Seems my fellow Blogging Tories are starting to latch unto the argument I advanced on Sunday -- Liberal's cannot accuse the Government of torture without implicating the troops. Following orders is not a defence of war crimes. Guess I was ahead of the curve here...
The Liberals are indirectly attacking the troops, there is no doubt about it.
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Afghanistan. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
RIP Rupert Hamer
Another Western journalist has died in Afghanistan, along with an US Marine and Afghan soldier. This is less then two weeks since Michelle Lang died.
This is a tragic blow to our media. While I am sure there are many brave journalists and camera operators more then willing to risk life and limb in order to tell the story, I am not as sure that the risk adverse and profit drive corporations that employ these journalists will continue to allow them to tell their stories from the front lines.
These recent deaths of journalists have the potential to drive the media out of Afghanistan, and with them, any chance of success.
Our soldiers, sailors, and air personnel in-theater deserve to have their stories heard. This includes their successes, their sorrows, and their failures. The people of the countries that send them deserve nothing less.
May we all hope that the media corporations have backbones of steel, and to keep their journalists in-theater.
This is a tragic blow to our media. While I am sure there are many brave journalists and camera operators more then willing to risk life and limb in order to tell the story, I am not as sure that the risk adverse and profit drive corporations that employ these journalists will continue to allow them to tell their stories from the front lines.
These recent deaths of journalists have the potential to drive the media out of Afghanistan, and with them, any chance of success.
Our soldiers, sailors, and air personnel in-theater deserve to have their stories heard. This includes their successes, their sorrows, and their failures. The people of the countries that send them deserve nothing less.
May we all hope that the media corporations have backbones of steel, and to keep their journalists in-theater.
Monday, November 30, 2009
"TortureGate" decisively disputed?
TortureGate, TortureGate, how do I dispute thee?
TortureGate, TortureGate, how do I dispute thee?
TortureGate, TortureGate, how do I dispute thee?
Switching metaphors, Mr Colvin, it's one, two, three strikes you're out in the old smear game!
Hopefully the Liberals and the rest of the opposition will let reason take hold, and stop the smears against the Canadian Forces and the government. Some how though, I doubt it.
TortureGate, TortureGate, how do I dispute thee?
TortureGate, TortureGate, how do I dispute thee?
Switching metaphors, Mr Colvin, it's one, two, three strikes you're out in the old smear game!
Hopefully the Liberals and the rest of the opposition will let reason take hold, and stop the smears against the Canadian Forces and the government. Some how though, I doubt it.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Blatchford sets the record straight?
Reading Christie Blatchford's latest column seems to destroy Colvin's credibility. I am sure the left will just disregard everything that is being said, and still call for an inquiry.
After reading her column, I think there is even less to the story then before. From her column, the facts seem to be:
- Colvin visited the first prison on May 16, 2006
- ICRC rated the prisons as "not that bad", "not the worst in Afghanistan", inmates were "...in reasonably good condition", and received "enough food"
- Colvin only sent 3 emails in 2006
- Only one in the first three months of 2007
- Vast majority written about the same time the Globe and Mail was breaking the story on the abuses in the Afghanistan story
- Colvin only spent a day and a half outside the wire
- Prisoners were not simple farmers etc, they were all tested for gun shot residue, or were caught with large amounts of Pakistani cash.
Seems that Colvin is on a vendetta against a "hyper-secretive" government. Get ready for him to jump to politics as a candidate for the Liberal Party.
And in slightly unrelated news, on the radio today, I heard some women say that GSR tests prove nothing. She "wouldn't be surprised" that a large percentage of Canadians wouldn't pass a GSR test. Wow, some peoples kids.
After reading her column, I think there is even less to the story then before. From her column, the facts seem to be:
- Colvin visited the first prison on May 16, 2006
- ICRC rated the prisons as "not that bad", "not the worst in Afghanistan", inmates were "...in reasonably good condition", and received "enough food"
- Colvin only sent 3 emails in 2006
- Only one in the first three months of 2007
- Vast majority written about the same time the Globe and Mail was breaking the story on the abuses in the Afghanistan story
- Colvin only spent a day and a half outside the wire
- Prisoners were not simple farmers etc, they were all tested for gun shot residue, or were caught with large amounts of Pakistani cash.
Seems that Colvin is on a vendetta against a "hyper-secretive" government. Get ready for him to jump to politics as a candidate for the Liberal Party.
And in slightly unrelated news, on the radio today, I heard some women say that GSR tests prove nothing. She "wouldn't be surprised" that a large percentage of Canadians wouldn't pass a GSR test. Wow, some peoples kids.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
A Sad State of Affairs
I find it very sad, and perhaps a telling indicator of our society today when hundreds of reporters and other media types will research and investigate every little detail of Michael Jackson's life and death, but fail to spend the seconds required to properly honour our fallen Canadian heroes.
Dear media, especially CTV (as you are the one I watch) please take the time to get the soldier’s ranks, and the abbreviations of those ranks correct when airing the stories on the news. It is very frustrating for a long time serving member to see the complete lack of effort your editors or producers take when creating the copy for the anchors to read or the media to be displayed. I am sure Wikipedia will have a good reference for the service and regimental ranks and their abbreviations.
