[Goober_McGee]

Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:

Hopefully nothing.

But just in case someone like North Korea goes a little wacky.

Ok listen, there are certain time when you have to fight a war. It's inevitable.
Maintaining a military to defend our borders is great and I support that 100%, but with that logic you're letting all potential threats reach our borders which is something that shouldn't be allowed to happen. I'm not saying we should be actively searching for wars to fight in, but in cases such as Afghanistan where there is a larger security threat that has the potential to spread chaos and violence beyond said country's border and affect the world at large deserves our attention. What about cases of humanitarian intervention? I'm sure you don't condone the ethnic conflicts that happened in the former Yugoslavia or in Africa, right? Well in those instances as history has shown, simply showing up and telling either side to "cool it" while standing on the sidelines does nothing. You actually have to intervene, and how do we do that without the right training, proper funding,and ultimately acceptance that Canada is and always has been a warrior nation? Look at our history from pre-colonial, to colonial, to our emergence as a nation-state, it's one war or conflict after the other. Our continued existence cannot rely on becoming an isolated country, we actually have to go out and fight for our interests. Whether those interests are the elimination of security threats, honouring our commitment to NATO, improving human security, fighting piracy and illegal trafficking (drug, human, whatever), etc. Such actions are the hallmark of a mature nation, and one of one willing to ensure its continued survival as well as defend the ideals it espouses.

[commanderkai]

What exactly will defending our borders do? We have one border, and that's the United States. If the United States invaded, we're royally fucked. In reality, "defending our borders" means turning our military into the Customs and Border patrol, pushing back Mohawk blockades, and maybe snow removers for Toronto. That's what "defending" our borders will lead to.

We need a military force that can project our national interests. That means being able to support our allies in Europe, Asia, and hell even here in North America. Does that mean we need a 1 million man army? Fuck no. But, if there was a national crisis in Canada, or within the cities of our allies, we should be able to help with the full force of a highly trained and equipped army, navy, and air force. The start of the Invasion of Afghanistan showed how lacking we were in this. We had no heavy lift capability, we had aging tanks and equipment, and lacking helicopter assets as well. This was a blow to our prestige that we're only starting to recover from.

I don't expect World War III. I don't expect we'll need to field the third largest navy in the world, or one of the largest armies or air forces. But...we should be able to hold our own. We should not be asking for airlift capabilities from our allies. We should have been able to do that ourselves. We should not be asking the Americans, or the British, or anybody else for help to move or support our soldiers.

We, as a people, need to accept our military as that. A military. Not as a snow removal service, or a disaster response unit, or a border patrol agency, but a military. Armies are there to KILL our enemies and protect our friends and our nation. Sometimes soldiers die trying to accomplish that mission. We Canadians have grown too squeamish that soldiers die. People die doing their jobs. We can't live in the dream that we're peacekeepers. We might have been a part of peacekeeping operations, but look at where those operations have led? Usually nowhere and sometimes into war once more. We can't be afraid to stand up against a challenge.

[OldChum]

$1:

As I stated before I don't believe in party politics, I believe in issues that helps the voter. Party politics is just waste money and time, and they try to out do each other in a POWER

PLAY!



And you believe in any politician come on they all do this even Harper , quite blaming the Liberals or did you forget the fact that we signed over the Artic to the Americans under Joe Clark little known document but it is there.




Lets also remember the crappy deal over oil Brian shafted us with , sold out the country in a heart beat . So both governments are just as guilty of selling out Canada .

[Bacardi4206]

If Australia can manage to fund a half decent military, which they can to defend there own borders. I don't understand why Canada cannot. I mean, what the hell is up with that? Almost every single nation has a decent military. A lot of nations that are poorer than Canada and don't have the natural resources we do.

Most of there military is used just sitting on there borders and training. Canada has always used there military even if it wasn't in a war. We always made use of our troops ranging from a war to peacekeeping and delivering supplies. IMO I'd much rather have the troops well equiped and funded for whatever they needed and if a event arised where they have to defend there home land. They actually can put up a defense instead of getting easily rolled over by somebody that had more than 10 jets. If we entered a war, we could actually be prepared for it technology wise. The beginning of Afghanistan was horrible. Running around with crap equipment and woodland camo in the desert.

[OldChum]

Yes it would be nice if all governments took them seriously and kept them equipped right for all the jobs . All I ask is more of this equipping gives more rise to Canadian produced goods , less some one else's brain power more of our own .

[Gunnair]

commanderkai commanderkai:

What exactly will defending our borders do? We have one border, and that's the United States. If the United States invaded, we're royally fucked. In reality, "defending our borders" means turning our military into the Customs and Border patrol, pushing back Mohawk blockades, and maybe snow removers for Toronto. That's what "defending" our borders will lead to.

We need a military force that can project our national interests. That means being able to support our allies in Europe, Asia, and hell even here in North America. Does that mean we need a 1 million man army? Fuck no. But, if there was a national crisis in Canada, or within the cities of our allies, we should be able to help with the full force of a highly trained and equipped army, navy, and air force. The start of the Invasion of Afghanistan showed how lacking we were in this. We had no heavy lift capability, we had aging tanks and equipment, and lacking helicopter assets as well. This was a blow to our prestige that we're only starting to recover from.

I don't expect World War III. I don't expect we'll need to field the third largest navy in the world, or one of the largest armies or air forces. But...we should be able to hold our own. We should not be asking for airlift capabilities from our allies. We should have been able to do that ourselves. We should not be asking the Americans, or the British, or anybody else for help to move or support our soldiers.

