Friday, January 23, 2015

Going To War In His Armchair


                                                        http://www.zazzle.ca/

Stephen Harper told us that there would be no boots on the ground. It turns out there are, and they're on the front lines. Michael Harris writes:

At some point, a Canadian soldier is going to be captured or killed in action. The prime minister will hold a sorrowful press conference — without taking any questions. The emotional dividend from these inevitable events will be used by his hawkish administration to justify a more “robust” response — i.e. more boots on the ground to protect our forces. And so on … until it’s Afghanistan Redux.

Those of us with longer memories might call it Vietnam Redux:

This, of course, is exactly how the Americans eased their way into the war in Vietnam after the French were whipped. That initial helping hand to the Army of the Republic of South Vietnam turned into a military operation that dropped more bombs on North Vietnam than were dropped in the entire Second World War — and the Americans still lost.

It ended on April 29, 1975, with a desperate airlift of U.S. citizens from the roof of the American Embassy in Saigon, as the Viet Cong overran the city. It was a war that started with trainers and advisers. It ended with the deaths of more than fifty thousand U.S. soldiers — and 3.8 million Vietnamese. So forgive me if the “trainer” explanation rings a little hollow.

And, if anyone in the Harper government actually read history, they might have paid attention to the Russian experience in Afghanistan:

Before the Americans showed up with their army, the Russians were the occupiers. They tried to force changes on an ancient society which didn’t see the world through western eyes. The result was a bitter war that the Russians lost to an alliance of local forces — including the Mujahideen, which gave the world the CIA’s most famous trainee: Osama Bin Laden.

It is instructive to read through the dispatches from Russian generals trying to tell Moscow it was losing the war. The Politburo ignored the warnings, wanting only good news from the front — the kind of news that reinforces the idea that the war is “working.”

But Mr. Harper is an armchair general. He knows nothing of war -- and nothing of history.

14 comments:

Toby said...

"Stephen Harper told us . . . "

Stephen Harper is a chronic liar. He says what he wants us to hear at any given moment. We can only believe what we see him do. When it actually came to shooting Stephen Harper hid in a closet.

Owen Gray said...

After nine years of this kind of stuff, Toby, no thinking Canadian can claim that he or she accepts Harper at his word.

Anonymous said...

Harper lied regarding, he was requested to take a role in the war with ISIS. Obama said he did no such thing. Harper lies with impunity and is a pariah no-one wants.

Harper shoots his mouth off, before his brain is in gear and then expects the US military to back him up.

Anyone supporting Harper, has no respect for themselves, what-so-ever.

Owen Gray said...

The question is, Anon, "Are there enough Canadians with the self respect to vote the prime minister out of office?"

Unknown said...

Look at Harper's gut and how it has grown a couch potato is more likely. He is trying to play geo-politics that is way over his head I don't think the man even knows how to play a challenging game of chess. I'll bet five bucks a five year old could beat him at chess and geo-politics. Harper is in over his head I feel for the armed forces who may lose heads...

Dammit Harper you are an idiot.

Unknown said...

His inflated view of himself Owen is only surpassed by his thinking that Canadians tale him seriously. He's become a joke!

Anonymous said...

Stephen Harper's CANADA

Owen Gray said...

I saw this tonight on the evening news, Anon. Distraction for the masses.

By the way, did you note how quickly Harper's book on hockey fell off the radar screen?

Owen Gray said...

He's right up there with Colonel Blimp, Pam.

Owen Gray said...

It's easy to send others off to war, Mogs.

Anonymous said...



Keith Baldrey on why Harper might win again:

http://www.burnabynow.com/opinion/columnists/why-stephen-harper-is-still-the-one-to-beat-1.1735526

Owen Gray said...

Baldrey has a point, Anon. Young people don't vote. If they did, Harper would not be prime minister.

Unknown said...

You can't blame it on young people alone. Many are so alienated they do not vote. Then the Harper-cons prey on seniors and phone them to tell them their voting booth has moved across town. I guess the booths got wheels eh?

Stephen is a joke and his cons are criminal what else can I say? Oh um recall election before Steve's staged election? Recall all cons including closet queen Steve and we are done with it eh?

Owen Gray said...

There's no doubt that Harper has successfully exploited apathy among all voters, Mogs.

But, if the young did vote, Harper would not be prime minister.