Canada: 'Bankrupt' Forces May Shut 5 Bases (Their MILITARY is BANKRUPT!?)

The National Post ^ | February 24, 2004 | Chris Wattie

[Happy2BMe]

>> Canadeans don't like ya?

Walp, at least you know how to win a war!

[albertabound]

While you are so busy raging at us, the same bullsh*t is going on in your own back yard. This culture of liberalism is not governed by internation borders, it is pervasive and currently infects many parts of the United States as well as Canada. A hanging chad is all the separated America from being governed the same filthy leftists. The U.S. election run-up is getting just a snasty as ours. Try supporting the many Canadian Conservatives now fighting the good fight instead of running down the entire country with cruel and unjust invective. You need us a hell of a lot more than you care to admit. No evidence exists the the 9/11 terrorists came from Canada, they were in the U.S. legally and even trained on your home turf . So deal with it and let us help you by ousting the bast*rds here first.

[Happy2BMe]

"You need us a hell of a lot more than you care to admit."

Uh - hum!

Care to guess what percentage of Canadian exports go to the U.S.?

Canada is hopelessly socialist - the only reason I ever look up anything on Canada is to see how bad it can get in the U.S. if the Dems get in the White House.

Sorry. But Canada would be in a WORLD of hurt if not for the economic ties it has with the United States. We could "manage" to "live" without Canadian economic "support" for much longer than you could do without ours.

Next . .

[Flightdeck]

saving my place

[optik_b]

"Even more sad when your country is vulnerable and nobody wants to take it over..."

Nothing sad about it. They have a great country, its just run by socialists. They are really lucky to have the two biggest oceans and the most powerful country ever right next to them.

[demnomo]

Read another one of my posts. I was joking--note the ;) at the end of my original post.

I have Canadian relatives who served in WWI and WWII, so I know better. Most of my Canadian relatives are flaming lefties from watching too much CBC reporting. CBC makes the BBC look tame when it comes to bashing American and military endeavors.

I have one relative who wants to do away with the military entirely. He thinks that the RCM's are sufficient to take care of Canada's security needs. I can't stand being in the same room with this person. Fortunately, neither can most of my other liberal relatives. He says Bush is Hitler and America is becoming Nazi Germany...

[NorthOf45]

Some items many here seem to forget ... or didn't hear ... or don't care to recall.

Hours after the planes hit the WTC on Sept 11, Canada expressed its shock and pledged assistance. The PM at that time, albeit Chretien, stated "All Canadians are praying that the brave firefighters and rescue crews who are currently on the scene will be successful in limiting the casualties. We stand ready to provide any assistance that our American friends may need at this very, very difficult hour and in the subsequent investigation."

When the FAA closed the airspace over the U.S., Canada did the same over our skies and accommodated 100-200 planes and 10’s of thousands of stranded travellers.

On October 7, 2001, Canada committed air, land and sea forces to Operation Apollo, the Canadian contribution to the War Against Terrorism. Approximately twice that which was sent to the 1990/91 Gulf War, was committed to the War Against Terrorism.

Canada was the first coalition member to send a naval taskforce to assist the U.S. in the War Against Terrorism. At its height, in January, 2002, there were 6 Canadian ships with 1,500 Navy personnel on duty. We're still there. The duties included force-protection, fleet-support and interdiction operations. To date, Canadian ships have hailed 21,800 vessels and performed more than 50% of the 1,100 boardings conducted by the multinational coalition fleet.

Canada also immediately put 1,000 ground troops on alert for deployment to Afghanistan. In January, 2002, 750 soldiers were sent over. Included with this deployment were snipers (highly effective as we know) and Canadian-made Coyote armoured reconnaissance vehicles (which the U.S. specifically requested for this mission).

Also, concerning ground forces, in December, 2001, it is confirmed that approximately 40 Canadian Special Forces units (JTF-2) were operating in the theatre.

In terms of air support, Canada contributed one CC-150 Polaris (Airbus A310) long-range transport aircraft (with 40 support personnel), two CP-140 Aurora long-range surveillance/maritime patrol aircraft (with 200 support personnel) and three CC-130 Hercules transport aircraft (with 200 support personnel).

Now, as for the war in Iraq, as per the New York Times on September 25, 2002:

'Prime Minister Jean Chretien had said as recently as two weeks ago that Canada would oppose a unilateral U.S. military strike on Baghdad. But he welcomed President Bush's appeal for U.N. involvement and claimed it as a victory for Canadian ideals.

