what are the Pros of pulling Canadian troops out of Afghanistan ASAP, and the Cons of doing so.?
958143
The prois that they get to become hero by killing some enemies while the con is that they return home as hero but dead.
755717
I am Canadian.  You are helping us in Iraq.  This is a UN mission.  We are not there to help you.  We looked at the situation and were personally asked to go.  If you know us right away we don't want war so we have made it in to a rescue mission for Afghan people who want peace.  The word terrorism or half the bush-isms are over used.  We are not hungry for war.  It takes more guts to say sorry when your right to quiet a fight then to say your right when your wrong.  This humility will not work on say it two times Bush because he is daft.  Canada doesn't understand why someone would have a rocket launcher in their front closet.  I almost want to say the Afghans deserve themselves so let them kill each other. But in reality those people are people and despite their anger, retaliation, bull headiness and poppy growing need strong people who will help them get on with enjoying life.  So no we do not support any war willingly.  We go to war more in a policing manner to help people not take or secure oil.
773888
I am Canadian, living in Canada, and am equally embarrassed about the "anti-war" sentiment in Canada and the negative impact this has had on the internal and traditional Canadian motivation to fight for what is right.\n\nAt the end of WWII, Canada had the third largest navy in the world.  While we have since become known (at least internally) as "peace-keepers", Canada does have a proud warrior past.\n\nI don't mean "warrior" in the sense of gratuitous warfare.  I mean "warrior" in the sense of going to war when liberty and justice dictate that it is right to do so.\n\nI believe that an important reason for the "anti-war" sentiment is the strong undercurrent of anti-Americanism that exists among many (but certainly not all) Canadians.  This exists for the same reasons it exists in Europe and elsewhere:  a sense of jealousy and helplessness in the face of the American juggernaut.  Certainly the USA is not perfect and we need to defend our national interests, but we should be VERY wary of accepting the "great satan" designation affixed to the proud chest of the Americans by the enemies of all of Western Civilization.\n\nThose opposing Canada's contribution to world liberty and democracy through battle should consider that their ability to protest involvement was built on the backs of soldiers.  War is bad, but sometimes necessary.  \n\nI just wish that more people understood that sometimes, things are truly worth fighting for.  It doesn't make the fighting enjoyable, but it does make it worthwhile, noble and right.
1178465
From one who was there, and lost all his men, and lived to tell, you are very welcome. I was in Afghanistan in 2002. 19 yrs old. We had and are still having a hell of a time over there. We(the armed forces) need all the support we can get. On another note though, If I had the choice to go and fight knowing what would happen all over again, I would go in a heart beat. No thanks necceccary. We are just doing our job. (Semper Fi!)
598228
It’s going not-so-good, but not as bad as it could be.  \n\nThe bad news: Hamid Karzai may be the best option, but his primarily activities seem to be weakening parliament as much as he can and installing people from his own clam and ethnic group into all positions of power that he can (oh, and pardoning his convicted drug dealer brother).  The US really scaled back operations in the country in the past few years, which gave the Taliban and related groups a chance to organize, form alliances and strengthen their positions.  Now the US is starting to figure this out and is putting a bit ore effort into it, but a lot more is needed.  \n\nAlso, Afghan people thought that things would get better now that the US was here, but for most, life didn’t change at all, and now they feel disillusioned and wonder why they should put up with foreign militaries in their country if they don’t get anything for it. In the South they are also more socially conservative, and are concerned about any immorality coming to their areas. So much more investment, soldiers, attention, etc. is needed because things are slowly getting worse, even with the increased interest, and only concrete improvements in their lives will convince the Afghans that the foreign powers really are there to help.  As the Taliban and affiliated forces increase in strength in the South, they spread their ideology and even those that don’t agree feel obligated to work with them to stay alive, as the US and ISAF forces can’t permanently secure their villages. \n\nThe good news: It is not (yet?) Iraq.  A civil war is not on the table.  A thousand civilians aren’t killed in a month.  The economy is growing (especially in Kabul, where it is booming), more schools and clinics are open and security is better than it was during the Taliban.  It still offers opportunity (for some), reform is happening (just very slowly) and there is a parliament sent to represent each area, and it is fighting the President’s efforts to weaken their authority. Imports from Pakistan are streaming in, and it even finally rained after a years-long drought.  (There is a lot for visitors to buy– esp. handicrafts like carpets, embroideries and jewelry (and anything else made of precious or semi-precious gems).
