Report from Parliament's Hill - Jan. 4 - Opinion 250 - News for Northern and Central Interior of British Columbia, Canada

Report from Parliament's Hill - Jan. 4

By Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill

Thursday, January 04, 2007 08:00 AM

Christmas in Afghanistan

( part 2)

It’s about 0800, Christmas Eve, and Minister John Baird, Laurie Hawn MP and I continue our lobbying efforts while inbound to Kandahar aboard one of our CF C-130 Hercules aircraft. We’re arguing to be allowed to accompany Chief of Defense Staff(CDS) General Rick Hillier when he visits the forward troops currently engaging the Taliban in "Operation Baaz Zuka."

He informs us that due to the risk of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices, ie. roadside mines) and suicide bombers, it would be too dangerous to travel by road. So our request is contingent upon favourable weather conducive to transport by helicopter. And, since our new heavy lift, troop carrying helicopters have yet tobe ordered we’re also reliant upon the availability, and generosity, of our American

Allies. At this point my "whining" is interrupted by the load master inquiring whether I would care to join the pilots on the flight deck for a turn at the controls. Do I ever!

Upon landing at KAF (Kandahar AirField) and following a very comprehensive briefing on the current situation, we’re relieved to learn we can be choppered in to the FOBs (Forward Operating Bases) to visit the soldiers of the main Battle Group.

We’re quickly outfitted with the necessary kit and transported back to the tarmac. With its huge twin rotors chopping the air above our heads we run up the ramp into the hold of the waiting U.S. Army Chinook helicopter. Flying an erratic, terrain-hugging course, a half hour later we’re deposited at "Patrol Base Wilson". This is our first FOB stop and home to the 350 soldiers of Charles Company, 1st Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) Battle Group and Battalion Headquarters.

The troops enthusiastically welcome "their" General and us with warm smiles, banterand firm handshakes. Despite the stress of recent action, constant enemy threat,and their primitive living conditions, their morale is high. They inform us, in no uncertain terms, they know why they’re here, they’re fully committed to completing their mission and there is no way in h___ they intend to give an inch of the territory they’ve paid such a high human cost to capture! It is a sentiment we’ll hear expressed over and over again as we continue our FOB hopping tour.

The troops gather round us, some perched on their circled armoured vehicles in order to see better over the heads of their comrades, listening attentively to our Christmas Eve message. As the day will unfold we will perfect our presentations through repetition, but this is our first effort. First, General Hillier delivers a powerful inspirational speech full of personal anecdotes, then he asks Rick Mercer, Minister Baird, myself and Laurie to say a few words. We three politicians keep our remarks brief, but never have our words been more heartfelt! They courteously applaud and unanimously express their appreciation that we’re here but these young Canadian men and women are so impressive it is we who truly feel honoured to be in their presence.

(To be continued next week ... again)

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Posted on Thursday, January 04, 2007 08:00 AM in News by Prince George - Peace River M.P. Jay Hill

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Comments

Posted by: Perambulating Penman on January 4 2007 7:25 AM

He should have stayed over there if he thinks its so good. Anyway, Stephen will be announcing a new cabinet in a day or two and we will have to see whether this guy even makes the B team.

Posted by: 0alex0 on January 4 2007 8:24 AM

Congratulations on the new post Jay. Finally PG is represented at the cabinet table.

Posted by: spruce_capital on January 4 2007 8:41 AM

It's certainly fine for the troops to go back and forth by vehicle but not our esteemed visitor. In a few email responses I've had from Mr O'Conner, the Minister of Defense, he tells of how they have provided the equipment for the troops over there, however he's forgotten that a lot of it still hasn't been purchased!
We've stuck these poor guys out there without all of the necessary equipment to do the job and we're also sticking poorly trained reserves in there because our regular Forces are too small for the commitment at hand.
Yes I support our troops, but I would sure like to put some of the politicians that put them there, out there in their shoes to fend against the IED's as they travel to and from their bases.

Posted by: Josey Wales on January 4 2007 9:11 AM

What bravado (tonge firmly in cheek), too bad
he couldn't use the same backbone when keeping election promises re income trusts...

