Canada ends all evacuation flights out of Afghanistan, abandoning thousands of Canadian nationals and Afghan refugees. Globe and Mail
Canada’s airlift mission from Kabul ends, leaving many behind. CBC
“The government of Canada recognizes that there are a number of people in Afghanistan, including Canadian citizens, permanent residents, their families, and applicants under programs for Afghans. Until such a time that the security situation stabilizes, (we advise you to) be mindful of the security environment and where possible, take the necessary steps to ensure your security and that of your family.” (press release: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
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Canada has Afghan friends and staff still in Kabul but today we announced that no more evacuation flights are planned. The Taliban and opposing militia waving their Kalashnikovs around and blowing themselves up in random suicide bombings gave the world time to get ‘your people’ out of the country. Deadline? August 31. Today is August 26. My calendar suggests that we still have 5 days. We are leaving the premises early instead.
What!? Trudeau too busy giving out selfies on the election circuit?
If we have a plane that flies, we should be on a runaway and not even turning the motors on until 11:30 pm on the last day. Wheels up by 11:45 and out of SAM range 15 minutes later. This is completely shameful. Morality has been abandoned. Decency ditched. The courage of Dunkirk has long been forgotten. In fact, the Bloody Boris Brits have advised their ‘peeps’ to ‘just run for the border!’ They, too, I guess, are not gonna try anymore. “You are on your own, chaps!”
That is standard operating procedure for the US. See Vietnam. See the Kurds. See, just about anywhere…..they leave their ‘friends’ stranded all the time. Immoral and amoral. In fact, they actually have the planes and they are not helping the Canadians or anyone (or so it is reported). But I am ashamed for Canada. I am angry at Trudeau. I am wondering about Harjit Sajjan our minister of doing-nothing-while-dressed-in-camo. Regardless of who joins us in the effort, we should do the right thing.
Mind you, doing the right thing is maybe NOT part of the government’s agenda. Certainly not the Canadian Armed Forces. This is their mission statement: The Department of National Defence supports the Canadian Armed Forces who serve on the sea, on land, and in the air with the Navy, Army, Air Force and Special Forces to defend Canadians’ interests at home and abroad.
So, I dunno……maybe defending our interests means running away early? Leaving friends behind? “We’ll leave you behind if you are late, on time, early or, well, if we are busy campaigning.”
MY father paid a very high price during WW2 ‘doing the right thing’. He was classified as 100% disabled. He would be appalled at our actions in Afghanistan. It kind of makes his sacrifice pointless and, if that is too dramatic, just ask yourself: “Would I ever offer up to risk my life for my country if this is the way we treat friends and allies? And, if I did do it, how could I ask anyone to help our country knowing that we will throw them under the troop carrier or Toyota Land Cruiser without hesitation?”
Yes, I know it is dangerous there. Yes, I know it is easy to say all this from the safety of my own home. And yes, I know that war is hell, complicated and chaos reigns all the time. But leaving five days early? Really? The forces of the Western World can’t hold off the Taliban for five more days? One Canadian Forces spokesman said, “Let us be clear. This situation is untenable. The Taliban are at fault!”
Well, duh!.
Our Off the Grid Home 
I agree with your assessment but we have to ask one question.
Was this a political or military decision.
Canada “cutting and running” 5 days before the deadline?
Were the politicians worried about the optics of losing a Canadian plane and crew?
OR were the last few Canadian military leaders (not under investigation for sexual misconduct )worried about their pensions?
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There are any number of ways NOT to do the right thing and each will have a rationale. Each will be motivated by something corrupted or lacking morality. The two ‘excuses’ or ‘motives’ you float are almost irrelevant. If it is Trudeau and optics (likely) or individuals looking to CYA (military) or even something else, it doesn’t matter – we Canadians will ‘wear it’. Our government is already seen internationally as weak and especially so by Canadians trapped somewhere else. But this is blatantly unconscionable. They cannot even claim the usual BS, “we are working behind the scenes” (you cannot work behind the scenes if you are not there – on the ground – with refugees standing behind you). There must be thousands of Canadian troops embarrassed to look themselves or anyone in the face right now and I feel for them. It is not their fault. We are led by spineless wimps.
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I agree it’s a shame, we also stopped evacuation yesterday, because the threat was too big….sure, it’s a war zone…what do you expect? It’s amazing what Taliban can do, they held of Russians, US and a bunch of other superpowers for decades. US Military advisers assessed that Afghan troops would withstand Taliban for at least 2 years….more like 2 days. How wrong can you be as an advisor. I would be fired instantly from my job if I would make an assessment like that! One of my daughters is enlisting in 2 weeks as a non-commisioned officer in the Belgian Navy. As a dad I am hugely proud of her, scared sometimes, because after training, she might (will) end up in a danger zone. But I hope she will do the right thing if it comes to that.
