Jack bin Layton wants our troops to come home, eh? To what? Wait for a mega-snow fall in Toronto again? It sure is gonna make us look like a bunch of cowardly Gomers to the rest of our NATO allies. And let the Taliban know , if they come to Canada, we are gonna be a bunch of politically correct pushovers. Sure glad "Taliban Jack" wasn't around during the Second World War.

If you can't make a good case, attack and ridicule the person who disagrees with you and who does make a good case. It is an old, old, old trick and as much a sign of a bankrupt philosophy as it always has been.

Incidentally, the headline is wrong. It is not the pollsters who want Canada out of Afghanistan, it is the people of Canada who want Canadians out of Afghanistan. What a pity Harper no longer believes in representing the wishes of his constituents - the people of Canada. I guess he only believes in that when in opposition, eh?

Harbinger, I can't help it, but somehow you are giving the impression that you might not vote again for the NDP in the next election.

The following comes from a post–World War II interview between Gustave Gilbert, a German-speaking intelligence officer and psychologist who was allowed by the Allies to speak with Nazi POWs, and Hermann Goering, the Nazi Reichsmarshall. Their conversation took place on April 18, 1946, during a break in the Nuremberg trials, and was recounted in Gilbert's book, Nuremberg Diary:

We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.

“Why, of course, the ‘people’ don't want war,” Goering shrugged. “Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.”

“There is one difference,” I pointed out. “In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars.”

“Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.”

Today, again:

Some powerful country's leader knows how to "massage" the people into accepting the unthinkable.

The Vichy French had it fiquired out, just work for your own skin and to hell with the country. Right (left) Ammonra?

>The Vichy French had it fiquired out<

Well, they French were in a bind; after all it was France that declared war on Germany.

You may be right, YamaDooPolCat, but Harper is being left by the citizens of Canada right when he need support to keep what's left of his credibility. Right?

Harper is probably one of the best leaders Canada has had for a very very long time. Certainly better than the 20th century leaders that lead by polls, or the big one digit man. Credibilty is for the media. Credibilty is kind of like a "how often do you beat your mother" debate. Pointless as the media confers credibility to who ever they like, right? Or where else would you get your selective information?

If the avergae Canadian knew more about why we are there then you'd see the polls change quite a bit to the "no" side.

Harper actually admitted that it was his fault that Canadians didn't know why we are there and I have to say I was impressed by that statement.

Imagine a polititian taking responsibility for something rather than just changing the subject like Mr. Dithers.

It realy dosent matter what Harper tells us at this time. Lets not forget that he was the person that extended the time of our troops in Afghanistan. The Amercans just loved it they immediatly pushed our troops into their positions were all the actions at. NATO now finds it difficult to find replacments

Our troops are a NATO commitment. It would not go over that well if we now pulled out our soldiers. What we need to do is be sure that this dosent happen again. Canada is noted for its peace keeping missions lets stick with that roll.

The official statements coming out of the Canadian Military say that this is NOT a peace keeping mission.

There is NO peace to keep. It has evaporated long ago.

The Minister of Defense admitted that it is a combat mission, although after repeated prodding he finally said the dreaded "w" word: War.

We are at war, officially.