThe only way to tackle the anti-American terrorism dilemma is through some major diplomacy but mostly, through incentives.\n\nTake Palestine as an example... Palestine is impoverished, ppl are starving, etc... sanctions have resulted in this. Now ask yourself, they know they could get our aid if they just do what we say but is that making them listen to us? NO.\n\nAll that is doing is making them hate us more.\n\nInstead of bullying these extremists that will die starving before they will be 'owned', how about using the funds we put into the military on incentives for them to build their infrastructure.\n\nThink about it... if we helped Palestine build it's infrastructure and economy, would they not be grateful? Yes they would. Of course some would always fight.. but after a generation or two, you can't tell me their children wouldn't remember and start to question anti-American sentiment.\n\nThat is just one example but you the idea.
644739
terrorism has to be fought. right now it is being fought in Iran and Afghanistan. someday it will be fought in  another country. that country could be right here in USA. yes, we are fighting it now, but not to the extent where we have solders dressed in fighting gear. you don't see tanks going up and down our streets. you don't hear gunfire and bombs going off around you.our troops are fighting to keep everyone free. they are also fighting to keep the WAR from coming onto our shores. and to all of our troops, no matter where you are, BLESS YOU.
350115
I think this article is largely garbage and is a weak attempt to justify terrorism.\n\nTo say that Hezbollah fighters did not follow Israelis to tel aviv because they just wanted them out of Lebanon is a lie. Hezbollah has several times said they want to conquer all of Israel and when the war in Lebanon started this summer is was Hezbollah that first went into Israeli territory. \n\nAlso if leaving an occupied area stops violence then tell me why have over a thousand rockets been launched from Gaza! There are no more Israeli's in Gaza and Hammas still attacks.\n\n\nI realize the author of this article is trying to condemn radical Islam, but by trying to give reasons for it. Many of which as I pointed out are not true he is actually rationalizing its use.
141490
Oh, it would be best if we could all turn our military forces (and police forces as well) into just crisis relief forces. That would be beautiful.\nBut it won't work. Not in the real world: it is not perfect.\n\nWhat you're talking about is something like all-covering police / border guard force. I know of no serious country that would have done so. \nGermany does have regular army (and a good one, if I can judge), just because of historical events their constitution prohibits them from fileding this army outside of Germany.\nFrance doesn't like to send it's own soldiers away, but from what I know thay can be pretty tough as well. And if France needs its business in any part of the world to be backed with bayonets, they send the Foreign Legion. And besides, they prefer to stress they won't go after the US - I belive it's their national pride.\n\nA lot of countries can't afford to field any significant expeditionary force, but they keep their own armies as strong as they see fit (& can afford).\n\nWhile I too dislike the way the US messes with global politics, I can't deny the fact they do have military power to back their ideas. And, although they tend to be fineese like a hammer blow, they are _sometimes_ right.\n\nPS. But they do not have a monopoly on truth & rightfullness. And I'm going to celebrate the day when they take this into their hearts...
438122
Before Germany invaded france and poland to start all out war in WW2 the league of nations ignored the threat of military buildup of troops by Geermany look what happened.\n\nLook at Sudan, Saddam didn't listen, why should the U.S.\n\nWhen there is an organisation that has member nations sitting on human rights panels but yet violate human rights makes you wonder.\n\nThe U.N. is more like a directors meeting, it is there to assist in communication and help if member nations agree to.\n\nIt is not mandatory for one nation to obey the U.N.\n\nAmerica pays the biggest fee to be a member, and yet is always shot down, yet when tragdy is in the world everybody demands the U.S. to do more.\n\nThe U.N. is a waste, N.A.T.O has bigge cajonas than the U.N.\n\nWhile Canadian, American, and British troops are fighting the Taliban for the benefit of Afghans other countries are sitting back paying lip service but not getting into the NATO supported fight for the people of Afghan.\n\nAnd the Canadian / U.S. soft lumber deal was a NAFTA issue not the U.N. it was a NAFTA panel that supported Canadas motion, and if the Liberal powers of the time were not so rude to our american cousins the soft lumber deal probably wouldn't have happened.  If the U.S. wants to put a pipeline in on their side of lake Ontario to get water that is their choice.\n\nBut When you look at world bodies it sounds like a bunch of bull than a world striving for results.\n\nIf the U.N. cared they wouldn't wait for Sudan to ask for international help, cause there is genocide going on a real leader stands up and takes the fall if it does not work, otherwise it is just another level of political bull.
438436
VERY INTERESTING??????\nAs a Canadian I applaud your enthusiastic efforts to show you support your troops abroad.  You can join us Canadians, who have been wearing red on Fridays for quite some time, at least since earily summer '06 to support our troops over in Afghanistan.  Oddly enough we called it "Red Friday" also. \nIt was started by the Canadian families, who have loved ones serving & dieing in Afghanistan.  They chose RED, because it represents one of our prominent colors in the Canadian Flag to show how proud they are that Canada is trying to help the Afghanistan people live in a 'Taliban-free zone' country & keep terrorists  like Bin Landen out, which in turn backs up the U.S. on the "War against Terror", which sent the Canadian troops to Afghanistan in the 1st place to support the U.S. after 9/11.  Glad to see a good idea is spreading in your neck of the woods!\nGlad to have you on board!  Best of luck & safety to your troops too!  May they return home soon, safe & sound.\n"Shout out from your friendly Canuck neighbour" !  =)
200719
The former president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, financed terrorist groups like Al-Qaida led by Osama bin-Laden. They were the ones responsible for 9/11 (destruction of NYC's World Trade Center and the attack on the Pentagon). \n\nI am Canadian. If our federal government was dictatorial, financing terrorism and torturing our people like Hussein's was, I would want another nation to come help dismantle our government. \n\nThe Iraq war was not BS and it wasn't over oil. Look at how high the price of gas is now at your neighbourhood gas station!\n\nThe US is not accusing Iran of having nuclear missiles right now. They are accusing Iran of planning to build them. This is a problem for the world because the president of Ian has publicly stated Israel 'should be wiped off the map'. Iran has recently developed nuclear energy for electrical energy. They have said they are going to develop nuclear weapons.\n\nThe main difference between the US and Iran is that the US has not threatened another country, but Iran has threatened Israel. The US is Israel's biggest ally and cannot stand and do nothing while Israel is threatened.\n\nBy the way, one nuclear missile will destroy an entire city (I mean destroy it completely, nothing left, no trees, no grass, no buildings, no people, nothing!) and wipe out everything around for about 100 miles out. So if you think it's weird that people get upset about having missiles aimed their way, think again!
81394
I think we should bring most of our troops home, but disbanding the military seems like a really bad idea.  Going from a major world power that's hated as much as we are to totally defenseless is not such a hot idea.  I do think, though, that we could use our military power almost exclusively defensively.  But think about what would have happened in World War II if we'd had no military.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to rely on Canada and Mexico being nice to us.  Then again I don't want to rely on our government making good decisions, either.