Has Obama Taken a Lesson From Canada?
President Obama appeared at Dover Air Force base last night as the Americans killed in Afghanistan this week were returned home. He took part in what the Americans call a “dignified transfer” which took place around 4am. He also met with the familes of the fallen heroes. So how is that a lession from Canada?
President Obama is the American forces Commander-in-Chief, almost all of our fallen have been met by the forces Commander-in-Chief, our Governor General. Most often also in attendance is the Chief of Defense Staff, the Minister of Defense and at times, the Prime Minister. Bush never appeared for the return of those fallen heroes of the wars he started.
Those young men and women were okay to go and serve their country and fight wars that were not of their making but for some reason, Bush didn’t feel any need to make sure they were returned as the heroes they were. Maybe now, Obama will consider making the honouring of those soldiers a bit more public and stop fearing any political overtones from giving them the honours they deserve.
Canada does things a bit differently when our fallen soldiers are returned home. Stephen Harper’s government tried at one point to block the repatriation of our fallen from public view and was met with resistance. Only the family of the fallen can block that view now. Our fallen are returned during the day, usually the third day after their death.(The flag at our local Legion branch remains at half mast for ten days, the appropriate time for public mourning of a hero.)
It is a ceremony which takes place on the tarmac, not a celebration. The soldiers and honour guards are in dress uniform. The coffins are borne solemnly to the waiting hearse and then driven along what is known as the Highway of Heroes to Toronto. Canadians of all walks of life turn out on the streets and the bridges over Canada’s busiest highway to honour their fallen heroes. They are there in the hundreds, regardless of the weather.
The article about President Obama commented that he was very quiet on the return trip to the White House, I can understand that. I would like to think that any national leader, whether it be the American President or Canadian Prime Minister would think long and hard before sending troops into harms way. In Obama’s case, he has to weigh the cost of not only sending in more troops as his commanders have requested but the cost of not sending them in. A difficult position to be in.
While the absolute numbers of soldiers lost in Afghanistan between the Americans and the Canadians vary widely (900 Americans, 132 Canadians) the rate of deaths in relation to the number of troops in theatre shows Canada has sustained a much higher rate than the Americans (.013 for the Americans, .044 Canadians). I have to admit, my resolve to absolutely support the troops and their mission has been shaken on more than one occasion at the sight of multiple hearses followed by limos full of grieving family. Shaken but not stirred, as long as the troops remain committed to the cause they are fighting, I can commit to supporting them.
There are none braver than the fighting men and women of both countries. They deserve public honour and support.
As I write this, another Canadian is on his way home. On Saturday I expect to be among those on the bridges for his arrival home.
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Time Waits For No One — Least of All Me
One surely wonders where the time goes. I look at this blog the other day and couldn’t believe how long it has been since I have updated it. Things have been happening in my life. I just haven’t taken the time to write about what has been going on.
Most recently, I spent a few days [...]
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Time Waits For No One — Least of All Me
We Will Remember Him
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadians:
Lt Justin Garrett Boyes — Afghanistan October 28, 2009
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
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Ignatieff Has New Chief of Staff
Ignatieff has moved to change the people around him. Ian Davey has been replaced by Peter Donolo as Chief of Staff. Donolo is best known for shepherding former Prime Minister Jean Chretien through his dark days as an underdog Liberal leader.
I see the move as being smart on Ignatieff’s part. It is taking him some time to learn but he is learning how much he needs substance and experience over friendship and loyalty in the circle around him. It has been apparent for some time now that he has been floundering as he listened to those around him. Those around him were clearly drawing on their lack of experience.
Having said that, one task the Liberals have accomplished is they have truly started to be the Official Opposition instead of propping up the government at every turn. That job has fallen to the socialists (NDP) and the separatists (Bloc).
With the Conservatives going after Layton and blaming him for the protestors which took over the visitors gallery in the House of Commons earlier this week, it makes me wonder how much crap the NDP will take before they decide it is time to bring Harper down. Although, he’ll need to think long and hard before bringing him down as that may be exactly what Harper is after considering that the polls are looking in his favour right now.
Donolo’s arrival in the Liberal leader’s office may leave Harper wanting an election sooner than later before Donolo has a chance to start turning those polling numbers around. There is hope for getting rid of this government yet.
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We Will Remember Him
They shall grow not old, as we who are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun, and in the morning
We will remember them
In memory of our fallen Canadians:
Lt Justin Garrett Boyes — Afghanistan October 28, 2009
Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated
Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays
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Noisy Protest In Parliament
Yesterday about 120 people were evicted from the visitors gallery in the House of Commons after what was claimed to be a spontaneous protest over the lack of passage of an NDP climate change bill. Six people were briefly arrested and then banned from the Hill for a year. There has been much speculation over if the protest was orchestrated or spontaneous. Some are pointing the finger at the NDP as being the instigators.
Considering that our Prime Minister has publicly stated he doesn’t watch the Canadian media, it isn’t surprising that protestors feel the need to enter the House of Commons to get the governmment’s attention. They need a bit of better organization though, Harper hasn’t been appearing in the House on Mondays, especially during Question Period.
Really guys, why don’t you just run for office. You’d make about as much sense with your yelling on the floor as you would in the visitors gallery. Course down on the floor, I’d be paying you to act the idiot, so, on second thought, have at it in the Gallery. See how creative you can be on your own dime.
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