We, as a people, need to accept our military as that. A military. Not as a snow removal service, or a disaster response unit, or a border patrol agency, but a military. Armies are there to KILL our enemies and protect our friends and our nation. Sometimes soldiers die trying to accomplish that mission. We Canadians have grown too squeamish that soldiers die. People die doing their jobs. We can't live in the dream that we're peacekeepers. We might have been a part of peacekeeping operations, but look at where those operations have led? Usually nowhere and sometimes into war once more. We can't be afraid to stand up against a challenge.

Well said.

[Public_Domain]

[PENATRATOR]

Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:

commanderkai commanderkai:

What exactly will defending our borders do? We have one border, and that's the United States. If the United States invaded, we're royally fucked. In reality, "defending our borders" means turning our military into the Customs and Border patrol, pushing back Mohawk blockades, and maybe snow removers for Toronto. That's what "defending" our borders will lead to.

I mean more/less defending the arctic and all the ocean-facing borders. Air support, sea support, etc. Not really any need for troops on the US border.

Feel free to enlist, or would you rather someone else did the work for you?

[Public_Domain]

[Saskanna]

IF our Military are going to "come home" sit on their duffs in Edmonton or Petawawa then we may as well disband them totally and turn our security issues over to the USA and save ourselves a shitload of money. IF we are going to OPT out of NATO and the UN, then so be it but let's not pretend there's a role for our Military "defending Canada's borders." That's ridiculous.

Canada has always been a warrior Nation. Just ask those who served in the two WWs, Korea, etc. I find it difficult to comprehend where this idea comes from that Canada's Military shouldn't fire a gun and god forbid, anyone die. Get out there on November 11th and read how many died for this "democracy"!

I think my father must be rolling in his grave reading some of this stuff.

[martin14]

Mr_Canada Mr_Canada:

The thing is, as far as "National Interests" go, this is a democratic country. Most people want them home. Are we not democratic?

Governing according to the latest poll is a very bad idea.


We are 'democratic' every 4 or so years.

[Tricks]

Gunnair Gunnair:

commanderkai commanderkai:

What exactly will defending our borders do? We have one border, and that's the United States. If the United States invaded, we're royally fucked. In reality, "defending our borders" means turning our military into the Customs and Border patrol, pushing back Mohawk blockades, and maybe snow removers for Toronto. That's what "defending" our borders will lead to.

We need a military force that can project our national interests. That means being able to support our allies in Europe, Asia, and hell even here in North America. Does that mean we need a 1 million man army? Fuck no. But, if there was a national crisis in Canada, or within the cities of our allies, we should be able to help with the full force of a highly trained and equipped army, navy, and air force. The start of the Invasion of Afghanistan showed how lacking we were in this. We had no heavy lift capability, we had aging tanks and equipment, and lacking helicopter assets as well. This was a blow to our prestige that we're only starting to recover from.

I don't expect World War III. I don't expect we'll need to field the third largest navy in the world, or one of the largest armies or air forces. But...we should be able to hold our own. We should not be asking for airlift capabilities from our allies. We should have been able to do that ourselves. We should not be asking the Americans, or the British, or anybody else for help to move or support our soldiers.

We, as a people, need to accept our military as that. A military. Not as a snow removal service, or a disaster response unit, or a border patrol agency, but a military. Armies are there to KILL our enemies and protect our friends and our nation. Sometimes soldiers die trying to accomplish that mission. We Canadians have grown too squeamish that soldiers die. People die doing their jobs. We can't live in the dream that we're peacekeepers. We might have been a part of peacekeeping operations, but look at where those operations have led? Usually nowhere and sometimes into war once more. We can't be afraid to stand up against a challenge.

Well said.

Agreed.

[PublicAnimalNo9]

Hmmm has anyone even bothered to ask the soldiers what role THEY would like to see the military assume? These are the men and women that will be the ones to be ultimately asked to put their lives on the line, or not, depending on who gets their way.
I have a friend in Minnesota who's father was in the US Navy. He did one of those exchange deals with our Navy in the 60's. He was hugely impressed with our ships, the crews and the officers. The ships were kept in better condition than our US counterparts(his own admission) and the sailors aboard seemed to have a more professional air about them. Even as an American, he is heartbroken at what our navy has become. That is not a knock at the sailors but at what our government has done to the navy in particular, and our military in general.
I swear there have been times where the government looked at our military as the bastard child of Canada. Almost like they wished they didn't have it, but were stuck paying support for it.

Am I willing to pay for a re-vamped, properly funded and equipped military? You bet your ass I am. Better than paying for a segment of the new immigrants to get a "leg up" when they get here. Now THAT is a waste of money.

[CanadianGigolo]

Saskanna Saskanna:

IF our Military are going to "come home" sit on their duffs in Edmonton or Petawawa then we may as well disband them totally and turn our security issues over to the USA and save ourselves a shitload of money. IF we are going to OPT out of NATO and the UN, then so be it but let's not pretend there's a role for our Military "defending Canada's borders." That's ridiculous.

Canada has always been a warrior Nation. Just ask those who served in the two WWs, Korea, etc. I find it difficult to comprehend where this idea comes from that Canada's Military shouldn't fire a gun and god forbid, anyone die. Get out there on November 11th and read how many died for this "democracy"!

I think my father must be rolling in his grave reading some of this stuff.

thank you! My type of human! Sammy