Skip navigation

 Login or Register | Member Centre

Hillier sees more sophisticated Taliban foe

MURRAY BREWSTER

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Latest comment posted at 7:37 PM EST 16/12/07

Canadian troops will face bigger bombs in 2008 as insurgents import tactics successful in Iraq ...Read the full article

This conversation is closed

  1. ALASTAIR JAMES BERRY from nanaimo bc canada, Canada writes:
    Interesting...The 'scumbags and detestable murders' actually have BRAINS!! And can learn too.

    How long and at what cost, has General Hillier learned this lesson?

    There used to be a saying ACTION and REACTION are equal and opposite. It also used to be taught that insurgencies cannot be defeated by military strength alone and sooner or later they are settled by round table talks where the complaints and aims of the insurgents are taken into account.

    Seems to me we should emulate the US tactics in Anbar Iraq and hire every civilian in the region for a monthly stipend of around $200 to tidy up their villages, repair the walls and fill the potholes on the roads. The US troops in Anbar have suffered virtually no casualties since they started Paying Out rather than shelling and bombing.
  2. Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Hillier sees more sophisticated Taliban foe'. Translation: 'Hillier sees NATO losing'.
  3. Peter Kells from Bytown, Canada writes: Mr. Hillier seems to be changing tactic. He now seems to grudgingly accept that the 'scumbags' may in fact pose a credible adversary. Hmmm.... I thought one of the first lessons they teach any military tactician is never under estimate your enemy. The ancient Romans learned this at the battle of Cannae and every general since in the western world is well aware of this lesson.
  4. Mike McFae from Canada writes: An extremely interesting article. Warning , the following comment may incite anger and rude mindless responses .........GREAT JOB GENERAL....you and your Canadian men and women soldiers should be proud. Since many soldiers will also be reading this story and comments I wish them a safe and as happy as possible Christmas away from your families. God speed.
  5. George Hall from Canada writes: For Rick Hillier to say ' the Taliban are not to be dismissed lightly' at this stage of the war is unnerving.
    What did he think prior to now?
  6. Anti Fascist from Canada writes:
    Well Rick what you going to do now? The majority of Canadians by now know of your role in getting Canadians into Afghanistan, what was the plan man?

    The Taliban are in no hurry to see Canada out, by now it probably an indispensable right of passage for young males to go out to take a few pot shots at the occupying heathen invaders. They will tell their grandchildren like their grandfathers told them of how heroically they expelled the infidel from their lands.

    I see little learning going on at all.
  7. Anti Fascist from Canada writes: Mike McFae: FYI

    ALL Canadians support Canadian Troops, and wish them a safe and speedy return home.

    Most Canadians do not support the use of Canadian troops in the manner that Hillier has managed.

    Think!
  8. Brendan Caron from Vancouver, Canada writes: Have people already forgotten that it is the Taliban/al Queda terrorists that are being fought. No. I didn't think so. Although the tactics have had devastating consequences in Iraq it doesn't mean that it is being successful. Its success is how many innocents you have murdered. The leaders of carnage who gained their places in the region through internecine rivalries days are numbered because there is a time element involved that means that they don't just walk in and take over anymore. To the victors go the spoils isn't in the cards as long as the people are protected and learning to protect themselves from these murderers. They are beginning to be hunted down by more and more people as each day goes bye. They are in a stasis and waning through attrition of people now seeing them for the murderers that they are. I am glad that the general sees the movement and motivating factors as clearly as he does. Go troops. Go!
  9. henk gal from Calgary, Canada writes: Isn't Hillier an appointee of the 'New Government' of Canada? Isn't he doing its dirty work while the Canadian warlords i.e. the current cocnservative MP's, are sharing their Christmas turkey and ham with their loved ones, hoping that no Canadian soldier will get killed during this festive season and spoiling the 'fun', so that they may be forced to shed a crocodile tear or two in public, and talk about heroes, democracy and freedom for a few days?
    What are we doing in Afghanistan while the people in Darfur are getting butchered. Oh, I forgot...there is no oil in Darfur, just hungry people.
  10. boo bear from saint john, Canada writes: why doesn t he spend a month at the front lines with his men and women or better yet the next big battle or undertaking why doesn t he lead them right at the front? now that would be leadership.
  11. Just a Lucky So-and-So from Canada writes: Beatriz Perez-Sanchez from Toronto, Canada writes: 'Hillier sees more sophisticated Taliban foe'. Translation: 'Hillier sees NATO losing'.

    ------------------------------------

    Translation: Hillier's ringing up the alarm bells lest Parliament vote down extending his mandate past 2009.

