Reflecting on Canada and the Iraq Issue
| 12/27/2004 | Posted by Patti under Canadian News |
It is always easy and SOOO intelligent to look at an issue with hindsight rather than foresight. For me, the issue of whether Canada should have joined the coalition to invade Iraq was largely a non-issue. I supported and continue to support Chretien’s decision to stay out of it unless sanctioned by the UN. Even then, had the UN sanctioned the invasion, I’m not sure I would have supported that either.
There are far too many dictators with brutal regimes in the world to justify going after just the one which happened to be one that the Bush family has had a blood feud of sorts with. It is Bush that makes me glad Canada had the courage and fortitude to say NO to sending our young men and women to be dying there. I’m sad enough to see so many other young people dying fighting in a struggle which will never end.
The only thing that has been attained from the invasion is that Saddam was removed from power. It is yet to be seen if the country has been turned into a democracy or if the new leadership is biding its time until the US and its partners are officially out of the country and then they will return to what is familiar to them. Having had the experience of being invaded by the US once, the next power to arise in Iraq will be preparing from the outset for a second invasion and will be far more formidable an opponent than they were this time.
Bush in the meantime is probably one of the most dangerous leaders in the world. I can only watch and hope that enough of the deceits and misrepresentations by him and those who surround him will come to light that the American people will remove him from office in November.
I watched the media reports closely when 9/11 happened. At that point, I felt that Bush did what he had to do to keep the country calm in the face of a horrific attack. I actually admired his response and the dignity he demonstrated. Then I watched some more, as his popularity rose and stayed high, it was as though he started to believe that line of BS that so many are heard to utter, classing the US President as the ‘leader of the free world’. He’s not my leader, never will be, praise the Lord.
Power intoxicates and it is clear that Bush is intoxicated on his perceived power. Somewhat understandable when from all outward appearances his intelligence level is rather below average. That is one of the reasons he is dangerous, he must trust and rely on advisors instead of thinking for himself. That makes him a manipulated leader — a figurehead head-of-state.
Canada has a figurehead head-of-state — she’s smart enough not to try to call herself our leader. She leaves that to the Prime Minister.
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