Kandahar Dispatches

I see where kent is coming from but I dont know why u think im against the troops in afghanistan, I just want there to be some sort of timeline by the afghans because it is there country, showing what the majority wants in its future. And if we ignore the coprporate companies that are getting involved persuading the afghan minorities to let them build pipelines threw their country, in which they are, then the objective of a safe democratic afghanistan is merely an illusion. I sincerely apologese to any troops who may have taken my intial comment the wrong way. I wish you a safe journey and may you come back to this glorious country and see your families in PEACE!

serge,
One of the main reasons many people choose to immigrate to Canada from war torn countries, such as myself (from Afghanistan) is that fact that Canada has been known for its multiculturalism, tolerance, peaceful and humanitarian missions around the world.

I am afraid, many people have a different view of Canada now, including myself; when I see Canadian soldiers killing and bombing my own country and countrymen for Bush and America's crusade.

Wow. Never before have I seen so many Canadians sound just like Americans!

Mohammed Junaid Noori,

As Lisa said, "If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them."

I don't want to sound like just another Red-Neck but I must. I don't know I you were born Canadian or if you have decided to come here on your own accord. Either way if you don't like our values maybe you need a new address. I'm sure a stint in Afganistan or another culturally oppressed region would be more agreeable.

I have many friends who are new Canadians, they embrace Canadian Values and culture and are free to follow their religion and life goals, sounds like a good deal to me. What bugs me is when people come here and try to tell us what is wrong with Canada. If it was so good back there...why did you leave?

"Must find my happy place...Ooh-Sah"

I agree with Mr. Leinweber regarding Mohammed Noori's shameful post. Give your head a shake Mohammed! May the CF keep up the great work they're doing and keep safe.

Keep in mind, the fault lies with the former Liberal government and present Conservative government officials that maintain the policies keeping our soldiers in Afganistan. Is it worth the lives of young Canadians to try to bring peace to an unstable area of the world? Perhaps. But perhaps not. I support our troops, many are my friends just doing the job they signed up for....... but the rationalization of "spreading peace" to unstable areas of the world is faulty, at best. Should we start sending troops to unstable areas in Africa, Asia or South America? Certainly there are people in other countries that face the same horrors as the Afgans. This ideology of Canada as some great international peace-keeping country, solving injustice and liberating oppressed people is misguided, at best. Claiming Canada is a safer place because of our involvement in Afganistan is equally laughable. The "fighting them there so we don't have to fight them here" rationale is utter BS forced upon us by the US. Hey Ottawa, bring the boys back home! (safe)

Shame on those who deny basic human rights like education for all, rule of law and do not allow freedom of religion. The Taliban seem to guilty on all counts. Maybe they can blow up another Buddhist World Heritage site. Better than summary execution for those who disagree with them

So the choice is support the troops who went there under a UN resolution or what. Run away and hope they will leave us alone.

Mohammed Junaid Noori:

Shame on the islamo-fascists that started this conflict in the first place on September 11, 2001. Shame on those who recruit the suicide bombers, with promises of an eternity in paradise, surrounded by compliant virgins. Shame on those who stone women for being raped, or drive them back into burning buildings because they are not modestly dressed. Shame on those who would deny women education. Shame on those who would beat a man for not wearing a beard. Shame on those who use religion as a club to control others. Shame on you, and may you go back and join the Taliban, who you seem to admire so much.

This is a very interesting thread, and shows some of the difficulty that we have as a society in facing complex issues. I can understand why those supporting our troops in Afghanistan feel that any criticism is personal, especially for those who have served or lost friends and loved ones. I can also understand the point of view of those who are critical of the economic interests that may have influenced decisions to put our soldiers in harm's way.

I have tried to figure out if we should be in Afghanistan and I cannot come to a clear answer. I understand that it is a UN-sanctioned mission and that this is a joint NATO operation. I have no doubt that our soldiers are doing a good job and that they believe that they are helping to establish freedom and democracy.

On the other hand, I am a student of history and have seen countless times where the idealism of soldiers and patriotic fervor of citizens has been used against them, from The Great War on. I've read accounts of organisations that have tried to purchase Afghan opium for pharmaceutical use but this is derailed by the multinational pharmcos and nationalist interests. If Afghan farmers were paid a fair price for their opium (about the only crop that will grow in that land) then we could put a real dent into international drug traffic, and stop some of the cash-flow to the Taliban. I also have difficulties reconciling our fighting for democracy while Afghanistan entrenches Sharia Law.