Its OK, I smell an election soon and unlike Hill
and Harris I wont forget.

I also firmly support our troops and find it
asinine that they dont have the proper equipment

Posted by: owl on January 4 2007 9:38 AM

I can't read anywhere what Hill is secretary of state of. Every other secretary of state position is attached to a portfolio.

The cabinet is now so big, that almost everyone is a member of it.

Posted by: diplomat on January 4 2007 10:59 AM

CBC NEWS: "Jay Hill is secretary of state without a portfolio and chief government whip."

Wow. Without a portfolio? Powerful position, indeed.

Posted by: 0alex0 on January 4 2007 12:24 PM

When was the last time there was a cabinet member from a PG area riding? does anyone remember?

Posted by: owl on January 4 2007 1:04 PM

Frank Oberle ....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Oberle,_Sr.

Yes, I do remember ... I thought he was quite well respected .... but so was Jay Hill until his new party formed government and they did not seem to keep promises ...

here is the same site's view of Jay Hill ... very quickly updated ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Hill

They have portfolios for sale at Spee-Dee .. or Staples if you are not interested in supporting local businesses ....

Posted by: spruce_capital on January 4 2007 1:22 PM

In regard to "0alex0" post, I believe it was Frank Oberle, 1985 as the first federal Minister of State for Science and Technology, followed by a stint as Minister of Forestry.
If my memory serves me right, he was much better at his job than our two current MP's for the Pr. George area!

Posted by: trusted on January 4 2007 2:34 PM

yep-Frank Oberle and Lorne McCuish. Frank was an all around nice guy. McCuish was a ???? I don't know what to call him-and cannot even think of anything-except I know he did not care about the people he represented-just had a good time pretending he was useful.
That is all in the past. I will hazard a guess that Hill received a posting without a portfolio due to the fact it has become common knowledge the voters no longer hold him in high esteem, but consider him as useless as Harris.
There will surely be a spring election, and this time I suggest the voters pay attention and know who and what they are interested in voting for.
I, personally, do not relish the thought of further disillusionment by having do nothings represent this area.
I fear we shall go to the polls with a sad selection to make our choices from.
People with brains are too busy using them to get involved in politics!
So we have to vote for what's left!

Posted by: Chester on January 4 2007 8:35 PM

I will give Mr. Hill credit for having the courage to at least go over where the fighting is and see first hand what is going on. There are much easier ways to gather brownie points.

It's difficult enough to make significant changes when the government is a majority one.

I can't imagine what it must be like with all of the opposition, critics, and anti-Conservative folks in his riding doing everything but supporting and encouraging them. Chester

Posted by: Chadermando on January 4 2007 9:09 PM

Chester you are right I think it is good he went over there himself to see first hand. Its just he hasn't done anything for his riding since coming to government and this is a time when places like PG can not afford that considering our comming troubles with the softwood lumber industry.

Maybe he is being groomed to be the next defence minister once Gordon O'Conner decides whether he will be back for the next election or not. Thats the way it looks to me. Maybe then PG can get a reserves unit for Northern BC?

Time Will Tell

Posted by: RUEZ on January 5 2007 1:40 AM

Josey Wales, you say you won't forget. Does this mean you won't forget how the Liberals stole money from us? Will you keep in mind the failed gun registry? How about not forgetting the cutbacks to the military that put them in the state they are in today. Let's not forget who put them in Afghanistan in the first place without the proper equipment.

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 5 2007 7:26 PM

As usual, mention the name of an elected official and all the "never been seen before" posters quickly sign up and start posting their mudslinging campaigns, trying to use this forum as a sort of free political shark pit.

It's too bad they think "I R So Dumm" to not see through it. Where were all your well-thought comments when the story was about kiddie porn ?
Bunch of lamers....

Here's a clue, nobody is voting for any of them because they are all idiots ! How about adding "None of the above" to the ballot and see what happens, or do you dare ?

>:-)

Posted by: Palopu on January 5 2007 8:37 PM

As usual a lot of shooting from the lip going on here. Lets look at some facts.