    Such small-mindedness on behalf of the General, and soooo transparent.

    Canada would be a very dangerous place indeed if our military set our political agenda.
  12. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: It does not take very long for the anti-peace, anti-Canadian pro-Taliban propagandists to spread lies and distortions on the G&M site.
  13. chris jenkins from Free the West, Canada writes: Yup, the usual Taliban admirers writing in from back East. The Lefties in Britain thought Hitler was a good guy too until the bombs started landing in London. Then the standard sprint to hide behind the skirts of the Rightwingers.
  14. MARK S from Calgary, Canada writes: henk gal from calgary,

    Hillier is an appointment from the last Liberal gov't. Get up to date on what is going on before posting your nonsence.
  15. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Fascist , your pompous remarks and your pretentious representaions of the views of all Canadians are silly. It's cowardly to hide behind some juvenile name and criticize while pretending to support the troops. Shameful.
  16. The NeoCynic from Christmas Island writes: A brilliant interview! One would expect from a 'year-end' interview that we would hear a brief summation of the progress obtained by our efforts, victories gained, and political progress made to date, coupled with a short outline of our goals for the new year, prospects for commitments from our NATO 'brethern', for stamping out the tidal waves of opium financing the killers of our young men, and oh yes, while we are on the subject of similarly irrelevant and trivial matters, peace, and an exit date for the return of our troops. Hence, what we hear from Hillier with respect to the foregoing answers all our questions: absolutely nothing. Indeed, things have become so dark, that even Hillier can't bring himself to mouth the usual inanities we hear from CF PR hacks about the incredible things our brave men and women in uniform are accomplishing each and every day of their blessed occupation of Afghanistan. Those accomplishments are seemingly so incredible that they have left our glorious commander speechless: indeed, slack-jawed and mealy mouthed, muttering in his pure awe and amazement about how, after five years of our blood spilt and our billions bilked, the once 'defeated' Taliban, who in a bizarre twist of fate so inscrutable that it cannot be mentioned, let alone explained, now control 56% of the country, have figured out that if you stack two bombs together, you get, ...ready, our military intelligence has confirmed this, ...are you sitting down, they have constructed, ...God Bless their crafty little mischievous infidel souls, ...a bigger bomb. For a 'year-end' message, may I be the apparently first Canadian to wish all of our brave wonderful young men and women in uniform, who in the brilliance of their youth and innocence, inspire us all with their dedication and devotion. Happy New Year and May God bring you all home safe and sound into the arms of all of us who love and wait for you here.
  17. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: Boor bear: don't be an idiot. Gen Hillier has actually done what you suggest. Talk to any member of our military, any rank, and they will tell exactly that. He is one of the most highly esteemed generals our military has had in a long time.

    henk gal: your memory must be awefully short. Check out who was the CDS during Paul Marten's stint as PM. Idiotic comments like yours are enough to forget about visiting these GM sites.

    anti fascist: I support Gen Hillier in exactly the manner he is deploying our troops. I wish all the luck and take my hat off to him. Thank God our troops have a General like him. calling yourself anti- fascists - I bey you have NO inkling of what that term even means. If you indeed represent the majority of Canadians, more the pity to Canada.
  18. Alyssa Watson from Canada writes: How many of our soldiers died from hostile fire?? next to none. Its these devices that kill and they are cowardly. Just think if we could find a way to defeat not the insurgents but these devices. Build highways, pave roads. Do everything possible these cowardly taliban are most likely to be there a long time.
  19. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Mr. Hillier's unrealistic optimism and unbridled arrogance comes with a terrible price.
  20. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Here's a quiz for the Harpercrites and their supporters?

    Which government over the last 30 years has financially devoted the most to the military?

    Here's a hint - it's not Steve.
  21. Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Can someone please remind me again why the hell we're there in the first place?
  22. David Blott from Moncton, NB, Canada writes:

    Alright - my third time trying to make this post:

    The optimism of General Hillier notwithstanding, it seems the the Bush administration more closely shares the view of the Senlis Council report, dismissed last week by our Minister of Defense. From today's New York Times:

    'Deeply concerned about the prospect of failure in Afghanistan, the Bush administration and NATO have begun three top-to-bottom reviews of the entire mission, from security and counterterrorism to political consolidation and economic development, according to American and alliance officials.

    The reviews are an acknowledgment of the need for greater coordination in fighting the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan, halting the rising opium production and trafficking that finances the insurgency and helping the Kabul government extend its legitimacy and control.

