|
|
Post by razorsedge on Mar 29, 2008 8:29:32 GMT -5
A young Canadian soldier was attending some college courses between assignments.
He had also completed missions in Afghanistan .
One of the courses had a professor who was a vowed atheist. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He Looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.'
The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am God. I'm still waiting.' It got down to the last couple of minutes when the young soldier got out of his Chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The young man went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence.
The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the soldier and asked, 'What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'
Came the reply,
'God was too busy today protecting our soldiers who are protecting your right to talk stupid and act like a moron. So, He sent me'
|
|
|
|
Post by elf on Mar 29, 2008 20:45:47 GMT -5
The gospel according to Don Cherry.
Praise be to Don.
On The Ball City!
|
|
|
|
Post by jhendrix70 on May 6, 2008 16:28:34 GMT -5
Canadian soldier dies in Afghanistan ambush
A Canadian soldier has been killed and another wounded after their patrol was ambushed by the Taliban outside Kandahar on Tuesday.
Cpl. Michael Starker was killed when he came under enemy fire during a patrol in the Pashmul region of the Zhari district.
Cpl. Michael Starker, of the 15 Field Ambulance Regiment, was pronounced dead in a military hospital on Tuesday after his patrol was ambushed during a patrol in the Pashmul region of Zhari district in Afghanistan.
CTV's Paul Workman told Newsnet on Tuesday from Kandahar that a second Canadian soldier was wounded but is in fair condition.
Brig.-Gen. Guy Laroche, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan, says the wounded soldier is being treated in hospital at Kandahar Airfield and was able to call his family on his own.
The military has not released the name of the wounded soldier.
The soldiers were part of a civil-military co-operation unit that travels into villages to meet with Afghan locals and try to develop rapport.
"The intent was to exchange with the population -- something we could not do last year," said Laroche.
"We will maintain our presence there as long as we need to do so."
The Canadian soldiers came under fire at about 11:45 a.m. local time while on patrol in the Pashmul region, a hotly contested area since Canadian troops deployed in Kandahar.
Afghan security forces pursued the insurgents after the attack.
"There have been very few of these ambushes as of late. Most of the Canadians who have been killed in Afghanistan have been killed by roadside bombs," Workman said.
Laroche, who heads Canada's military mission in Afghanistan, said the army will review procedures in the wake of this incident.
"We have lost a fine soldier today and our thoughts are with his family and friends. He died helping Afghans build a better future for themselves and their children. His dedication and sacrifice will not be forgotten," the general said.
Canada's last death in Afghanistan came on April 4. Pte. Terry John Street -- of 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo, Man. -- died when a roadside bomb detonated under his vehicle in the Panjwaii district.
Tuesday's death brings Canada's total military deaths in Afghanistan to 83 since 2002.
Canada has 2,500 soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The military mission is scheduled to end in December 2011.
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on May 10, 2008 8:52:52 GMT -5
Cpl. Michael Starker 15 Field Ambulance  |
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on May 25, 2008 18:03:54 GMT -5
4 Canadian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan
Afghan boy killed in suicide attack on convoyFour Canadian soldiers were wounded and a teenage Afghan boy was killed Sunday in a suicide bomb attack on a military convoy in Kandahar City, Afghan officials said.
The soldiers were taken by helicopter to Kandahar Airfield for treatment. Officials told CBC News they were in fair condition and were expected to resume their duties soon.
The boy who died was on the roadside when the blast occurred. Two other boys at the scene were wounded.
The car containing the bomb was parked by the side of the road, waiting for the convoy to pass, Afghan officials said. There are construction projects in the area, including a bridge Canadian engineers are helping to build.
NATO soldiers cordoned off the site of the attack, which happened near the house of the ousted Taliban's leader, Mullah Mohammad Omar, currently used as a base for the alliance.
The Canadian troops were travelling in armoured vehicles at the time of the explosion.
Less than an hour after the attack, a bicycle bomb went off near an Afghan police checkpoint near the city centre, but no one was injured, officials said. The device had been planted in the seat of the bicycle.www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/05/25/afghanistan-wounded.html
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on May 25, 2008 18:07:37 GMT -5
These are the comments left by individuals after the article on CBC's website: heartworld wrote:
Posted 2008/05/25
at 9:24 AM ETAnd so the madness continues.