There were interviews with Belgian soldiers, who have been in Afghanistan for years, they saw translators and fixers on the other side of the gate in Kaboel. These people had become friends over the years….and they had to abandon them because a political decision was made. How do you think they feel?
What happened to the credo “Semper Fi – leave NO man behind”?
I tried to raise my kids to be decent, nice, fair, supportive, kind, honest
But even at their young age (early twenties), each one of them has been “stabbed in the back” one way or the other by politicians, government….Maybe it’s “life lessons” they have to learn while growing up
I hope they don’t loose their faith too soon
It’s a sad world we live in
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“I would be fired instantly from my job if I would make an assessment like that! ”
+++
And there in lies the problem.
Our politicians only have to worry about being tossed out at election time.
But even worse are the nameless faceless bureaucrats that stay in their jobs forever.
Unaccountable, untouchable, govt employees( calling them “workers” is being too generous) that dont have to worry about being fired for 99% of the substandard work they do.
Smug, surly , arrogant, lazy are but a few words that come to mind when ever I have to deal with any number of municipal, provincial or federal employees.
It will be very interesting to watch the “blame session” that unfolds over the next few weeks during Canada’s election.
I noticed that the “acting” Major General of the Canadian Forces was the one to make the announcement from a Zoom call.
Because all our other Major Generals are too busy fighting for their careers after the Politically Correct military “purges”.
Stalin would be proud.
WHO ordered our planes to leave and WHY?
It has now become a political football.
Watch Trudeau fumble the football like Robert Stanfield in the 1968 election……
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Justin ‘Butterfingers’ Trudeau has fumbled every ball handed to him not just Afghanistan and the military. Remember political Reform? Dressing up as a genie in India? Buying TransMountain. Meg and China? Quitting any environmental promises? Jody and the gals? Almost nonsensical spending with nothing to show for it? Reserves still with undrinkable water? Bullied by Trump while giggling like a schoolgirl behind his back? This dork cannot even renovate 24 Sussex (or at least tear it down). And please do not get me started on Covid. That ball is still rolling erratically on the turf while he takes selfies on the sidelines.
Bottom line: Trudeau is stupid, vain and spineless. The Liberals are corrupt. And Canada is a wholly owned subsidiary of the USA. The Cons are crooks, mired in the past and their own prejudices and have never managed the public purse at all well except by cutting out everything that builds Canada’s future. Those two are the Laurel and Hardy of politics. The question is: Can Jagmeet do anything better? Or does he just turn the stage into the Moe, Larry and Curly show (3 Stooges)?
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” Can Jagmeet do anything better? Or does he just turn the stage into the Moe, Larry and Curly show (3 Stooges)?”
++++
Yeah…..
I dont get a warm, fuzzy feeling from the rich Lawyer and now leader of the Opposition………
Jaggy the Jagermeister….. is rich, whether the Socialistas that hang on his every word realize it or not.
He’s has all the buzz words down pat and isnt a white Anglo.
Should be good for at least 20 points in the “woke” crowd voting list.
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The odds of a rich man getting into heaven are very, very slim (they say) and the reason is simple: being rich while others are poor is a moral and ethical contradiction. Especially for a socialist.
You, on the other hand, think that such contradiction is the inevitable result of the rich either having talent, doing hard work, having good brains, good management or good luck. And the poor are lacking in some or all of that. That is definitely how it plays out (mostly) unless you include criminality – the great immoral equalizer. Too often it is all of the above at play and the outcome is a crapshoot.
The rich might argue that ‘inheritance’ is valid, too. “After all, daddy did good on behalf of his kids and I am one of the kids so…..am I not entitled to live it up?”
The counter to that (valid or not) is that, “My mom/dad ran away/died/was dependent/was disabled and we grew up hungry and afraid in a ghetto so does that mean I am supposed to suffer from lack of health, education and opportunities?”
It’s OK that Ivanka gets to play at Tiffany’s but the poor can’t even afford good food or housing?
Personally, I do not care that much anymore. My philosophy is based on moderation. Adequacy. Strive for the middle, I say. Attain mediocrity! Then buy some camouflage and GET OUT!
Many of the filthy rich are horrible people and their spawn are despicable or. at the very least, very troubled. I do not want that or to even be near it. How do I know? Been there – not impressed. But I do not want to be poor and destitute either. How do I know? Been there – not impressed. My old neighbourhoods are full of desperation, suffering, despair and misery.
It seems extremism is just some form of karmic corruption, too. Too much or too little is simply not a good thing.
As for Jag’s skin tones? I don’t care. If he does good, then he can be purple. But I do agree that neither should his colour be a plus. If he does well or poorly, it will not be because of high levels of Melanin. Mind you, being Sikh requires you to earn an honest living and to share……….not a bad start and one sorely needed in a Canadian leader.