The United States wants the U.N. Security Council to approve a resolution authorizing force against Iraq if it fails to comply with weapons inspections again. The wording is still being worked out, but France has said it won't approve a resolution that gives the United States "a green light" to strike.

Chretien said he pushed President Bush during a Sept. 9 meeting in Detroit to work through the United Nations instead of going it alone.

"He went as we wanted him to do, to include the U.N.," Chretien said Tuesday about Bush’s appeal to the world body three days after their Detroit meeting.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Bill Graham also called for a U.N. resolution with "no wiggle room to fool around, or action will be taken."

"We can certainly endorse the United States position that there has to be clear consequences for a failure to act," he said.

While neither Graham nor Chretien committed to supporting a military campaign, Canada is considered a likely backer once the U.N. process has played out.'

As per the National Post on March 18, 2003:

‘Until yesterday, Mr. Chrétien had refused to make a definitive statement about Canada's intentions while negotiations aimed at reaching a deal over Iraq at the Security Council were ongoing.

In recent weeks, Canada had made two compromise proposals designed to unite the United States and Great Britain with anti-war countries France, Russia and China. "Unfortunately, we were not successful," Mr. Chrétien said.

In an effort to ease potential tensions with Washington over the decision, Mr. Chrétien said Canada will continue to lead a multinational naval task force in the Persian Gulf as part of the ongoing U.S.-led war on terrorism. Canada will also help in the reconstruction of Iraq and humanitarian assistance after a war, he said.’

As per the New York Times on March 25, 2003:

‘Cellucci (U.S. Ambassador to Canada) noted that as part of its role in the war on terrorism, Canada has warships in the Persian Gulf and military planners working with U.S. and British forces in the gulf region.

``Ironically, the Canadians indirectly provide more support for us in Iraq than most of those'' 46 countries in the coalition fighting against Saddam's regime, he said.’

As per the Globe and Mail on April 29, 2003:

‘The federal government announced Tuesday the deployment of police, prison guards and legal experts to help rebuild the criminal-justice system in postwar Iraq.

The Canadian offer includes an expanded role for three Hercules aircraft already operating in the region and “select units” of the military’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART), should they be required.

“Canada is responding to U.S. requests for assistance in this post-conflict period and is assessing additional contributions to Iraq’s reconstruction,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Canada has committed about $106-million to humanitarian efforts in Iraq. More than $60-million has been disbursed through the United Nations and other organizations to help meet basic needs such as food, water, and health care.

There are more than 1,275 Canadian Forces personnel in the Persian Gulf region, including two warships and two Aurora aircraft, as well as the three Hercules planes.’

We now have roughly 2,000 soldiers, fighting and dying, in Afghanistan. So to those who are quick to say that we are no ally, think again.

You might say “that’s not much of a contribution”. That may be true to a certain degree. I wish we would/could contribute more. However, consider this, for every Canadian soldier in operation, there is one less U.S. soldier in danger and one less American family who needs to worry. Let me reiterate what was quoted in an earlier excerpt … we are contributing more than some in the “Coalition of the Willing”.

Bottom line here (I'm sorry for the length of the post), eventhough our government is killing our own military, we’re still an ally. While our useless current government and misguided media make you think twice about our attitudes, don’t assume that all Canadians think this way. Lastly, not all is lost on the east coast. I live in New Brunswick and do not support the Libs. I will manifest that opinion in the next election.

[Snowyman]

Care to guess what percentage of Canadian exports go to the U.S.?

Between 83 and 85% . Produced by a population of 31 million . Care to guess what percentage of US exports go to Canada ? That's 23-25%. Produced by a population of 280 million .

What percentage of American world exports depend on Canadian material and power imported into the US ?

Canada is hopelessly socialist - the only reason I ever look up anything on Canada is to see how bad it can get in the U.S. if the Dems get in the White House.

.As if the Dems have never been in the White House. Canada is no more socialist than the US . Unless you pretend that socialist programs are just government funded programs and ignore welfare, subsidy payments that control agriculture production , medicaid and medicare , tariffs or laws that protect selected products , like steel, softwood and prescription drugs in return for votes and favours .You've got school lunch and food programs that we've never had ...California Department of Social Services ."Food Stamps is a Federally funded program that helps low-income people buy the food they need for good health" ...Public housing in Minneapolis.....". Enjoy affordable rents based on your income. Your rent is always limited to no more than 30% of your monthly adjusted income".

Who is paying for the rest of the rent ? Or for the food ?

Over 40 of your states have so called " hate laws" , 13 of which include "sexual orientation" . We don't . Our law died in our Senate . And you've had "civil unions", marriage by any other name , for at least 2 years . We're just following .

