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Monday, March 13, 2006
Proud to be a Canadian
(Cross-posted from Burkean Canuck).
Prime Minister Harper -- love using that -- landed in Kandahar to support our members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
And I am . . .
Proud to be a Canadian.
Posted by Russ Kuykendall on March 13, 2006 in Canadian Politics, International Affairs | Permalink
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Tracked on 2006-03-13 11:42:40 AM
Comments
We need more people who stand up and say I'm proud to be a Canadian. Often when people are asked what nationally they are they respond Italian, Pakistani, etc. then say oh by the way I live in Canada.
Posted by: Danny | 2006-03-13 5:37:20 AM
I'm proud to be Canadian, too.
And I'm proud of PM Harper!
Posted by: Canadian Sentinel | 2006-03-13 5:40:37 AM
And how long until someone small calls this good but unfamiliar feeling "American-style" pride?
There is a virtuous circle between being clear about what we stand for, and feeling good about the actions we are taking to make it happen. We are emerging from a darkness of not standing for anything that might be controversial, and doing nothing substantial. Bring on the daylight!
Posted by: Halfwise Halfwit | 2006-03-13 5:48:31 AM
My favorite ad:
"Now after all these years of corruption, isn't it time we had a leader who will take a stand and tell it like it is..."
Stephen Harper rocks!
Posted by: Ace | 2006-03-13 6:10:22 AM
Canadians are witnessing historic events with the election of a conservative government. Albeit a minority.
My greatest wish is that the layer of bureaucrats who were at the level which aided the corruption that existed (and that core may well still exist) is cleaned out of the bureaucracy, as well as the enabling Canadain mainstream media, the conservatives are in for a hard time. The media of course is strictly in the private domain and incumbent on the corporate-heads to change direction.
I despair in that regard, unless Murdoch decides to engage Fox news fully in Canadian affairs.
Yes, this unhyphenated Canadian is proud of Stephen Harper
but I hope he cleans out the boars nest that has governed Canada for the past decade.
Posted by: Joe Molnar | 2006-03-13 7:56:00 AM
Better to be a Canadian now with a conservative government.SPECIAL NOTE-The National Post has a 2nd anniversay comment for the Western Standard in todays paper Oct.13th/06 Pg.A12. Another plus conservative William Gairdner has a new blog-www.wiliamgairdner.com
Posted by: Larry | 2006-03-13 8:09:38 AM
Better to be a Canadian now with a conservative government.SPECIAL NOTE-The National Post has a 2nd anniversay comment for the Western Standard in todays paper Oct.13th/06 Pg.A12. Another plus conservative William Gairdner has a new blog-www.williamgairdner.com
Posted by: Larry | 2006-03-13 8:10:36 AM
Bravo Zulu for PM Harper for going to Afghanistan. It shows a lot of guts and dedication to the mission over there that is so important to the War on Terror.
Also, thanks to the PM for exposing the Liebrals and NDP for their absolute hypocrisy. In 2003, Layton sold the NDP for a bag of magic beans to the Liberal Party when he supported Chretien's decisions to send the troops to Afghanistan rather than Iraq - on principle, if you recall. Contrary to Layton's feeble appeals, nothing has changed. For them to oppose the mission now means that they stand for nothing, just like the Liebral buddies. They'd prefer to keep the troops close to Toronto in case of snow or racial uprising. Indeed, Toronto is probably as dangerous as Kandahar.
Whenever a Liebral/NDP demands a debate on the matter, remind them how there wasn't one when THEY sent them over there in the first place. Funny how Chretien sent the first contingent over there in 2002 for WAR (yes...war.) Liberal/NDP are a sad, pathetic people bereft of credibility. Harper has his work cut out for him.
Posted by: Scott | 2006-03-13 8:15:25 AM
Because Harper's in power, I'm honestly considering joining the reserves for a while because I know they won't be recklessly abused or asked to do something illegal or immoral.
Posted by: Tozetre | 2006-03-13 8:52:23 AM
Pride is a deadly sin!
Posted by: Johan i Kanada | 2006-03-13 9:15:36 AM
Greetings,
HH,
How long before the marxists of the lib/left, politically correct, feminazis, start throwing mud at the honorable actions of our troops, and the PM?
Read down, only four posts. The feel-good gangsters don't take long to crawl out from under their respective rocks, especially when they see something positive, that does not make criminals victims, and victims of crime whining snivellers, with too much wealth, accumulated through hard work, rather than welfare!