    Taken together, these efforts reflect a growing apprehension that one of the administration’s most important legacies &8212; the routing of Taliban and Qaeda forces in Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 &8212; may slip away, according to senior administration officials.'
  23. Alyssa Watson from Canada writes: Shawn W from Toronto, Canada writes: Can someone please remind me again why the hell we're there in the first place?

    Ask the Liberal's they sent us there and btw i would like to know as well.
  24. LUCIEN ALEXANDRE MARION from Gatineau Qc, Canada writes: Brendan Caron from Vancouver...I think Brandon that you are 'in the target' bullseye'and although we are for or against the Afghanistan Mission, the fact remains that lots of Good are being accomplished in this part of the world by our soldiers and humanitarians in helping and securing the children and the little girls and their parents from fear and crualty of the barbarian regime of the Talibans and other bandits . It is not easy to accomplish such noble actions putting their lives in danger or being wounded or crippled for life accomplishing their heroic mission. Those Noble men and women are HEROES in my heart. Thank you-Merci
  25. henk gal from Calgary, Canada writes: Mark S from Calgary: I stand to be corrected. Hillier was appointed in 2003, so he is a Liberal appointee, appointed to a peace mission in Afghanistan. Now, what about the rest of my statement?
  26. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: IR: why would you say that? I have always thought that Gen Hillier has always been up front and has never hesitated to call it the way he sees it. In fact, a month or so ago, it was widely rumoured that PM Harper was getting ready to show the general the door just because he was NOT adhering to the official political script. Arrogant? I don't think so. Talk to the lowest ranks in the military - either in Canada or serving in Afganistan. Arrogance will not be one of the terms used to describe him. Unrealistic optimism? under his tenure the military - land forces - have proven to be one of the most adaptible forces in the field and more importantly succeed in their goals.

    Ricky: and the point is?

    Shawn: the UN (not the USA) asked us to be there.
  27. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Mike McFae - thaaaaaat's right....if - and ONLY IF you support the NATO combat mission in Afghanistan, and agree wholeheartedly with EVERYTHING about the Harper government's foreign and military policy....you can't possibly support the troops at all.

    In fact, you're a Canada-hating, freedom-hating, Taliban-supporting terrorist.

    Pathetic.
  28. Ricky for a Centrist Canada from Canada writes:
    Karl - the point is....neo-cons love to spew bile about how Liberal governments starved the military, under-equpped it, blah blah blah, and that's why the troops are having such a tough time, blah blah blah....when the fact is Harpercrite spends less on the military than a certain someone the neo-cons, and many ill-informed military personnel, like to bash.
  29. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: henk gal: a peace mission in Afghanistan? This was never a peace mission. paul martin even took some flak because it wasn't one. What the heck is a peace mission in any case when appled to a state like Afganistan? What was actually the last peace mission assigned to the Canadian forces? Kosovo? Somalia? or Cyprus?
  30. Brendan Caron from Vancouver, Canada writes: Lucien Alexandre... please explain where I denigrated our troops? I would suggest that you misread what I wrote. From your description of what we are doing there I feel that it could have been written by myself. Bienvenue. Et merci pour vos mots.
  31. Tazer Tease from East Side., writes: They are freedom fighters. They will fight us to the last. Get used to it.

    They have a resolve we don't have.

    But they got us also right where they want us: close to them. We, their declared ennemy, bring them our fight.

    We're blathering idiots for supporting this sinister ideology.

    Hillier, Harper should be viewed as traitors. They were cleverly set-up to bleed Canadians to death by Paul Martin, in his last days as former prime minister.
  32. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    So RAMBO Hillier speaks! We represent 4% of the actual forces over there, but Rambo thought we should do the heavy lifting. Rambo was OK with the other NATO allies sitting on the sidelines. He wanted action.....

    Now the USA is concerned about Afghanistan, but figures they had enough in Afghanistan-something about Iraq being way more important than the original mission (remember that-remember what it was?)

    Have a look at the New York Tims article today.

    Don't you like hearing statements like, ' Deeply concerned about the prospect of failure in Afghanistan, the Bush administration......'

    Or, ' Taken together, these efforts reflect a growing apprehension that one of the administration’s most important legacies -the routing of Taliban and Qaeda forces in Afghanistan after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001- may slip away, according to senior administration officials.'

