Memories are short, particularly in Steve Harper's Canada -- the more so now that everyone's in a big flap over ISIS, "homegrown" Islamic militants, Charlie Hebdo and what have you. Canadians seem to have forgotten why the government of Jean Chrétien, Harper's antipenultimate predecessor, refused to join in the American invasion of Iraq. It was quite simple, really. If they had done so, Canadians would have been killed (and millions of beaverbucks spent) in an unwinable and pointless conflict.
Dubya was pissed, though, so he called in M Chrétien's marker -- "Sorry. Maybe next time." -- when the US made the same mistake twice in a decade and invaded Afghanistan. The Canadians, along with the Brits, the Dutch and other running dogs of American imperialism [Hey, watch it! McCarthy might rise from the dead! Ed.] went into the sandpit right behind the Americans, with predictable results for all concerned. Canada lost 158 young men and women -- not much compared with the 1000s lost by the US, but a lot for a small country with a very small army.
Prime Minister Harpoon, however, is not quite as daft or insensitive to public opinion as President Obarmy. Having prolonged the mission twice, in the face of growing popular disapproval, he ended Canada's participation in the Afghanistan fiasco in March of 2014. See "Mission accomplished? Taliban, al-Qaeda still blowing up Afghans".
Well, errr, almost.... He did leave behind about 1000 Canadian troops, who, he told credulous Canucks, wouldn't actually be fighting, but only acting as "trainers and advisors" to the Afghan national army. And, when called upon by the Prez for a little help with the US reinvasion of Iraq, Mr. Harper responded "Ready, aye ready!" and sent some Canadian trainers there too.
The consequences this time weren't quite so foreseeable. Who'd have thought that two good Canadian boys -- Muslims by conversion and fanatics for whatever reason -- would have dared to attack Canadian soldiers right on Steve's doorstep? Even worse, one of them had the temerity to storm into the Parliament Building itself, gunning for the PM, who quickly ducked into a closet. But that's what happened. See "Harper's Islamic chickens come home to roost".
But let's get back to the fate of the Canadian (and American) trainers still stuck in the Middle East. Walt has said before, and will say again, that the Taliban, al-Qaeda, ISIS and other Muslim jihadists, don't recognize the difference between non-combatant trainers and the soldiers who are actually shooting at them. If you've got a uniform on, you're a target, no matter whose flag is on your shoulder! Even the guys you're supposed to be helping may take a potshot at you. See "Iraqi army trainees kill US trainers -- FAIL!"
The trainers referred to in that post were Americans, in Iraq. But, Canadians were told, that wouldn't happen to their boys. Members of Her Majesty's armed forces were not hated the way that Americans are. Canadian troops were not being put in harm's way. And if you believed that, Mr. Harper would appreciate your vote when he decides to call an election.
Yeah. Right! Today, a Canadian general finally fessed up to the fact that Canadian "special forces" in Iraq came under ISIS fire sometime last week, when they went to the front lines following a "planning session" with senior Iraqi leaders. Brigadier-General Michael Rouleau, commander of the Canadian special operations forces command, said the forces came under "immediate and effective mortar fire" and responded with sniper fire, "neutralizing the mortar and the machine-gun position."
Gee. Who'd have thought such a thing would happen? Walt -- that's who! Better ship over some body bags. They'll be needed, one of these days. Lifetime pct .989.
Worth reading: "Were Canadians misled about the mission in Iraq?" in Maclean's. Walt decries the use of the passive voice in the headline. IMHO it should read "Did Harper mislead Canadians about the mission in Iraq?" Answer: of course!
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