Once again, eighty two deaths later, our poor soldiers are targeted by Afghan suicide bombers, from whom they have practically no defense.
A Taliban fighter quoted in a Globe and Mail article said it all: "You may have the watches, but we have the time". Which is to say, It really doesn't matter how many munitions or fancy armored cars we buy from the US weapons industry to pursue this war. The Afghans live there. It is their country. They can continue to just carry on with their daily business until nightfall, and then set crude, cheaply built explosive charges (IEDs) or send out a newly recruited jihadist, and leave us to reap the harvest of bodies... They can, and will, just wait us out, as they have done with every invader since Alexander the Great.
Of course we owe all of this to Steve Harper, who, unable to participate in the Iraq fiasco as he wanted to do when (thank you, God!) he was only leading the opposition, now has his Afghanistan war as a consolation prize.
What is to be done?
First, bring the troops home and let the Americans fight their own wars. Secondly, elect a new government that can get beyond an 'us versus them' mentality and pursue an intelligent and independent, twenty-first century foreign policy.Ray Wiss wrote:
Posted 2008/05/25
at 11:05 AM ETHeartworld,
Having just returned from my tour in Afghanistan, I have to object to a number of your premises:
1) "practically no defense"
The vast majority of IED strikes against our vehicles do no more than scratch the paint. The strikes you hear about, because they caused casualties, are a tiny minority.
2) "newly recruited jihadist"
Or yet another mentally deficient individual on whom a bomb is strapped (see www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/02/19/iraq-baghdad.html) or a person working off a family debt with their life. There is far less idealism and far more psychopatholgy on the other side than comes across in the media.
3) "let the Americans fight their own wars"
It amazes me that virtually all posts opposing the war do not factor in the people we are fighting.
The question Canadians should be debating is not whether you like our allies in this war. It is whether or not the enemy is so bad that it is moral to wage war to defeat him. This is an extremely rare occurrance, but the Taliban definitely qualify. The fact that they set off their weapon in an urban area and killed a child is routine for them. In February they killed one Afghan policeman and wounded three Canadians (very lightly) in strikes which killed 100 and 37 civilians in Kandahar and Spin Boldak, respectively.
We must also remember that they behaved in a medieval manner when they were in power. Until we defeat these monters, I am happy to have the Americans by our side.
How many times have you seen inhuman barbarity on television and said to yourself: "That's awful. Someone should do something about that."? Well, the Taliban were beyond awful and they continue to be so. For various geopolitical reasons, we did not intervene effectively in Rwanda and are not doing so in Darfur. For various geopolitical reasons, some of them good and some of them ambiguous, Canada is in a position to "do something about that" in Afghanistan.
Churchill said that “The only thing harder than fighting a war with allies… is fighting one without them.” Since this is a moral war, I am happy to have the Americans by our side. We can agree to disagree about other issues while we get the job done here.
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of
the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you
say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality."
- Desmond TutuTroopsupporter wrote:
Posted 2008/05/25
at 11:15 AM ETDear Heartworld,
Your concern for the wounded soldiers and their families is underwhelming. I find it interesting that you care so much about the world yet you have no concern for protection of the poor afghan boy who was killed by the insurgent monsters. I find many of your facts incorrect and would like to clarify:
1. We are there helping Afghans and fighting insurgents to make a safer environment for Afghans.
2. Steven Harper has ensured that the troops who were commited by Chretien have the capability to do the job; he did not put us there, 9/11 did.
3. We don't buy weapons from the US because Canadian policy doesn't allow for it; however, our troops would be much better off if we did.
4. It is not the US' war, it is the war on terror; does the Toronto 17 ring a bell?
Wake up. Canada is not immune to terror and the troops are there ensuring that al-qaeda does not have a base of operations any longer. Maybe you could say a prayer for the soldiers and their families.
