Harper says 2011 'end date' for Afghanistan mission 'The mission, as we've known it, we intend to end,' PM tells reporters.
This headline will obviously create much discussion. Our new Chief of Staff is awfully quiet on this and other matters, with relation to Afghanistan and our troops. Lt.-Gen. Walter Natynczyk is certainly not as vocal as former Chief Rick Hillier.
Lt-Gen Natynczyk should grant an interview with regard to pull out date. It is important to hear from the military side as well as the political side.
Yes, unfortunately we will have more casualties and deaths before 2011 arrives. This unfortunately is the nature of war.
In my opinion what the new Government needs to do is, infuse the DND budget with money for aftercare, many many of our soldiers and their families are suffering when they return home. We do not hear of this collateral damage. However Canadian Families are being hurt because of the memories of things our troops have seen, lived with and shared with other soldiers. A repatriation ceremony is sad to say the least and the men and women who pay the ultimate price will never be able to share family memories again. The wounded both physically and mentally injured need more help to get them back to being happy successful Canadians. Knowing that their efforts were appreciated.
I personally applaud the PM for his admission of being human and sad having to call the families of the men and women who have paid the ultimate price. This quote is from CBC news:
The unusually candid remarks from Harper included the Tory leader acknowledging he cried the first time he had to call the family of a soldier killed in Afghanistan.
This sadness affects all Canadians, each and every time.
Unfortunate gaffe by staffer, but PM Harper remedies immediately.
By Martin O'Hanlon, The Canadian Press
OTTAWA - The latest blunder in the gaffe-prone Harper campaign has cost the Conservatives their communications director.
The party moved swiftly Thursday to suspend Ryan Sparrow over a partisan swipe at a dead soldier's dad.
Sparrow was disciplined for implying that Jim Davis's criticism of Prime Minister Stephen Harper was politically motivated.
Davis, who lost a son in Afghanistan, had complained that Harper's surprise announcement Wednesday that all Canadian troops will be out of Afghan mission in 2011 was irresponsible.
He said his son will have died in vain if Canada pulls its troops out of the country before the mission is complete.
In an email to a reporter, Sparrow noted that Davis was a supporter of deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff. The inference was that Davis was complaining because he was a Liberal.
Harper spokesman Kory Teneycke said the email was not appropriate. He said Sparrow had been suspended for the duration of the election campaign and ordered to apologize.
Harper deftly tried to turn the controversy to his favour, saying the suspension demonstrates the high standards of behaviour he demands.
I want to make it very clear that I have set a tone and I have set an expectation for this campaign and as leader, I am going to make sure that that is followed all the way to victory, Harper said.
Tomorrow is Friday let's show our support and wear RED.
Nil Sine Labore
Robby
