All of this stupidity started in the JFK era. A former junior officer in the US navy was refused a permanent commission, likely because he managed to get his PT boat run over by a Japanese destroyer.( a PT boat was twice as fast as the old destroyer) This failed junior officer was later elected President of the US. That is when the phrase "war is too important to be left to the generals" was coined. The media became left wing, and made it their business to undermine the military at every oppourtunity,(not to say that some criticism wasn't required) Of course, there were embarassing moments for the media along the way, (as one journalist was loudly berating the troops for entering a peaceful village he stepped on a landmine, a shower of dirt flashed past the lens, and his report ended permanently. it goes without saying, that peaceful villages didn't have unmarked mine fields) nonetheless, the reports became more and more disparaging over the years, the military's ability to fight a war they could win was placed out of its reach by the civilians. In the end, a mutinous, drug ridden army was finally allowed to leave. The circumstances were much the same in Viet Nam then as they are now in Afghanistan. Sadly, for most people, Viet Nam is ancient history, the lessons from the past will have to be relearned, and as usual, the only people who will suffer, are the poor buggers in the field who have no say. In another century, they were called cannon fodder, now they are called highly trained professionals, but they are still kids, in a situation not of their making, that is getting out of control, and they can't seem to do a damn thing about it. Ask yourself this question, if you were in the same situation, how would you feel?
Soldiers upset over Afghan abuse allegations: Hillier
- Thread starter CBC News
- Start date
Okay...well...I just want to clarify. I did not mean to give the impression at all that the allegations are necessarily true. But, I do want to point out that many in here, AND the conservative government are defending the actions that may or may not have occured by arguing that the accusers are members of the taliban or are terrorists. Well, these detainees have not gone to trial. Any allegations that they are taliban or terrorists are just that...allegations. So, here we have the government and military complaining about allegations made, while not clarifying that the people making the allegations are themselves only allegedly who the government and the military claim they are. Therefore, the defense by the conservative government that the word of these detainees should not be taken over the word of a canadian soldier is crap to me...because the people in custody have not been proven to be the people that they are alleged to be. So, just as some are going out of their way to point out that these are ALLEGATIONS and NOT FACT are failing to respect the fact that allegations are coming from people that haven't been proven to be who these authorities say they are, but are in fact ALLEGEDLY who these authorities say they are. I hope I cleared that up a little.
Now, regardless if these allegations prove to be true or not, I feel that it is VERY important that the issue be thoroughly examined, and if it is found that that the alleged activities are ACTUALLY happening, then these must be dealt with...I feel that it must be stopped. Part of the reason it must be stopped if it is in fact going on is because the people this stuff MAY be happening to have not been proven in a satisfactory way to BE who officials say they are. The other reason is, if this IS happening, to me it seems highly unCanadian and will continue to hamper efforts and progress that canadian soldiers MAY be making in Afghanistan. They may easily be looked at as untrustworthy and barbaric. They may easily turn the very hearts and minds they are trying to win over, against them. It is important to get to the bottom of this issue before it has a chance to do untold harm to the canadian mission and to canadian soldiers and further do harm to those who live in afghanistan.
that's a ****ing lie
in my opinion the media has spent more time looking for a negative than a positive, why? Because it sells more papers! Controversy Sells! Keep in mind also it is MY opinion that i am voicing, but to call me an out an out liar, without any rebuttal, or any anttempt to discredit my argument with some form of evidence is well. Just plain old dumb! I base my position on what i read and what i see in the media. And i stand by it. If you want to debate the issue more civilized than have it, OH and by the way my opinion is always open to change as i accept one truth when debating. I don't have all the awnsers. ;-)
in my opinion the media has spent more time looking for a negative than a positive, why? Because it sells more papers! Controversy Sells! Keep in mind also it is MY opinion that i am voicing, but to call me an out an out liar, without any rebuttal, or any anttempt to discredit my argument with some form of evidence is well. Just plain old dumb! I base my position on what i read and what i see in the media. And i stand by it. If you want to debate the issue more civilized than have it, OH and by the way my opinion is always open to change as i accept one truth when debating. I don't have all the awnsers. ;-)
bull
He claimed the media to threw the book at our soldiers. They did nothing of the sort. What they did do is bring a problem to light that could have ultimately dragged our soldiers in and still might unless this "new deal" that's been arranged is more than a papering over of the status quo.
He claimed the media to threw the book at our soldiers.
It was a figure of speech and was not a referral to legal proceedings if that's what you were thinking. The media tends to cover a funeral with a single article, they show very little of the development efforts going on a daily basis and they report when a soldier is killed for a day or 2 at the most. They have been on the torture story for weeks, in fact i can;t remember not hearing about it daily for the last 3 - 4. They keep digging and digging to uncover if we have been taking part in such events. It is a war zone for peets sake, by it's very nature it is packed full of emotion for the people there. It is dangerous and it is the furthest place from civility on the planet. There is no sanity in war, and if people get roughed up or killed that is war! I think the media should consider the fact that these men and women whether you agree with them being there or not, are there and trying to win a fight that is a major uphill battle. And daily coverage of a would be scandal that in the eyes of the world and to the enemy must seem like a gift of useable propaganda, is not making there job any easier.
It was a figure of speech and was not a referral to legal proceedings if that's what you were thinking. The media tends to cover a funeral with a single article, they show very little of the development efforts going on a daily basis and they report when a soldier is killed for a day or 2 at the most. They have been on the torture story for weeks, in fact i can;t remember not hearing about it daily for the last 3 - 4. They keep digging and digging to uncover if we have been taking part in such events. It is a war zone for peets sake, by it's very nature it is packed full of emotion for the people there. It is dangerous and it is the furthest place from civility on the planet. There is no sanity in war, and if people get roughed up or killed that is war! I think the media should consider the fact that these men and women whether you agree with them being there or not, are there and trying to win a fight that is a major uphill battle. And daily coverage of a would be scandal that in the eyes of the world and to the enemy must seem like a gift of useable propaganda, is not making there job any easier.
Well said,
I would like to add, there has been very little coverage and discussion since the Shane Doan issued was raised. Makes me wonder how much our politicians care about the state of the country, and how much they care about keeping their name in the spotlight and the citizens confused.
I remember a few months back a Canadian soldier getting creamed from behind by a 15 or 16 yr old kid with an axe....why did he do it? apparently the soldiers had just been into his parents house and trashed it....personally, I'd have used the sharp side of the axe....you show no respect, you deserve none in return!
Not the story I got.
Apparently, the Officer was there to speak to the village elder. He was then completely blind-sided.
Apparently, the Officer was there to speak to the village elder. He was then completely blind-sided.
That is an interesting observation. Maybe if the politicians cared more about our country they would be supporting our hockey teams instead of attacking their captains.