(1) There is no longer a Minister of Science and Technologly, nor is there a Minister of Forestry, so much for Frank Oberle.

(2) The Paul Martin Liberal Cabinet had 39 Ministers,. This was one of the largest Cabinets in Canadian History. Only the Mulroney Cabinet at 40 Ministers was larger. John (The Chretians) Cabinet was 16 Ministers smaller that Paul Martins, with 23 Ministers. Harpers Cabinet is 32 Ministers.

(3) Anyone who thinks J Hill will not win his riding in the next election is totally out of touch with reality. His closest competitor in the last election was 13,780 votes behind him. He had more votes (6719 more) than all the other parties combined ie; Liberals, NDP, Green. I beleive that he won his riding by a larger majority than any riding in Canada.

(4) Harris was 8538 votes ahead of his nearest competitor.

I think that we can see from the foregoing that most people in these ridings are satisfied with their elected members. I suspect those who are not, are those who voted against them in the first place.

When you look at Harris and Hill and compare them to the alternative, then you can see why they win with such a big majority.

Canada at this time finally has a Government who is acutally trying to do something and of course people (as usual) are complaining. They actually think they would be better of with the Liberals, who robbed them blind, and taxed them to death. Who in the Liberal party is going to work for us in the west. Dion? Martin? Ignatief? Dosanjh? Brinson? The ex NDP Premier of Ontario Bob Rae? What a motely crew to behold. Are we going to get better Government or representation from Jack Layton and his tax them to death mentality. I think not.

I think this time around we should go with the flow re-elect the present Government, get some continuity in the Country and see where the bear ---- in the buckwheat. Maybe just maybe we could get it right this time. Who knows?

Posted by: Gofaster on January 5 2007 8:55 PM

Isn't amazing how the politicians can beat their chests when all is good but run and hide when it isn't and spend domuch time trying to justify it all.
I didn't think Mr Bush run Canada, but I am beginning to think I as wrong.
Get it Canada, we are peacekeepers that have be put out as targets for the sake of the USA, and now we too are being placed in the the same mould as them, and it isn't a nice one.

Posted by: Chester on January 5 2007 10:31 PM

Palopu, I agree with everything you have said. Thank you for keeping emotions out and laying out the facts. You are right.

Who can make any kind of kind of significant changes when you are are continually deflecting flack from the negative naysayers whos whole purpose is to oppose everything you try to do? Chester

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 5 2007 11:00 PM

BTW, when I say "them" I am not referring to our current representatives, I am referring to any politician who puts their name forward on any ballot, anywhere.

Posted by: RUEZ on January 6 2007 1:00 AM

Gofaster - The Canadian Forces is not a peacekeeping force. It is an organization formed to defend Canada and it's allies and to kill the enemy. The only time we can be peacekeepers is when there is peace. Currently Afghanistan is not in a state of peace.

Posted by: Gofaster on January 6 2007 9:52 AM

True, but were are there to satify the blood lust south of the border...
What was the remark..."you are either with us or against us"? Nice way to trreat your friends and allies...Liek you better help us or you are next.....
bring it on!

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 6 2007 9:53 AM

I think it's shameful how we send perfectly good people overseas to risk their lives in an already burned-out, bombed-out wasteland, under the false premise that they are actually accomplishing anything.

Posted by: diplomat on January 6 2007 12:36 PM

Thereasonableman makes sense, no one else does. Too many have fallen for the propaganda agenda of a country that is "totally addicted to oil" and will do anything to ensure a future supply.

Posted by: RUEZ on January 6 2007 12:41 PM

diplomat if you are suggesting the war in Afghanistan is about oil you need to educate yourself. The war was to topple a government that refused to hand over a known terrorist, or shut down his terrorism camps.

Posted by: diplomat on January 6 2007 2:21 PM

The Afghan government never refused to hand over the terrorist that escaped to the border with Pakistan during the American invasion! The Afghan government never had any control over Osama Bin Laden or else it would have collected the bounty money offered to them.

