LETTER OF THE DAY | July 15, 2005
"Obviously, the bombing and murder that the United States has committed in Afghanistan has not defeated the enemy nor fixed Afghanistan. And now Hillier wants us to join America's failed policy there?"
I am very angry that Canada's General Rick Hillier is spouting the same general ignorance about foreign affairs as the White House.
I do not agree with the premise that Hillier uses to lead to the conclusion that Canadians should accept military casualties in Afghanistan.
His first premise is that the characterization of enemy in Afghanistan as "detestable murderers and scumbags".
This is dangerously misleading and it makes us think of them as expendable trash who we can easily kill and murder.
Furthermore, misunderstanding the enemy prevents us from coming up with strategies and policies that are effective in dealing with the complex problem in Afghanistan.
Obviously, the bombing and murder that the United States has committed in Afghanistan has not defeated the enemy nor fixed Afghanistan. And now Hillier wants us to join America's failed policy there?
Secondly, Hillier suggests that Canada will only be attacked because it's a free country. What nonsense! If Canada gets attacked it's because we are meddling in someone else's business.
General Hillier should be re-educated in the ways of the world or be removed from his post. He has been promoted beyond his level of competence.
He should be protecting his soldiers, not sending them into useless and ill-advised war zones.
Robin Westin | Calgary, AB