    Time to stand up for Canada PM Harper! Ask the ugly questions! Will our NATO 'allies' stand up with us? Will the US move appropriate forces to 'win' this 'war,' or are they just to busy and are we being used??

    http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/16/washington/16afghan.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

    .
  33. boo bear from saint john, Canada writes: well karl i mean actually lead the men and women when they attack instead of dropping into the front line and have a nice dinner and get your picture taken . i ll say it again actually lead the soldiers as they rush an enemy position. so tell me has he done this yet???????
  34. LUCIEN ALEXANDRE MARION from Gatineau Qc, Canada writes: Brendan...What I meant is that I support what you wrote and I am proud of it and of what you think in your comments. Merci for your beautiful words and have a nice evening, Thank you
  35. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: Ricky: I'm still not sure of the point you are making. I did serve in the Canadian military for 23 years - retiring in 1993. The Liberals - and the Conservatives - did in deed cut the military to the bare bone up to that time and even after during Chretien's years. Thing is, the world political environment in those days did not require the strength in miltary forces we once enjoyed. In fact I remember shortly after the fall of the Berlin wall, world opinion had it that times for large powerful military arms were over. The world has however changed a lot in ways not foreseen. Our political leaders have been unable to keep pace. Even so, Gen Hillier has done an admiringly good job with the resources available to him.
  36. My Gestalt! from Canada writes: “The Taliban are not 10-foot-tall warriors. But at the same time, they are not to be dismissed lightly,” Gen. Hillier said in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press
    ===========================================

    I think its great that he can describe them.

    Has anyone told him what Gordon Brown is talking about with the Tailban?
  37. martha stewart from Canada writes: Gen. Hillier says many things and on Cross-Canada checkup right now he is proving was a slick propagandist he truly is.

    Reminds me of those U.S. generals who described how well things were going in Iraq.

    Give our troops a real Christmas present. Start the process to get them out of this bogus and ill-conceived invasion now.
  38. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: Tazer Tease: freedom fighters? The Afganistani are indeed Freedom Fighters. But don't equate the Afganistani people with the Taliban. The Taliban are themselves invaders - the majority of them are not Afganistani.

    But you are right - they have resolve. A resolve feed by religious idiosyncracies. Where as, our resolve is only as strong as general public opinion within Canada. We have exceptionally motivated, well trained troops, and on the main excellent military leadership. Our resolve is feed only by politics and sadly our political leaders are letting us and our military down. Other wise there would not be so many that keep bashing the Afganistan mission with only so little fact.
  39. Mr. Justice from Canada writes: How many children and grandchildren of sitting MPs are currently serving in Afghanistan ? Anybody know ?
  40. martha stewart from Canada writes: Freddie Fender from Canada writes: 'It does not take very long for the anti-peace, anti-Canadian pro-Taliban propagandists to spread lies and distortions on the G&M site.'

    Come on, Freddy, you know you are being way too simplistic here. I mean really... 'anti-peace'? That's close to Orwellian.

    This kind of simplistic 'black-white' thinking is exactly what the extreme fundamentalists like the Taliban thrive on. If we get down to their level there really is no hope.
  41. Yvonne Wackernagel from Woodville, Canada writes: I find it difficult to correlate this story with the news out of Washington today: -

    'WASHINGTON — Deeply concerned about the prospect of failure in Afghanistan, the Bush administration and NATO have begun three top-to-bottom reviews of the entire mission, from security and counterterrorism to political consolidation and economic development, according to American and alliance officials. '
  42. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: boo bear: Gen Hillier has indeed done the things you speak of - perhaps he hasn't been leading the front in Afganistan but as CDS he is not expected to nor is that his job. However, if you research his miltary background - which lead to him becoming the top Canadian general - you will discover that he has been a true leader in every miltary sense of that word. Canadians should be as proud of him as his troops have shown to be.
  43. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: martha stewart: invasion? Do you really know what that means or what it would require to invade a nation? We were asked by the UN to provide miltary force to the Afganistani people. We fight side by side with the Afganistani forces against the invading Taliban. We had the president of Afganistan come to Canada recently. He did not beg us to leave his country. He thanked us for the full support our country is giving to the Afganistanis. He also recognized the awfull cost to us in providing this support. Should we turn our backs to countries in need? Perhaps so, but if that is the route you want Canada to go, we should also turn our backs to the UN and demand that that entity be dismantled. No need for it if every country is on its own.
  44. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Ricky , Ricky , Ricky I'm not sure I understand your logic that because I have respect for General Hillier that I am a ' Taliban supporting terrorist '. Take a deep breath and try to imagine how convoluted that sounds .
  45. R. Carriere from Maritimes, Canada writes:

    Mr. Justice from Canada writes: How many children and grandchildren of sitting MPs are currently serving in Afghanistan ?

    That is not a relevent question as the CF is a force whose members decided to join. There is no draft in Canada. They did it of free will.....