Perhaps you should educate yourself a bit more about the history of that particular military expedition.

After Osama Bin Laden (the Bin Laden family are very close friends of the Bush family!) made his get-away a bigger target came under attack: the country with the second largest oil reserves in the world.

To try to isolate Afghanistan and the oil supply pipelines in the area from the overall American grab for influence and control in the Middle East makes no sense at all.

It is all about oil.

Posted by: Gofaster on January 6 2007 4:42 PM

I admire your knowledge diplomat....and good points...
so here is one for you ...
was that really Sadam they hung or one of his look alikes ?
who could now be a hero for saving Sadam????
Has me wondering......
Even the USA was thrown a few times by how close those doubles looked....
Just a thought and me stirring the pot today....

Posted by: diplomat on January 6 2007 6:11 PM

Gofaster, good question! Perhaps Saddam knew too much to keep him alive?

Conspiracy theories are a dime a dozen.

By the way, the Afghans have been at war for many decades, the most recent one against the Soviet Union which they defeated handily.

They are tough and know the territory like their back pockets - but, most of all, they hate foreign invaders, foreign domination and foreign interference into their ancient customs and religion.

They are a proud tribal society and the killing of one of them requires revenge by the whole clan.

Better to leave them alone to determine their own future.

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 6 2007 8:04 PM

More good points made.
I too, wonder if they pulled yet another fast one on us with the "so-called" hanging.

Posted by: Palopu on January 6 2007 8:36 PM

Highly unlikely that a look alike would hang for Saddam Hussien or anyone else. In addition he was talking to the end. There is little doubt that Saddam is dead, however I dont see his old buddies Rumsfeld, or Cheney at his funeral, I guess they have moved on to bigger and better things. Saddam was in the pocket of the U.S. for many years, much like Manual Noriega in Panama, and when there usefulness ran out they were taken care of. In Saddams case (Because he knew too much) they stretched his neck. In Noriega's case they gave him a mock trial and sent him to jail for 30 years. If anyone is interested he is due to get out of jail in 2007.

The Liberals sent 2000 Canadian Soldiers to Afghanistan in 2001. Art Eggleton was the Defence Minister at the time. One of his many statements was as follows.

**The coalition of nations that has come together to fight the threat of terrorism will act on a broad front. It includes not only MILITARY but humanitarian, financial, legislative, diplomatic, and domestic security initiative.**

**Canada special forces anti-terrorist squad, Joint Task Force 2 has been requested and will be deployed**

There is absolutley no denying that the Liberals were responsible for getting us into Afghanistan, so dont waste your time trying to blame Harper, although Im sure he was aware of it at the time and probably in full support.

Point of interest.

**Tuesday July 9, 2002.**

A world-record shot by a Canadian sniper detachment made a kill from 2,340 metres on the second shot. The first blew a bag from the hand of their target, an al-qaida fighter walking on a road. He didnt even flinch said Bill, who spoke to the Canadian Press. We made a correction and the next round hit exactly where we wanted it to. The kill, one of more than 20 unofficially accredited to Canadian snipers during Operation Anaconda in Afghanistans Shah-i-Kot Valley. Judging from accounts given by Canadians involved in the first major coalition offensive of the Afghan war, the figure of at least 20 sounds conservative.

Hardly a peace keeping mission.

Posted by: thereasonableman on January 6 2007 8:50 PM

So, now I'm thinking.....if some armed force from another country, enters Canada (my home), and tries to take over militarily, for whatever purpose....
...and if I fight to defend my homeland...
...does that make me an insurgent ?..a rebel fighter ?....guerrilla ?

Is it now somehow good and right to shoot me and my family ? Is it now honorable for those foreigners to come over here to my country and do that ? To serve their country ?

Am I now the bad man ?

I don't know, that's why I ask.

Posted by: Palopu on January 6 2007 10:12 PM

If you were in Iraq or Afghanistan fighting the Americans, you would be referred to as a terrorist, insurgent, murderer, etc; etc; etc;

The Americans invaded Afghanistan because they say that the Taliban would not hand over Osama Ben Ladin. What they dont tell you is that the Taliban offered to turn him over to a third **neutral** country and the Americans refused.