I would suggest watching the movie, "Why We Fight" as an introduction to the power of the US military-industrial complex, which President Eisenhower warned against. Given the power of this economic machine, one can wonder if we are all being manipulated. The video is available on Google video http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4924034461280278026

I have learned that complex issues do not have simple solutions, or as H.L. Mencken said, "For every problem, there is a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."

In Response to Dean:

Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

(Martin Luther King, JR)

this is for Mohammed Junaid Noori

I think it's sad. What I think is sad is that you can spite the people who are over there fighting for your freedom , and your safety, and still shame them in such a way. The only one should be feeling shame is you. You've been safe and sound here in this beautiful country and you have no point in judging our fellow , brave, honourable and fearless soldiers who put they're lives on the line every single day for you ... to make sure your safe in our beautiful country for years to come.

For SHAME MOHAMMED , for SHAME

I have two friends over there and I can tell you from what they tell their family and friends, they are not making friends and sipping tea! There are bullets flying past their heads on a regular basis.

They are not there because they want to be, they are there because it is their job and they believe in what our country stands for.

I read the quote "If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them." and I loved it....If you think you can come up with a way to being our family and friends home, then feel free. If not the stop being ignorant and try having some empathy for people who have loved ones over there and for our Soldiers that are there!!!!

I don't know about the rest of you however I do know that comments like the ones comming from Dean really boil my blood. It's amazing to me the lack of information some people have in regards to what is going on around them on a daily basis, you can't turn on the TV, radio or even walk down the halls at work without hearing information on world events. We are a nation of freedom, freedom of speech , freedom to say and almost do anything we please. The most upsetting factor in all this mess is that they're is still people , after seeing all this going on , that have no clue , or even idea on why we are over there. Lets make it simple for the ones who need it : " we are trying to give to other countries what we have, we are fighting to make OUR country safe from people that are out to rule the world." I hope this clears things up for you guys who seems to have so little details in this oh so tragic , yet necessary obligation.

Dean, Eddy and Jason;

Wake up. Did you walk outside today and have to worry about a bomb dropping on you, an IED exploding beside your car when you were driving to work or walking somewhere. Did you have to worry about being kidnapped and held for ransom, for no reason other than to put fear into innocent people. Did you have to worry about innocent people you know, beside you being blown up

NO !

Those are a mere couple of the freedoms of which our troops are fighting for in Afghanistan. I would too also say that nowhere has it ever been even in the smallest way remotely mentioned about oil and gas in Afghanistan and linking that to our being there.

Our Canadian troops, including my brother who has been there for one month now, are in Afghanistan to STABILIZE the country, which brings peace and prosperity. Afghanistan, under the Taliban, was a haven and safe harbour for terrorists, which seek nothing more that to spread terror and fear throughout the free world.

And regarding killing innocent civilians, in any language, with our troops firing warning shots and I can only assume making hand gestures to stop, how could someone not know what that means. It is sad, but a very small price to pay for killing innocent civilians. The problem is, the terrorists, the Taliban, the suicide bombers, look like the average Afghani.

In ending, I fully support our and our NATO's troops' work in Afghanistan, and all who support same.

Thank You

Shame on the Canadian militiary, who just yesterday, killed the 4th civilian this month alone because they believed the Afghan was ladened with explosives.

Shame on them for imposing upon the proud Pashtun people, a governor who maimed Pashtun women and killed innocent civilians in the name of 'fighting terrorism.'

Shame on these scum bags who kills hundreds of civilians in a small patch of farmland, and claims Taliban were killed.

For shame.

For those that have a problem with what our soldiers are doing and what they have to live with from day to day, please go and walk a mile (or km) in their shoes (boots). If you beef is of a political bend, take it up with the politicians but remember the flip side of what you ask for. It may be a new Taliban government in Afghanistan, with all that it entails: blowing up schools, educating girls--NOT, blowing up historic sites, flogging/killing women, etc. And when that occurs, I hope you do not stand back here in Canada, in a peaceful land and denouce the very result that is the consequence of any premature withdraw from Afghanistan.

