Posted on 12/08/2005 11:36:17 PM PST by BurbankKarl
NDP Leader Jack Layton called for an immediate halt to sending more Canadian troops to Afghanistan, warning that Canada must not "drift into a war blindly."
"We appear to be drifting from our original mission there – which was to provide security in the capital region – and into a combat role side-by-side with American troops," Layton said in a statement.
Layton's announcement follows NATO's approval of a plan to send up to 6,000 troops into southern Afghanistan in a major expansion of their mission.
"We must not drift into a war blindly or secretly, on the say-so of one man – Mr. Martin."
"Canadians need to have a debate on whether they want Canadian service personnel to become deeply involved in an initiative that's pressed forward by (U.S. President) George Bush," said Layton at a campaign stop in St. John's, N.L.
As many as 1,250 Canadian soldiers will be serving in Afghanistan by February 2006. Troops are expected to take part in combat patrols in the mountainous country surrounding Kandahar. Defence Minister Bill Graham has been warning the public for months to expect casualties.
"We believe the prime minister owes Canadians an explanation of the goals of this mission, of the commitments we would be making and of what the withdrawal plan there would be and then there should be a discussion in Parliament," Layton said.
Who would miss them?
The Canadians are saving their military muscle to help out the galactic invaders who are coming to put George Bush in his place.
do they have any more troops?
Yes, Layton knows there is no terror in the world that needs addressing with Canadian troops... no obligations, no commitments... the world is a beautiful socialist paradise with children free to be blown up, because they are free... free to be blown up without Canadian help to stop this particular freedom. The world is a paradise, a socialist paradise rooting for Jack Layton to lead it towards more freedom for everybody... more blowing ups!!!!!
What is this "Canada" you all speak of??
A great white flag from the great white north?
Layton is a dangerous fool.
Both of them have the flu.
Did they give the Canadian soldiers guns yet?
The urge to make it a joke may be strong, but the troops in the field deserve the same respect and gratitude as our brave men and women.
God Bless
I am really proud of the hard work that is being done by the troops in Halfganistand and at CENTCOM. My neighbour is over their right now working along side the Americans.
I think Layton along with the former and present liberal PMs are just horrible as to how they treat the USA all for political votes in Quebec and Ontario.
God forbid that they be in the company of real men.
You guys obviously aren't military.
Nah, just an NDipper full of hot air.
Yup ... bullets too.
The NDP (New Democratic Party) is a far-left, essentially socialist party that gets about 10% to 20% of the vote. Its support tends to be concentrated in large cities and in the Maritime provinces. They essentially steal votes from the Liberals, but in some Ridings (districts) they get the most votes.
I was many years ago. I'm just getting tired about the way most of the rest of the world perceive the War on Terror. It's Canadian asses on the line too.
I'm not sure where you're getting your numbers from, but there is little NDP support in the Maritimes. Of the total number of seats in the Atlantic Provinces (32), which includes Newfoundland, only 3 were won by the NDP.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.