    This is unlike the US, who canceled the draft in 1973, and where joining the Nationall Guard was somewhat safe, and who felt 'external emergencies' such as Iraq, would not really effect their long term well being.

    Little did they know.....

    .
  46. Roop Misir from Toronto, Canada writes: Before long, NATO will have to change tactics, the sooner the better!
  47. Bill Thompson from Calgary, Canada writes: So, Carrier spouts forth with witless mouthing’s of puerile shoe scrapings once more and tries to pass them off as something profound. Give it a rest Carriere. Once more, you have fallen into the media agenda of shaping your opinions when I know you actually have some grey cells up there that sometimes you put to good use. RAMBO Hillier??? Was your identity highjacked? Doesn’t sound like you at all.
  48. Raj Rama from Toronto, Canada writes: Since the Taliban 'coerces' people to grow poppy because they get most of the proceeds, Brig.-Gen. David Fraser was quite correct in his positions that: 1. 'Counter-narcotics is an objective that we support'. 2. 'You and I might call them farm subsidies. But why not subsidize farmers there to grow something that's legitimate, as opposed to something illicit? ... We have farm subsidies here. They have them in Europe, they have them everywhere, for wheat and eggs and milk.' 3. 'In the time I was there, we built 145 kilometres of new roads. We created 100,000 metres of canals. We elected over 400 community councils. We have a national auxiliary police program, 200 of them (in Kandahar) when I left and the program had just started – an opportunity for males 15 to 25 years old, where they can get a job that pays them a decent salary and provides them a life expectancy longer than what the Taliban are offering.' 4. I remember it all, like it was five minutes ago. I don't talk about numbers ... (or) body counts. It's about the number one: One soldier, every soldier.' 5. 'You win with an idea. You don't win with a gun.' To that end, I hope CDS Hillier will request more support from his bosses, NATO and his USA counterparts [as we have similar drugs landing on our shores ] the adequate resources to fight these Militia/ Cartels/ Drug Dealers. Who else is and would be funding these attacks on our/ NATO soldiers. Warfare is not cheap, but illicit drug profits are at stake for the Taliban. IMHO the Taliban are not 'freedom fighters', they are members of Drug Militias/ Cartels and the product is ending up on our streets, costing us a fortune in policing/ health/ social costs/ etc. As Canadians we should support our Military and Government, not the Taliban aka Drug Dealers/ Militia/ Cartels! Raj Founder Canadians Against Substance Abuse www.casanow.ca
  49. Andre Carrel from Salmo, Canada writes: 'Gen. Rick Hillier insists that, although insurgents have become more cagey and adept, Canadian troops are staying a step ahead.'
    ___________
    I'm trying to understand Hillier's message. Does that mean that the insurgents are on the offensive and Canadians are improving their defenses to protect themselves?
  50. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: IR: why would you say that?
    ----------------------------
    Karl, respectfully, I disagree with your assessment. I do not recall any polls being taken to determine the popularity of Mr. Hillier. And even if there were polls taken, popularity does not define a leader, contrary to a common misconception.

    I have to wonder about an institution that pleads in a court of law that international law, domestic law and the Charter do not apply to enemy detainees, PWs or CF personnel for that matter, on the grounds that such laws have no extraterritorial jurisdiction.
  51. Canada First and Always from Canada writes: I would like to remind General Hillier that he is not an elected official and, as such, should never speak as to our political reasons for being anywhere - that task is up to our elected Minister of Defense. Why is Mr. MacKay not being heard, either in the newspapers or on the Sunday talk shows? It is to him that Canadians have the right to address their questions and receive honest answers. General Hillier is, in effect, a civil servant serving under the Canadian Government of the day, in this case a minority government which could change to a majority some day or to a whole different party.
  52. Steve Durocher from Windsor, Ontario, Canada writes: Taliban and sophisticated go together like;
    Ketchup and ice-cream
    Cave dwelling and Better Homes and Garden.
    You get the idea.

    Time to counter Taliban 'bigger bombs' with lots o bunker busters and daisy cutters.
    I am all for overkill.
  53. charlie brown from Canada writes: 'ALASTAIR JAMES BERRY from nanaimo bc canada, Canada wrote:
    Interesting...The 'scumbags and detestable murders' actually have BRAINS!! And can learn too.' Um Alastair, Hitler, Mao, Stalin, PolPot etc. etc. had brains too and they were also scumbags and detestable murderers. The General got it right. These folks must defeated.
  54. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: I R: I'm not aware of any popularity polls either. I go by what my friends - still in the military - tell me. I also go by Gen Hillier's carreer. In my books he is a soldier's general. If there was a poll, what would the typical Canadian go by? All they have is the sound bytes published in the media. The typical Canadian has no clue as to what kind of man Gen Hillier actually is, nor the demands of/for the CDS position.
  55. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: 'Mr. Hillier's unrealistic optimism and unbridled arrogance comes with a terrible price.'

