Afghanistan Independence Day: Emerson vs Young on how to mark the occasion

“Dennis Young, Libertarian Party leader and a veteran of NATO operations in Bosnia, thinks that is too long for troops to be in the region.

““We should help the Afghans celebrate their independence by marking the national day next year by withdrawing the last of our troops from the region,” said Young. “Our presence in Afghanistan is not achieving national security objectives. It looks more and more like an expensive nation building entanglement that is costing lives.”

“…Young is arguing that it’s time to leave altogether. “I don’t hear clear statements from this government about specific national security objectives. I hear fluffy rhetoric about development in Afghanistan — but I don’t hear how our daily efforts in the region are making life for Canadians safer,” said Young.

“”… While I would like to see Western values dominate the world, we can not and should not do that militarily. To kill someone to make them live more like us is counterproductive to say the least.”

“The Globe and Mail (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080817.wtalibancanada0817/EmailBNStory/Afghanistan/home) reported [Aug.17] that in an open letter the Taliban threatened to kill more Canadians if Canadian troops do not pull out of Afghanistan.”

Vote for withdrawal in the poll!

August 21st, 2008