Cheers!
Posted by: knotsmart | 2006-03-13 9:53:14 AM
"It is certainly my intention to bring into government people of ability and integrity, regardless of their political background, because I think good governance is the best way to ensure the survival and the growth of government," -- Stephen Harper.
Posted by: The Crawling Chaos | 2006-03-13 10:03:17 AM
And the last words I caught live from the CBC were to the effect that Harper's timing was terrible and he should have waited.
Guess CBC's reporter on the ground in Afghanistan didnt get an exclusive interview hence the whole trip is a waste.
Get over it already,you pathetic pr**ks.
Posted by: Douglas | 2006-03-13 10:32:25 AM
To pick a nit - the correct abreviation for our military forces is 'CF' for Canadian Forces - not CAF. The 'armed' part is understood.
Posted by: JR | 2006-03-13 11:29:42 AM
Nice to see a Canadian Prime Minister with the troops. Also nice that he doesn't put a helmet on backwards (did Cretin learn that from Michael Dukakis?) or wear some butch-looking leather when he's just a bitch (PM for PM), idn't it?
Posted by: maurice myth | 2006-03-13 11:41:57 AM
You people just want Canada to be to the US what Scotland is to England. Sorry but I'm not a citizen of the USA and unlike most of you - I'm not anti-Canadian.
Posted by: Justin rules | 2006-03-13 12:12:31 PM
On the CTV website, there is a poll about the Harper trip. So far, 83% approve, 17% disapprove.
Justin: your oversimplistic dichotomies are symptomatic of a larger personal insecurity about your national identity. The bilateral relationship within North America is deeply ingrained and extremely beneficial for both. It's too complex to be simplified, and too important to be relinquished. Even those in the NDP who complain about the 'evil' Americans would back down if their constituents were threatened (but even then they'd blame the US for it - go figure).
God Bless the United States for being the best friend, ally, mentor, and market one could ever hope for. America is so good that it gives Justin here something to do with his obviously enormous free time.
If Canada is so good, why is there no Canadian alternative?
Posted by: Scott | 2006-03-13 12:17:33 PM
Scott,
Shut your hole. Canada is good. That's why we're in Afghanistan, that's why we were in Europe and Korea, and the alternative is Talibani terror or worse. At least 83% of us seem to remember that if CTV is to be believed.
And even you Scott can't possibly buy into the notion that Toronto is run by the Taliban. Despite the fact that Toronto is still the butt of jokes on this site, some good people do happen to come from there like me and Mr. Harper. :)
My view is that the US may not be perfect, but it's still better than having Communist China or Russia as a neighbour.
Unfortunately, the federal Liberals have done more to "Americanize" this country in a way that I find repulsive than any other govt. Lobbying scandals, activist judges wielding kirpans against 5 year-old kids, creating an all-powerful central govt. to tyrannize over the lives of individuals (the US federal govt.'s power has continued to increase drastically over the past 50 years), affirmative action, rising urban crime, excessive taxation (yes, this is true for the US as well) and failure to fully recognize individual property rights(Indians in the US, guns in Canada).
They've turned Canada from a once-proud, tough guy Dominion that proudly sang God Save the Queen and hailed the Red Ensign 40 years ago into a Yankee clone. This is probably why you Liberals aren't Canadians and never will be. You have no positive argument for being Canadian - only the "we're not Americans shtick."
Well I'll tell you what Americans don't have - terminal economic decline vis-a-vis the rest of the world. Consider yourself to be proud to be Canadian to have that. I don't but you can Justin.
And Justin, are you insulting Scotland? Scotland's a better country than the filthy mess you're trying to turn Canada into. And it's got oil to boot. As for you, why don't go there to get butt-fucked by some sheep like your Lie-bral brethren. I know, I know, you have your Brokeback Albertan fantasy - but it really won't happen to you you ugly Lie-bral turd. No self-respecting Albertan wants to associate with a Librano.
Posted by: Ace | 2006-03-13 1:24:06 PM
Maurice & Justin;
You LibDippers seem just a little testy!! Why is that? Did you really think Jack Lay-down & MSM were bringing PMSH to his knees with this Emerson stuff?? LOL.
So just stick a flower in your hair, pass the bong..you ain't seen nothin' yet.
