A Canadian says he's sorry

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westcangunner

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Dec 26, 2002
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As a Canadian, I wish to apologize for our governments complete lack of common sense when it comes to this IRAQ issue. I, and many like me, appreciate the investment that America has provided, to keep, not only your country safe, but mine as well.

Not that our 30 aircraft, 3 tanks and 4 tugboats, would be a factor in what needs to go on over there, but at least we could have been standing there beside you.

I'm ashamed

I hope it won't be long, but when the USA gets finished with the real world problems such as a IRAQ, please dont forget us, we need to be liberated too.

Thank god someone is prepared to "stand up" and be counted.

Go in HARD and go in SAFE

Thanks

WCG



Canada will not participate in war: PM

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— Prime Minister Jean Chrétien said Monday that Canada would not participate in any war on Iraq without UN approval.

"We have always maintained that we need UN approval [to act]," he said, adding that this has always been Canada's position.

The Prime Minister made the statement in the House of Commons in Question Period, and it was greeted with thunderous applause from Liberal MPs.

"If military action proceeds without a new resolution of the Security Council, Canada will not participate," Mr. Chrétien said.

His comments came after the United States, Britain and Spain announced they had decided not to put a UN Security Council resolution authorizing force to a vote because of threats it would be vetoed by France.

Three Canadian navy ships are in the Arabian Gulf conducting escort and surveillance in the war on terrorism, unconnected to the Iraq operation, and the Prime Minister said they would stay on their current mission.

Canadian Alliance Leader Stephen Harper asked the Prime Minister whether Canadian troops currently serving with American and British units on exchange would stay at their posts, even if they may be participating in an attack on Iraq.

Mr. Chrétien said those troops will remain where they are. He that there is only a small number, involved in such things as surveillance. They have made a commitment to their allied forces, he said, and they will respect this commitment.

The Prime Minister also told the House that if there is a war, Canada will help Iraq and the victims of war, providing aid and reconstruction.

Earlier Monday, a spokesman for Mr. Chrétien said that Canada was "disappointed" that diplomacy appeared to have failed to resolve the Iraq crisis.

"We're obviously disappointed that diplomacy hasn't worked and that new timelines weren't given ... for the inspectors to do their work," chief spokesman Jim Munson told Canadian Press.

"There appears to be no avenue now for a diplomatic route," Mr. Munson said. "Those routes seem to have been shut down."

Canada's efforts at the United Nations to find a compromise resolution on Iraq appeared quashed.

The UN Security Council passed Resolution 1441 on Nov. 8, ordering Iraq to surrender its chemical and other weapons of mass destruction and submit to inspections or face "serious consequences."

And while balking at full Canadian military involvement, Mr. Chrétien has consistently agreed with the Americans and British that, while preferable, a second Security Council resolution was not necessary to sanction war.

Through UN Ambassador Paul Heinbecker, Mr. Chrétien sought a compromise deadline of March 28. But the British came back with their own U.S.-backed compromise resolution that failed to go anywhere.

In an American television interview March 9, Mr. Chrétien contended U.S. President George W. Bush had already won the war, saying the mere presence of a quarter million American and British troops had forced Iraqi compliance.
 
westcan: Like many Yanks, I realize that not all Canadians agree with the Liberal pacifists in the East that run Canada. It is my impression that the folks in the west of Canada have a lot more in common with Montanans than Quebecers.

I don't doubt the bravery and skill of the Canadian soldiers, sailors, and airmen. After all, you've got to be brave to willingly fly in a Sea King helicopter these days. The sad thing is that, due to the decisions of the Canadian government, Canadian soldiers, sailors, and airmen are forced to fly in such deathtraps. But I'd rather our neighbors to the north were with us, even if just a token force. Symbols are important.
 
Thank you for your moral support. Please remember when you see anti-Canadian sentiment during this conflict, it is most likely directed at the Canadian government, not it's people. The same may be said of the Iraqi people. We will not turn our backs on our neighbors to the north.
 
You're a standup guy Wescangunner!

We're all inclined to need to apologize for the acts of our "representatives" every now and then.

I for one appreciate your support, as well as the support of about 15 personal friends in Edmonton and Calgary.

stellarpod
 
"We have always maintained that we need UN approval [to act]," he said
When did Canada give its sovereignity over to the UN? I must not have been paying attention.... :rolleyes:
 
Quote by DeltaElite:

westcangunner,
Apology not necessary. We all have times when out govt acts poorly. We had 8 years with Bill "The Felon" Clinton.


Boy, that's for sure.
 
Don't sweat it!