Hope your latte's not to cold Dean, It is apparent you have not travelled to the middle east.because if you had and really opened your eyes to the suffering of others you could not make those comments. As a retired UN peacekeeper I can say that change although slow does reveal itself, case in point the Golan Heights, this expanse below Mt Hermon has gone from utter devastation, with a population (both Isreali and Arab)living in fear of attack, to an oasis of agricultural
marvels where the inhabatants live in relative peace with each other. The price our soldiers pay to try and bring peace and stability to an area that has known nothing but war,brutality and violence is great. but it is worth it Dean, because it allows you to keep saying what you feel, without fear of a visit from someone you does not share your beliefs via a bullet or a bomb.

A couple of days before my son deployed he wrote an essay for his friends, family and the general public. He basically touched on the difference between the general public which he likened to sheep (not in a bad way) and the Armed Forces as the protectors of the sheep, the sheep dog. He also likened world threats as wolves. Here is the ending paragraph of his essay:

“Our troops will fight. We will fight because we can understand better than the sheep, the dangers the wolf presents. We as the troops entered into our line of work knowing we could die. We entered our work knowing we were willing to put the lives of the people we protect above our own. We are willing to make that sacrifice so other may not have to lose their lives, and although the sheep may not understand the sheepdog's reasoning for doing this, the sheepdog will continue to protect the flock. We are willing to do our jobs and serve our country. It's time the country stepped aside, and let us do our job.”

My son, like all of the sons and daughters of Canadians are in Afghanistan fighting to protect the very freedom we enjoy. Like to express our opinions. Be thankful we are allowed to express our concerns, our joys, and trepidations over conflicts that appear not to even affect us in a personal way. Not everyone enjoys freedom, even the freedom of expression. The freedom of health care, education etc. All we as the general public hear is the bad coming from a country so far away, do we ever hear the good? How about the millions of children now being educated, females for the very first time! How about the homes and schools we are building. How about the health care we take for granted? Do we see this? Or do we see only the bad, the injuries and the death?

Tom if you happen across a young 19 year old solder standing proudly and serving his country with honor, please let him and everyone around him know, those back home are very grateful that the sheepdogs are on duty.

Jana

Eddy, that is a very utopian view of things – pity the world doesn't work that way. I would suggest that you pause to remember, be it Nov 11 or Sept 11. We did leave them alone. The Buddhist statues, opium, men being beaten for not having a beard, women killed for learning to read and full state support for Al-Qaeda. The Taliban would like nothing more to live in the stone age (and take us with them). We cannot leave until the gov't of Afghanistan is strong enough to prevent the horrors of the past. Our brave soldiers know why they are being sent into harms way, it’s a shame that you don't.

Dean...

Prosperity makes apathy an affordable self-induldgence.

I've lost 12 friends in Afghanistan. Freedom isn't free. Ask a vet. And no, no gas pipelines over there. The only ones who have a right to criticize us are the ones who've worn the uniform. And, if we don't solve the terrorism problem over there, it WILL come here. Thinking otherwise would be idealism in its purist form. Sure, everyone has a right to their opinions. It would be nice if it was an informed and educated one.

Signed, A DND officer

If you are in the Petawawa area you are sure to notice the bumper stickers that people have placed on their vehicles. It goes something like "If you don't stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them." Excellent job troops, keep up the good work, be safe, and come home soon.

Dean, you really need to remove your head from a certain area of your body. It is indeed sad to hear of innocent civilians dying. However the fact of the matter is that we are talking about a WAR ZONE! What are our troops supposed to do when someone fails to halt at a security cordon? Should they start giving a hug to every potential suicide bomber? Our troops are doing an extraordinary job considering the conditions they are operating in. For all of you folks deployed overseas I would like to thank you for representing Canadian values. What is more Canadian than trying to help your fellow man? Take care and keep up the good work, you make me proud to be Canadian!

For Dean, Jason and Eddy and for those in our society still convinced pacifism and appeasement still work:

"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling that thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the extreme exertions of better men than himself". – John Stuart Mill

I suggest you start researching oppression, equality and human rights in your next quest to enlighten society on the wrongs of the West. We are not in Afghanistan to conquer, or rule. Just like we were not fighting Imperial Japan, Nazi Germany, N. Korea/China (in defence of S. Korea) or Fascist Italy to rule them. All these nations’ economies blossomed after we overthrew their oppressive regimes because of us. First rule of capitalism, free markets will make you more money. That is why we don’t rule nations, that is why there is no more imperialism, that is why the US is still in Iraq and not waiting for it to implode so they can defeat the winner of the civil war. There is more to gain when security is established and rebuilding can be maintained. Stop looking for the negative in everything, stop blaming the West for the failures of the rest of the world, and stop commenting on blogs with information you made up to support your unfounded views.

