I don’t mean a wussy go-to-Halifax-to-wave-them-off visit, I mean get your ass on a plane & go to a base that requires you put on a flack jacket? (I bet his son is real pissed he didn’t get to go.)
Does anybody know? I’m too busy to look it up right now, but I just have to say that THIS is whyI voted for Harper.
And this is also why I will never, ever vote for Jack. What a complete a$$hole. Just as the military get excited because for the first time in far too long they have a Prime Minister & gov’t (minority or otherwise) not just willing, but proud to support them, and there’s Jack back in Canada, being the prick that wants to burst that bubble.
As soon as I think I can type an email that will be both coherent & civil enough, I will tell that little weasel what I think of him. I might even post it.
But for now, back to YAY HARPER!!!!
I haven’t felt this proud to be Canadian in a long time.
crossposted at Waking Up On Planet X
I continue to be baffled by Mr Harper’s communication team. This debate is so easy to win and yet he continues to allow Jack Layton to take pot shots without responding.
“Mr Layton, for the record what you’re contending is that you are against the Canadian deployment which provides security to allow our Provincial Reconstructions Teams to rebuild schools and hospitals, guarantees the rights of women to be educated and to work without fear of Taliban remnants coming to their homes and beheading them and their families? In short, you are calling on Canada to abandon this effort, allow the Taliban-forces to return to power, close the female schools, ban all women in the workplace and turn them into second-class citizens once again? Yes or No? Because that’s the serious question that serious people need to answer Mr Layton.”
maybe now that he went for a ride in a 43 year old Herc – thank god it worked on the hour flight – and he will get to spend some time with the great Canadians at the pointy end of the stick, he will get an earful about the lack of equipment our troops have. Where are the medium and heavy lift choppers ?? Why no heavy lift aircraft ?? Why 43 year old Hercs ?? Why does our navy have second hand subs ? If the Aussies can make a decision and get delivery of C17s in less that two years, why can’t the tall foreheads in Ottawa get off their fat assess, cut through the red tape and get us some equipment ?? Is the home front willing to make any sacrifices for the troops in the filed, so we can get the equipment, or do we have to die first ??
Good move PMSH . . the dialogue can now be recalibrated so we can have a debate in Parliament, a debate about supporting the troops with proper equipment.
oh ya and while I’m here – Jack Laydon is a complete fucking asshole.
Pride, that is what I’m feeling right now. I am so proud to have Prime Minister Harper as our leader. I have read the above comments, this seems to be the one thing that this country has sadly been missing. A leader that everyone in this country can be proud of. There has just been too many years that this country has not had a qualified classy leader. You go PM Harper! Love the picture in the plane.
Jack, take a pill, you only have 16% support. The rate that you are beaking off, you will be lucky to hold on to the leadership of this party.
PRIDE!It is just wonderful!
We have a leader!
PM Harper has shown his committment to the troops. The first time I have felt so much pride in Canada in ages.
Was watching the CBC and CTV waiting for the weasel words and I was not disappointed. It obviously has been in the works for awhile, the tip off should have been General Hillier in Afghanistan. Another one that we should be proud of, General Hillier is not the usual Liberal appointment.
Saw an item about 5 Liberal ambassadorial appointees having to be asked to resign. Do ambassadors not serve at the pleasure of the PM? Shows more of the greedy Liberal philosophy.
enough
The other thing I forgot to mention. Everytime JC or P Martin left this country, I felt sick. I was embarrassed before they even left. JC making a speach in Africa, most of it in French. The African’s sat there looking at each other not understanding a word that he said. P. Martin goes to a foreign country and they show him dancing around like an idiot. Sorry, I forgot he is an idiot.Canada will be respected again on the international front.
CBC’s Tom Parry at Loserville
“After meeting with a few troops, Harper disappeared. Reporters later found out later that he had toured an operations centre, but were told the big day would be Monday. Harper is to tour the base, speak to troops and do other things which � for security reasons � no one is supposed to know about. It’s supposed to be a big day.
But we’ll have to wait to find out the details. What choice do we have?”
What a whiner.
Another thought of mine.
People, especially at the Globe Comment site, are saying things about photo ops and Mr. Harper is not taking a risk.
