Patriotism luring recruits

Tricky questions! I'd like to see some people's answers too.

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

Yes let's all answer the questions to qualify to express an opinion on the mission in afghanistan. "Us" and "them". Civvies or soldiers. "Civillians know squat about our military, so they should shut up". Yawn, not much changes, with that tired old line.

Wow.. Chest pounding, drum beating, flag waving militants. Seems all we need now is an american flag to top it off. Why is the rest of the world our business? If the british took the side of the Confederates during their civil war we would be owning black people. Maybe let Afganistan go without war for a year or two and have a bit of a breather. Maybe their children will absorb a few of the landmines before you replentish the supply. War is harsh and kids are still getting killed by landmines in VIETNAM. Democracy cannot be imposed for if it's imposed, it's not democracy. But until then its just more of the same from the goosestepping brigade.

Army guy isn't saying you are only entitled to an opinion on Afghanistan if you answer his questions. I think he's trying to get people to understand how little they know about the subject, and thereby perhaps get a few engaged is what has been a long and proud history of the Canadian Soldier.

If anyone's interested in such topics; draw the connection between the Grey Cup, the 'Battle of Passchendaele' and the $10 bill in your pocket. If you can put together those 3 things involving only 2 people, you'll see what I mean.

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

So, you're saying you don't love your country?

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

Dr Exactly, Its not chest beating or Americanisum. Its our history. History that people have forgotten. History that my Father and Grand father fought to make. To make Canada a Country.
1. Do we have Marines? No, But some Canadians think we do, because they have the same style of Uniform. Us CADPAT, US Marines-MARPAT
2. What was Vimy? The battle that Canadians made Canada, where the Canadian Corp Fought. And took a ridge no one could. 1917
3. When was Dieppe? Aug 19 1942,
4. What is a Ilitis vehicle? The veh that 2 Soldiers died in, in Afganistan
5. Where are our biggest bases at? One in each Province.
6. Do we have Rangers?
7. Were we under UN command in Bosnia, during the IFOR/SFOR flag? NO, NATO Command (US Command, but no one worried then?)
8. What was the last UN mission to run? Rwanda
9. What was the first UN mission we were deployed to? Suaz
10.How many stars does Canadian Generals wear. NO Maple Leafs
11. Did Canadian peacekeepers ever fight and where? name one
a. Congo , b Cyprus c Bosnia d there is about 10 missions Canadians had to fight.

How many questions could people have answered? You don't have to be in the military to know our history. So wakeup Canada and learn. The world is not Timmies, Canadian AirFarce. It's a world of terror, and hate!

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27 in the military, 9 tours.

sorry missed one. # 6 Yes, native, Inuit soldiers.

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27 in the military, 9 tours.

(I was going to say you forgot #6 :-)

To answer my own then, the 'Battle of Passchendaele' was a WWI battle, which was quite bloody indeed. One of the Doctors stationed at the Battle, Dr. Ian McCrae, noticed how when the batlefield was soaked with blood - poppies would grow there in the spring. He wrote a poem about it, and part of the Poem he wrote "In Flanders Fields" is on the back of the $10 bill. Before WWI, Dr McCrae and the Gov. General of Canada, The Earl of Grey, went on a canoe trip up the Red River. The Earl of Grey donated a cup to the Ontairo Rugby league, which was presented to the overall winner every year, until the CFL was formed.

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

Dr 
Most people cannot remember what the poem stands for. Or why we wear a poppy. It pisses me off, on 11 Nov and people just walk around at 1100hrs. Like it means dick. 
My Grand Fathers were at Passendale and Vimy. My Father/Uncles fought in Europe/Korea. I grewup knowing what being a Canadian is. And what is means to serve your country. 
After the war my father stayed in until 73, when he retired, with 31 yrs service. 
My wife has served 13 yrs, 2 of my daughters now. And one is in Afghanistan. My 16 yr old wishes to go to RMC. 
 
You are one of the few informed. Men and Women join up for many reasons, just to have a job, school, or to serve. 
We are not warmongers, Solders are the last people that wish there is a war. But we will fight for those who need it. 
 
