Monthly Archives: January 2008
Leadership Approach Laid Bare
| 1/25/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Further to my closing comments yesterday on Harper’s need to demonstrate the leadership he claims he has in order to build consensus on the mission in Afghanistan, Chantal Hebert writes an excellent column today on this very subject. Harper’s management of this issue leaves a lot to be desired and if he’s the leader he likes to lay claim to, he needs to learn from his mistakes, quietly eat some crow and change his communication style.
I know from where I speak when it comes to be an introvert and being somewhat reserved with people. I have also learned that you don’t communicate by bullying, controlling or stonewalling. Honest, straightforward and respectful communication not only is within anyone’s reach, people actually respond to it… usually positively, unless the person tends to be a bully. In which case, protect the innocent and open fire…. oops did I say that? (more…)
We Will Remember Him
| 1/24/2008 | Posted by Patti under Brave Canadians |
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadian:
Cpl Etienne Gonthier– Afghanistan January 23, 2008
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays
Mixed Reaction to Manley Report
| 1/24/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
Exploring around the mainstream media sites for response to the Manley report has been interesting. They range from an interpretation of the report as just being more of the same dictated to a Liberal from the Conservative Prime Minister to claiming the report calls for an end to the mission. It seems that it depends on the bias of the reader as to the analysis.
Layton seems to be unaware that the report was not meant to be an analysis of Canadian feelings on the mission when he told reporters that it was out of touch with the feeling a great many Canadians. Conversely, the report is likely in touch with the feelings of a great many Canadians, among which I’m numbered. However, the report was not mean to deal with our feelings. It was meant to inform our awareness of the mission and it’s potential for outcome.
Layton further sticks to his demands that our troops should run from the field now and a comprehensive UN peace process should be put in place. There is no peace to process which would likely be why the UN has asked NATO to take on the insurgency struggle. (more…)
Manley Report – No End Date Makes Sense
| 1/22/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
I spent some time today reading carefully through the report from the “Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan” chaired by John Manley, the former Liberal Deputy Prime Minister. The report on the whole seems to be in depth and well thought out. It doesn’t sugar coat the mission in Afghanistan nor is it doom and gloom. It raises some tough issues and makes some tough recommendations.
Partisan politics aside, the report lays out some obvious truths that don’t fit well in sound bites for partisan politicians.
For Dion, setting an arbitrary end to our combat role as February 2009 and then expecting our troops to focus more on training and mentoring Afghan National Army recruits just doesn’t make sense. You can’t train and mentor effectively from within the wire, you need to be able to accompany and support the raw troops on the battlefield and that means taking part in combat. You don’t train an army from a classroom. (more…)
We Will Remember Him
| 1/15/2008 | Posted by Patti under Brave Canadians |
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadian:
Trooper Richard Renaud– Afghanistan January 15, 2008
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays
Dion in Afghanistan, Liberal Position Remains the Same
| 1/14/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
So, Stephane Dion hopped over to Afghanistan this weekend. He was accompanied by his deputy, Micheal Ignatieff (keep your friends close and your enemies closer, wise move). Of course, I just know that he went over there with an open mind, just itching to get a clear picture of what Canada is doing over there and if we are even needed or wanted there.
That would be why he and his party released their position on our future mission in Afghanistan last week and why even after being on the ground there, he’s still mouthing the same stupidity.
Although, I do have to recognize that the Liberals have shifted their stance a tad. Instead of demanding the complete withdrawal of our troops after February 2009, he is suggesting that it would be acceptable for them to remain in some ‘non-combat’ role and likely not in Kandahar. He does appear to be quite willing to put aside the fact that Karzai, the Afghan President, would very much like to see our troops complete their mission in Kandahar. It appears since his host had the courtesy to be appreciative of whatever role Canada would take on, Dion thinks that is all good. (more…)
Musharraf Blames the Victim
| 1/7/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Middle East, War on Terror, World Politics |
In a valiant effort to divert blame from himself or his cronies, Pakistan President Musharraf has come up with a theory for who to blame for the death of Benazir Bhutto…. it was her fault.
In an interview on the American TV show 60 Minutes Musharraf blamed Bhutto for her death because she choose to see and be seen amongst the people she was asking to support her run for Prime Minister.
The government has blamed a warlord with ties to Al Qaeda for arranging her assassination. Many of Bhuttos supporters blame Musharraf and his officials for at minimum not providing sufficient security and at worse, actually conspiring to kill her.
BillW at Crooks and Liars reports on the interview with Sara Logan and provides links to either listen to or download the segment.
We Will Remember Them
| 1/7/2008 | Posted by Patti under Brave Canadians |
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadians:
Cpl Eric Labbe– Afghanistan January 6, 2008
WO Hani Massouh– Afghanistan January 6, 2008
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays
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