Afghanistan - More than our fair share?

[ThighMan]

canada.com
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan - The bomb that killed two Canadian soldiers on Wednesday was set by a team of Taliban insurgents sent from a neighbouring province to disrupt a stability that had resulted from work done by Canada's soldiers, military leaders said Friday.

Eight soldiers in one week. The guys and gals are got hit pretty hard last week. That brings the total number of dead to 54 since Canada went their in 2002. For a force of about 2500 soldiers, that represents a little over 2% which is very high. Vimy Ridge in WWI had 3.5% and it was considered extremely high losses in a war where high losses were common. I heard on the news that Canadian losses represent almost 25% of the total number of NATO and allied (Australia and some others are not part of NATO) deaths in Afghanistan. Considering that Canada only has about 10% of the total number of soldiers in Afghanistan, the numbers are quite disproportionate.

I heard yesterday that Australia is planning on sending some more troups which is good news. However, considering that this is supposed to be a NATO operation, I think it is about time for our so-called allies to shoulder more of the share. In particular, the European countries are probably the worst. Why should NATO allow them to place restriction on the activities of their soldiers to keep them out of the more hazardous areas? You are either part of an alliance or you are not.

As for all those here in Canada who say they support our troups but we should pull them out of Afghanistan - I say what kind of support is that. The Afghan government has asked Canada to stay and so have the majority of the Afghan people. What if Canada had left France after Vimy? Who knows how much longer the war would have continued. Vimy took place in April 1917 and the war didn't end until November 1918. I am not even sure if the US was in the war at that time. Canada played a very significant role in WWI and was responsible for may more victories after Vimy.

The real problem in Afghanistan and the Taliban is actually Pakistan. For a country that is a member of the Commonwealth and supposidly a "friend" of Canada, they should be doing much more to get rid of the Taliban bases in Pakistan. I know that there are a lot of political and religious reasons why they are not (in a country and area where politics and religion are interconnected), but if you want to be a "friend" of the western countries, then maybe it is about time they got some more balls and started acting like it. Otherwise, I think it is about time we started reviewing all the Aid we send their way. Or, if we want to really get the job done right, (leftist whiners will have a field day with this) perhaps NATO should start considering moving into south-western Pakistan and do the job themselves. Of course that would require that all the sissy members of NATO (like France) get off their duffs and start contributing to the alliance.

Nuff said.

 

[Bartdude]

Other countries are smarter than us.

"Nuff said.

 

[Sonny]

Our losses could be much worse... if Canada had acquiesed to the USA, we would be in Iraq.

What a total disaster there! The USA's bungling has forever altered the political landscape in Mesopotamia, driving Iraq into sectarian civil war and destroying the political balance in the region to the delight of the Syrians, Iranians and Al Quaeda. Well done, GWB!

 

[ThighMan]

Other countries are smarter than us.
"Nuff said.

Smarter - not likely. If you belong to an alliance either you live up to your responsibilites or you quit. Canada has bailed France out twice now and perhaps they should start living up to their NATA obligations in Afghanistan.

Our losses could be much worse... if Canada had acquiesed to the USA, we would be in Iraq.

What a total disaster there! The USA's bungling has forever altered the political landscape in Mesopotamia, driving Iraq into sectarian civil war and destroying the political balance in the region to the delight of the Syrians, Iranians and Al Quaeda. Well done, GWB!

I agree Sonny. We went into Afghanistan because of 911 and the evidence that indicated Al Quaeda was at the time active there. This evidence was hard and was later proven. Fortunately Canadian Intelegence did not agree with the crap that the US was trying to get everyone to buy regarding Iraq. I still find it hard to understand how the English could have believed that crap.

 

[henryhill]

War is stupid. Any way you slice it.

 

[ThighMan]

War is stupid. Any way you slice it.