    That's General Hillier, you guttersnipe. General Hillier has earned his rank and deserves some respect. That's a lot more than one can say about a know nothing arrogant armchair critic such as you who consistently spews unbridled and unsubstantiated allegations.
  56. charlie brown from Canada writes: To Canada First and Always from Canada. General Hillier is not a public servant (thank goodness). He is a military officer governed by the National Defence Act. He knows better than all of us that he serves the Government of the day. That he is forthright and outspoken in his views and his defence of our troops speaks volumes about his character and courage.
  57. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: Anti Fascist from Canada writes: 'ALL Canadians support Canadian Troops, and wish them a safe and speedy return home.'

    No, that is not a correct statement. There is ample evidence to be found on the G&M site alone that there some people who hate the CF and do want the bad guys to win. I'm sure that some are obvious Taliban/al Queda disinformation operators from anywhere in the world who are doing their job by spreading these comments while some may be disaffected Canadians who truly hate their country. A small minority, but they do exist.
  58. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: I R: you brought up another topic that has in my view no relevance to this thread. What does international law, domestic law or the charter have to do with this? We are in Afganistan to support the Afganistan government in their conflict with the Taliban. What the heck does our domestic law have to do with that? In regards to the Charter - what charter? If our Canadian Charter, I don't recall Afganistan or the Taliban signing up on it. Don't even know why it would have a bearing. If the UN Charter, the UN knows we are in Afganistan - are they saying we are breaking some UN code here? But all that is a red herring: as the saying goes 'When in Rome do as the Romans do'. I don't care whether we hurt any Taliban's feelings over this.
  59. John Ishmael from Brampton, Canada writes: ALASTAIR JAMES BERRY from nanaimo bc canada, Canada writes: Interesting...The 'scumbags and detestable murders' actually have BRAINS >>>

    Hiller declared that he was going to 'kill them' because they 'detested our freedoms.' Other military lobbyists [Not L.B Mulrooney] created our 73 dead 'Heroes' so that 'the Taliban would not come to Canada.' This spurious lot persuaded a malleable, weak Paul Martin, surrounded by Islamophobes, to give our troops over to NATO [ie. USA].

    Gobbels trained? ....'Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, wrote: ... The Taliban are themselves invaders -' >>> So, Canadian, American, British and other White, Western troops are really the true Afghans. The Afghan 'Taliban' are invaders. This writer sounds like Zionist squatters in Palestine who declare that they are the locals and that Palestinians are the foreign invaders. Perhaps he should write the new lines for Rick [Kill the Scum] Hillier as his enterprise sinks in face of the Afghan Resistance.

    I have always wondered how so many of the German people kept quiet when millions of Jews, Roma and others were exterminated. Since the American-UK-Canadian-Australian occupation enterprise of torture and carpet bombing and the acceptance of the slow motion genocide in Gaza, I have come to better understand. Now we have Hillier sending 'suspect' Afghanistan to 'security' trained by the Americans who have re-introduced Gulags of the USSR. Suspects have disappeared into the maws of the American Muslim torture machine. [Stop your protest! Yes, we Christians are not being tortured by the Alliance of Horror led by the US and abetted by Canada and the West - we Christians are torturing and killing Muslims.]

    A fantasy: that these war mongers and torture abettors or torturers be placed by the Iraq-Afghan Resistance into a local Bagram or Abu Graib ... but then I dispel that image for my faith reminds me that I must not be a Hillier and his ilk. Peace on Earth.

  60. martha stewart from Canada writes: Karl Trommeshauser writes: 'martha stewart: invasion?'

    Yes, invasion.

    'We were asked by the UN to provide miltary force to the Afganistani people. We fight side by side with the Afganistani forces against the invading Taliban.'

    Please. We were 'asked by the UN'... and look at which UN members volunteered. And the Afghanis who are the Taliban are invading their own country?

    'We had the president of Afganistan come to Canada recently.'

    The same one who now wants to talk to the Taliban?

    'He thanked us for the full support our country is giving to the Afganistanis.'

    You mean those in his regime.

    'He also recognized the awfull cost to us in providing this support.'

    Gee, thanks.

    'Should we turn our backs to countries in need?'