Firsy of all on the above comments, Canada is making a presence in Afghanistan so it will not fall back into a state that will harbour terrorist organizations. The kind of organizations that hijack and fly planes into buildings and kill innocent people. Secound, Thank you Canadian forces for your hard work to rebuild Afghanistan and make the world a better place. Be safe. Thank you.

Thanx to all u guys and gals over there...especially Erik, miss u so much
*hugs*
~igg and tater

Dean,

I would like to respond to your comments about 'Killing civilians' and leave the politics of oil out of this one for now.

Sir, don't you think every soldier over there would rather NOT have to fire their weapon? Our troops know that they need, and want the trust, cooperation and help of the civilians. Every death makes their job that much harder, so why would you think they would want that.

The Taliban and others don't care about the civilians; they blow them up without a second thought. Our troops have to protect themselves from that, and none of us can imagine the horror they must feel when that split second decision they had to make was wrong.

But Dean, you are here, in Canada. The likelyhood of you even seeing someone with a gun that is not a polic officer is slim, let alone explosives strapped to someones chest. When you've had to decide whether or not to shoot at someone because they just might be out to kill you, then you can tell us what a good job it is.

As for oil, take it up with the Politicians, or better yet, become an environmentalist so that we won't need oil anymore; would that make you happy?

For persons like Dean and some others who think that our soldiers are brain washed, insecure, illiterate, and impoverished with no future and don’t know what they’re getting into, I present my experiences on a routine, “safe” peacekeeping tour.
Vehicle accidents; watching OPFOR soldiers get executed; walking through minefields (for patrols & to save people and get spat upon); being in riots to defend people who slaughtered innocents; getting shot at with all sorts of small arms fire and heavy machineguns (you never forget the sound of a near miss on you, or the sound your engine makes as a .50 cal knocks out the block, or the other rounds which pass through the passenger compartment); dealing with PLO incursions; falling into wells; walking over corpses; depravation of sleep & food; cheated by locals, threatened by locals; having vehicles run check points and firing through their engine blocks (just didn’t want to stop, perfectly legal cargo – just hated us being there); listening to locals abuse their women & children & being absolutely powerless; being completely separated from friends, family and western civilization; putting out fires; building orphanages; et cetera.
Nothing was reported back home. When I got back, I was spat upon in my dress uniform, called a “baby killer”, “murderer”, “fool”. We bought US and British gear as ours was practically useless. We had five years of wage freezes, not enough ammo back home to do little more than qualify on the weapons we carried. I felt completely unappreciated by the general population. Now that the forces are in the news, everyone has an opinion.
And I came close to re-enlisting to go to Afghanistan. The bond experienced by those willing to live and die together, for each other (the rest is politics), is the strongest I have ever known. It makes me sad to experience so much pettiness and deceit in the civilian workforce. And if I was ten years younger…..

I totally disagree with Deans negative comments, I was raised in a military family ( Both Parents, Grandfather, Uncles ) and know the great job that our Military does. Maybe Dean should go over and see first hand,just how much good is actually done. Keep up the GREAT WORK Soldiers.Stay Strong !

To Jason from Toronto and Dean from Saskatoon
Are you both related? Did you study history at the same school and obviously you do not follow world events. I have just returned from Afghanistan, we are not there for oil and gas. There is only opium and we are trying to help the GoA get rid of that. As for killing people, well that is part of the process, we are not peacekeepers anymore. When you are trying to help rebuild a country that some people want to keep in the 16th century, you must have stability first. Oh by the way are you both Liberals or NDP? To everyone else who wrote in have a great day.

I too would like to give my sincere thanks and appreciation to all Canadian soldiers and armed forces stationed in Afghanistan and around the world. I recently met an Afghan war veteran who has already seen two tours of duty there. I can't imagine going through or seeing the kinds of things he has. I have nothing but respect and admiration for them.

I think we sometimes find it quite easy to over simplify issues and make them black or white, liberal or conservative, etc. But reality is things are much more complicated. Most simple answers usually come from a lack of diversity in terms of point of views or research into the history of the problem. Its generally most comfortable for us to answer with something simple that we agree with (that usually matches up with our ideals), rather than discovering how complicated it really is.

