Some combat footage of Canadian Troops in Afghanistan:

[Praxius]

I was reading an article on a Canadian Politician's web site, in regards to how now our country is trying to scrape up some more money to keep out troops going, both abroad and even here in the country, which is pretty sad to say.

A link was provided to show what our troops are in the middle of, and I figured some people here who are into this kinda thing would like to see the footage.

Hon. Garth Turner, P.C., M.P.

This was back in July, which I assume was part of Operation Medusa.

Besides the debate on funds for our militaries, I figured I would ask.....

When you see footage of your troops in action, how do you feel? Are you supportive? Are you Proud? Are you worried for them?

How much do you think is censored? Are they showing you all of what's truly happening?

[Osborn F Enready]

Prax said: When you see footage of your troops in action, how do you feel?

I am heaved with emotion of the dedication required to perform such acts, for ideas as noble as what motivates them.

Prax said: Are you supportive?

Of my troops, yes, always!

Of its government, or the actions in which they are forced to deploy? When they earn that respect, something many governments are foreign to, mine included right now.

Prax said: Are you Proud?

Proud of what motivates the individuals to be there.

Ashamed of allowing my government to put them where they are, far too often though.

Prax said: Are you worried for them?

Always. I have the utmost, highest respect for those who are willing to lay down their life in the idea of protecting others from a tangible threat, and my worry is constant. For each person that serves, their action isn't about what the government at the time is doing, its about believing in something solid, that is bigger than them in their eyes, which is liberty and what it means to them. Something each soldier sacrifices to serve, in order to protect others liberty.

I am more worried than ever in my lifetime, since I feel the nations citizens have done a grave dis-service to their most honorable, self-less citizens, and they are paying for it each day due to the lack of intrest, education and information the people of this nation have of their responsibility to those noble individuals.

Prax said: How much do you think is censored?

Far more than we will know for decades, perhaps our lifetime. I have no problem with military movements being censored, but I do have a problem with the grounds for war, the basis for war, the reasoning for war being censored, distorted, covered up or disguised in any way.

Prax said: Are they showing you all of what's truly happening?

Never.

A great quote on this:
“Facts must be distorted, relevant circumstances concealed, and a picture presented which by its crude coloring will persuade the ignorant people that their Government is blameless, their cause is righteous, and that the indisputable wickedness of the enemy is beyond question.
A moment's reflection would tell any reasonable person that such obvious bias cannot possibly represent the truth. But the moment's reflection is not allowed; lies are circulated with great rapidity. The unthinking mass accept them and by their excitement sway the rest.
The amount of rubbish and humbug that pass under the name of patriotism in wartime in all countries is sufficient to make decent people blush when they are subsequently disillusioned.”
-Arthur Ponsonby, Falsehood in Wartime, 1928

[Nono]

I notice Canada (seldom one to fail to copy the folks down south) is now full of yellow-ribbon bumper stickers saying "Support our troops" and that sort of thing. The last time I was there I asked several car owners what -- in practical terms -- they thought they meant by this. I got some militaristic rant but no straight answers.

Things are not going well in Afghanistan, are they?

[Osborn F Enready]

I despise the brainless "I support the troops" stickers. Its more an insult than a just compliment.

I bet if you pay attention, you will see that a large portion of them are printed in China, and perhaps if that is the case for one YOU purchased dear reader, you should ask the retailer exactly how that "supports the troops"?

I busted a local retailer selling Chinese "support our troops" stickers, in front of other customers, and they were gone and replaced with American made stickers the next time I returned.

Made in your nation, or another, its still a false show of support, and an insult in my opinion.

[Praxius]

Quote by: Nono I notice Canada (seldom one to fail to copy the folks down south) is now full of yellow-ribbon bumper stickers saying "Support our troops" and that sort of thing. The last time I was there I asked several car owners what -- in practical terms -- they thought they meant by this. I got some militaristic rant but no straight answers. Things are not going well in Afghanistan, are they?

Most of the population really have no clue as to why we're there. Last I heard, the war is going quite well and development is going along good. We've put the boots to the Taliban and just recently captured a few heads of the organization.

I'm not sure what they are saying about Afghanistan in the US, but as far as things go here, things are good.... all things considered.

Our only problem is we're running low on funds, from what I hear. Which is why we've been trying to seek more assistance from other NATO nations who haven't done much for Canadian/US/UK/Dutch troops, whom are taking the brunt of the fighting..... us primarily....