    Depends on their actual needs versus the 'needs' of the larger powers pulling the strings. I wonder if all members of the UN have equal weight in its decisions? I wonder who has vetoed more decisions? And which country has ignored the most UN resolutions?

  61. Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: John Ishmael: Your knee jerk reactions are pathetic. I'm unable to understand your ramblings (nor do I want to so don't bother clarifying). Your entry has killed what ever debate existed - I refuse to debate with a lunatic. Besides, I have said more than enough in these posts so will leave it to others to shine more light into the darkness.
  62. John Brown from Maritimes, Canada writes: Canada First and always, Peter McKay was probably not contacted to give political insight as to our reasons for being there and I should mention Peter McKay was not 'elected' MND, he was appointed after the paper General (ret'rd) botched the job. Why was General Hillier interviewed? Probably because he is more intune with what is going on militarily while Peter McKay has problems spelling the word. Our government and not Rick Hillier have already made the decision our troops will stay beyond the 2009 stated withdrawl date and will be announced in the new year. They had no intention of holding a free wote on the matter. Another sore point is the constant babbling about there for the oil, there is no oil in Afghanistan at least developed at this point; the issue is Taliban, drugs and terrorism. NATO asked and the Liberals provided and now the Reformatives have upped the stakes, anyone notice the expenditures for new equipment. This is a government who is serious of their committment to our allies and to NATO, suck it up. As for Hillier leading his troops in battle, he is doing exactly that, they do not need nor do they want him on the front lines, that is what our semior NCM's are for. Junior officers accompany troops not so much for leadership but for learning, good officers listen to and learn from their troops. Good luck and at the risk of offending many, GodSpeed to our fighting troops, may they return home safe.
  63. Mister G from Canada writes: boo bear from saint john, Canada writes: why doesn t he spend a month at the front lines with his men and women or better yet the next big battle or undertaking why doesn t he lead them right at the front? now that would be leadership. --------------------------------

    Why don't you get on a plane and join your beloved talibans you moron? That would be leadership for a change. Coward.
  64. siren call from Canada writes: “The Taliban are not 10-foot-tall warriors. But at the same time, they are not to be dismissed lightly,” Gen. Hillier said in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press.
    ........................

    Well, now who was underestimating the warriors of Afghanistan?

    Oh, right. Rick 'murderers and scumbags' Hillier.

    I'm glad Hillier has come to see the enemy as 'sophisticated' as I hope it might mean that our tactics will change to less heavy handed, more Gordon Brown/Karzai negotiations approach.

    However, since the rest of the speech involves the increasingly sophisticated (and expensive) military equipment we are buying and deploying-- I think it's just about to get really bloody.

    If only that front with Iran would open up ...
  65. Mike McFae from Canada writes: Excellent observation Freddie Fender. We must assume that occasional comments are planted by actual Taliban supporters. All they need is a computer and yes , Alice , the Taliban have internet connections . It's easy to prompt a few naive posters , especially of the post secondary vintage ( ahh , I remember it well - isn't life simple when you're still a student ). Besides , all you have to do is learn to spell ' idiot ' , ' pathetic ' and ' neo-con ' and their posts will go undetected :-)
  66. Mister G from Canada writes: boo bear from saint john, Canada writes: well karl i mean actually lead the men and women when they attack instead of dropping into the front line and have a nice dinner and get your picture taken . i ll say it again actually lead the soldiers as they rush an enemy position. so tell me has he done this yet??????? ---------------------
    ????????????????????????????????????????
    Another retarded comment from somebody who would not know the difference between a general and private. Unaducated pathetic scum.
  67. Paul Thompson from Canada writes: Alyssa, it makes no sense to call the Taliban 'cowardly' because they use IED's, traditionally known as landmines, to attack their NATO enemies. I've said this before but no guerrilla army is going to directly confront a force armed with sophisticated artillery, air support and all of the other trappings of modern warfare. That wouldn't be courage, that would be folly. Btw, Bill Thompson, I'm going to have to remember your phrase 'witless mouthing of puerile shoe scrapings.' I think you were being a little hard on Mr. Carriere, but you do have a way with words. There's a certain co-worker of mine I'm dying to try it out on. On a non-partisan note, I hope our guys, and everyone else over there for that matter, at least make it through Christmas without any more casualties.
  68. George Hall from Canada writes: We need to start tallking to the enemy to the Taliban..they are not going to go away...their beliefs need to be integrated into Karzais' I hate to say it but if I were the Taliban and had their financial support I would be wanting to fight Canadians on their home turf. and not always in my own country.
    This invasion was done with very little forethought and no public input whatsoever. the military under Rick Hillier were tired of military drills and over anxious to get into a real war.
  69. boo bear from saint john, Canada writes: mister g why don t you answer the question instead of showing your mental difficiences in attempting to write on here. my problem is is that people like hillier never do the real work of war. instead they send in folks like you mister g and karl no brains and then stand back and take any credit. if you are so keen why don t you go over and join?
  70. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Karl Trommeshauser from Vancouver, writes: I R: you brought up another topic that has in my view no relevance to this thread. What does international law, domestic law or the charter have to do with this...
    --------------
    Karl,