Thankfully there are people like Mike (posted below) who seem to understand its not that simple.

A concrete example is that of Afghanistan which has seen a fair amount of volatility in its history; including invaders that have come and left the country in many cases in worse shape than it was when they arrived. Regardless of what people may think the motive or reason of going there was, the reality is we are there now. And given the country's history I hope we can learn from it and work to make it a better place when we finally do hand it back to a stable government and people. Lets not let it become another historical footnote.

Well first thing i would like to do is thank everyone for there support of our mission and for the soldiers over here. My mission is completed and i am heading home.Dean (lol) you are welcome!!!! for what you might ask? For protecting your freedom of speech just like many fellow soldiers have in years gone bye, some with there lives your opinion is yours but from someone who served in the front lines i can assure you the only people engaged in combat were the people who came looking for combat, every measure sometimes increasing risk to our own lives was takin to remove civilians and to keep them out of harms way....but how could you know that from your couch...

Mr Dean Loucks,

I really do not know what to say to your comments other than SHAME ON YOU! I have just spent another six months of my life, defending the beliefs of Canadians, trying to give to the Afghan people a little bit of what you obviously take for granted. To you and all the other "Do Gooder's " and "Arm Chair Generals" back home I would just ask that you support us while we are here! I am not asking for you to agree with the mission, after all whether I agree with your occupation or not I do not write dribble here on this site with the shield of aminimity to protect me and slander your job and protest against it. Me as well as so many other which are over here do not care whether we are here or not, what we do care about is the mission to assist those who cannot assist themselves and that my fellow Canadian is what we are doing. This mission is valuable it is about saving those lives who cannot even protect themselves, maybe people like you and others who share your opinion best take a trip to places like ground zero, pentagon, Bali and London and see the damage that has been cause because of terrorists and countries and groups who support them in there activities such as the Taliban and Afghanistan have done in the past. Mr Loucks and others, think of me as a sheep dog sitting out on a hill watching over you the little sheep and picture a pack of wolves coming along. Would you rather be devoured by the wolves or would you rather have the sheep dogs to protect you? Grow up, read a book or two actually you have the internet find out what the mission is all about before you write such nonsense dribble! Just my opinion, as a soilder who has served here twice and on other missions in other countries and a very proud Canadian who is thankful for everything I have including my newborn son who I do not even really know because I left for the mission when he was only three weeks old so that I can make a better place for others to live!

This message is for Dean. I'l keep this short and to the point - I'd like to see how you would handle yourself over in Afghanistan in the same situations the soldiers are in... it's easy to criticize from your soap box in a country where it's safe to do so thanks to the "boys and girls" you are so quick to judge.

I would like to send out a huge Thank you to the Canadian forces stationed around the world and a huge Thank you to the ones in Afghanistan. As far as Deans comment... at first it kinda rubbed me the wrong way, now looking at it again I realise he really doesn't know what he is talking about. Your right Scott... I think he means Iraq. However I also want to extend my love to my Fiancé and all the "boys" who is currently serving overseas. Keep up the awesome work everyone and come home safely!

Put on a uniform Mr loucks, come on down and spend a few days at FOB Wilson. Put your money where your mouth is. Know what you are talking about before you comment on something..

I think we should get out of the country and let the afghans run afghanistan, the same way canadians run canada, or russians run russia, or even like the way japanese run japan, right now you got the amer-cana-itains running afghanistan..it dosnt add up.

Like most good lies, Jason and Dean begin with a kernal of truth. There is such a thing as the Trans-Afghan pipeline taking oil and natural gas from the Caspian Sea to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan. It does not yet exist. Like so many other projects beginning to spurr ecomonic interest- they were impossible dreams prior to the removal of the Taliban regime. So the idea of actually being in a position to start economic development like this is amazing given this poor nation’s history.

To pre-empt the next assertion that it is American oil interests at work let me add that it is Russian oil going to India (another emerging economy). Anyone with even a hint of research under their belt will find that both the Russia’s Gazprom and India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation are not involved in open markets and are highly unfriendly to the presence of western oil companies.

So viewed in this light, are we to take it that the United States and NATO have conspired to put thousands of soldiers into Afghanistan in order to support a proposed pipeline to give India access to Russian oil? Even viewed though the densest of cannibis cloud one would be hard pressed not to giggle at the assertion.

