Hillier Calls for Clarity ASAP
| 2/23/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan, Canadian Politics |
Apparently I wasn’t really making a broad leap earlier this week when I speculated that the three suicide bombings in Kandahar province, one clearly targeting Canadians, may be as much about the Taliban terrorizing and killing as it was about them trying to influence politics back here in Canada:
Making a similar connection yesterday Canada’s top soldier, Rick Hillier, appealed to the government to bring the debate on the future of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan to a conclusion as soon as possible. He also suggested that once concluded that an all party motion declaring support of the troops could go a long way toward good troop morale.
Speaking before the Conference of Defense Associations, a rather receptive audience, Hillier received a rather lengthy applause. Harper, in announcing the revised motion on the Afghanistan mission the day before received a similar reception. Not everyone was quite as receptive to Hillier’s comments. But then that isn’t news, his outspoken ways have raised hackles frequently during his tenure.
Dion’s response was to dismiss the suggestion on the basis that the Taliban are out to kill our soldiers anyways. That is true, however, dangling the carrot of an opportunity to bring pressure to bear at home is not a wise choice either. Debate yes, prolonged debate no — that’s my read on Hillier’s appeal.
Dawn Black, the NDP defense critic, who usually does a good job of showing herself to be rather clueless when it comes to defense issues declared Hillier’s comments to be totally inappropriate:
“It seems incredible to me that Gen. Hillier would make these comments and I think they’re quite out of line,” she said. “It’s so hypocritical. How can you say that Canadians are in Afghanistan to fight for democratic values, and then try to shut down the democratic debate here at home in Canada?” She said Gen. Hillier should offer proof of any links with the suicide attacks. “If that’s the case, let’s hear it, let’s see it,” she said.
Gee, I don’t know Dawn dawlin, you do remember the bombings in Spain just prior to their election that help to speed Spain’s withdrawal from Iraq? You don’t really think that the Taliban would see that as a potential tool in the bag of tricks? The wholesale death of not only Afghan civilians but of Canadian troops could go a long way towards them stirring up enough sentiment here at home to push Canadian troops out.
OH WAIT! I almost forgot… your leader, Taliban Jack, wants that. Silly me, I forgot all about his aid and comfort towards those who would strike at our troops. That aside, Hillier didn’t say that debate should be shut down, he asked that it be brought to a swift, decisive conclusion. Meaning, don’t lolligag about dragging it on over minutia. Something you NDP types are prone to do.
I rather suspect that the only thing that the NDP really doesn’t like about Hillier is that he’s popular among the troops and a lot of Canadians, myself included, find his forthrightness a breath of fresh air.
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