They also dont tell you that they told the Taliban that if they did not allow them to build a pipeline through Afghanistan so that they could build it further through Pakistan to the Arabian Sea they would bomb them into the stone age. The plan for this pipeline was to move oil from the Caspian Sea. A pipeline has since been built through Azerbijan, or Turkmenistan over a Northern route at a huge cost to the US Government and Oil Companies. The Taliban wanted some oil and gas from this pipline, plus some revenue, which of course didnt sit well with the Oil Companies.

These conflicts around the world are usually about oil or **American interests** One of the reasons given for Canada to be in Afghanistan is to protect **Canadian Interests** In this case it would be in our **interests** to keep our Southern neibour happy or they could, with very little difficulty wreak economic disaster on us.

Just ask the Mexicans what happened to them when they Nationalized Mexican oil. They had a least 15 years of horrendus hardship, which only stopped when they cut a deal with the Oil Companies. Ask Cuba, which is still on the American hit list and suffers great economic degradation, even though the Nationalization of American interests took place over 40 years ago.

Iran one of Americas worst enemies nationalized their Oil and threw out the British and American Oil interests. Saddam Hussien wanted to get control of more of his Oil and also Kuweits which he states actually is part of Irag, and if you read history he is probably correct. So much for Saddam.

Few people are aware that the Iraq Constitution that was drafted with the help of the Americans acutally gives a large percentage of the Oil deposits in Iraq to the oil companies. This apparently is the only Constitution in the world that has such a proviso.

It was said many years ago, that the Country that controlled the Oil controlled the world.

Ask yourself this question. Why would a Billionare like Osama Ben Ladin who had everything you could wish for be hiding out in a frozen mountain in Afghanistan fighting the Americans.???

Ben Ladin once said that the Americans had to get out of Saudi Arabia, and the Arabian Peninsuala and he didnt care if Americans had to pay $400.00 a barrel for oil. The oil he said belongs to the Arabs and they should be able to exploit it. So much for Ben Ladin.

Posted by: RUEZ on January 6 2007 10:16 PM

thereasonableman Canada is not in Afghanistan to take over militarily. In fact Afghanistan is now ruled by an elected leader. They are building up there own military and once they are capable of defending their own country Canada will probably pull out. Their own president has asked that Canada remain in the country to fight the Taliban and Al Quaeda. Canada is not in Afghanistan to fight the Afghan people.Now for the first time since the Taliban took power women have freedom. If Canada was actively harboring terrorists and training camps and did nothing about it, and those terrorists attacked and killed people, I expect we'd be invaded as well.

Posted by: Palopu on January 6 2007 11:06 PM

The election in Afghanistan was an American supported farce. Karzie the so-called President never ventures outside of Kabul, he has a number of Warlords from Northern Afghanistan who should be tried for war crimes in his Cabinet. For all the people who say that we are there to protect the freedom of women etc; I ask you this. Where were we from 1996 to 2001 when the Taliban was in power. What did we do about the rights of the Taliban women during this period. The answer is absolutley nothing. We didnt even know where Afghanistan was. We only got involved because of the American invasion, so dont be so pious.

Ask yourself this. If Irag was invaded because of weapons of mass destrucion, and there were none, isnt it possible that Afghanistan was also invaded for other than the stated reasons.

There is an old saying. **The one thing that is a bar against all learning, and that will keep man in everlasting ignorance is contempt prior to investigation.** I strongly suggest that you do some indepth studies on Afghanistan and the presence of foriegn troops there, rather than listening to **Sound Bites** and poorly written and researched newspaper articles.

If you care to look at an article in **The Independent** a British Newspaper dated 6 January 2007 it will give you an indepth look into what is happening with Irag Oil. Rather interesting article. Just put The Independent in you search engine and **walla** you'll get the article.

Posted by: owl on January 7 2007 1:42 AM

I know why Afghanistan is being targetted. Remember the war before the war on terrorism? The war on drugs? Oh how quickly we forget.

