July 6, 2006
POST-CRETINOUS CANADA:
New Canadian leader to rebuild military (Fawzia Sheikh, July 6, 2006, THE WASHINGTON TIMES)
In a White House meeting today with Canada's first Conservative prime minister in 12 years, President Bush will find an ideological soul mate who has moved quickly to rebuild his country's long-neglected military and committed to keeping 2,300 troops in Afghanistan through 2009.Long known for its blue-helmeted peacekeepers, Canada has been eager to alert Americans to a more militaristic image. A smartly designed Web site (www.canadianally.com) -- promoted with ads in the D.C. Metro system and elsewhere -- bristles with photos of Canadian troops in action abroad.
More significantly, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government last month announced a major increase in troop strength and plans to spend $13.5 billion on new ships, trucks, helicopters and aircraft. The announcement was coupled with an extension of the Canadian troop commitment in Afghanistan.
The United States has urged Ottawa to spend more money to rebuild a military that has been embarrassed by having to hitch rides or borrow equipment from coalition troops.
What ever happened to all those foreign leaders who opposed George Bush? Posted by Orrin Judd at July 6, 2006 9:36 AM
That they are still capable of embarrassment for not being able to provide their own transport it key. They are and have been doing a terrific job in Afghanistan.
Posted by: JAB at July 6, 2006 10:09 AMA long time ago, I read that more Canadians came south to enlist in the US Army during the Vietnam War, than Americans went north to dodge the draft.
But I never heard if the Canadians got amnesty.