The news of the deaths of the 6 Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan today has hit me hard. It comes as we approach the 1 year anniversary of the death of my friend, Cpl. Anthony Boneca, who was tragically killed in Afghanistan on July 9th 2006. However, instead of Canadians thanking these soldiers for their bravery and dedication to this country, all over the news sites we get the political ramblings of Jack Layton and the leader of the opposition.
I saw neither of the two's press conferences, nor do I want to. I read through the reports from National Newswatch and I am, quite frankly, sick to my stomach. There is nothing wrong with debating the mission itself, but today is just simply not the time for it. I will give Jack Layton at least some (relative to Stephane Dion) respect in that I believe he is sincere, and is offering alternatives rather than just talk. But Stephane Dion has not done this. He has used this tragic event as an opportunity to announce the Liberals position on Afghanistan.
Contrary to what he said, which was "You know what is the views of the other parties and what is the view of the official Opposition", we DO NOT know "what is" the position of the Liberal Party Mr. Dion. Nor do I believe you will have one until it is time to vote on the issue. At which point you will make a strategic POLITICAL decision. If you do currently have one coherant policy, you have done absolutely nothing to communicate it.
I know I am in some respects no better than them for playing their game in this post. But my intent is not to engage in political partisan games, rather it is to ask these two political leaders to save these statements for another day. Today is a heart wrenching time for the families and friends of those brave soldiers who have given everything for this country, and I think we owe it to them, and all those left to serve, more than that.
Here are the lyrics to a song by Julian Austin, from his touching tribute to Canadian Soldiers titled "The Red and White". It pretty much sums up how I am feeling at the very minute and I encourage anybody who happens to read this blog to download it.
This country sometimes
Make me so damn mad I could cry
Cause we never thank our hero’s enough anymore
How many of us thank a soldier
For everything they do
We can’t forget all those who serve who sacrifice
All for the Red and White
Lest we forget our hero’s who fought and died
For the Red and White
Lets not turn these tragic events into an excuse for political positioning, rhetoric and oppirtunism. There will be plenty of time for that in the weeks to come. I am saying this to both sides of this mission, both pro and anti-Afghanistan. All I ask is for some respect for these young soldiers family and friends. Rather than bickering over the next few days, can we please come together and thank those who put their lives on the line, day in day out, for a live that we all take for granted. Can we not pay our respects to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, for just a few days... without this partisan crap. C'mon Canada, is that too much to ask?!?
To the friends, family, and fellow soldiers of Capt. Matthew Johnathan Dawe, Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Pte. Lane Watkins, Master Cpl. Colin Bason, and the two who remain to be named, my thoughts and prayers are with you. You were indeed brave soldiers and deserve nothing but our collective admiration and respect. You are true Canadian heroes. You will be sadly missed, but never ever forgotten....