Troopsupporterwww.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/05/25/afghanistan-wounded.html |
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Jun 4, 2008 22:05:45 GMT -5
Canadian soldier killed in gun battle with insurgentsA Canadian soldier from Brantford, Ont., was killed Tuesday when insurgents fired on a security foot patrol in southern Afghanistan, a military spokesman said. "Our medical personnel fought very hard to change this outcome, but sadly, they were unsuccessful," he said. "Capt. Leary was what we in uniform are expected to be. Capt. Leary was a soldier and Capt. Leary was a leader … He will be greatly missed by his military family," Col. Cade said. Maj. Jay Janzen said the firefight began around 9:30 a.m. local time and continued "for some time." Coalition air strikes were called in, but he declined to say whether any insurgents were killed. "We honour Capt. Leary’s sacrifice. His efforts will not be forgotten," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said in a statement. Leary, 32, was the second Canadian soldier to be killed while on foot patrol in Afghanistan in recent weeks. One soldier was killed May 6 when his patrol was ambushed along a roadway outside Kandahar. Nine other soldiers killed in Afghanistan were from the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Shilo. Three others were with the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, also based in Shilo. Janzen acknowleged that soldiers on foot patrol are at risk of coming under attack. "It's dangerous business, there's no question about it, but if we're not out there doing our jobs, we'll never be successful,” he said. Eighty-four Canadian soldiers have died in Afghanistan since 2002. Thirty-nine of those soldiers were killed in roadside bomb explosions. NATO soldiers have increasingly engaged Taliban fighters in recent weeks. On Monday, four Canadian soldiers and an Afghan interpreter were injured in two separate Taliban attacks west of Kandahar city. One soldier was wounded in a firefight while three other soldiers and their interpreter were hurt when a booby trap exploded as they were on foot patrol.   Capt. Richard Leary, a platoon commander of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry regiment, based in Shilo, Man., was struck when Afghan and Canadian soldiers came under small-arms fire in the Panjwaii district, said Col. Jamie Cade, deputy commander of the Canadian mission.Capt. Richard Steven Leary was a member of the 2nd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, based out of Shilo, Man. (Department of National Defence)
He was flown by helicopter to the multinational trauma unit at Kandahar Airfield, but died of his wounds, Cade told reporters.www.cbc.ca/world/story/2008/06/03/afghanistan-canadian.html?ref=rss&loomia_si=t0:a16:g2:r3:c0.082331
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Jun 9, 2008 23:33:42 GMT -5
Thousands bid farewell to latest Canadian casualty in AfghanistanThousands of soldiers lined up on Kandahar Airfield Sunday evening to bid goodbye to a Canadian who died Saturday night.Capt. Jonathan (Jon) Snyder was killed after falling into a well while on a security patrol in Zhari district. (DND) Capt. Jonathan Snyder of Penticton, B.C., fell into a well during a night-time patrol west of Kandahar, said Brig.-Gen. Denis Thompson, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Despite the efforts of other soldiers in the patrol, Snyder, 26, was pronounced dead at the NATO military hospital at Kandahar Airfield. His body was loaded on a Canadian aircraft and is expected to be brought to the base in Trenton, Ont., within several days. Snyder, a member of 1st Battalion Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, based in Edmonton, was a mentor to the Afghan National Army, and Afghan soldiers joined the ramp ceremony. "They fight side by side beside us and they are certainly affected by this," said Col. Jean-François Riffou, who is in charge of the mentoring program. Canadian politicians mentioned Snyder's role in tributes released Sunday. "He will be remembered as someone who worked shoulder to shoulder with Afghans to help bring security and stability back to their country, a key part of Canada's focus on training Afghan forces," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said. "Captain Snyder's contributions will not be forgotten. The role of training the Afghan National Army is a key part of bringing peace and stability to this troubled region," Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said. Maj. Doug Friesen prayed for Snyder at the airfield. "Let the light of hope banish the dark night of death and despair, and may we rise to a new dawn where there be no more sorrow or suffering." He was "a soldier with soul," his father David Snyder said. Snyder's leadership under fire in a recent fight saved both Canadian and Afghan lives, said Maj. Robert Ritchie, commander of the Zhari district where the battle happened. The force of coalition and Afghan soldiers "was taking heavy fire on three sides," when Snyder rallied the troops and led them safely. "Because of his heroic leadership under intense fire, there are many Canadians and Afghans who are alive to fight tomorrow," Ritchie said. Riffou said Snyder and others are being considered for medals for their actions that day. Snyder was on foot patrol in a field in Zhari district when he tumbled into an open well the Afghans call a kariz, said Thompson. He would have been wearing at least 34 kilograms of equipment at the time, including a flak vest and helmet. Thompson said the well Snyder was trapped in may have been as deep as 20 metres. The rest of his patrol tried desperately to rescue him as they radioed for help. Snyder was the 85th Canadian soldier to die in the war-torn country since 2002. He leaves behind a fiancée and his parents. In a separate incident, three British soldiers were killed by a suicide bomber Sunday while patrolling in the Upper Sangin Valley.  
