Patriotism

1
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• 11 September 2001, the World Trade Centre is
  destroyed by Islamic terrorists.
• 7 October 2001, USA launches military actions
  in Afghanistan in its War against Terrorism.
  The Taliban government is forced from power.
• 8 October 2001, the Liberal Government of
  Canada pledges 2 000 troops and other military
  equipment.
• 19 December 2001, Canadian military troops
  arrive in Afghanistan (JTF2)

2
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• 25 January 2002, Canada reestablishes
  diplomatic ties with the Afghanistan government.
• 17 July 2003, Canada takes command of the force
  of international peacekeepers in charge of
  maintaining security in Kabul.
• 9 February 2004, Canada takes command of NATO
  forces in Afghanistan.
• 5 August 2004, Europeans takes command of
  operations in Kabul.
• 9 October 2004, Hamid Karzai is elected
  President of Afghanistan

3
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• 10 February 2005, NATO announces plans to expand
  its mission in Afghanistan.
• 25 June 2005, Canada begins deploying troops in
  Kandahar to establish a base for future
  reconstruction. Kandahar is a violent region
  controlled largely by the Taliban.
• 26 February 2006, Canada takes command of
  multi-national forces in southern Afghanistan.

4
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• Although 56 of Canadians opposed military
  action by Canadians in Afghanistan, the
  Conservative-led government votes 149-145 to
  extend the Canadian mission by two years on 17
  May 2006.
• 31 July 2006, NATO assumes control of military
  actions in southern Afghanistan with a priority
  to suppress Taliban attacks.
• Since 2002, 55 Canadian soldiers have been
  killed while serving in Afghanistan. Most of the
  deaths (46) have occurred in 2006-2007.

5
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• Canadian contributions are not all military.
• In 2006, Canada committed 14 million to aid in
  the removal of stockpiles of military equipment
  and support efforts to disarm groups, improve
  security and train police. As well, Canada has
  provided 25 million since 2002 to help remove
  and destroy landmines.
• Canada is also contributing 22 million to the
  Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund.
  Administered by the World Bank, the fund provides
  resources to the government to meet its general
  operating costs (e.g., pay for nurses and
  teachers, operation and maintenance of equipment,
  interest payments).
• Since 2005, Canada has served as the lead in
  the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in
  Kandahar province. PRT helps with security,
  government extension and reconstruction.

6
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• Canada presently has 2 300 troops serving in
  Canada. That number will shortly increase by
  over 500 more soldiers.
• For many of us, watching our 19- and 20-year
  old soldiers fight and die is new.
• On 11 September 2006, Prime Minister Stephen
  Harper, flanked by soldiers and flags, linked
  our involvement to 9/11. He used the term
  war.
• Recent polls suggest about 50 of Canadians
  disagree with our military role in Afghanistan.
  Reasons include
• The action was not properly debated by
  politicians or Canadians,
• The missions purpose is unclear, and
• No exit strategy has been developed.

7
Patriotism Should Canada be in Afghanistan?

• Is it unpatriotic NOT to support our troops
  fighting in Afghanistan?
• In its broadest interpretation, patriotism is
  love of country.
• Patriotism can be used in times of war by
  governments to suggest lack of agreement or
  support for government policies aids the enemy
  and makes you a traitor.
• Patriotism can be a love for the principles of
  democracy. That is, I am patriotic if I stand up
  and fight for the values of my countryincluding
  challenging government action.
• The number one symbol of the Canadian national
  identity is universal health care. The value is
  sharing. At the same time, Canadians have a
  strong sense of duty and responsibility. A step
  back from the fighting in Afghanistan is defeat.
• Socan I still be patriotic AND support
  withdrawing our troops?