I agree. However, shouldn't a country defend itself and its citizens from harm by other countries or groups, or do we just sit back and let every sick group out there do what they want? Also, should not those countries that are able help those that are not PROVIDED THEY ASK FOR THAT HELP? If they don't want are help then I agree that we do not belong there.

 

[SilkyJohnson]

Canadian soldiers in Iran are protecting Brit and US forces guarding her royal majesty's opium garden. Sure are a lot of Mules (bodies packed with drugs) leaving Iraq and Iran convieniently......

 

[ThighMan]

Canadian soldiers in Iran are protecting Brit and US forces guarding her royal majesty's opium garden. Sure are a lot of Mules (bodies packed with drugs) leaving Iraq and Iran convieniently......

Check you facts SJ. There are no Canadian soldiers in IRAN. There are a few Canadian soldiers in IRAQ but these are soldiers who are assigned to US and British units as part of the NATO exchange program. They are not in active combat roles and not under Canadian Command.

 

[OTBn]

As for all those here in Canada who say they support our troups but we should pull them out of Afghanistan - I say what kind of support is that.

It’s a level of true support for an ill-conceived (continued) presence – exactly why are we (still) there? Really – what’s the (current) mission? More fightin em over there so we don’t need to fight em over here bullshit?

The real problem in Afghanistan and the Taliban is actually Pakistan.

No – the real problem in Afghanistan is Harper’s set on fostering support for the U.S. nation building foreign policy… can we say oil pipelines? Notwithstanding the ingrained tribal system, drug wars, crippling poverty, a significantly corrupt Afghan government, religion, brutal terrain/climate, recent past wars instilling a distrust of ‘occupiers’, etc., etc., etc…..

We’ve long since departed from the initial fighting terrorism premise… Osama bin Forgotten!

Or, if we want to really get the job done right, (leftist whiners will have a field day with this) perhaps NATO should start considering moving into south-western Pakistan and do the job themselves. Of course that would require that all the sissy members of NATO (like France) get off their duffs and start contributing to the alliance.

Leftist whiners… the “sissy French”… uhhh, right – building bridges are we?

 

[jjinvan]

If the question is why have so many of our troops died the answer is that previous canadian governments made some very piss poor decisions when it came to equipment.

The LAV-III is a piece of crap and if you read through the reports of how many of the soldiers died, the LAV-III was a big part of the answer.

We've sent some tanks over and things should get better. I read something yesterday saying they were going to be sending more/newer tanks over and that should also be a great help.

Without getting into the whole 'fight or don't fight' issue, I hope everyone agrees that IF the government is going to send troops into combat (as the Liberal government did) THEN they need to be sure that they are properly equipped and instead of funnelling money into little brown envelopes in their own pockets, they need to spend some money on buying proper equipment for those who are putting their lives on the line.

 

[SilkyJohnson]

switch Iran with Afghanistan, sorry i'm stoned

 

[greatshark]

As for all those here in Canada who say they support our troups but we should pull them out of Afghanistan - I say what kind of support is that.

This type of argument makes no sense at all....i say supporting the troops means caring about their lives - pull them out. If supporting the troops means staying, then the US should not have left Vietnam because by leaving it meant that they didn't support their own troops or the troops that had died did so in vain.

The Afghan government has asked Canada to stay and so have the majority of the Afghan people.

Who makes up the Afghan government - they do not represent the people of Afghanistan. This US Karzhai puppet regime, is in fact supported by warlords who are in fact more repressive than the Taliban.

As for the majority of the people agreeing with foreign presence, do you honestly believe the polls - which are done for the Karzhai goverment or for the Countries occupying Afghanistan.

The problem is that almost all the people here cannot understand that some cultures do not want a democracy. they do not care less about individuals rights or our Rule of law. They have their own ways of doing things, and their own tribal customs. That is why the Taliban is still around - they have tons of support....but our governments and media dont report this.

ask yourself, what gives us the right to impose our way of life on ours? who made us the supreme authority?