Raised by Monks, once an MP for the New Democratic Party, Dennis Gruending writes Pulpit and Politics, a one of my favorite Canadian Political blogs. In his latest, he proposes ten questions to ask the candidates at this week's Leader debate. They're all good, but here's my favorite:
Question 7: The war in Afghanistan has now taken 100 Canadian lives with many more Afghan civilians being killed and maimed. A Liberal government sent our troops to that country and a Conservative-led government voted to keep them there. The prime minister now says our troops will come home in the year 2011 no matter what happens. The question to the prime minister is this: You used to tell Canadians that the Taliban were a direct threat to our security but now you appear to be saying that is not the case. Have 100 Canadians die for nothing?
PS. I am serving in a jury pool for at least part of this week. I don't know if they have wifi, so I don't know how much writing I will be able to do.
Cheers,
BCL
I don't get you. The LPC got us into Afghanistan and supported the extension of the mission until 2011. If this truly is a matter of significance to you how could you possibly vote for this party?
ReplyDeleteParticularly given the fact that they voted along with Harper for the most politically expedient reason imaginable. They were too scared to go to the voters an sell their vision.
In my mind, every Canadian soldier who has been injured and for the families of those who have died (since the extension vote in particular) need look no further than the Liberal Party when they are looking for who to hold responsible.
So you think that those who are angered by a pullout will end up moving to the Liberals? All the question does is remind the anti Afghan vote that the Conservatives are pulling out and that there really isn't a compelling reason to vote Liberal.
ReplyDeleteYou would also remind Voters that the Liberals voted in favour of an extension.
Genius...hope they do it!
If the vote was against the extension to 2011 do you believe Harper would have pulled the troops out in 2009? I don’t.After Harper said he would not cut and run. So now Harper says the troops will be out in 2011, why no mention of having a democratic vote in the HOC on this matter?
ReplyDeleteFirst, let's not forget the tone of most of the world when we went into Afghanistan. At the time, in 2001, it was the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteWe extended our mission there because our help was needed and we were having the best results. But now it's gone on too long. And Harper knows it.
The other thing to remember is that Harper promises everything and anything but never follows through on those promises. I honestly can't believe anyone trusts him when clearly he's operating with an agenda to divide Canada and take away the core purpose and function of our country.
The LPC got us into Afghanistan and supported the extension of the mission until 2011.
ReplyDeleteCanada went into Afphanistan as part of its commitment to NATO. Get your facts straight, please.
If this truly is a matter of significance to you how could you possibly vote for this party?
To stop the Conservatives. This isn't the only issue that's affecting Canada, you know.
Now run along and go read a book, sweetie. You too, Dante.