Harper makes surprise visit to Kandahar

[tuvor]

Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrived in Afghanistan on Sunday in a carefully planned and closely guarded mission to show support for Canadian troops and diplomatic staff.

"These are a great bunch of men and women doing a tough job," said Harper shortly after landing in the southern city of Kandahar.

"We want to make sure they understand their government and the population is behind them."

Harper said the Canadian force in Afghanistan serves the national interest because:

* International terrorism is rooted in the country. "It was in Afghanistan that Sept. 11 started."
* The country is a major source of narcotics, which have a terrible impact on Canada.
* It shows Canada providing international leadership and humanitarian aid.

http://www.cbc.ca/storyview/MSN/world/national/2006/03/12/afghan-troops060312.html

Smells more and more like bush every day.

[tuvor]

1. Looks like he lied about it, too.

Harper has been widely reported to be planning a visit to Afghanistan. But on the same day U.S. President George W. Bush dropped in on U.S. troops in the country, the prime minister said he will not be going in the immediate future.

--Toronto Star, Mar. 1, 2006

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1141214868091&call_pageid=968332188492

[glarius]

2. The Canadian soldiers apparently are not overjoyed with his visit.

I just saw a report by Patrick Brown of the CBC and he ended it by saying "the soldiers won't say it publicly, but they wish Harper had picked a better time for him visit." It seems they are in the midst of an important operation and now they have to stop and look after his safety etc....
P.S...Here's Patrick Brown's video:http://www.cbc.ca/MRL/clips/rm-lo/brown_canucks060312.rm

[glarius]

3. Harper even copied Bush by taking the controls of the aircraft before

they landed, according to one of the officers there....He is more and more disgusting....Uuugghhh!

[laundry_queen]

4. ugh that's awful!

I'm listening to him blathering on CBC right now.
Terra, sept 11, fear, spreading freedom and democracy.

Sounds familiar.

ETA:OMG! he said cut and run.
:rofl:
And he ended with god bless Canada. omg.

[Monkeybumper]

5. God bless Canada is now offensive or something to belittle ?

When did that happen ?
The majority of Canadians claim some religious affiliation and to believe in God .
When you start something and then quit as soon as it becomes difficult it is common to use the term cut and run .

[daleo]

6. "Change your mind" is another phrase used

As is "reconsider", "think it over", "re-evaluate", etc.

I think politicians should stay away from pointless religious expressions. It just divides people, since everyone's idea of God is different (including those whose idea is that God doesn't exist). Even according to Christianity, God doesn't bless countries - only individual people, according to their own virtues, not their nationality.

[Monkeybumper]

11. Pointless religious expressions ?

If you don't believe in God thats your business but the vast majority of Canadians do . I don't know how you know that God doesn't bless countries because I think he has blessed this one .
Try to remember this country was founded on Judeo Christian values as much as you seem to resent it .

[daleo]

12. Did God bless the rocks and stones?

If so, the whole earth is blessed.

Did he bless the people just for living in Canada, regardless of their beliefs or behavior. If so, the Bible's emphasis on faith and conduct is incorrect. Then he blessed Paul Bernardo as much as he blessed Terry Fox.

"I don't know how you know that God doesn't bless countries because I think he has blessed this one."

The fact that you or anyone else thinks God blessed any country doesn't make it so. The ancient Greeks believed that their gods took a particular interest in some parts of the earth over others - Athena for instance took a particular interest in Athens. But Jesus Christ wasn't supposed to have had those limited viewpoints.

[Monkeybumper]

13. Your grasp of religion seems some what limited

But here is a fact. You are very much in the minority on this one and thats fine but if you and your ilk ever hope to form the government in this country you may not want to alienate the majority of Canadians.

[daleo]

15. You start talking religion

Then stray into politics. It's as if religion is just a partisan political issue for you.

[CHIMO]

14. Tell That

To the original Canadians or Americans.

Seems like your definition of western civilization as being supreme is based on quite a short time frame.

[glarius]

7. In case you've missed the connection here....it's just another example

of Harper following Bush's lead....Bush (unlike previous U.S.A. presidents) ends all his speeches with "god bless America."...Harper (unlike previous Canadian P.Ms) now ends his speeches with "god bless Canada."....It has nothing to do with Canadians being religious or not. We just resent his slavish following of Bush....Uuugghhh!

[Mother Jones]

8. He knows that too glarius

We seem to have a few resident 'freepers', as they are known on the other side of the board. Just lurking and waiting to pounce.....nothing progressive about them, adding nothing of value whatsoever.

[glarius]

9. I know...I've run into him before

I just couldn't let him get away with his ridiculous statement! :)

[tuvor]

10. No, Harper's offensive

He wouldn't invoke God in a prepared speech the way bush does unless he thought it would help him to win a majority.

Yeah, I'm cynical about the motives of politicians. Call me crazy.