752884
If by "support the troops," you mean, "bring them back," yes.\n\nIf there's a draft, I'll be relocating to Canada.  I'll be damned if I'm going to risk my life for some idiotic reason like an invasion of Iran.
707812
Jack Layton is not stupid at all, your the one that is stupid and that is blinded from the true facts. First of all, it is clear that half of all the Canadians want our troops out of Afghanistan. The Canadian troops being in Afghanistan is only fuelling more terrorism and eventually Canada will be attacked by terrorists. Also, the Canadian forces are not even there for "peacekeeping," they are engaging in more of a combat role than rebuilding or peace-making.The Canadian forces are too weak to fight with the Afghan guerilla forces. The Soviet Union, in 1979, couldn't fully take control of Afghanistan and we all know how powerful the Soviet Union was militarily. The Mujahideen, through guerilla tatics, stopped the Soviet invasion because the Soviet forces engaged in conventional fighting, just like what Canada is doing right now. Jack Layton does not believe that the Taliban would just "go away." He believes that you cannot fight the Taliban insurgents with force. When was the last time you heard someone say "fight fire with fire?" Did you ever realize that that logic does not make any sense at all. We would probably have more chance of success in bringing the Taliban down or at least changing their policies through diplomacy. Our Conservative government is spending a ridiculous amount of money on this war in Afghanistan and it is going no where. The majority of Canadians believe that this war's goal will never be achieved and it would turn out to be a major failure. Also, it does not make sense and is not fair that politicians thousands of kilometres away should be able to decide if our forces stay or not when they haven't even been to Afghanistan to see what is truly going on. You really need to take a step back, slow things down and see the true facts, the facts that the government is trying to cover up. \n\nSupport our troops and bring them home!
700617
Stephanie.....You answered your own question.\n\nSince the war isn't about oil, it wouldn't have any effect on pulling out our troops - however, our war on terror would be greatly compromised.
330295
I can understand why Harper is doing it, but I do not agree with it.\n\nThese people are dying for Canada, and they should be treated with respect.  This lowering of the flag was only put in place with the Liberal Government (before the liberals it was exactly how it is now, only rememberances happen on rememberance day).\n\nSadly enough, I think it's Harper trying to distance himself from the former liberal government.  trying to show how different and unique the new government it.  \n\nWhat worries me more is him banning the media from seeing the caskets come back over here from over seas.  That worries me, and it's one more thing that Bush did that was terribly unpopular.  \n\nMost political observers believe by doing this, he is just trying to strifle anything which could lead to agruments about Canada's envolvement in Afganitsan.\n\nIt's sad really.
740202
We( Canada) lost 2 more of our "GAY" solders today in Afghanistan , You A**hole. We have lost more in Afghanistan than the UK, and %wise the US. We weren't behind the illigal war in Iraq. As far as I'm concerned we should not be in Afghanistan, the US created the problem by backing the Taliban, and now they are backing the Northern Alliance, another group of warlords.   \n\nSome food for thought, if you are capable of it, \n\nToday marks the day that you will have been in Iraq longer than the US was in all of World War II. Canada had been there since Sept/39\n\nThat's right. We, with the help of the allies, especially Russia, were able to defeat all of Nazi Germany, Mussolini, and the entire Japanese empire in LESS time than it's taken the world's only superpower to secure the road from the airport to downtown Baghdad. \n\nAnd we haven't even done THAT. After 1,347 days, in the same time it took us to took us to sweep across North Africa, storm the beaches of Italy, conquer the South Pacific, and liberate all of Western Europe, we cannot, after over 3 and 1/2 years, even take over a single highway and protect ourselves from a homemade device of two tin cans placed in a pothole. No wonder the cab fare from the airport into Baghdad is now running around $35,000 for the 25-minute ride. And that doesn't even include a friggin' helmet. \n\nIs this utter failure the fault of our troops? Hardly. That's because no amount of troops or choppers or democracy shot out of the barrel of a gun is ever going to "win" the war in Iraq. It is a lost war, lost because it never had a right to be won, lost because it was started by men who have never been to war, men who hide behind others sent to fight and die. \n\nLet's listen to what the Iraqi people are saying, according to a recent poll conducted by the University of Maryland: \n\n** 71% of all Iraqis now want the U.S. out of Iraq. \n\n** 61% of all Iraqis SUPPORT insurgent attacks on U.S. troops. \n\nYes, the vast majority of Iraqi citizens believe that our soldiers should be killed and maimed! So what the hell are we still doing there? Talk about not getting the hint. \n\nObviously the Allies must have done a hell of a lot more than you give us Credit for.