You Canadians are great neighbors, not at all like the riff raff we have on the other side of the property. ;)

We don't blame you for the decisions of your leaders. Politicians are the same everywhere.
 
This Canadian is appalled as well by Cretien's behavior.

He is hiding behind the lack of yet another resolution in order to avoid making it public just how badly his government has gutted the Canadian military.
 
Thanks for the moral support there, my friend.
You can't help your country's position; so there
is certainly NO harm and NO foul. Canada is a
great country in her own right; and has been
a very good neighbor throughout the year's.
Rest in peace, while we put the "Beast From
The East" in his proper place!

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
Thank you

Go in HARD, Go in FAST and please go in SAFE

Many/most of us are with you

The US is doing the right thing

It sucks we are not there beside you, but its probably best were not in the way

As a Canadian, its nice having a "big brother"


Thank you

WCG
 
Didn't the Liberals bankrupt Canadian discretionary spending with some lame firearms registry or something?

We won't miss French-Canadien leadership any more than we already miss authentic French leadership I suspect.

Anyways, thanks for the support in Afghanistan, which I do not believe had much in the way of a UN fig-leaf either, Saddam has membership and the Taliban didn't. Hmmmm, I sense a double standard based on European oil imports or something. . . .
 
As a fellow Canadian, I have to agree with Westcangunner on the state of our government.IT SUCKS! Chretien should be showing support to rid the world of the "Saddam" types.

It makes me sick seeing the aging and decrepid equipment our military has to make do with.Yet, Chretien can by himself a new fancy private aircraft to fly around in because the the previous one was getting too old.He should be made to fly around in a Seaking!!!

Good luck and best wishes to all the U.S. and Allied military personal involved in this operation.I know a lot of Canadians wish we were there beside you.

Strike hard, strike fast.

SKBY.
 
I think that the Canadian Forces are ( and have been for decades) better at peacekeeping than waging war. This in no doubt due to the Fderal Goverments' lack of military spending. Most of our military equiptment is totally worn out, but the troops in the field still have the can-do attitude...
Most of 'em would charge across an open field in the face of the enemy without ammunition, if told to... (especially if there was a Tim Hortons coffee in it for 'em):D

I do however wish to experess my personal wishes for the safety of all of the allied troops that will be entering into the field of combat in the near future... -Be assured that our wishes for your safe return to your homes and families go with you...
G.B.
 
Tell ya what

After we get done risking our lives to find those stockpiles of deadly diseases and chemicals y'all Canadians can help the French , Germans, and Russians dispose of them. Sound like a deal?

"Mr. Chrétien contended U.S. President George W. Bush had already won the war, saying the mere presence of a quarter million American and British troops had forced Iraqi compliance."
:confused:
 
Correct me if I'm wrong....

...but didn't Canada have at least 1 beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944?

While westcangunner can make fun of his country's military capability, it wasn't always as it is.... They stood with us before, and if it truly becomes necessary, I think they'll stand with us again.

(I mean, *REALLY*, how hard d'ya think IRAQ alone is gonna be? )
 
Dear Neighbor,

your kind sentiments appreciated, but, if I may offer some advice:

Never say you're ashamed of your country. You can be embarrased by the actions of the current government, furious at your countrymen who you think are in the wrong, pissed off at those who claim to speak for you, etc.

But ashamed to be Canadian? That's like me being ashamed to be American. I know you don't really feel that way about your country, or you wouldn't be upset.

Regards, Khornet
 
...but didn't Canada have at least 1 beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944?
Indeed they did. 2 US beaches, 2 UK beaches, and 2 Canadian. They had a real military back then.
 
No apology is necessary.

Us Yanks fully understand how a government can fail to represent the true desire of its electorate. We just went through a period of 8+ years where the problem was particularly acute.

One favor I'd like to ask. You guys up there have a really bad firearms registration // confiscation effort underway. From the press I read it appears the govt is having a hard go of it because everyday Canadians simply will not obey the law. Has a simple elegance to it.

Anyhow, could you guys please pull that law down and prepare a briefing so we in the south can learn from your experiences. We haven't had a clear cut legislative victory in quite some time. Your success at the destruction of bad law will serve as an object lesson for us Yanks.
 
Thanks, Westcan & Skull, no apology necessary. We realize the twits in Ottawa are in theri own little world. The silliness with the UN hasn't helped any of us, but it has provided an excuse for a lot of spineles politicans to do nothing.

I have been to Canada many times, I have always been treated well, and most Americans understand that there's a big difference between the Canadian 'government' and our Canadian brothers. Cheers.
 
Free Alberta!!

If Alberta went CCW and broke away from Canada, I'd move there :D

No need to apologize, your idiots don't even come close to our idiots...
 
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