Please take the extra few seconds to get this right, it is the least we can do.
Dear media, especially CTV (as you are the one I watch) please take the time to get the soldier’s ranks, and the abbreviations of those ranks correct when airing the stories on the news. It is very frustrating for a long time serving member to see the complete lack of effort your editors or producers take when creating the copy for the anchors to read or the media to be displayed. I am sure Wikipedia will have a good reference for the service and regimental ranks and their abbreviations.
Please take the extra few seconds to get this right, it is the least we can do.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Screw You Fox News
Fox News' Red Eye decides to spend an entire segment mocking and bashing the CF. Their commentators are so ignorant they don't even know that Canada has had soldiers in Afghanistan for close 8 years now.
Of course they commentators and host are free to say anything they like, free to mock us, belittle people's names etc. They have freedom of speech. I suggest we talk back with our dollars. If you have a subscription to Fox News, cancel it. Send letters to their advertisers, wage a media war, protest or whatever. We don't need to accept this.
And people wonder why Fox News is mocked as being so stupid and uninformed.
Call Fox News and let them know you didn't appreciate this: 1-888-369-4762
Of course they commentators and host are free to say anything they like, free to mock us, belittle people's names etc. They have freedom of speech. I suggest we talk back with our dollars. If you have a subscription to Fox News, cancel it. Send letters to their advertisers, wage a media war, protest or whatever. We don't need to accept this.
And people wonder why Fox News is mocked as being so stupid and uninformed.
Call Fox News and let them know you didn't appreciate this: 1-888-369-4762
Saturday, January 3, 2009
CF Officer Charged with Murder
A Captain in the CF has been charged with second degree murder for allegedly shooting an unarmed suspected militant during a battle in mid-October.
Canadian soldier, Capt. Robert Semrau, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a suspected militant "on or about" Oct. 19 in Helmand province.
Some "human rights activists" and bloggers have questioned the timing of the events, citing a potential cover-up. Some pundits are also raising the possibility of a cover-up. It is much to early to go that far, unless your sole goal is to discredit the CF and the Afghan mission. We also need to remember that Capt Semrau is innocent until proven guilty.
Some peop le are even going as far as to compare this to Somalia. That also seems a stretch.
Let's all take a chill pill and see what comes of the investigation. We also need to remember that not a lot can be said about the investigation until Capt Semrau has been tried. I am not a lawyer, but I would think any speculation could taint the court martial.
We should also remember that it is very easy to mistake incompetence for a conspiracy or cover-up. For those that are, or will soon be calling for Peter McKay to resign I have this to say to you, it is not the Minister of Defence's job to be involved in every criminal investigation, even a murder charge.
If Capt Semrau is guilty of this crime, then he should be punished to the full extent of the law, but also, let's not make a scapegoat of him. I would think the trial would have to show intent to kill the unarmed Afghan, and not just a mistake in the heat of battle.
Canadian soldier, Capt. Robert Semrau, has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a suspected militant "on or about" Oct. 19 in Helmand province.
Some "human rights activists" and bloggers have questioned the timing of the events, citing a potential cover-up. Some pundits are also raising the possibility of a cover-up. It is much to early to go that far, unless your sole goal is to discredit the CF and the Afghan mission. We also need to remember that Capt Semrau is innocent until proven guilty.
Some peop le are even going as far as to compare this to Somalia. That also seems a stretch.
Let's all take a chill pill and see what comes of the investigation. We also need to remember that not a lot can be said about the investigation until Capt Semrau has been tried. I am not a lawyer, but I would think any speculation could taint the court martial.
We should also remember that it is very easy to mistake incompetence for a conspiracy or cover-up. For those that are, or will soon be calling for Peter McKay to resign I have this to say to you, it is not the Minister of Defence's job to be involved in every criminal investigation, even a murder charge.
If Capt Semrau is guilty of this crime, then he should be punished to the full extent of the law, but also, let's not make a scapegoat of him. I would think the trial would have to show intent to kill the unarmed Afghan, and not just a mistake in the heat of battle.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Canadian Forces find, destroy 680 kg of IEDs
In case most of our MSM fails to report a good story coming out of Afghanistan.
The Canadian Forces in Afghanistan destroyed about 680 kilograms of material that was to be used to make improvised explosive devices, Canadian military officials said Sunday.
The Forces' Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team destroyed about 100 IEDs, which pose one of the biggest threats to the lives of both coalition troops and civilians in the war-torn country.
Military officials say that nearly 90 per cent of IEDs and other bombs in Kandahar City are found and destroyed before they can be detonated. They say local residents are becoming more willing to report explosives when they spot them.
Props to CTV for posting this story on their website. I didn't see it on CBC's website, not surprised.
The Canadian Forces are doing good work in Afghanistan despite their naysayers. And while their are significant challenges to be overcome, there is reason for hope.
Where would Afghanistan be without our (and the world's) forces? Another failed state run by ruthless thugs intent on supporting terror and debasing human rights?
