Canadians betrayed by our own leader - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vrsmith · #1 03-28-2003, 01:11 AM

You may have heard that Canada is not supporting the war in
Iraq. That is certainly not my position nor many, many other
Canadians. Hussein should have been swept away 12 years
ago and the intervening years have not made him into a better
person. Far from it. Look up Doctors without borders for some
horrific reports of gas attacks on Iraqi citizens. Look up
Hussein's son's treatment of Olympic atheletes and even
Saddam's treatment of his friends the day he took power.
Today, our paper had an article outlining some facts. Yes, the
Canadian Prime Minister doesn't support the war. He won't
support Hussein, though, and he wants the USA to win. On the
other hand, our opposition party called for a vote to support the
USA and the government blocked it.
The truth is that Canadians are involved and have no support
from the Canadian government. Our ships are in the Persian
Gulf escorting ships and are on guard to defend Alliance ships
from suicide boat attacks. Canadians are in the air with the
AWACS surveillance missions. Another small credit is that
Canada has stepped up support in Afghanistan which might
free up American troops.
You, my American friends, should hopefully realize that the
Canadian government doesn't support the war, but Canadians
do. Canadians are involved. Some of us think that the USA
is absolutely right. I think that the war is a horrible thing, but
that doing nothing is worse. Unfortunately, the official
Canadian position is one of non-involvement. Perhaps it is
because Prime Minister Jean Cretien is French first and
Canadian second.

Good luck to the troops and may I humbly apologise to the
United States of America for the poor choices made by the
Canadian government.

BENZ-LGB · #2 03-28-2003, 09:17 AM

VrSmith writes:

Good luck to the troops and may I humbly apologise to the
United States of America for the poor choices made by the
Canadian government.

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Thanks for the good word bro! No need to apologize for your govt's actions. Govts come and go, but the heart of the people remains true. The Canadians have a good heart.

Canada and Mexico were the only two countries from the Wesern Hemisphere that did not break diplomatic relationship with kastro's regime. While many anti-kastro Cubans did not agree with Canada's position, keeping relations open allowed humanitarian aid to flow into Cuba. Many time my family received food and medical supplies through sources in Canada.

So I know, firsthand, that Canadians are good people. And even good people can elect crappy governments. Look at the 8 years of the klinton regime.

Go Canada

blackmercedes · #3 03-28-2003, 09:36 AM

I agreed that we should have pursued all avenues possible through the US first. Peaceful solutions should always be the first priority.

However, when the US and UK declared war, we should have switched gears. Both of these nations are our primary allies.

I can't think of an effective federal government in Canada or the US in the last 25 years. Brian Mulroney sold Canada off to a few companies and some corrupt Asian governments. Chretien didn't take back the nation, but continued to sell us off, punishing us with "Free Trade" which was actually unilateral trade with conditions primed against Canada.

Reagan? He took credit for the "go-go" '80's boom economy, hoping we'd be fooled with some "supply side" economics garbage. In fact, the US (And Canadian) economies were built on false paper values, with a shrinking manufacturing base. What happened to the "supply side" revolution by 1990 as recession came crashing in?

Bush didn't have time to wreck things, and occupied his time with the Gulf War. Clinton rode in and blamed the recession on Bush, and galloped his horsie into the White House. What did Clinton do? Watched a "new" economy build itself based on a fake paper base called "the technology revolution" or "the new economy" or "the knowledge based economy" or whatever dumb-assed name you want. Whatever the name, it was destined to crash when people realized that they'd overpaid for stock in companies that didn't make anything, and would never make anything, including profits. Clinton also kept entering into unilateral trade agreements ("Free Trade", but really not free) that punished US citizens.

Bush Jr. followed Dad's legacy of taking over just as the economic bubble was bursting.

In the 25 years I've been following politics, I have yet to see a "major" politician that left a lasting legacy behind that didn't consist of greed, corruption, and self-interest.

BENZ-LGB · #4 03-28-2003, 10:07 AM

Just a guy writes:

In the 25 years I've been following politics, I have yet to see a "major" politician that left a lasting legacy behind that didn't consist of greed, corruption, and self-interest.

==============================================================================

I disagree. Ronald Reagan, whatever you may think about his economic policies, definitely left a lasting legacy. Without a doubt, Reagan's policies had a direct and significant impact on the fall of kommunism in Eastern Europe.

I remember going to the Reagan Presidential Library and staring, in absolute awe, at a huge chunk of the Berlin Wall. If carter or clinton had been president during the 80's, that chunk of the Berlin Wall would still be standing, separating the German people.

Whether or not you think that's a lasting legacy is, of course, entirely your own opinion. The fact is, however, that if you ask Eastern Europeans about it, they will tell you that being rid of Russian oppression is lasting legacy enough for them.

Zeus · #5 03-28-2003, 03:40 PM

vrsmith - good post!

As another Canadian, I agree. We should be helping our American allies. Our Prime Minister is a twit. I'm still confused about the reasons for this war, but it seems it was going to happen sooner or later. Now that it is underway, we should be in there helping to end it as quickly as possible, not sitting by the sidelines. I'm glad, as you pointed out, that we are helping in some small ways.

It's not like the US actually needs our meagre military help - it is the image of a strong alliance that is needed for the world to see. I'm upset with the PM's current stance.

vrsmith · #6 03-29-2003, 10:51 AM

Barely known to the government, and certainly not supported by
them, Canadian Angie Little is currently serving in Iraq. She is
on exchange to the British army and is carrying the Canadian
flag by herself. The government is rightly criticized for allowing
her to serve while not backing the war itself. Shame on them!
The article about Angie clearly shows that she is a special person,
a patriot and a hero. She is supported by her family, her
community and others like me, but not by the government.
Her mother says it best, "we are very proud of her and we're
asking for prayers for her and all the troops."

iwannabenz · #7 03-29-2003, 11:14 AM

Right on, Vaughn. I want all the good folks on this discussion group to know that the present federal government in Canada does NOT represent the feelings or wishes of many if not most Canadians. Saddam Hussein is an evil man whose time is up, and justice shall prevail.
My father fought in WWII to ensure the freedom of us all. Unfortunately, I never had a chance to meet his older brother who was KIA flying for the RAF over France in 1942. He paid the ulimate price for us.
If something isn't worth defending and fighting for, what is it really worth?

longston · #8 03-29-2003, 06:31 PM

AND TELL MONSEIUR CRETIEN TO MANGEZ LA MERDE ET MOUREZ. . .