Videos of Canadian troops in Afghan fire fights

[Hedley]

Stalin thought censorship was a great idea, too. The idea that an adult should be protected, and should not be permitted to know the truth (a left wing ideal) I find greatly offensive.

[Dog]

Hedley, you would equate killing human beings by the thousands with taking out the garbage? Damn. Thats cold.
Speaking of parent's basements, when do you ship out to Afghanistan?
Our men and women do the best job of any military in the world with the most respect for locals and the innocents. Of that I'm sure. But do I have to pump my fist while they're doing it? I refuse to accept that fighting wars will always be a part of life. Am I being naive? Probably, but as long as there are those who get off on combat we'll have it, so I choose differently.

I'm not sure if "getting off on it" was the intent of the original post. I took it to be an opportunity to view an uncensored look into what it's like over there. You might also want to think of the military as a police force. Imagine for a minute that there was no police force in Canada... So are you being naive? If you're asking for my opinion, then yes you are. You should do a little research into the human rights atrocities that were happening with the consent of the governments in Afghanistan and Iraq. Then ask yourself if it was your family being tortured, killed and living life afraid all the time which is the lesser of the evils?
Our military should be used with the utmost discretion. In fact I think the politicians should treat the military as family when sending them into harms way. "Would I send my son there? Do I feel like this is a cause worth dying for?" These are the questions I ask myself when I watch the news. When it comes to human rights: I believe it is worth it.

[bartbandy]

Dog, you're absolutely correct about the intent of the original post. I think it's excellent to see 'uncensored' (I wouldn't put it past the military to be reviewing and sanctioning these videos) footage of the war. However, there are some around here that do get off on them. They use terms like ""kick ass!" and "get some!" and post lengthy nonsensical violent ramblings from time to time. These guys are the target of my post, not the videos, not teacher for posting them, and certainly not the troops.

I'm well aware of the human rights violations that continue to occur in Afghanistan and Iraq. If you're asking if I believe Canada should have a role in helping out, then yes I do. What I won't get behind is the notion that the US Imperial 'World Police' is the answer. The US in Iraq and Afghanistan is only interested in fomenting islamic hatred of the west so they can keep their population in fear of the arab boogeyman while they work on crap like this. A side benifit for them in Afghanistan is the possibility of completing the Unocal pipeline, and all that wonderful opium that keeps the economy greased up nicely. But I digress.

Hedley, allowing that Tipper is married to Al, and Al is a Democrat, and Democrats are supposedly to the political left of Republicans and Tipper doesn't like swears: how the hell is censorsihp a "left wing" ideal. Censorship is a tool of tyrants, who can be left or right. And while we're on the subject, just what the hell does the arrangement of the seats in the French legislature in 1791 have to do with anything anyways? Don't let yourself be compartmentalized like that, have your own opinions and ideas, and stop worrying what contrived bullshot thought-bubble they fit into. That goes for everyone.

Seacrest out.

[Hedley]

The US in Iraq and Afghanistan is only interested in fomenting islamic hatred of the west so they can keep their population in fear of the arab boogeyman

What idiocy (and perhaps outright paranoia).

Let me guess - you think that either 9/11 "didn't happen", or was in fact a massive conspiracy perpetrated by the Republicans?

[. ._]

AN ISTP PREDICTION...

In the not so distant future, we'll be able to see real time warfare from the safety of our homes. Some private will get a little camera, put it on his head, and it will uplink to the net, and voila!

Not a good idea, but I'm sure someone will try it. Maybe a mercenary or something, but that's my prediction anyways.

-istp

[bartbandy]

What idiocy (and perhaps outright paranoia). Let me guess - you think that either 9/11 "didn't happen", or was in fact a massive conspiracy perpetrated by the Republicans?

Then what is the US intention? Peace? Freedom? What have they achieved since 911 in terms of foreign policy? Have they not aggravated islamic tensions with their invasion of Iraq? WTF are they actually doing in there anyway? You can't deny that what I said is what has been the result of these wars even if you don't agree that it's been done on purpose. Freedom is under attack, but it ain't by Muslims, it's by those who seek to protect us from them.

I've made my position on 911 pretty clear. There was a thread a while back. If you can't be bothered to go find it I'll paraphrase: I don't know what happened, but I contend that the 'official' story is unsupported by any evidence. There has been no real investigation of those events by anyone 'official'. Should not what is perhaps the most heinous crime our lifetimes be the subject of some scrutiny? Do we not care about truth anymore? Or do we just go out and invade the first scapegoat nation presented by the oh-so-trustworthy admisistration in Washington.

