September 12, 2006
PLAYING CATCH-UP:
Afghan mission, 9/11 linked (TONDA MACCHARLES. 9/12/06, Toronto Star)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, backed by relatives of Canadian terror victims and soldiers, urged the country yesterday to remember its own victims of the 9/11 tragedy and why Canada is waging war in Afghanistan."The menace of terror must be confronted," Harper said in a live televised address to the nation to mark the fifth anniversary of the terror attacks against America.
But Harper's extraordinary statement went farther than a simple acknowledgment of loss, and appealed directly to Canadians to support a military mission now fraught with high casualties and growing misgivings on the part of the public and his political opposition.
Harper drew a direct link between the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks against America, and Canada's decision to join the United Nations-mandated assault on Afghanistan to topple its Taliban regime.
He has a long way to fgo to ge folks as mad at him as they are at Bushblair for linking terror attacks with our attacking extremists in the Middle East. Good start though. Posted by Orrin Judd at September 12, 2006 7:56 AM
"...fraught with high casualties..."
In 1918 the population of Canada was about 8 million, and 66,000 Canadians were killed in WWI
In 1940 the population was about 11.5 million, and 42,000 Canadians were killed in WW2
Today the population is around 32 million, and 33 Canadians have been killed in Afghanistan.
So much for the spirit of Juno Beach.
Posted by: H.D. Miller at September 12, 2006 12:43 PMAs a Canadian, I am appaled that taking 33 casualties after several years of involvment in a military engagement is considred a "high casualty" rate. With a casualty rate that low, its a wonder we dont actively reaffirm our commitment in Afghanistan. The completely ignorant, weak and frankly, dangerous, position the NDP and PQ are taking on the matter sickens me.
Posted by: Murph at September 12, 2006 4:14 PMMurph:
Thankfully, our Forces seem to be equally appalled.
Posted by: Peter B at September 12, 2006 5:30 PMAm I missing something here? Was there some kind of confusion about how 9-11 was related to Afghanistan up north?
Posted by: RC at September 13, 2006 6:25 AM