The Shotgun Blog
« Daifallah on ADQ's support of autonomy | Main | Press Review »
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Canadian sailor killed
[originally posted to Daimnation!]
The fire aboard HMCS Chicoutimi has claimed the life of Lieut. Chris Saunders, a combat systems engineer.
When this story broke, we were told the fire was a relatively minor incident. It was obviously much worse than that - and it's obvious that the deal to buy four used diesel-electric subs from the British (which, I'll admit, I thought sounded good at the time) has not worked out for Canada. They've been nothing but trouble from the start, and now a brave young man is dead.
Rest in peace, Lieut. Saunders. I'm sorry your country wasn't willing or able to provide better equipment for you.
Posted by Damian Penny on October 6, 2004 in Military | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834515b5d69e200d83456e82869e2
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Canadian sailor killed:
» Morning Reads from Welcome to Castle Argghhh! The Home Of Two Of Jonah's Military Guys.
Jay Tea over at Wizbang nicely encapsulates what it is about Islamism and Shari'a as Islamists see it, that famously moved Christopher Hitchens to observer in re Afghanistan and the Taliban, "The United States of America has just succeeded in... [Read More]
Tracked on 2004-10-07 6:20:04 AM
» In Port, Again from Chapomatic
Well, it's a lovely duty day, which means I have a few minutes to update.
The Canadians lowered their flag to half mast in memory of the LT killed on the Canadian sub. Current reports on open source say the ship is still adrift in the Irish Sea, a... [Read More]
Tracked on 2004-10-07 10:09:28 PM
Comments
The Liberals handling of our military is a disgrace. From 40-year old Sea Kings to used subs, the Canadian Forces pay the price for the Liberals' expensive socialist fantasies and "soft power" peace keeping illusions.
Posted by: Joel | 2004-10-06 7:48:40 PM
Why do we need a federal government? I ponder this question as I watch the silly spectacle of a new session in parliament. The only areas that are federal jurisdiction are in a complete shambles. This is just a single, yet very tragic indicator of this.
We need to get RID OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. IT IS A TOTAL BLOODY WASTE OF MONEY! Why not listen to the BQ and the ADQ? I simply can't bear to see my tax money wasted on the egocentric pandering to Liberal friends of the ruling class like "I'm Adrienne Clarkson and you're not" or any of the rest of the wasted money spent to justify the government use of our tax money, primarily to pay off their friends.
Get rid of this waste. Get rid of the federal government. We would all live happier.
Given the sad state of our military, I think that BC should sign a deal for defense with the US until we can handle this on our own.
Thank you Liberals for totally screwing this country.
Posted by: bluebird | 2004-10-06 10:47:47 PM
The major problem with the sub purchase was it was done without an overall national security plan. Each service is allowed to buy major equipment without justifying it in the larger picture. There are very few tasks that a sub can do that cannot be done much faster and cheaper by other means...but a navy that has a tradition of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) needs somthing to chase during exercises. Without ASW the navy would be increasingly stuck doing Coast Guard missions and transporting the army.
Money spent on subs is money not spent on another type of ship or capability. I suspect most naval officers are not keen on replacing frigates & subs with amphibious shipping, coastal patrol boats or small aircaft.
We have the subs now. It's done. They'll be far more expensive than forecast and far less useful than the Navy projected and the taxpayers will be left,as usuual, wondering why we get so little for the 6th largest defence budget in NATO.
Posted by: Michael Shannon | 2004-10-07 2:35:16 AM
The whole point of the federal government is to provide services the provinces can't reasonably provide, such as the military and foreign affairs. However, Ottawa is now totally preoccupied with taking over more and more areas of consitutionally-protected provincial rights (health, day care, gun registry, municipalities). Provincial rights were established for a reason... to keep the federal government from becoming too powerful and controlling, as they have become.
The Liberals are too busy trying to control the whole country from Ottawa to fulfill their one main responsibility. Unfortunately, the price of socialism and central planning in this case is not just limited to high taxes and reduced liberties, it's now costing us real lives.
Please, Ontario, do not re-elect.
Posted by: Joel | 2004-10-07 2:43:36 AM
Alberta should regain its responsibilities for foreign affairs and the military.
This means closing all military bases and removing federal troops from our soil forever. They are a costly menace to our human rights.
It also means opening embassies and consulates around the world - or at least in the more important countries like the US, Europe, Japan, Russia.
The federals cannot be trusted to handle Alberta's affairs objectively. They are too openly controlled by the rich people in Ontario, whose sole interest is promoting their luxurious, priviledged lifestyle.
I implore my fellow Albertans to consider Canadian "socialism" as a form of fascism, designed to protect privilege, profit and property. Remember that this is the same country that threats us with the Kyoto Accord while granting Ontario's auto industry (and with it, the entire Ontario economy) an exemption to its provisions. What a scam.
Posted by: Kane | 2004-10-07 3:53:14 AM
Frankly, I think the Navy would be better off with a bunch more smaller subs, a load of coast guard "+" oriented ships, and a bunch of heavier helicopter/cargo (I'm thinking something like a very cut-rate american assault carrier. Think "Car-carrier" with heli-deck) ships.
The "Coast guard" guys do the rescue and surface patrol stuff. Armed enough to be serious, but not heavy duty all purpose frigates. The subs do the all weather sneak and peaking and bird dogging for the surface guys - and serious power projection if armed correctly. The "converted cargo ships" haul choppers around, are big enough to provide stable platforms, and if designed properly can haul some army stuff around. (And serve to refuel the subs.)
It'll never happen.
Posted by: Fred | 2004-10-07 9:56:01 AM
We don't need joint support ships, or any other variant on transport / logistics / command & control afloat, unless we intend to deploy task groups and ground forces in harm's way abroad. No task group has any business in harm's way without antisubmarine and air defence capabilities. Either we have a frigate and destroyer navy to pursue our interests abroad, or we stay home and patrol our fisheries.
Posted by: lrC | 2004-10-07 3:13:16 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.