Capricorn
An e-mail to base employees obtained by Here Magazine states, "All military and civilian personnel not in an essential service position or undergoing training are required to attend the ceremonies." On January 26, 708 soldiers from CFB Gagetown will start deploying for Afghanistan as part of Canada's third rotation.
"I support the military 100 per cent, but when someone tells me I am required to do something, I get up in arms," said one long-time base employee who didn't want to be named for fear of professional reprisal. "I will not support our men going over to fight and die in a war we have nothing to do with," added the employee in an interview.
Forcing staffers to attend an event, which clearly confuses support for the troops with support for the war, is crucial for the home-front public relations offensive military officials are waging against an increasingly skeptical population.
"A lot of the time they [soldiers] don't have a choice," says 17-year-old Shayley Jestin as she volunteers at a table passing out yellow ribbons.
"Supporting the troops is different from supporting the war," says Jestin, who's father is in the military.
At the Friday, January 19 rally, scampering kids munch hot-dogs and blue cotton candy, politicians make pro-war speeches and soldiers hold their loved ones. For some families, this will be a last caress. Word around the base is that one in ten soldiers will die in Afghanistan; media reports say one in six are expected to be injured.
"It's like feeling every emotion at the same time," says Sapper Bruce MacCleary who will be deployed to Kandahar in February.
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I think the story of Chris
By Afghan, February 6, 2007 at 05:34I think the story of Chris Arsnenault has many good facts explained. But there more facts to be thought about. Canada and other anti-terrorism countries and nations have to do thier duty with full responsibility in the war on terrorism not in Afghanistan but everywhere in the world. If they say that they have nothing with the war, that is totally wrong, because they have begun this war. They had supported United States in its war against Soviet Union and it was a start. All the countries and nations who have supported United States in that war have responsibility of destroying Afghanistan and now they have to rebuild it. All the mujahedeen and terrorists and the Taliban and the heroin are the production of that war which was fought by United States with the support of Europe and Arabs. Now they must win the war on terror and destroy the terrorism. If they could not do this job the next target of terrorism is United States, then Britian, then Canada, then Australia and then ......
Zalmay Basharyar
Enemy of the terrorists and a secular Afghan
I personally don't think the
By luyen, February 26, 2007 at 11:32I personally don't think the war 'on terror' is something you can win, primarily it's a war of ideas. I think when you fight with ideas there are many aspects, many layers.
Many people who join the Taliban do so out of fear, religions devotion, poverty, despair, anger - if it were somehow possible for the anti-terrorist countries to kill every single person who rises up as an enemy. Well obviously that would be absolutely insane...
Since all the rich nations like canada, US, Europe and the affected countries like Afghanistan, Iraq, all really want the same thing, stability and peace, the question is how to achieve that?
I really don't know, but i think the whole war on terror is a catch 22, it is like the snake chasing its own tail.
You're quite right in that Canada has played a role since the beginning of the conflict, and whether it chooses a military role or a non-military one, it is involved regardless.
This is a great story - it's
By luyen, February 5, 2007 at 09:09This is a great story - it's so important to contrast the difference between the conflicts and the people who are engaged in them.
Those decisions are primarily political ones, and many soldiers cannot object to what their government asks them to do. That depends on citizens, voters.
Thanks for this.