Afghanistan is the illicit opium captial of the world. Now that there is relative peace, I understand they are growing more than ever before. 90% of the world's supply in 2005.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0513/p01s04-wosc.html?s=spworld

Oh, btw, the CIA feels that Canada has the second largest proven oil reserves in the world, not Iraq. I realize much of it sits in the bituminous sands and is more expensive to extractr, but hey, when you are getting down to the last few barrels, who cna be picky.

https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/rankorder/2178rank.html

So, guys. Better clean up your act or else you know who will come marching in because we are not protecting our borders enough against terrorists entering North America and they will enter the country to do it for us. I am sure there are many more credible reasons.

I am also sure that a few people would not like that and be the target of crack Israeli or German snipers at 2 km + ...... Remember, they have no oil of their own to speak of.

What is that figure of speach ... when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

And if you think that is not possible, read up on Norway's "discussions" with Russia and the ownership of off-shore oil 70+ degrees north. To get the southern Europeans on side, their argumetn is that Russia has shown that they are willing to use oil for political purposes, while Norway just wants the money from whomever wants the oil once they remove it from the seabed.

Overpopulation begets scarcity of resources; scarcity of resources begets concern for survival; concern for survival begets fighting; fighting begets depopulation; depopulation begets more resources; which begets concern for survival; which begets an increase in population ... and we start all over again ...... :-)

Posted by: Chadermando on January 7 2007 7:15 AM

Something the coincidence theorists would like us all not to believe... I say they are hypocrites.

Karzai prior to becoming the Afghan president was a board member of an oil pipeline company called Unocal. Unocal lost a Texas court case for interferring illegally in an Argintine company Bridas who had a Taliban approved pipeline contract through Afghanistan. The neo-cons at the Project for a New American Century including Rumsfield and Cheney wrote a letter to Bill Clinton saying America needed to control the oil from the Caspian sea, but to do so would require some kind of Pearl Harbour. 9-11 enabled the Afghan invasion to hunt Bin-ladin who was later allowed to escape at Tora Bora. Bin-Ladin family associates watched the World Trade Centers collapse live on monitor with their other Carlyl defense contractor board members in Washington, which included George Bush senior and Sandy Burger of the Clinton Administration, then later the Bin Ladins were flying the only plane allowed to fly in US airspace as they made their get-away flying around the country gathering up suspects to flee to Saudi Arabia. Mussaraf was then allowed to keep his nuclear weapons when they decided to go along with the removal of the Pakistani client regime in the Taliban. Pakistani money was wired to the hi-jackers involved in 9-11 only days prior, and a Pakistani head of the ISI meet with then national Security Advisor Condi Rice the morning of 9-11. Condi rice has a Cheveron oil tanker named after her and she used to sit on the Cheveron board of directors. Unocal is now building the Afghan pipeline. Unocal sold itself to Cheveron last year completing the circle.

IMO Israel mossad (motto 'War through Deception')carried out the inside part of the job for security reasons (airport & WTC security, remote aircraft technology, explosives in WTC#7), and Saddam and the war on terror was their agenda.

Posted by: diplomat on January 7 2007 8:22 AM

When the Americans invaded Afghanistan they allowed several dozen flights between Kabul airport and Pakistan before they moved in on the airport to secure it. Why?

The capture of Bin Laden (after he was allowed to escape) all of a sudden was announced by GWB to be of no interest to him any more!

It is my personal conclusion that the mighty Sunni/Saudi Bin Laden family told GWB in no uncertain terms that it is "hands off Osama or else"!

Just like in Baghdad (leave the Green Zone and get blown up) it is in Kabul: the city itself and the immediate area surrounding it are heavily fortified and relatively safe. Venture outside of it and the fun starts!

Canada's Afghanistan mission was a mostly non-combative one at the beginning but now the Taliban are back again and there seems to be an endless supply of them.

From the time the Liberals agreed to commit troops to todays enthusiastic Conservative support of the new fighting role a lot of circumstances have changed.

We might well still be there in 50 years from now.