Posted by: Wilson | 2006-03-13 1:28:36 PM
For the first time in a long time I am pleased to say that our new PM has restored my pride in my country. It is sad that few even know that we had much of which to be proud during the world wars. In relation to our population we out performed and were more heroic than the Americans, in spite of Hollywood fiction to the contrary.
No, pride in one's country and in right action is NOT a sin.
For those still suffering from the mental disorder of liberalism, tough, get a life or get some help.
Posted by: Alain | 2006-03-13 1:51:11 PM
Ace,
Clean up your style, please, there might be children in the audience.
Alain,
Liberalism (not lieberalism) is the foundation of this country (as well as of the USA).
Separation of church-state, free enterprise, individual rights, freedom of speech, democracy, etc, are all fundamental tenets of liberalism.
Posted by: Johan i Kanada | 2006-03-13 2:29:18 PM
To all liberal leftist whiners about Harper's trip to Afghanistan...
SHUT THE * UP!
Dang these guys are like a creaking door swinging in the wind, sorry no more grease, fix it yourself!
Posted by: tomax | 2006-03-13 2:41:22 PM
tomax,
Who's whining?
Posted by: Johan i Kanada | 2006-03-13 3:07:29 PM
Johan, sorry I apologize for my use of words but sometimes my love freedom of speech often gets the better of me. I often forget that we conservatives are also family-oriented folk.
Just to clarify, I hope Toronto is not a four-letter word. Oh, who am I kidding. :)
Yes, Justin is a child which explains his infantile left-wing arguments but I will not apologize for using language that even somebody like him or Maurice can understand. :)
Simple arguments are often the most effective.
Posted by: Ace | 2006-03-13 4:42:10 PM
Remember the Dutch cartoon debate, anti-WS crowd (lefties?) said "The WS shouldn't print the pics cause Canadian soldiers might get targeted. The WS is jeopardizing the safety of our soldiers."
Now they don't want the soldiers in Afghanistan because they see it as a political opportunity and publically, as loud and shrill as they can, cry out "bring our troops home, it is American's war, not ours, it's Bush's oil. blah blah blah."
This, to me, is the worst thing any Canadian could say with regards to the safety of our soldiers. Look at what happened with Spain. The Taliban and Al-Queda operate on fear and prey on our weaknesses and will exploit it to their benefit. They are, afterall, at war with the infidel, something not all Canadians apparently are aware of. Their way to success rest solely on fear and the cowering of others. Nothing else.
I saw a documentary on the Canadian Unit that was hit with friendly fire during the original mission in Afghanistan. One of the wounded soldiers (last name was Ford, real tough cookie) was describing why he was rehabiltating so hard and what his motivation was. He told the interviewer that he wanted to be back with the rest of his soldiers in his unit, he didn't want to leave them. He read from a plaque that his buddies had given him and every hair on my body was standing straight up, I don't know how he was able to say it without pause. But than, he is a Canadian soldier, the finest in the world.(This is not verbatim but as I remember it, I think you will get the gist of it though)
COMRADERIE
A soldier lay in the battlefield, wounded and dying. Another soldier asks his commanding officer for permission to go rescue his comrade and permission is denied. "I can't risk the lives of any more men and we don't even know if he is alive" says the CO. Against the direct orders he is given the soldier ventures back out onto the battlefield. He returns a little while later with his fellow soildier, who is dead, and he has also been mortally wounded. "Now look what you've done,you wouldn't listen and now I've lost 2 good men. It wasn't worth it" yelled the CO. In his dying breath the soldier replies, "Sir, it was worth it. When I got to him he was still alive and he said to me "I knew you would come and get me, I knew you wouldn't leave me behind.""
Posted by: Lemmytowner | 2006-03-13 4:49:49 PM
Isn't it pleasant to have an adult as a prime minister instead of that idiotic Martin or the corrupt old crook Chretien?
Of course some of the grown up kiddies in the nanny state are upset because Harper doesn't pat them on the head and tell them fairy tales and bedtime stories. Being treated like an actual grown up scares them. The bawling and snuffeling will stop when they finally realise they don't need to be bottle fed any longer.
Posted by: Virgil | 2006-03-13 7:32:22 PM
Funny thing: gun-control advocates tell us to call the police instead of defending ourselves. But in Afghanistan, Canadian soldiers are like the cops, and what do we get from the Left? "Leave them to defend themselves."
Johan, Justin et al - would you be kind enough to explain why what's wrong for Canadians is right for Afghanis?
