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Submitter says bring the Canadian troops home, whether they like it or not

The war slogan “Support our troops” is nothing more than political doublespeak for the odious demand that we, the Canadian public, “Obey our troops”.

Dear Editor;

The war slogan “Support our troops” is nothing more than political doublespeak for the odious demand that we, the Canadian public, “Obey our troops”.

In political terms, the demand works very well. It absolves the military of any culpability for misdeeds and entirely excludes the political branch from the burden of accountability. How can our military be guilty of anything when we the people “Support” them without question?

When society is coerced to accept, and provide the “Support” necessary to validate, whatever behavior our troops engage in then our country becomes ominously corrupted.

Unchecked military authority within a democracy is anathematic to the concept of a free society. Canada does not exist under the perception of military dictatorship… so why is our military expecting carte blanche authority to conduct war in spite of the will of the Canadian people?

Politicians claim that the military is simply carrying out its orders as determined by legitimate government. The problem is that the so-called legitimate government, tasked with the obligation of carrying out the will of the people, has ignored the wishes of the majority of Canadians - who want to wash our hands of the disorganized mess in Afghanistan.

While our political system is so dysfunctional that our government feels absolutely no pressure to fulfill its obligations to the Canadian people, we are fed the nonsense that our uninvited presence in Afghanistan is designed to establish a legitimate political system.

How can we establish a legitimate political system in Afghanistan when we can’t even maintain one at home? Upon what basis do we claim the authority to impose a functional administrative model on another country when we can’t even support one in Canada?

Indeed, the closer we get to functional democracy the further we will move away from the ridiculous and misrepresentative mantra of “Support our troops”… and the politicians enabling them to run amuck no matter what atrocities they are committing, or where.

Stockwell Day has three sons, none of whom have seen fit to serve in the military; what would he be saying if NATO had bombed their wedding parties? We are fed the notion that support of NATO is, by treaty, necessary and honourable. At the same time, NATO member countries facilitate and conduct routine torture and murder of civilians with callous disregard. These crimes are swept under the rug by the semi-hypnotic chanting... “Support our troops”... and every crime NATO chooses to commit. “Support our troops”… and the murder of civilians. “Support our troops”… and the torture of innocents. “Support our troops”… and the forcible imposition of private corporate authority. “Support our troops”… and the enforcement of martial law. “Support our troops”…and the violation of every Canadian value, indeed every value that has ever been associated with any form of human decency. “Support our troops”… in the obliteration of Canada’s hard earned reputation in the world.

How about “Bring the troops home… whether they like it or not”.

Sincerely,

Robert MacKay

Merritt, B.C.