Question for Canadians. Do you think Canadian soldiers should pull out of Afghanistan or not?
956247
There are several reasons why we are out there.\n\nFirst, there is the NATO commitment.  We were there originally in 2002 to support the Americans.  Now, we are there under NATO for the Provincial Reconstructions Teams and the International Security Assistance Force.  None of that OEF stuff.  That is the American mission, primarily in the East of Afghanistan.\n\nSecond, we are there because President Hamid Karzai is asking us to stick it out.  We're helping out in the South, even if it might not look like it to the untrained, uninformed eyes of civilians.  There is one reason that the illegal armed factions have stepped up their attacks against the Canadians: we are winning, and scaring the living daylights out of them.  I mean, when they start digging in for a conventional war, you know that an insurgency is one the rocks.\n\nThird, we can't pull out until the job is done.  We are committed at least to 2009, possibly even longer.  But our desired end-state is that Afghanistan will be a secure, self-governing country free from warlords, drug kingpins, Taliban extremists and safe for everyone to live in.  That can't happen until the armed factions are either disarmed or routed in battle.  \n\nAnd you, jim22pb, get your head out of where the sun is not shining.  I have seen these videos, and they are doing pretty good in those firefights.  Small unit combat is nothing like Hollywood, make no mistake.  It's simple, it's brutal, and it works.  If anything, they are dealing with the enemy in a professional, methodical manner.  Yes, they duck a lot, but here is something for you.  It's not because they are under light fire that it's not accurate fire.  And a head sticking out over a wall is a pretty easy target if it won't move.  If it bobs up and down randomly and each time sending a few bullets your way, you'll keep down too.
295394
I think it's a bad road to be travelling down. We don't have the military strength to be the world's policemen, and troops that are trained to be peacekeepers aren't all that good at being warfighters.\n\nNot to say that we shouldn't help out when the need is there, but I think that it's high time that the other major powers in the world started shouldering some of the policing.
213661
Yes. We should've taken over Canada and Mexico when we had the chance.  Manifest destiny, baby... BOOYAH!\n\nqutab_afghan: Insha Allah this [grabbing my crotch], douchebag!
631828
didn't the Canadians start this?  whats good for the goose is good for the gander.  every Friday we should do something more profound.  lets see, the immigrants had a big protest. what if we did that every Friday.  skipped work and protested all day long outside federal and state government offices.  that would make a statement.  but I'm afraid that the consequences would be to great for most people to try.  but how much do you really care about our troops and our country.  one man can't do much, but a nation certainly can.
844751
Last time it didn't go so well..\n\n\nThere is the problem that Canada is still a part of the commonwealth which means that you would not only be contending with Canada, but the military forces of all the commonwealth members.  \n\nYou would also need to bring back a serious draft before doing it.   Let's face it the first thing Canada will do to defend it's boarders is conscription.     So is it really worth it,  the cost of actually invading it  and the potential of it not going well are quite great.
20112
62% of Canadian women have married out of Canadian citizenship, harking a sharp exit from the country\n\nYeah!
546185
No.  Canada is known for their quality.  They help to keep other countries in check.  They are peace keepers.  They help to keep our brothers and sisters south of the border from getting blamed for things they haven't done.  USA may be the brute force of combat but, they also need Canada as peace keepers to help smooth over a countries' people from the upset of military conflict.  This in general has given Canada a respect that other countries cannot obtain.  Things maybe disturbing in Afghanistan and as peace keepers there will always be a cost.  Remember Canada's Prime Minister is also answerable to the Queen of England and if the Queen wants us there, we are there.
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.
829533
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" !  =)
563660
i am ashamed that you would abandon your country.  you can stay in Canada.  we dont want people like you here.  hey, 3000+ American civilians were killed just a few years back, dont ya remember?
1026322
If yes, what's your current address, phone number, and place employment?................  There's gotta be a law against military desertion. Otherwise, before any conflict there'd be a rush of servicemen leaving. Flipping a burger/pushing paper's different than being shot at.
378227
Yes they should get out as they should not be there in the first place... I feel sorry for the families of the dead soldiers... It might have been a bit conforting if they were fighting for a just cause but they are not, so whats the point? \n\nLondon, England
766528
The US did not abandon Afghanistan, we are dropping millions of dollars into their infrastructure, NATO has taken over the daily operation of all the military personnel from all the nations who are participating, the same as they will in Iraq when it becomes a little more stable. America still has 1,3000 troops in Afghanistan, fighting the Taliban every day and the Afghan military is taking a much larger role in providing security for their Nation. There is no linkage because abandonment has not happened!
552756
You might want to consider whether it would be a workable solution in the United States given that the armed forces there is somethig like 30 times the size.\n\nThere have been significant issues with morale over the past 40 years with the unification of the Canadian Forces.  About a decade ago, this was reflected in a symbolic move that saw each of the three armed services (our Coast Guard is not considered to be an armed service) being given their own distinctive uniforms.  I don't think it has any effect on camraderie one way or the other - there has always been is is still a significant rivalry between branches.  As well, I'm not sure about any savings - like the US, we have frequent budgets over-runs and other observations from the Auditor -General.\n\nIt has long been my opinion that for Canada's size, it would make sense to more strongly integrate the services, making them something like the US Marine Corps.  But I don't know whether this carries over to the US integrating all of its services.\n\nThat being said, there seem to be elements of the various services in the US that could be combined as they seem repetitive - e.g., various intelligence, legal and similar support branches.
596266
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.
1009314
my guy came back alive and for that i am thankful.  he is set to redeploy again.  they planted trees on his base for the fallen soldiers from their platoon and it was sad to see the kids out there not wanting to leave those trees because they wanted to be with their parents.  my guy cried like a baby.  yes it is time to pull out and bring them home, for moral reasons not for political.
1112788
i'm on the "get the hell out" bandwagon...  i really can't believe when everyone gets all upset when a journalist gets hurt or kidnapped over there.  the soldiers don't have much choice about being in the war zone, however the journalists don't HAVE TO be there...  right in harm's way.