Posted by: Halfwise Halfwit | 2006-03-13 7:36:40 PM
Hey, were you right-wing slaphead nutbars proud when Chretien visited the troops in 2003? Well? Didn't think so. Your rampant hypocrisy is laugable.
Posted by: Soviet Canuckastani | 2006-03-13 8:57:15 PM
"Being treated like an actual grown up scares them. The bawling and snuffeling will stop when they finally realise they don't need to be bottle fed any longer."
LOL - this from the West that cried 'boo-hoo' when Trudeau told them to suck it up and grow up? Oh you people are such ignorant, hypocritical bigots that it's remarkable you are able to use a keyboard.
"bawling and snuffeling" is something the West has done FOR YEARS in this country.
Posted by: Justin rules | 2006-03-13 9:20:49 PM
Actually how can one forget the famous visit by Chreten. Isn't that when he visited his beloved "peace keepers" that he sent into battle woefully under equipped simply for political reasons? The part I like the best was when he put the army helmet on backwards, as it showed him for the complete and utter buffoon he was.
Actually we can thank Trudeau for giving us the finger and showing us how he really felt, from that point on we knew we were on our own and had to grow up, which we have done. Trouble is now were stuck with you milksops who haven't matured a single day since Trudeau's era. Stuck in your own little bubble you have become a national disgrace. But that was his plan, to have you all sucking off the nanny state's boob, and you have not disappointed him.
So an Alberta boy, (actually he's from Ontario but had the good sense to move west) goes over to show much needed, long overdue support for our fighting men and women, at the same time instilling some much needed national pride, and all you people can do is run your mouth.
It was not surprising to hear the troops being totally shocked to hear what is coming out of the MSM and from the likes you, much like their American counterparts. I can't imagine the disappointment men and women in their position must feel when they know they are putting their lives on the line to hear the kind of garbage spewing from the mouths of morons like you.
I for one support the brave men and women who put it on the line every day from every nation. But I especially support the Canadian men and women.
You people, you need to go have a good look in the mirror, and thank your lucky stars there are better people in the world than you, brave men and women who provide you the freedoms to act like the assholes you do, and are preventing the Bin Ladens of the world from crashing a missile into your sorry pathetic lives.
I have absolutely zero tolerance for the kind of pathetic, undermining, sedition you freaks pass off as debate. You enable the enemy and cause even more hardships for the brave people that are there fighting, from all nations. You cost lives and damage moral.
United we stand, divided we fall. You people are a disgrace, to Canada, to any country who values, and is fighting for freedom.
Posted by: deepblue | 2006-03-13 11:52:17 PM
Why don't all you Canada-bashing Harper-loving yankee wannabes take the next bus heading south of the border? Just think, you could join up and go over to Iraq and slay the enemy, just like in your fantasies! And leave Canada for the rest of us who appreciate it.
Posted by: formeryank | 2006-03-14 1:40:39 AM
In spite of the negative spin by Canadian Press, aka MSM; in spite of the ankle-biting by the reporter; the message cannot be filtered out.
Prime Minister Harper's first foreign tour was/is a resounding success.
President Karzai of Afghanistan agrees.
Hail to the Chief: Prime Minister Harper.
The words: "O Canada, we stand on guard for thee" after decades of abuse again have real, sincere meaning for Canadians.
The blood of Canada's sons, as stated by President Karzai, attest to our sacrifices.
Thank you, Prime Minister Harper & Defence Minister O'Connor.
To the Canadian Armed Forces, Army, Navy, Air Force: Canadians Salute You. Bravo.
Hail To The Chief. +
Afghan president thanks Canada for 'giving the lives of your sons'
By ALEXANDER PANETTA
Prime Minister Stephen Harper chats with Brig-Gen. David Fraser. (CP PHOTO/Tom Hanson)
KABUL, Afghanistan (CP) - With military helicopters swirling overhead, Afghanistan's president told Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Tuesday that he is willing to visit Canada to convince Canadians their help is essential to building his country's burgeoning democracy.
"I've said to the president I hope to see him in Canada," Harper said at a joint news conference with President Hamid Karzai, the first head of state the prime minister has met face-to-face since coming to power in January.
"I'll be there," Karzai interrupted. +
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2006/03/13/1485745-cp.html
Lest We Forget
Canadians killed in Afghanistan
Ten soldiers and one Canadian diplomat have been killed since the military deployed to Afghanistan in 2002.
March 5, 2006: Master Cpl. Timothy Wilson died at a hospital in Germany after he was injured in the March 2 Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) rollover that killed Cpl. Paul Davis.