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“You, on the other hand, think that such contradiction is the inevitable result of the rich either having talent, doing hard work, having good brains, good management or good luck. And the poor are lacking in some or all of that. ”
++++
I too find most rich people obnoxious to the extreme and their children more so.
The reason I was mention the matter of Jaggy wealth is he trying to appeal to the great unwashed and the “poor” with the “equality for all and Common man” schtick.
All while he probably hauling in hundreds of thousands per year.
Promising the pie in the sky for everyone …..with OUR tax dollars.
No risk to him.
He loses? He goes back to his Law practice with the “fame” of his political office guaranteed to rake in rich, influential clients.
Not a bad gig if you can get it……suckering the rubes.
There’s lots of Carny barkers out there that are very envious.
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I can’t say you are wrong. In fact, the odds are you are not. Still, I will leave that judgment until I know or ‘think’ I know. I do not know squat about Jag right now except that he is likely to hold the balance of power. He might possibly be rotten but I KNOW Trudeau is. O’Toole is also a question mark for me. He is a Con but there are plenty of good Cons (albeit in the minority, it seems). I even know and love a few….great human beings…..politics makes strange bedfellows and Singh and O’Toole would prove that colourfully. I would prefer that duo over another term of Trudeau.
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Unfortunately, the social class you are born into does make a big difference in most takes. The suoer bright kid being born in a slum has fewer changes to be succesfull. I do not think rich people are obnoxious per se, but a lot seem to adapt that aura…and their kids even more so. I don’t believe anymore that we will ever achieve a society where everyone is equal
On the contrary, everywhere in the world, the middle class is disappearing, leaving two classes, the poor and the filthy rich
Or we should go the “Chinese” way like the chinese president does….take back the money from the filthy rich and try to distribute it over the lower classes, future will tell if he will succeed and if that brings a better society. Poor Jack Ma probably did not see that coming
I don’t like the chinese way, but maybe it’s the only way to survival…maybe we will all end up living under the chinese flag if we are not carefull
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It think its already happening.
China’s economy has surpassed the US.
China’s military in sheer numbers of ships and men has surpassed the US.
China’s people have become fiercely nationalistic in the last decade.
China’s crackdown on corruption could teach us a thing or two.
But.
If you offered most Chinese a one way ticket to the US or Canada…they would grab it in a heartbeat.
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I am not quite sure you are 100% correct on all of that. I have different information. China’s economy is very, very close to that of the US but it seems that it has not yet surpassed it. Not yet. China’s air force and navy is a shadow of the US and most ships can’t function at all. I have to agree that their army has more men and, if history is an indicator, tougher, hardier men who obey orders. China has always been fiercely Nationalistic. Few flags, less crappola, no bumper stickers or ribbons tied around the old bamboo but 100% loyal to the country. If you offered the Chinese rich a one-way ticket, maybe a few would leave but I have a lot of Chinese friends over there and leaving is simply not an option (see: Nationalism).
Their main advantage is bone-deep faith in Confucius: in unity, there is strength, in harmony there is prosperity and the group comes before the individual.
Now, if you factor in the ‘sneaky’ factor, too, they are unbeatable. See: internet hostility, patent theft and exploitation, secret everything, insidious incursion in everything else. China fights like Cancer. Nothing Rambo or Hollywood required.
I could be wrong again, (right, Moira?) but that is what I think.
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While walking down the street one day a “Member of Parliament” is tragically hit by a truck and dies.
His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.
‘Welcome to heaven,’ says St. Peter.
‘Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.’
‘No problem, just let me in,’ says the man.
‘Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.’
‘Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,’ says the MP.
‘I’m sorry, but we have our rules.’
And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and in evening dress.. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.
They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.
Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly & nice guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises….
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
‘Now it’s time to visit heaven.’
So, 24 hours pass with the MP joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
‘Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.’
The MP reflects for a minute, then he answers: ‘Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.’
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.
Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. ‘ I don’t understand,’ stammers the MP.
‘Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.
What happened? ‘
The devil looks at him, smiles and says, ‘ Yesterday we were campaigning…..
Today you voted.
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I think that Aircraft Carriers and planes were the great “advance” of the Second World War.
Missiles. GPS, Satellites, etc etc etc can take out a big, fat, $10 billion dollars ( and 7 years to build) Aircraft Carrier in minutes…..all by pushing a button in China.
no .
I think a data or physical war with China is inevitable ( if their endless Nationalistic harangue about Taiwan is to be believed) in the next 3-5 years.
Will it be quick?
No.
The Germans and French BOTH believed in their overwhelming superiority of numbers and thought the 1st world war would be over in 6-8 weeks.
4 years and millions of lives later…..they were wrong.
Although the pandemic came AFTER the war……. not before.
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