606244
The action taken in Afghanistan was textbook perfect. I have been bewildered as to what went wrong in Iraq. I cam across an interview with Ex-Speaker Gingrich on Meet the Press this past Sunday; it turns out that they put in a whole different team to run the operation in Iraq, and they being Bush's Theocon Cronies did everything wrong. They became the face of Iraq to Iraq and solidified the concept to the Iraqi people they they were occupied. I am including some links on the Bush Administration which you may wish to be aware of.\n\nYes, we need to pull our forces out.
924816
Apologies if someone does not value your countries' contributions in Afganistan.  That's an important mission, one much more so than the one in Iraq.   It was definitely a terrorist breeding ground and the current govt needs all our help to put keep the terrorists at bay.\n\nThe British and the Canadians are there because it's important to the world that we stabalize the mid-East as quickly as we can.   Appreciate it if your countries could do more to lobby our President on how to be more effective in the fighting against the insurgents in the region.   We're not getting it done because we are not fighting correctly.  It's time for new tactics, and I hope your govt's can help.
383073
No-is the simple answer.  To withdraw would be a sign of weakness-something which the American Military would not want to show.  Remember Vietnam.  But this would be the same for most countries-the UK wouldn't pull out either because of Iraqi resistance it just doesnt give a good impression.  And I would support them in their choice!!!
295053
No, the drawdown of US troop levels in Afganistan is not and does not look like a withdrawal.  At the same time, our allies around the world are getting more involved in Afganistan as they should have long ago.  As their troop levels increase we are able to reduce US strengths in certain areas.  We are still committed to supporting the developing democracy with whatever forces are needed.
436992
this would be interesting except for your last point.  Look at our system.  We already have one in place and its not working. The Executie Branch has gained a ton of power and the Leg and Jud brances have lost their power.  It's become about helping each other out instead of maintaining balance.  Otherwise your outline exists in Canada.
705434
While I am not serving actively now I am a veteran.  You need to change your statement to 'some' of the soldiers fighting over there understand.  There are many who do not believe we should be in Iraq.  There are many who do not believe Iraq is a true part of the war on terror.  Afghanistan is part of that war but we are not putting anywhere near as much support into that war now.\n\nIt is not reasonable to state that if we pull out of Iraq the Sunnis, Shia's and Kurds will come here to fight.  These people are fighting for superiority or seperate statehood in Iraq.  They would have nothing to gain by coming here.  As for the real trerrorist organizations?  Our presence there may make it easier for them to fight us close to their homes but don't kid yourself, that will not stop them from attempting to hit us here.  whether we stay there or not that will always be a danger.
867013
Firestorm:  Just how would that happen in two years?   A majority where?  Do you have any clue how long a Congressman  serves in office?   Oh. . sorry. . you are probably a prime example of your party. . .next time I won't write this as fast.\n\nRich B:  The point was not missed.  It is unfortunate that the Democrats had to address some of the points the Republican made issues out of (which were aimed to distract) but the truth is that "ALL" parties have ignorant people voting.  \n\nThe issue of Iraq is the main issue that won these seats for the Democrats because it is the most burdensome out of all the issues.  It is resulting in a loss of many young lives, fueling turmoil in the middle east.  Costing Americans 300 BILLION Dollars a MONTH and it has no end in sight.   \n\nThe Borders have been an issue since the ALAMO and an ISSUE whenever either party requires a shield to cover the truth.  This time the Republicans needed to turn the ignorant away from IRAQ.   \n\nTerrorist crossed the Canadian Border. . .FACT!  Canadians enter our country and take the "GOOD" paying jobs away from Americans.  FACT!. . .Yet, not a peep about it from the Rep's   The old Race card covered in B.S.\n\nSure we have other problems, and they were all ignored by this DO NOTHING but STAY THE COURSE party.  The change is on the way, but starting tomorrow, Bush will challenge the newly controlled congress instead of conceding, that a change is what the people of this country want!\n\nThank you all for voting. . .Great Job.