Since the deaths of six more Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, we have been receiving many requests for comment from journalists. We contributed to this story in the Toronto Star on Tuesday, and I appeared on the CTV program Mike Duffy Live last night. Steve
Tag Archives: Afghanistan
The militarization of Canadian culture
By MURRAY DOBBIN It is stunning how quickly the Canadian military can be recast as a key part of Canadian culture, especially now that we have abandoned our historic peacekeeping role. With no public debate, we now have a war-fighting military taking up more and more political space in Canada’s constellation of defining institutions. The […]
Take Action – write Prime Minister Harper
As you may have heard, six more Canadian soldiers were killed in Afghanistan. If you visit Ceasefire.ca, you can send your letter to Prime Minister Harper telling him you do not support this military role for Canada, and that you urge the government to pursue a diplomatic solution to end the war as quickly as […]
Wasted Lives
In a previous post I predicted that the Vimy Ridge rededication this week would be used by the Harper government as part of its attempt to shore up flagging support for Canada’s military mission in Afghanistan. Tragically, on the eve of that ceremony, six more Canadian soldiers have been killed, reportedly by one of the “improvised explosive devices” used so effectively by the insurgents […]
Never mind the air-conditioning – are tanks warranted in Afghanistan?
Finally, someone begins to address the real issue about our tanks in Afghanistan. Check out James Travers in the Toronto Star today. In his column, “Whether new or old, tanks just not for this war,” Travers points out that, The rush to lease nearly two dozen Leopard 2 A6M tanks is the most compelling evidence […]
Oh What a Lovely War!
The Harper government and its amen chorus in the media seems intent on perpetuating the mythology of the Battle of Vimy Ridge (more properly, the battle for Arras) as the “birth of the Canadian nation”. The presence of the Queen and the last-minute concession allowing Oppostion members to attend the ceremonies may remove the partisan sting, but rest assured the […]