Last time I checked the media were reporting how dangerous the trip between the airport and the base is. Gwyn was killed making that trip and many have been injured. Did Mr. Harper stay at the airport? How did he get to the base?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper:
“There could be some who want to cut and run. But cutting and running is not my way.”
“You can’t lead from the bleachers. I want Canada to be a leader,” he told about 1,000 Canadian soldiers at the base of the multinational mission led by a Canadian general.”
Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor, MP for Carleton-Mississipi Mills, Ontario, Eastern Ontario, near Ottawa, is in Afghanistan also. +
“There could be some who want to cut and run. But cutting and running is not my way. And it’s not the Canadian way,” he said in a speech that drew warm applause.
“We don’t make a commitment and then run away at the first sign of trouble. We don’t, and we will not, as long as I’m leading this country.”
Harper’s trip to Afghanistan is his first official foreign visit since he and the Conservatives were elected in January.
Other world leaders such as U.S.
President George W. Bush have visited the turbulent country, but the length of Harper’s visit and his willingness to stay overnight were touted as unprecedented. The prime minister is being accompanied by Defence Minister Gordon O’Connor, a retired general.
Harper spent the early part of the day on the base Monday, visiting the troops in their quarters and inspecting the armoured vehicles they use when they venture into hostile territory at the risk of being targeted by suicide bombers and roadside explosives.
“Your work is about more than just defending Canada’s interests,” he told the troops. “It’s also about demonstrating an international leadership role for our country.” +
yahoonews
Harper’s ‘got their backs’. Haven’t been able to say that about a Canadian PM for decades. Makes me want to re-enlist. And even though I disagree with all the decades of ‘spin’ that resulted in North American’s troops becoming involved in the heart of this mess in the middle east in the first place, I would sign up for a tour in Afghanastin in a heartbeat, because our soldiers need our support.
I believe that Harper would join the front lines with our soldiers if he was called to do so. These are the things that define a great leader, whether you agree with his policies or not. I’m also pleased that our new Minister of Defence actually once served in the military.
TonyGuitar said:
“our guys who have the job of pushing down the jackals who Russia backed off from”
Don’t forget it’s actually the jackals who the United States supported to fight the Russians for them.
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.
Jack Layton appearser, ***hole
Hans, RE: The Russians and US used the place as a geopolitical ‘playground’.
The USA did not invade Afghanistan. The USSR did. The USA played defense (again) with Pres. Carter in command.
I am very, very satisfied with PM Harper but I am not convinced being under UN command in Afghanistan is such a great thing as the UN has a deplorable record and I would not put it past them to set this up for failure. Watch your back PM Harper!
steveinbc
I agree with your comment about the chef. (!!) I like Mr. Harpers’ style, but we demand our soldiers be fit and ready and well groomed at all times and IMHO a leader who also strives to maintain those qualities shows an added dicipline and respect toward the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces.
PlanetX, were you drinking when you wrote that?
I mean, come on now, give us some substance! You’re starting to post like a lib! 😉
Although, Good on Harper. Awesome.
Don’t forget it’s actually the jackals who the United States supported to fight the Russians for them.
Leftists often make this statement, leaving the rest of us to wonder about the relevance.
Those who fought against the Russians didn’t all, later, take up terrorism.
Leftist babbling, such as this, is the reason leftists have become irrelevant.
Makes me proud too and yes Kate, I’m sure his son is pissed that he couldn’t go. I know I would have been.
Regards all,
Pat
Harper’s got the mettle and the resolve to get this country back to where we were proud to be Canadian, unlike the Lie-beral’s and the dipper’s ineffectual attitudes.
I just read this on Cnews. I felt that it needed to be posted here, so that everyone realizes how important it is for our country (and its other so called other opposition leaders) to stand strong behind our military.
“However, some soldiers seemed stunned that Canadians might not support their work in the turbulent country.
�That�s � I�ll hold my tongue � but that burns me. Really,� said Cpl. Pascal Johanny
�Usually, the Canadian public has always approved of Canada�s missions, like Bosnia, Kosovo, always giving their support. Now, we�re here, in one of the worst places that needs the most help, and now they don�t want to support us? It�s kind of odd.�”
With Prime Minister Harper’s visit, I hope that this erases any doubt that the men and women overseas might have regarding Canada’s support. Jackie needs to read this!