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Aug 21, 2008 18:27:13 GMT -5
  Cpl. Brendan Downey Age: 37 Unit: Military Police Detachment Date of incident: July 4, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=35823700801762&RecordID=87&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Pte. Colin Wilmot Age: 24 Unit: 1 Field Ambulance Date of incident: July 6, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=35823700801762&RecordID=88&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Cpl. James Arnal Age: 25 Unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Date of incident: July 18, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=89&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Master Cpl. Josh Roberts Age: Unit: 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Date of incident: August 9, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=90&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Master Cpl. Erin Doyle Age: Unit: 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Date of incident: August 11, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=92&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Cpl. Dustin Wasden Age: Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Date of incident: August 20, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=97&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Sapper Stephan Stock Age: Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Date of incident: August 20, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=98&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy=  Sgt. Shawn Eades Age: Unit: 1 Combat Engineer Regiment Date of incident: August 20, 2008 www.cbc.ca/news/background/afghanistan/casualties/list.html?appSession=37723702194946&RecordID=93&PageID=3&PrevPageID=2&cpipage=1&CPIsortType=&CPIorderBy= |
|
|
|
Post by dbp1990 on Aug 22, 2008 19:11:53 GMT -5
I'm starting to wonder "what" are we doing in Afganistan anyway?
It's always a loss when life is lost, but it's even worse when it's wasted............
This is becoming very sad for us as a Country and as a whole.
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Aug 22, 2008 20:06:01 GMT -5
I'm starting to wonder "what" are we doing in Afganistan anyway? It's always a loss when life is lost, but it's even worse when it's wasted............ This is becoming very sad for us as a Country and as a whole. I question the mission now to. But I will always support the soldiers and their familys. Regardless of the reason for the mission I will always be thankful for their service to Canada. |
|
|
|
Post by selannejets on Sept 12, 2008 22:41:56 GMT -5
bring them back home
i thought the whole point was to catch bin laden or kill him and hes still alive. this war is a bunch of bs. people are getting killed for nothing.
fu*k bush and harper.
|
|
|
|
Post by selannejets on Sept 12, 2008 22:55:05 GMT -5
I'm starting to wonder "what" are we doing in Afganistan anyway? It's always a loss when life is lost, but it's even worse when it's wasted............ This is becoming very sad for us as a Country and as a whole. I question the mission now to. But I will always support the soldiers and their familys. Regardless of the reason for the mission I will always be thankful for their service to Canada. whats the point of questioning the war now? the damage has already been done. intelligence reports have stated that there are more terrorists now than before afghanistan got invaded. what a bullshi*t war. |
|
|
|
Post by gillies24 on Dec 1, 2008 9:40:30 GMT -5
I question the mission now to. But I will always support the soldiers and their familys. Regardless of the reason for the mission I will always be thankful for their service to Canada. whats the point of questioning the war now? the damage has already been done. intelligence reports have stated that there are more terrorists now than before afghanistan got invaded. what a bullshi*t war. Yes damage has been done and it is BS, we're only there because the American gov't pushed us like other countries. Like a flick of a switch it could be over but the business of war it too lucrative. Remember the Feb 2009 date, it's no surprise it's been extended. Yet we have people dying here, our crumbling infrastructure etc.. BTW the reason there are more freedom fighters aka "terrorists" is because of the policemen of the world continue to kill innocent people. It's well above 1 million. Imagine if if this was being done to us, you'd fight them too right? I know I would...to my death. |
|
|
|
Post by selannejets on Dec 3, 2008 1:12:26 GMT -5
whats the point of questioning the war now? the damage has already been done. intelligence reports have stated that there are more terrorists now than before afghanistan got invaded. what a bullshi*t war. Yes damage has been done and it is BS, we're only there because the American gov't pushed us like other countries. Like a flick of a switch it could be over but the business of war it too lucrative. Remember the Feb 2009 date, it's no surprise it's been extended. Yet we have people dying here, our crumbling infrastructure etc.. BTW the reason there are more freedom fighters aka "terrorists" is because of the policemen of the world continue to kill innocent people. It's well above 1 million. Imagine if if this was being done to us, you'd fight them too right? I know I would...to my death. smart guy. how would these neo con bastards feel if china or some other random country came here and started dropping bombs on our houses. we would call that terrorism but for them they would call it "fighting terrorism" it's all a matter of perception. neo cons/fascists and communists look at the world in black or white |
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Dec 3, 2008 8:25:55 GMT -5
If the Canadian government allowed and supported a rouge militia group to train and prepare to kill thousands of innocent people in China, than it would be in China's right to come here and bring down the current government and kill members of the militia group.