Here's a web site that may help people. <a href="http://army.ca/">http://army.ca/</a>--- 27 in the military, 9 tours.

<<An Afghani man who converted to Christianity from Islam years ago while living outside the country, is now being formally charged for doing that. This is ridiculous.>>

Islam doesn't recognize our western notions of separation of church and state. In this regard, a Moslem who converts to any other religion is committing treason, which under Sharia law is punishable, for males, by death.

If the male is judged 'insane', the death penalty is not applicable. In a more progressive state, this provides an out given that any Moslem apostate could easily be viewed as insane as otherwise why would they have rejected the true faith?

Obviously the above may not accord to our western 'standards' however, it makes perfect sense in Islam.

Canadians can't walk into another country and demand the people change their beliefs to accord to our own, particularly when our own stated 'beliefs' in this regard may not accord to the majority opinion, e.g., how many Canadians would actually agree that terminating an Olsen, Bernardo, type would in some sense be 'wrong' or in anyway brutalize the overall society or diminish respect for (worthwhile) human life?

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"When we are in the middle of the paradigm, it is hard to imagine any other paradigm" (Adam Smith).

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"When we are in the middle of the paradigm, it is hard to imagine any other paradigm" (Adam Smith).

Thanks AG.

What ticks me off the most is those who won't wear the poppy because they confuse it with the Opium Poppy. Like there can't be more than one species of poppy. There's a guy from the Legion, a former Royal Marine, who recites "In Flanders Fields" every November 11. Every year, for as long I can remember. And he does it very well. I can 'listen' to it anytime I want.

My Great Grandfather was in the Boer war. I think his grandfather was in 1812 (the war of southern agression :-)

. My Grandfather and his brothers served in WWI. I still have the eppilets of two Bavarian soldiers he took prisoner. My Dad and his brothers served in WWII (one didn't return), and my Dad in Korea. Mom's father was a Merchant Marine in WWII, and her brother was 22 years in the Navy in Gulf War I. I joined for only 1 tour. Not out of a sense of duty (it wasn't encouraged in the family, even though many served) but because I wanted to.

You're right. Most soldiers don't want war.

PS: Did you watch "For King and Empire" on History Channel? Very good!!

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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden

On the 'poppy' topic, it has been pointed out that the narcotic properties available from the same are used in a variety of legitimate pharmaceutical products.

So it could be that the poppy could be a viable product in the Afghanistan economy and also be quite legitimate.

Then, much as I hate to do this, we get back to the whole question of why opium, etc., is illegal in the first place. And that trail leads us back to our southern neighbours, and the question of why they insist on pursuing the 'drug war'.

There is absolutely no reason any drug should be illegal, from the perspective that illegality omly puts money into criminal hands, marginalizes the 'addict' who otherwise could often fit into society and does little or nothing to decrease substance abuse.

So, the whole 'poopy' problem is, as others have pointed out, of out own making. If we choose to legalize drugs and deal with the societal impacts of addiction, whatever these might be in a society that offers 'clean', accessible drugs, opium poppies, Colombian drug cartels and street drug relatyed crime/death cease to exist.

Of course, this might affect the careers etc., and God knows what else, of folks with careers within those government agencies that profit from the 'war against drugs' and so forth however, that's life.

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"When we are in the middle of the paradigm, it is hard to imagine any other paradigm" (Adam Smith).

"Army guy isn't saying you are only entitled to an opinion on Afghanistan if you answer his questions."

Aright, Dr C and army guy, peace. Canadian military history could have used a place in the cirriculum when I was in school, it was never mentioned. If 70% of Canadians could answer Army guys' questions, I wonder if it make a difference in their stand on the appropriateness of the Afghan mission, and if that difference would be a good thing.

Obviously the above may not accord to our western 'standards' however, it makes perfect sense in Islam<<

That is the brunt of the entire problem. Westerners feel their rights and morals are supreme to others. Guliver's travels.

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Expect little from life and get more from it.

Look at London? NY<<

Are these cities not in the chief invading countries?

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Expect little from life and get more from it.