March 2, 2006: During a routine patrol, Cpl. Paul Davis was killed and six others injured when their LAV III collided with a civilian taxi west of Kandahar.
Jan. 15, 2006: While patrolling in a G Wagon, Canadian diplomat Glyn Berry was killed and three soldiers wounded by a suicide bomber in Kandahar.
Nov. 24, 2005: Pte. Braun Scott Woodfield, of the Royal Canadian Regiment, was killed in a traffic accident in a LAV III northeast of Kandahar. Three others soldiers suffered serious injuries.
Jan. 27, 2004: While patrolling near Camp Julien in an Iltis jeep, Cpl. Jamie Murphy was killed and three soldiers wounded by a suicide bomber.
Oct. 2, 2003: Sgt. Robert Alan Short and Cpl. Robbie Christopher Beerenfenger were killed and three more wounded when their Iltis jeep struck a roadside bomb outside Camp Julien near Kabul.
April 17, 2002: Sgt. Marc D. Leger, Cpl. Ainsworth Dyer, Pte. Richard A. Green, and Pte. Nathan Smith, were killed by friendly fire when an American fighter jet dropped a laser-guided 225-kilogram bomb on the soldiers during training near Kandahar. +
http://thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=/2006/march/13/afghanistan/&c=1
Say Not The Struggle Naught Availeth
"When daylight comes, comes in the light, In front the sun climbs slowly, how slowly, But westward look! the land is bright.
Arthur Hugh Clough
www.web-books.com/classics/Poetry/Anthology/Clough/SayNot.htm - 4k -
Posted by: maz2 | 2006-03-14 7:00:11 AM
You know what gets me? The fact that the Liberal news media credits the shift in polls (favour of Canadians in Afganistan) to General Fraser, rather than to our Leader, our Commander in Chief, namely Stephen Harper. Here is a real leader who ignores the polls and steps out in harms way to say we are going to support this war on terror regardless what people may say. And not surprising the majority of Canadians have changed their position and now support it. Typical Liberal biased media. when will people in this country realize what is really happening to the media in this country? You know the same thing happened in communist Russia, it was called the state run media.
Posted by: Dave | 2006-03-14 8:58:04 AM
Dave - your kidding right? There is no bias in the main stream media, just ask any Liberal. Think it can't get any worse?
Better get used to it, the MSM down south is practically begging for the defeat of their own country simply to make Bush look bad. That is the reality of the left these days.
Posted by: deepblue | 2006-03-14 9:21:00 AM
Yes We do have the ability to be a truly great country.
My problem with multiculturalism is that as it stands, it promotes self interest groups with no real cohesiveness to the collective whole,in this case Canada.
When I was a kid in school(the 50's) we sang O'Canada and the Maple Leaf Forever... Every day!
This was done for a reason.....to remind us of where we were and where we belonged.
It never hurt us; in fact it instilled a deep sense of patriotism within me and even though I was an immigrant to Canada I felt I belonged here.
I haven't been proud of being a Canadian for some time now; in fact at times its been painful; but I feel a change in the air and I feel a renewed sense of pride.
The new government represents for me a return to better values and a firm commitment to salvaging Canada from the wastelands of political posturing and indecision that it has become.
So proceed Stephen Harper and Company. We believe in what you are trying to accomplish....Yes there are many naysayers out there busy trying to engineer your demise but only because they are so frightened by what you represent, a sense of vision and clarity with a forward direction thrown in for good measure.
So my congratulations for taking the initiative to fly to the war zone and tell our soldiers personally for us that we are proud of them and that we believe in the caue we have entrusted them to and that most of all we are proud once again to be Canadians.
Simon
Posted by: in ques t | 2006-03-14 11:33:28 AM
in quest,
Great post and great observations. The problem is, as you pointed out, it is no accident these things have been removed from schools, in fact dissention is actively promoted in some schools and forums, all in the name of "debate".
The progressives would have a hard time convincing a good many people we are better off with no sense of identify which they have worked so hard to remove.
And when it comes to world-wide, world-based actions in which people are actually dying these arguments become almost silly.
Stand for nothing, and you will fall for anything. That is the old/new rallying call of the left.
Posted by: deepblue | 2006-03-14 11:49:42 AM
Johan...
Creeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkk, creeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkk...
;-)
Posted by: tomax | 2006-03-14 9:42:38 PM
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