Regarding NDP Leader Jack Layton’s assertion that Canada should withdraw from Afghanistan as we are a peacekeeper nation:
Let’s get one thing straight: those who believe this fanciful myth that Canada is a “peace-keeper nation” obviously haven’t read a history book. Does Vimy Ridge or Dieppe ring a bell for anyone? Canada has fought in numerous wars and yes, Canadians have died in wars, often for no other reason than Great Britain declared war and we followed suit as a member of the Commonwealth.
While no one wants to go to war, that ultimately is what a military does! It is the job of soldiers, sailors and air personnel to kill people. Sometimes they die too. The Canadian Forces is not the public service, nor is it a social work agency or a make work project for those who can’t get a job elsewhere. Members of the Canadian Forces are highly trained professionals who defend our freedoms, both domestically and abroad.
As a former member of Canada’s navy, I knew when I signed up that there was a chance I might have to fight and die for my country and I would have done so out of loyalty to my Queen and my country. Afghanistan is not Iraq. We can’t simply sit back and hope that the terrorists of the world leave us alone. Does anyone remember the 17 terrorist suspects that were recently in a Brampton courtroom or the fact that Osama bin Laden specifically named us as a target?
Mr. Layton, although I strongly disagree with you, you have a right to your opinion. I just hope you thank the veterans who fought and died in WWII so that you can express your opinion. If they had listened to people like you back then, we might all be speaking German now. Think about it.
I’ll be watching for you at this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.
To see the full Barrie Advance article, go to – http://www.simcoe.com/article/22525
