Some Canadian Views on Afghanistan

The Toronto Star asked its readers for their comments on whether Canada's military was on a mission impossible in Afghanistan. Here are some of the responses, with my comments on each :

We should do what the Americans did in Vietnam: Declare victory and get out quickly. Allan Eizinas, Simcoe, Ont.

Subtle sarcasm. I like it! Problem is, everyone except the Americans knows they lost in Vietnam.

Mission Impossible, no ... Stay the course, cut off their weapons supplies, burn the opium crops and cut off their income, create safe zones and build hospitals and schools, and the war is winnable, in time. Gerald L. Sedore, Keswick, Ont.

A few things....

First - If we burn the opium crop, we cut off the supply of money to the warlords who are currently supporting us. They are only supporting us because we ousted the Taliban - who had almost eradicated the opium crop - therefore restoring the warlords power. Will they still support us after we cut off their supply of money, which gets them guns, which gets and holds their power? Not likely.

Second - Our bases are barely 'safe zones', so how does this guy recommend creating them? Occupying every square foot of Afghan soil?

Third - How much Canadian blood and treasure is this guy prepared to spend in order to 'win' this war "in time"?

As I see it, we have a choice to make: Do we fight the terrorists in Afghanistan or in downtown Toronto? Bill Rhude, HRM, N.S.

No comment. This guy speaks for himself. Or wait, is he speaking for George Bush?

Parents are loosing their sons and daughters and then have to listen to the NDP and other left wing factions carry on. Shame on this country. Gary Haller, Guelph, Ont

The NDP and "other left wing factions" are carrying on? And here I thought they were simply trying to have an open debate on the reason those parents are loosing their sons and daughters. This is, after all, a democracy. Perhaps Gary Haller would enjoy living in a country where the government does what it wants without debate. Like say North Korea.

Canada should get out now. I have always thought that this is the wrong mission for Canada and is NOT making us safer, just the opposite.
Steve Lawson, Toronto

Finally some common sense!

No it is not impossible and given time they will succeed. However there is nothing more cheerful for our troops over there than a bunch of do-gooders giving comfort to the enemy by saying the mission is impossible and the Taliban will win.
Arnold Adams, Amherstview, Ont.

Another George Bush talking point repeated without actually thinking about what is said.

Of course it is. The Russians tried for years and gave up in defeat. Our original position was as peacekeepers, now it's all-out war. Stephen Harper will answer to the voters for this terrible mess.
Jackie Stockley, Orillia, Ont.

One can only hope! Those who voted for an extension on our mission should be voted out, regardless of party affiliation! Here is the breakdown of the vote.

One more that I really like :

This mission is guaranteed to fail. The only ways the politicians will pull our troops out is when their own kids are asked to signup for service.
Roy Hallagan, Oakville