Was I drinking? Yeah, decaff. What’s your point?
Right on topic:
They’re begining to notice south of the border
MaryM said:
“JC making a speach in Africa, most of it in French. The African’s sat there looking at each other not understanding a word that he said.”
What makes you think the Africans would have understood a word he said had he used his version of English? Seems that that embarrasing asshole only spoke Shawinigese.
Second, and more to the point, yes we finally have a PM with big enough stones to endanger his life to show some support & encouragement. He is not there for a photo-op, unlike EVERY leader of every other political party in Canada. Take this for a fact: my son, who’s training Afghans in Kabul for the National Police Forces, tells me he and his men are immensely proud of PMSH. Dave says that it doesn’t even matter if his group gets to meet with him, or even see him at their compound, his men are walking proud today.
AdScam Chretien/Martin down the memory hole(s)? +
http://www.voy.com/178771/4945.html
Liberal blood-letting begins ….. Martin’s “values” no longer Liberal “values” ….. let us sit back and watch The Rocky Horror Liberal Show …. popcorn and beer optional…. LOL …!!!!
Excerpt:
The Hill Times, March 13th, 2006
Some Grits expect Martin to resign as party leader: Liberals
There are many Liberals who want to make sure former prime minister Paul Martin is long gone before the next election.
Some members of the Liberals’ national executive expect former prime minister Paul Martin to offer his resignation as party leader in an effort to end speculation that he would lead the party in the next election if the government is defeated early, say Liberal sources.
“Some of the members of the national executive are saying enough is enough. He should resign and put to rest all the speculations that he could return in case of a snap election,” said one senior Liberal source.” +
Alienated: That was my point exactly. I have a family member that was on military/security detail during that visit. How embarrassing for our troops, can you imagine having to put your life on the line to protect him???? JC (asshole) didn’t make sense in either language. I believe that he tried to use it to his full advantage too….
I was posted to CFB.Petawawa in 94′ when I was tagged to do my part in a dog n’ pony for Cretien and a visiting dignitary in Ottawa.
We spent days shining, marching, shining, etc and were at attention a full 30min before the plane doors opened. Cretien gets out, waves at a gopher to get him a chair then plops his ass in it!
He didn’t even come over to see us, instead letting a foreign national inspect his troops while he looked on from 100m away from a fold-up chair.
Incredibly sad, not to mention a major lapse in protocol.
Thanks for caring, Stephen……when you get back, take care of Jack, would you?
Arte et Marte
Jason
Matthew asks why our prime minister doesn’t debate Smiling Jack – my take – why lower yourself to his level – let him just spout his retoric about how he “cares” for people and how the NDP “work” for people from his cushy office in Toronto. Most Canadians just turn him off after a while – it sounds phoney!!
You would NEVER see smiling Jack take the kind of leadership Stephen Harper has taken ( he is more the take sign in hand – walk around in front of Emerson’s office – complain that Emerson won’t talk to him – kind of guy
– Oh – I should have said PRIME MINSTER Stephen Harper – we FINALLY have one!!!!!!! I feel this funny feeling inside the pit of my stomach – why, I think it’s PRIDE!
Wow… I can’t tell how you proud and pleasantly shocked I am.
Yes of course of Stephan, but mostly of you guys commenting here, even the typical dissenters are getting behind our boys and girls abroad.
It’s about fucking time we all had something to be proud of again. Something we can share as a nation.
It’s about time the people in our Armed Services had something to be proud of as well. They deserve to know we give a damn about what happens to them.
Hear that, that’s the sound of the Maple Leaf flying crisply in the air.
A symbol of what we all collectively feel the strongest about… Freedom.
It makes me feel damn good to know that Canada is actually doing something for a change… instead of just talking. Something we’ve done too much of the last 20 years.
It would be nice if Jack could just “SHUT THE FUCK UP” for a day, and let our troops get to enjoy the light for themselves for a change, without someone trying to make political milage out of it. I didn’t hear him beaking off when the commitment to send troops was made.