And finally, pipelines like railroads are usually run in valleys in mountainous regions. So the likelihood of this pipeline being near urban areas, airports, and even (gasp) military complexes is highly likely. A quick view of a terrain map of Afghanistan will illustrate that there is not a lot of flat usable land in the majority of the country.

There will always be people who believe Afghanistan is about oil. Just as there are people firmly convinced that the milk they pour on their morning cereal comes from cats. For the rest of us we know that correlation is not causation.

Ummn, hate to say it but Dean is not completely wrong. There was talk when the Taliban were being overthrown of a oil & gas pipeline from Kazakhstan going through Afghanistan. I do not agre with anything else he says though.

This comment is meant for Dean. My spouse is posted in Kandhar, he is part of the new rotation sent over there from Oromocto. What right do you have to say the things you have said? I don't think you understand exactly what those men have seen in just a month. They are doing the best they can in the situations that are being thrown at them. I would be shooting at anything that came near me or moved. Its the civilians own stupidity if they don't listen to warnings. I fully support what our brave soliders are doing over there. Maybe we should stick you on the front lines DEAN and see how you handle yourself.

Reading your blog has helped me greatly, my son Pte Ryan Rogers is in the India Company, and your blog has made me feel closer to him. Thank you, looking forward to hearing and seeing more.

To mark from Ottawa

Before you jump and make a smart comment please learn how to read. What Dean said is true. But I see that the truth angers some of you guys.

First let me also extend my support and gratitude to the Canaidian men and women who have put their own lives in danger in order to save the lives of so many innocent Afghan civilians. Our soldiers are in a noble mission. The objective is not just to defend the Canadian interest but to also ignite some light of hope to bring peace and stability in a region that has suffered from the hands of great powers for the longest time. As an Afghan-Canadian, I fully support Canada's mission in Afghanistan and slute our Canadian soldiers for such a bold humanitarian action. To the fallen men and women and their families, I understand how difficult it is to loose a son or daughter in combat but believe me for each Canadian life that is lost, many innocent Afghan-lives have been saved. I am proud of our soldiers and God bless you all!

Mr Loucks,
General Hillier (Chief of Defence Staff) said not that long ago "if we don't export stability we will be importing instability". With that said and being a soldier in the Canadian Forces I'd much rather travel half-way around the world then see it brought here to Canadian soil and have defenceless Canadians attempt to combat the terrorists.

Dean

You must have flunked geography. When I served in Afghanistan I didn’t see any sign of gas or oil. Lots of opium, but no gas or oil. Maybe you’re thinking of Iraq. Oh by the way we're not in Iraq. WOW you must feel pretty silly.

Dean, you make it sound like the soldiers created this war. If your unhappy, do something about it. Until then, keep your negative comments to yourself.

You mean great job to the Men and Women who are serving and protecting overseas the best they are able to do so. If you have a problem with the way things are ran there, feel free to take it up with you local government. These Men and Women who are overseas wish nothing more then to have no civilian die. They are not there for oil or gas. They are there fighting for the simple freedoms you take for granted.

I think we should just pull out and let people like Dean Loucks and all the other know it all's come forward with some ideas on how to bring stability to the region. I can't imagine how much enjoyment the Taliban and their co-horts would have "listening" and "working with" people like Mr. Loucks.

Dean

I think you better open a book or two to see where Afganistan is... Oil and gas are not anywhere near the area... Please know what your talking about before commiting your random thoughts to print...

Mark

My message is posted in response to Dean,
I have never posted anywhere on line before, your comment has angered me so much that I feel I must post. We all have the right to our views and opinions in Canada, thank goodness that we do. Do you even have an understanding what those soldiers are going through over there? They are putting their life on the line; do you understand that is unlimited liability? Now, if you do not support the reasons for our troops being in that country- fine. However, they deserve at the least our support. I believe that your disdain to the mission should be aimed at those who place soldiers in harms way, not those poor sons and daughters. So I will say shame on you sir, we all have rights that our soldier’s defend- they are not the ones who make policy. So please use some common sense and voice your views towards the politicians, not the soldiers. I am sad by your comments, but I am happy that we live in a country where anyone can give their views, and that Dean is thanks to soldiers.

making lots of friends killing civilians, just to build oil and gas pipelines . Good job boys and girls.