On Afghanistan

Many Canadians wonder why we are there. They want no more action there. Well, let me clue you in a bit peeps.

First, we are there because we went in with the "war on terror". Of course that was the catalyst to going there. But it goes beyond that.

You see, we are there not just to fight the Taliban, but also to help rebuild, train, aid, and help improve a country that is only in it's state because of two factors: first being the previous war with the former Soviet Union, and second being the Taliban. And it was the war and the actions of the USA at the time that helped create the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Add in maybe the inactions of the rest of the western world too.

"Yeah, but Vanessa.... we're losing troops! 150 plus killed since!!" - Yeah... out of how many thousands who have served there? Look at previous wars and their KIA and casualty rates. This is MUCH more acceptable.

"HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT VANESSA!!!!" - because I bloody well served for 13 years! I've not only signed the dotted line, and not only been in a combat zone, but been in combat, okay? I have SEEN FIRSTHAND the horrors of war. I have seen what it does to people. It is horrible. I have been shot, blown the hell up, and killed people. It is HORRIBLE. It haunts me to this day, in my dreams at night. But you know what? I actually WANT to be there in Afghanistan on the front line to HELP.

Sometimes we have to take a STAND. We took a stand with Hitler, didn't we? We said "hey! The Germans and Hitler can't do this!" and when we "learned" of the Nazi attrocities... we took a stand and prosecuted those we could, and hell STILL DO TO THIS DAY. Why should we not do the same for the people of Afghanistan? Because they are Muslim and not Jewish or Christian??? No they have not endured the same attrocities of the holocaust, but they have endured their own. We MUST make a stand! We took a semi-stand when Iraq invaded Kuwait, why not NOW?

Sadly the media reports on the BAD that happens, and very little of the GOOD. I have corresponded with a few who have been there, and there is a LOT of GOOD being done that is NOT reported. Women have more rights for one, schools are being built, education is going up, their economy is much better than before, and bit by bit we are making it a BETTER country with BETTER people.

We need to be there, and not just in the new role when it comes into effect of being trainers. Our Canadian Forces personnel are among the BEST. Ask any forces, we are RESPECTED because we are GOOD. We get the job done, no matter what we have. Our soldiers, airmen and sailors are some of if not the best in the world. They sign that dotted line and take the risk, like I did and many before me. No, we do not want to kill, no we do not like war. But when we are asked, we go and we do our jobs.

So many say "oh we should only be peacekeeping". That is bullshit. An armed force is not primarily for peacekeeping for one. It is for defence first and offence second. Peacekeeping is after that somewhere. And peacekeeping as we knew it died a horrible death with both the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. Take a look at Sudan. It does NOT work in every instance, and in this day and age warfare has CHANGED and most cannot see that. In the former Yugo there was NO peace to keep, and McKenzie had a helluva job to do and he showed once again that Canada could get it done despite lack of personnel, gear, and direction from others. Rwanda... that was a total clusterfuck on the UN's part. Poor Dallaire had nothing to work with, and people died that should not have. Peacekeeping as we knew it is DEAD or dying. Give it a rest.

So, think about it. If you were for taking a stand against Hitler, then you are a hypocrite if you do not take a stand against the Taliban.