By Judi McLeod
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Canadian troops in afghanistan share the same fate as their american counterparts when it comes to criticism laced with second-guessing by the far left.
In the US, troops have Queen of the Blame america First crowd, Cindy Sheehan.
In Canada, troops have New Democrat Party leader Jack Layton, who continues to use our courageous soldiers to score political points.
Organizers are working to arrange free buses at Canadian university campuses for the "Canada Out of afghanistan" rally and march taking place October 28 in Toronto.
"We are outraged that the Canadian armed Forces, who are currently involved in an ill-thought out american-led occupation of afghanistan, should be allowed to recruit on our campus. We don't want our school to be involved in an unjust war," explained Trent University counter-recruiter Daniel Bastien.
Not only do the activists feel that Canada's involvement in the war is wrong, but they also point out that Canadian lives are being needlessly sacrificed. Since 2002, 43 Canadians have been killed in afghanistan.
"We support our troops by working to bring them out of a needless and perilous situation." ( www.infoshop.org, Oct. 18, 2006).
anti-war activists never mention that the troops, by and large comprised of volunteers, do not want to be rescued from something they believe in.
anti-war activists also come on like experts and claim to speak out on behalf of the entire afghani civilian population.
Trent University's counter-recruiters feel that Canada's military involvement in afghanistan is counter-productive. The turmoil being created by the invasion is doing nothing to help improve the lives of everyday afghanis, and is encouraging people to turn to "terrorist" in anger against the brutal "War on Terror".
In Canada, the anti-war crowd turns to Layton as its patron saint.
"Certain sectors of Canadian society are voicing their opposition to the war. NDP leader Jack Layton is on record saying that diplomatic engagement would be more fruitful than brute force. as well, the October 28 "Canada Out of afghanistan" pan-national day of action has been called for by the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Islamic Council, the Collectif Echec a la Guerre, and the Canadian Peace alliance. Tens of thousands of people are expected to demonstrate that day."
Of course, it's easy for career politicians like Layton to criticize troops from the safety of his comfy home and office, mega miles from anything where he would have to take a real stand.
Canadian troops are too busy fighting on principle to take the time to respond to the egocentric Layton.
But Canadian soldier Josh Forbes wrote a poem, Ole Jack Layton-Thoughts From a Soldier dedicated to the NDP leader. You can read Josh's poem here.
The Opposition is using the troops to fight the fledgling, minority Steven Harper-led Conservative Government.
It was the Jean Chretien-led Liberal Government that quietly sent Canadian troops to afghanistan on Oct. 8. 2001. and when the Liberal Government sent Canadian troops to fight the dreaded Taliban, the silence from the Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Islamic Council, the Collectif Echec a la Guerre, and the Canadian Peace alliance was deafening.
Meanwhile, Jack Layton and the groups he represents owe something to Canadian troops fighting the Taliban: Sincere support.
God bless all troops protecting the rest of us in harm's way.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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