BRAVO PRIME MINISTER HARPER
A moral boost if I have ever seen one, being active for over 30yrs in an organization that supports our military this is the best I have ever seen. Our military has been kicked about for far too many years by the liberals, who were oh so proud to say that they supported the men & women of our proud forces. As for Wacky Jackie all I can say is typical, you do not send troops into an active zone and expect them not to be engaged, if you were so G.D. concerned why did you not bring it to parliment in the last session, no no you were too busy propping up a corrupt gov’t then. & the media get off the rhetoric comparing Harper to Bush, at least this PM has the balls to show he is 150% behind our forces, not you media grunts who are too busy demoralizing our troops.
Once again BRAVO MR. PRIME MINISTER
Although the PM was not there to take risks, just getting there was a risk, did he really have to fly in a 43 year old Herc?Think about that for a moment.
Canadians Values?
We have been sliding into mush for so long that “Canadian Values” had become an oxymoron, not any more!
Thank You Prime Minister Harper from a prouder Canadian
A visit that boosts the morale of the troops and ends up boosting the morale of Canadians back home. Underscores the funk this country has been in for the last thirteen years.
Well done, PMSH!
…. and then a stop over in Australia to shore up our Commonwealth relations and show our solidarity with the Aussies……a perfect trip.
How about sending over a division of adscammers and their lawyers- (‘officially’ for tasks like mine-clearing and ied defusing?)
Our PM is making history in Afganistan and what is the main topic on the Bill Good Show in Vancouver?
The Emerson thingy.
Anyone who believes this is nothing but an NDP plot to discredit Harper and Emerson is just stupid or drunk.
Jack ‘pot’ Layton and his people are behaving like enemies of the state.
Well…it’s finally happened. Canada has a real leader, instead of some bloated stuffed shirt from Quebec who believes power is his birthright.
As for Jack Layton…….if Canadian soldiers had to follow Jack’s recipe for world peace, the only flag our soldiers would be marching under would be white.
James Lane
victoria, BC
This is truly a screwed up country
I recommend everyone send an e-mail to PMSH to say thank you. It might do wonders for his morale, too. Try: pm@pm.gc.ca
And, while you’re at it, send one to Spineless Jack and Mr. Dithers (sounds like a great name for a rock-group)and tell them what you think, too.
Mathew Baldwin. 9am: Your words for Jack and your understanding of heading off the return of bondage to Afstan is my understanding. It’s correct and essential.
Dave. That’s a good idea. TG
Mike, Sending a rave Email is a great idea.
We Canadians are so slow to DO STUFF! My public commitment here, to fire off a couple to two or three CP MPs.
They dumped manure and green sprayed messages on Emerson’s ofice in Vancouver this morning.
I do not recall anything similar happening to Belinda*s office when she crossed to save Mr. Dithers and collect a cabinet post prize.
Are we conservatives too polite? Too civilized?
Oh, I forgot for a second. Liberals = dirty tricks! TG
Watch and listen closely to all the media reports of this visit, regardless of your position. I heard one cbc guy say, this visit was supported by SOME of the troops. Watch for the spin, and you will learn something about how biased they are. Isn’t Peter M reporting from there, haven’t seen him with Harper, or Kevin Newman. How these reporters spin this will determine who will go with Harper on his next trip-Mexico- and who will get to ask ?s during press conferences. Seems a lot of former cbc people are being asked to resign their patronage jobs. Pamela Wallin among them. In the near future I hope some in the media will get the message-if you want trips, perks, inside info-be supportive in how you report these things. Why should Harper be surrounded by types that are out to get him.
Dr. Dawg, saw your comment this morning regarding homophobia being oozed in here, wanted to respond right away but decided to consult an “expert”, aka gay friend of mine first.
I already knew that there was no homophobia in that post (as did you) but having him laugh his a$$ off and confirm it was worth the call. As he commented, you are obviously the one with the hang up and phobia to bring this up. The sexual reference in the joke was more than you could wrap your mind around and it offended your puritanical senses.
I also noticed that you put no such post on Andrew’s blog (Bound By Gravity) regarding the cartoon he put up yesterday – BROKEBACK FEDERALISM. That was damned funny but I suppose it sent you screaming to a corner?