Sorry. But Canada would be in a WORLD of hurt if not for the economic ties it has with the United States. We could "manage" to "live" without Canadian economic "support" for much longer than you could do without ours.

Maybe , but then we'd still be warm and be able to see what we were doing . Last August a branch falls on a power line and how many Americans are in darkness ? NG , electric power and oil . Disconnect from Canada and watch what happens. If you can .

And the 2 million Americans that are directly dependent on exports to Canada would just be regarded as another blip on your growing unemployment problem . By Canada . Certainly not by the US populace .

We need each other . That's the way it is.

[demnomo]

Thank you. A few FReepers took my original post as bashing Canada. Yeah, I dislike the liberals who run the government and state TV/radio, but a lot of Canucks (that term is no longer considered an insult) supported us after 9/11.

There was a wonderful rally on our behalf last year, sponsored by a Canadian conservative group and radio announcer that received a running thread here on Free Republic.

Oh, and Don Cherry--AKA Grapes--is on our side. Cherry is a Canadian Icon who loves to rile the libs. He's not afraid to take on his employer CBC because of it...

[NorthOf45]

Something else that REALLY bothers me about the lack of support for our military is the loss of the infrastructure that supports it. Just one example ... here in NB, there is a ship yard that now stands idle and will likely be decommissioned. This is the same shipyard that built 9 of the 12 state-of-the-art Halifax class frigates between 1992 and 1997. Some of these ships still patrol the Arabian Sea.

At any rate, here we have a facility that could play a big part in upgrading our navy and providing hundreds of jobs. The Atlantic Provinces have it bad enough. As I've said many times, politicians just don't get it. You pump money into the military, keep it updated, employ the populace (thereby easing the strain on social services and pumping money back into the economy), maintain the supporting infrastructure (which can also be used for non-military projects), etc ... it's WIN/WIN. Why is it not more apparent to the powers that be???

[BlueLancer]

CANADIAN WARSHIP SEIZES TANKER IN... WAIT...CANADA HAS A WARSHIP?

[albertabound]

Haven't we had this conversation before Happy? Yes, we rely heavily on U.S exports, but trade is a two way street and America would also be hurt without Canadian imports, most notably energy. Oil and gas from Alberta, hydro-power from Ontario Quebec and Labrador. It is unfortunate that you have such a cavalier attitude and do not see the big picture.

[Happy2BMe]

"Yes, we rely heavily on U.S exports, but trade is a two way street and America would also be hurt without Canadian imports, most notably energy."

There are less than six major oil reservations on the planet (that we know of):

#1: Saudi Arabia

#2: Iraq

#3: Russia

#4: Canada

#5: Mexico

#6: Alaska

True, #6 can't be touched for political correctness reason, none of which I agree with. Alaska should be being harvested now, but it isn't.

#4, Canada reportedly has as much oil as Iraq, but still a fraction of it is being harvested.

Now back to the States. True, America uses almost 1/2 of the energy of the entire planet (another fact I don't agree with, it's just a fact of a gluttonous lifestyl, and I'll be the first to admit it).

I really believe the U.S. is allowing the migrant invasion from Mexico to thrive is due to the dependency on Mexico's cheap oil.

What is Canada doing with it's oil that would make relations improve with the States? Canada could give a RATS AR$E about the States. If they did, they would be better allies.

Canada gets much more benefit from the States than the States do from Canada. Canada is a socialist paradise. I used to like it, but I don't like it anymore.

[albertabound]

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~33~1799575,00.html

You may find this article of interest It provides the big picture.

[Happy2BMe]

British Columbia is one of the most beautiful places on earth. I hate it when I go through there and can't even carry a gun to fend off a bear.

You say we're as "socialistic" as you are up there. Not yet. Not until we lose our 2nd Amendment rights to bear arms.

[albertabound]

Well, we like to give the bears an even chance.

[Happy2BMe]

"But there is no decline or depletion in sprawling Fort McMurray, 700 miles south of the Arctic Circle. On the site of ancient seabeds, 32,000 workers labor around the clock to squeeze oil from sandy deposits that geologists say will yield huge quantities of petroleum for at least 50 years."

Yes, I did certainly find it quite interesting.

And thanks.

[albertabound]

You are welcome.

[Uncle Fud]

Are you by any chance the same coydog who had/has that great Avro Arrow webpage?

[PattonReincarnated]

Stop your crying ... I started by making a personal observation, conclude what you want from that, but you had to call me a bigot. I was civil with you. If you can't handle the truth then you can go live in Newfoundland.