That, in a nutshell, is what the mission in Afghanistan is supposed to be about. The Taliban being the government, and Al Qaeda being the rouge militia group. But the mission will never complete unless the non-Taliban supporters stand up against them. Which I'm beginning to doubt they really don't want the Taliban in the country.
Your allowing your hatred of the United States cloud your judgement and twisting your perception of the mission.
|
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Mar 8, 2009 19:16:29 GMT -5
Four more of our bravest have fallen recently. It's unfortunate that it's becoming routine to hear about our soldiers being killed in Afghanistan. But once you read about the soldiers, about how they are fathers and husbands, it makes you really understand the sacrifices that they and their family's are willing to make for Canada and it's involvement in foreign policy. Support the mission or not, the soldiers and their family's deserve our respect and thanks for their commitment to our country.   Trooper Marc Diab, 22, from the Royal Canadian Dragoons was killed in the attack. He was serving as a member of the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment Battle Group based in Petawawa, Ont., the military said. |
|
|
|
Post by razorsedge on Mar 20, 2009 22:28:00 GMT -5
 Master Cpl. Scott Francis Vernelli, Cpl. Tyler Crooks, Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes Four Canadian soldiers were killed and eight others wounded in two separate roadside bomb blasts outside Kandahar City on Friday, military officials said.
Master Cpl. Scott Vernelli and Cpl. Tyler Crooks — both of November Company, 3rd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment — died when an improvised explosive device exploded near their patrol in the Zhari district, about 40 kilometres west of Kandahar. The incident happened about 6:45 a.m. local time, Brig.-Gen. Jonathan Vance said during a news conference in Kandahar.
One Afghan interpreter was killed and another injured in the attack.
Trooper Jack Bouthillier and Trooper Corey Joseph Hayes, both of the Royal Canadian Dragoons, were killed when their vehicle struck a roadside bomb around 8:45 a.m. local time in the Shah Wali Kot district. That region is about 20 km northwest of the city and has seen an increase in Taliban activity.
All the soldiers who died were based in Canadian Forces Base Petawawa.www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/20/afghanistan-soldiers.html |
|
|
|
Post by WavyGravy on Mar 21, 2009 12:07:08 GMT -5
If you look at the history behind many of these countries that "support" terrorism and the hot beds like Iran and Saudi Arabia you'd see that the US government has been supporting facist regimes in these countries because they support US corporate interests and political interests with ZERO regard to their own citizens. Now that its biting the americans in the as$ how can you be surprised. I don't condone the terrorist attacks by any means but using violence as a way to deal with violence only causes more violence.
|
|
|
|
Post by selannejets on Mar 21, 2009 13:38:01 GMT -5
If you look at the history behind many of these countries that "support" terrorism and the hot beds like Iran and Saudi Arabia you'd see that the US government has been supporting facist regimes in these countries because they support US corporate interests and political interests with ZERO regard to their own citizens. Now that its biting the americans in the as$ how can you be surprised. I don't condone the terrorist attacks by any means but using violence as a way to deal with violence only causes more violence. 100% FACT. RIP to the soldiers. |
|