God, if it had been Scott Brison instead of Jack Layton you would have become unglued. Get over yourself and have a laugh once in a while, sounds like you need it.
Stephen Harper showed his true colors… That he is an honorable dedicated man, that cares more for his country and his troops than any other prime minister Canada has ever had!
Who sabatoged Emersons office. Hope they are proud of themselves and get the jail time they deserve. If they keep up this crap they will turn Emerson into a victim, and then watch out as his and Harpers support will skyrocket. Send e-mails to jackpots site condemning this. Also find out Waddells e-mail and send to him. Emerson just might win an election there if this keeps up. Time to pull all money out of BC for the 2010 games, and support from the govt. Maybe we should have this debated in the HofC.
OT:
But I just can’t resist the brilliant Styenmeister.
Mark Steyn Nails Michael Adams to the Wall and Dissects the Ignorant Troll.
MaryT: Great minds (or names) think alike. I just sent a email to Emerson. I think today he need’s his email flooded with support. Who ever did this should been severly punished by their party and the law. Protesting is one thing, I think things are getting carried away!
Posted his email
Emerson.D@parl.gc.ca
Re; sabotage at Emersons office.
Alright!- sarc
The bozos on the left just cannot help but show their true rainbow colours.
I hope there are lots of pictures of professionally unemployed dippers defacing a building. ;0)
Have to say I woke up this AM,thought I’d put on weight overnight.Then realized I was just swelling with pride and forgot what it felt like.
Have sent a supportive e-mail to Mr.Harper,if anyone else here feels as inspired his address is…. pm@pm.gc.ca
good to see the PM supporting the troops!!!a vote well cast!
Small Dead Animals the best Canadian political blog
http://www.virtualdave.ca/blog/
Yes, the second coming of R.B Bennett is much to cheer about !
Big thumbs up for our Prime Minister!!!
The looks on the faces of our soldiers says it all!
But wait, it doesn’t…
CBC had an image consultant type on Newsworld this morning, and what do you suppose was the image problem?
None other than PM Harper being photographed WITH soldiers, OUR soldiers, is just too much like having the US president photographed with his troops.
Yes, that is right….our PM should NOT be seen with our military…unfreaking believable….
Are there still soldiers in our streets, in Canada!
Or it could be the CBC panelist, Rick Bell from the Calgary Sun, on Sun morning, calling PM Harper, “Stevie”.
Disrespect abounds in some of the media, but all the more reason to contact Emerson and the PM’s office and give them a positive note.
BTW, Bill Good from CKNW in Vancouver is extrememly touchy about any reference to the media being liberal…it is *his* hot button, and some hit it today during the discussion on what else…Emerson.
I liked this footnote in a CBC Radio report:
“With a few minutes to kill, some people chatted with the captain of the Herc that would be taking everyone into Afghanistan. Turns out the plane was 43 years old and had about 43,000 hours of flying time. These are the planes that are often in the media for breakdowns. The trip now seemed to have an added element of danger.”
Churchill in Afghanistan.
“The world is
presented with that grim spectacle, “the strength of civilisation
without its mercy.” +
Sir Winston Churchill:
The Story of the Malakand Field Force
An Episode of Frontier War
CHAPTER I: THE THEATRE OF WAR
The Ghilzaie chief wrote answer: “Our paths are narrow and
steep.
The sun burns fierce in the valleys, and the snow-fed streams run
deep;
. . . . . . . . . .
So a stranger needs safe escort, and the oath of a valiant friend.”
“The Amir’s Message,” SIR A. LYALL.
