I attempted to answer this a couple of times throughout the day and reconsidered. Not that I had reconsidered my beliefs, mind you, I just didn't want to answer back in anger.
Yes - with a husband who had 37 years in the military - close to 30 with me, and also wit my military experience, I DO have an 'emotional investment' as you put it, with our country's military. But does it blind me to the foibles of politics and bureaucracy? No - I'm not the village idiot and I'm not some unquestioning engenue who takes everything at face value.
Look - I feel bad for you. your father came back from WW2 scarred - but it sounds as if he was scarred before he went. You want to blame all his issues on WW2? Please it was obviously more complex than that. so,(among other reasons but let's face it - he is the primary one) because of your father you are 'diametrically opposed to war for any reason'. and yet later on in your post you claim that the "warrior's life should be dedicated to the protection of women, children and the elderly'. Well, isn't that what your father and thousands like him did? Protect and rescue the women, the children and the elderly? And yet you apparently would have rather Canada - and no doubt every country that opposed the Axis countries - stay out of it and let whatever happens happen. Please explain.
now, as far as Afghanistan? I'm not blind to the fact that other governments in the world - and yes, ours as well, aren't always concerned with the citizens of Afghanistan, but you know what? big deal! I have a husband who spent a lot of time there, attended Jurgas, went to hospitals, say the schools and saw the childrenAll those cute kids you see - you know the 6 and 8 year olds? they're probably about 3 - 4 years older. It's the lack of decent food that keeps them tiny and cute.
And well, you don't see a lot of women because well - you know ....they're women, and the girls? They want an education, and they want to feel safe when they go to study. Our military - not just the NGOs who usually stay in the cities, by the way - give them a chance to do that. They help pave roads that make it difficult for the Taliban to plant ieds - they kill Afghanis as well, don't forget - or do you care? And they actually intend to kill Afghanis - it keeps them fearful and in line ...but maybe that's ok with you as well.
Oh -0 the whole 'support the opium trade by not destroying the poppy field' thing? you can't just rip a family's livelihood away - as bad as it is. If you want them to do right, then you have to give them another option.
which brings me to our homeless. I do feel for them but you know what? I spent 6 months in Egypt and I saw kids - kids! who worked for themselves. I saw these kids trying - every day - they were fierce! Not feral, but full of energy. it was a disgrace that their government did nothing for them. i would think that with the drive these kids had,m to give them support would have given them the moon - they could have done anything. I saw kids i Portugal that were the same. There was definately a poverty of possession, but I saw people that tried.
And here? Sorry - where we have poverty and drug abuse - it's horrible but guess what, however bad it is? Our people have so many more options and chances than any kid, any woman in Afghanistan does.
I know that you believe in volunteerism and it's something that I've admired about you but I would suggest this. You know and understand the poverty and the issues surrounding poverty ion Canada.You also criticize our efforts in countries like Afghanistan. I would suggest that you volunteer with an NGO in Afghanistan, so you can actually see what you are criticizing. I 'm not suggesting this with the thought that it will change your mind, rather I offer the suggestion with the idea that it will give dimension to what you now believe. You could indeed come back with the same mindset, but at least your ideas would be fed by reality rather than supposition.