I'm pretty sure you'll make no effort to answer any of the questions I've put to you in this thread, but at least read my posts to the end before calling me a paranoid idiot. It's so easy to marginalize people who ask you to think for yourself as crackpots and conspiracy theorists, but try it sometime. Just once.

Edit: I sounded like Leon Phelps in there. "Is not love not unlike the unlikely not it is unlikened to?"

[Hedley]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory

Whatever spins your crank Hey, I heard Elvis was spotted getting out of a UFO outside a 7-11 in Utah!

Newsflash for the nutcase lefties: Just in case you haven't noticed it in the last 6 years, George Bush really isn't all that bright. To assert that he is capable of architecting and implementing a grand conspiracy is complete lunacy. He's a drunken frat boy. Get used to the facts. Or, take the empty pill container to the pharmacy and ask for a refill. STAY ON THE MEDS!

[bartbandy]

Thanks for not proving me wrong. I hate when people do that.

[mellow_pilot]

It's a bloody firefight. What's so wrong about rooting for the home team?

Forget the political/moral crap about why they're there in the first place. They are there. They are getting shot at. Not because the guy with the AK is mad at the US foregin policy and wants to effect global change, resulting in a shift in the moral paradigm toward the values of the radicals among the muslim population. They are being shot at because they are patrolling an area where guys with AKs are running around with orders to shoot at them.

You'll notice that there are Afgan National Army soldiers with the Canadians. We are not an invading force. Canada has no plans for conquest of the region. We are, however, interested in bringing this war-torn nation into the 21st century and making it a viable state, free from the threat of extremists (be they ultra-left communist or ultra-right religious.) The Afgan troops are not capable of doing it on their own.

So you're damned right I'm gonna feel a little proud when I see Canadian Infantiers breaking cover, aiming shooting and re-covering, while the ANA soldier stands behind the wall and shoots witout looking. You're damned right I'm going to feel good about the professional manner in which they conduct combat. They are there to do a job. From what I can see, they do it well.

Do I think it's a good idea to kill thousands for oil? No. Do I think that Canada should stay in Afganistan and do everything in our power to help a nation that has known nothing but tyrannical rule and war decades? Absolutely. Do I look foward to the day my brother ships out for that mess of a place? No, I'm very apprehensive about it. Would I tell him not to go? Not on your life, he is a soldier, that is his job. He is proud to wear the uniform and serve our country and I am proud of him.

Do I 'get off' on the videos? No. Do I feel a sense of pride watching them? Yes.

Now drop the political left/right crap and realise what this is actually about. Our soldiers are in harms way, and they're doing a damned good job.

[Dex]

To assert that he is capable of architecting and implementing a grand conspiracy is complete lunacy.

Indeed. That would not constitute conspiracy; it takes more than one to conspire. BTW, Bush is not as dumb as many believe him to be. He is actually socially brilliant and plays his part well. A very difficult part!! Which is why he was chosen.

[shitdisturber]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory

Hey, I heard Elvis was spotted getting out of a UFO outside a 7-11 in Utah!

He was reporting for his regular shift, he's been a faithful 7-11 employee ever since he faked his own death to avoid having to wear those jumpsuits and capes.

[. ._]

I want mellow_pilot to drop some bombs on the Taliban.

If you do this, mellow, you have free rum and cokes from me for life.

-istp

[niss]

Assuming Elvis did die on the toilet, and he did lose control of his bowels after said death....who flushed?

[hazatude]

To assert that he is capable of architecting and implementing a grand conspiracy is complete lunacy.

Indeed. That would not constitute conspiracy; it takes more than one to conspire. BTW, Bush is not as dumb as many believe him to be. He is actually socially brilliant and plays his part well. A very difficult part!! Which is why he was chosen.

GHWB was his daddy and thus so implicated in the first and OG conspiricy theory. It's as funny as Mel Gibson in Hollywood...

[mellow_pilot]

I want mellow_pilot to drop some bombs on the Taliban.

If you do this, mellow, you have free rum and cokes from me for life.

-istp

Only if I get in, and only if I got the order. And what's this? I though I already had free R&C for life!

[. ._]