All along the north and north-west frontiers of India lie the Himalayas,
the greatest disturbance of the earth’s surface that the convulsions of
chaotic periods have produced. Nearly four hundred miles in breadth and
more than sixteen hundred in length, this mountainous region divides the
great plains of the south from those of Central Asia, and parts as a
channel separates opposing shores, the Eastern Empire of Great Britain
from that of Russia. The western end of this tumult of ground is formed
by the peaks of the Hindu Kush, to the south of which is the scene of
the story these pages contain. The Himalayas are not a line, but a great
country of mountains. By one who stands on some lofty pass or commanding
point in Dir, Swat or Bajaur, range after range is seen as the long
surges of an Atlantic swell, and in the distance some glittering snow
peak suggests a white-crested roller, higher than the rest. The
drenching rains which fall each year have washed the soil from the sides
of the hills until they have become strangely grooved by numberless
water-courses, and the black primeval rock is everywhere exposed. The
silt and sediment have filled the valleys which lie between, and made
their surface sandy, level and broad. Again the rain has cut wide, deep
and constantly-changing channels through this soft deposit; great
gutters, which are sometimes seventy feet deep and two or three hundred
yards across. These are the nullahs. Usually the smaller ones are dry,
and the larger occupied only by streams; but in the season of the rains,
abundant water pours down all, and in a few hours the brook has become
an impassable torrent, and the river swelled into a rolling flood which
caves the banks round which it swirls, and cuts the channel deeper year
by year.
From the level plain of the valleys the hills rise abruptly. Their steep
and rugged slopes are thickly strewn with great rocks, and covered with
coarse, rank grass. Scattered pines grow on the higher ridges. In the
water-courses the chenar, the beautiful eastern variety of the plane
tree of the London squares and Paris boulevards, is occasionally found,
and when found, is, for its pleasant shade, regarded with grateful
respect. Reaching far up the sides of the hills are tiers of narrow
terraces, chiefly the work of long-forgotten peoples, which catch the
soil that the rain brings down, and support crops of barley and maize.
The rice fields along both banks of the stream display a broad, winding
strip of vivid green, which gives the eye its only relief from the
sombre colours of the mountains.
In the spring, indeed, the valleys are brightened by many flowers–wild
tulips, peonies, crocuses and several kinds of polyanthus; and among the
fruits the water melon, some small grapes and mulberries are excellent,
although in their production, nature is unaided by culture. But during
the campaign, which these pages describe, the hot sun of the summer had
burnt up all the flowers, and only a few splendid butterflies, whose
wings of blue and green change colour in the light, like shot silk,
contrasted with the sternness of the landscape.
The valleys are nevertheless by no means barren. The soil is fertile,
the rains plentiful, and a considerable proportion of ground is occupied
by cultivation, and amply supplies the wants of the inhabitants.
The streams are full of fish, both trout and mahseer. By the banks teal,
widgeon and wild duck, and in some places, snipe, are plentiful. Chikor,
a variety of partridge, and several sorts of pheasants, are to be
obtained on the hills.
Among the wild animals of the region the hunter may pursue the black or
brown mountain bear, an occasional leopard, markhor, and several
varieties of wild goat, sheep and antelope. The smaller quadrupeds
include hares and red foxes, not unlike the British breed, only with
much brighter coats, and several kinds of rats, some of which are very
curious and rare. Destitute of beauty but not without use, the scaly
ant-eater is frequently seen; but the most common of all the beasts is
an odious species of large lizard, nearly three feet long, which
resembles a flabby-skinned crocodile and feeds on carrion. Domestic
fowls, goats, sheep and oxen, with the inevitable vulture, and an
occasional eagle, complete the fauna.
Over all is a bright blue sky and powerful sun. Such is the scenery of
the theatre of war.
The inhabitants of these wild but wealthy valleys are of many tribes,
but of similar character and condition. The abundant crops which a warm
sun and copious rains raise from a fertile soil, support a numerous
population in a state of warlike leisure. Except at the times of sowing
and of harvest, a continual state of feud and strife prevails throughout
the land. Tribe wars with tribe. The people of one valley fight with
those of the next. To the quarrels of communities are added the combats
of individuals. Khan assails khan, each supported by his retainers.
Every tribesman has a blood feud with his neighbor. Every man’s hand is
against the other, and all against the stranger.
Nor are these struggles conducted with the weapons which usually belong
to the races of such development. To the ferocity of the Zulu are added
the craft of the Redskin and the marksmanship of the Boer. The world is
presented with that grim spectacle, “the strength of civilisation
without its mercy.” At a thousand yards the traveller falls wounded by
the well-aimed bullet of a breech-loading rifle. His assailant,
approaching, hacks him to death with the ferocity of a South-Sea
Islander. The weapons of the nineteenth century are in the hands of the
savages of the Stone Age. +
http://www.gutenberg.org/etext/9404