Canada re-ups for another year of the Obama war

This just in from the second-coldest capital city in the world. Although Americans might wish otherwise, Canadian Prime Minister, Steve "Stephen" Harper has taken note of the fact that the Prez still has nearly two years of his second term left. Two years in which, if Mr. Harper keeps tugging his forelock tugged and his lips pursed over the presidential nether regions, Mr. Obama might change his mind about blocking the Keystone XL pipeline.

Not only that, but the Dear Leader Himself faces an election sometime between now and the middle of October. Mr. Harpoon would dearly love to make it a four-peat, and protecting the Great Formerly-white North from the evil Islamic extremists seems to be playing well with the frost-backed folk in Otter Haunch SK.

Steve's course was therefore clear. In spite of the fact that "ISIL" (as he calls it, because that's what Obama calls it) has already been "degraded" -- stopped in its tracks -- Mr. Harper has bravely volunteered his country's troops and treasure for another year fighting Obama's war, until the spring of 2016. And, yes, it's now officially a combat mission. (Body count so far: 1 killed in Iraq, 2 at home, total 3.)

One more thing... Canadian forces will now pursue the jihadis into Syria. Walt wonders if Mr. Harper will now change the official designation of the enemy to "ISIS". Walt also wonders if Steve has thought through the implications of following the Islamists wherever they go. Since the beginning of the year, they have extended the Muslim civil war into Libya, Tunisia and Yemen. Will "our" operations expand along with theirs?

Whether the Canadian government (S. Harper, Prop.) has thought about anything other than the political benefits of standing shoulder to shoulder with Obama is doubtful. Mr. Harper, like one of his heroes, Margaret Thatcher, is not one for turning.

All that remains now is to make sure that the brave Canadian soldiers and airmen (and/or airwomen -- whatever the term is) understand the mission. That is the point, Walt reckons, of this brilliant editorial cartoon by Brian Gable in today's Globe and Mail.

INTERESTING FOOTNOTE - JUST RECEIVED from CBC News. Iraq's attempt to retake the city of Tikrit from ISIS has run into a major problem. More than 80% of the ground forces involved on the government side are Shia militias. Many say they won't keep fighting if the US-led coalition (the one Harper is happy to be a part of) is allowed to conduct airstrikes. According to the Corp, the US has poor relations with the militia groups, many of whom once battled the previous American occupation of Iraq. Looks like the good guys (see above) don't want "our" help. How about that, eh!