As we approach November 11th, stop and think of our forces deployed world wide, and even if you don't support the mission, be sure to support our troops.
I know that I am always proud to be a Canadian when I see a member, and I always take the time to shake their hand.
The Canadian Forces in Afghanistan destroyed about 680 kilograms of material that was to be used to make improvised explosive devices, Canadian military officials said Sunday.
The Forces' Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) team destroyed about 100 IEDs, which pose one of the biggest threats to the lives of both coalition troops and civilians in the war-torn country.
Military officials say that nearly 90 per cent of IEDs and other bombs in Kandahar City are found and destroyed before they can be detonated. They say local residents are becoming more willing to report explosives when they spot them.
Props to CTV for posting this story on their website. I didn't see it on CBC's website, not surprised.
The Canadian Forces are doing good work in Afghanistan despite their naysayers. And while their are significant challenges to be overcome, there is reason for hope.
Where would Afghanistan be without our (and the world's) forces? Another failed state run by ruthless thugs intent on supporting terror and debasing human rights?
As we approach November 11th, stop and think of our forces deployed world wide, and even if you don't support the mission, be sure to support our troops.
I know that I am always proud to be a Canadian when I see a member, and I always take the time to shake their hand.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Enough with the Lies about the Afghanistan Mission
Perhaps I was trolled, but I responded to Liblogger CastorRouge's blog post "By The Numbers: Afghanistan" .
I started to respond as a comment and soon realized it had ballooned out way to big, so I shall respond with my own blog post.
The point of my comment was to highlight the your ability to use statistics to make the Conservatives look bad and ignore reality.
It is Liberal propaganda that the mission was changed by the Conservatives. No one forced the Conservatives to send them there, they were already there!
Paul Martin's government sent them to the south. Bill Graham the then Defence Minister went on his "Pre-body tag tour".
FACT: Paul Martin's Liberals sent the CF to the south. Check the dates, do you really think the Conservatives were able to change the mission and deploy thousands of troops in region within weeks of being elected? Crap, they were not sworn in until 6 Feb 06.
FACT: Parliament voted to extend the mission in 2006. Even after it was quote/unquote changed to be more aggressive.
FACT: The Liberals supported the second extension.
FACT: The Conservatives purchased additional RG-31s to protect our troops.
FACT: The Conservatives sent Leopard tanks in region to help protect our troops.
FACT: The Conservatives leased additional Leopards to protect our our troops and fix a deficiency.
FACT: The Conservatives have purchased C-17s to move our equipment and people around. Oh, and to help deliver humanitarian aid.
I think I destroyed your point about the Government sitting on their hands about troop safety. And I think I countered your points on the allegation of the Conservative Government "changing the honourable peacekeeping mission the Liberals had in mind".
Don't support the mission if you don't want to, its your right. Just don't bury you hand in the sand.
I started to respond as a comment and soon realized it had ballooned out way to big, so I shall respond with my own blog post.
The point of my comment was to highlight the your ability to use statistics to make the Conservatives look bad and ignore reality.
It is Liberal propaganda that the mission was changed by the Conservatives. No one forced the Conservatives to send them there, they were already there!
Paul Martin's government sent them to the south. Bill Graham the then Defence Minister went on his "Pre-body tag tour".
FACT: Paul Martin's Liberals sent the CF to the south. Check the dates, do you really think the Conservatives were able to change the mission and deploy thousands of troops in region within weeks of being elected? Crap, they were not sworn in until 6 Feb 06.
FACT: Parliament voted to extend the mission in 2006. Even after it was quote/unquote changed to be more aggressive.
FACT: The Liberals supported the second extension.
FACT: The Conservatives purchased additional RG-31s to protect our troops.
FACT: The Conservatives sent Leopard tanks in region to help protect our troops.
FACT: The Conservatives leased additional Leopards to protect our our troops and fix a deficiency.
FACT: The Conservatives have purchased C-17s to move our equipment and people around. Oh, and to help deliver humanitarian aid.
I think I destroyed your point about the Government sitting on their hands about troop safety. And I think I countered your points on the allegation of the Conservative Government "changing the honourable peacekeeping mission the Liberals had in mind".
Don't support the mission if you don't want to, its your right. Just don't bury you hand in the sand.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Canada disbands the SAT in Kabul
According to CTV, Canada is finally disbanding the military's Strategic Advisory Team (SAT) in Kabul. This is really unfortunate, the SAT was able to make a big impact in the Afghanistan government.
The dedicated corps of senior officers posted there were able to help with strategic planning across many Afghan departments, it was a capability that the Afghan government didn't have, a capability the Canadian government couldn't deploy without the CF. Their loss will be missed.
Let's not also forget that the SAT helped on the humanitarian side as well, one of the things they did was adopt an orphanage.
The dedicated corps of senior officers posted there were able to help with strategic planning across many Afghan departments, it was a capability that the Afghan government didn't have, a capability the Canadian government couldn't deploy without the CF. Their loss will be missed.
Let's not also forget that the SAT helped on the humanitarian side as well, one of the things they did was adopt an orphanage.
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