    Indeed. With respect, I would assert that your views are commonly held in some circles. I must remind you and those who serve in uniform that they are still subject to international, domestic law and the Charter. The CF are not employees of the Afghan government. They are an occupying force and subject to Canadian laws. Further they are there largely in support of a NATO and UN mandate, so international law does apply.

    A military not subject to international, domestic or Canadian constitutional law. Mmm. That is quite a thing to be proposing. If there are personnel who hold rank, advocating such a position, then they do not deserve the rank they hold. Freddie Fender take note.
  71. I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: Mike McFae from Canada writes: Excellent observation Freddie Fender. We must assume that occasional comments are planted by actual Taliban supporters...
    --------------------
    Promote the fear. A Taliban under every bed. Divide Canadians and perpetuate fear. Fear is the real enemy here and those who seek to perpetuate it or condemn those who raise valid criticism as being pro-enemy - and old game - a game with always the same outcome.
  72. Tim Cares from Canada writes: Fortunately, Hillier is wrong most of the time.
  73. Hugh Lawlor from The Gullies., Canada writes: The world needs more Canadian Forces and less scumbags and murderers (and there assorted supporters and hangers-on, in this forum and elsewhere).

    Godspeed to General Hiller and the rest of the good men and women of the Canadian Forces.

    The people of Afghanistan may know that Canada will support it's international commitments, as we always have.
  74. The NeoCynic from Christmas Island writes: With the sounds of Kabul residents being blown to bloody pieces now echoing in Karzei's ears, he will be forced to join with the Taliban in a coalition government. Victory will have been declared, freshly liberated school children and women will be paraded about, peace shall reign! Both 'equal partners', that is until the cameras are switched off. Then, surely as night follows day, Karzei will be dumped overboard, along with his 'liberated' citizens. And thus, our 'mission in Afghanistan' will sink with nary a murmur, a footnote for a gravestone. Amnesia will block our ears and blind our eyes, -a mere channel flick away. Afghanistan will fall to the floor, the discarded toy of a malevolent child. Worry not, nor envy the psychopath's sleep, for the horror we have wrought. All corpses rot to dust, and true human remains are found only in the minds of orphans and hearts of widows. And they too do soon turn to dust. And for all here who 'loved' our troops, who brayed for the bombs, the air strikes, the torture and the murder, who cheered the bravery of our soldiers, will dare not brave the stares of our victims: here come the bereaved, zombied by misery, their eyes painted in pictures of their dead. They trail galleries of the thousands, hundreds of thousands killed for nothing but our policy failures. What one thousandth child would not break your faith, what one thousandth child would not now, in the candle light of your private thought, make every cheek blush? Take heart, it is almost over. We still yet have a few more of our young men to sacrifice. As life's last light leaves the eyes of another dead soldier, who in the acute brilliance of their youth and innocence, set down childish things to take up our banners, and die in this wasteland, please whisper a reason. Say anything, pretend anything, give them something to hold on to. Only you will be left alone to live with your reasons.
  75. A good Canadian from Canada writes: Tim Cares from Canada writes: Fortunately, Hillier is wrong most of the time.
    *******************

    And you sir, are wrong about that statement.
  76. Paul Jay from Canada writes: The U.S. trashed Afghanistan in their covert war against the Soviets. Why the hell should it be left to Canada and others to clean up the mess they made?
  77. Mike McFae from Canada writes: George Hall says that the invasion of Iraq occured because the military under General Hillier were tired of drills ! He also says we need to talk to the Taliban ( use your words, children ). Moderator , please save us and close this site. The patients have clearly taken over :-)
  78. George Hall from Canada writes: Remember Vietnam
  79. Lawrence Roy from Parkdale, Canada writes: I can never forget when Rick said he was going in to 'kill people' and for 'revenge'. I will never forget the horror when the Taliban Navy sailed in and destroyed the West Edmonton Mall. GO-RICK - GO!!!!!!!
  80. N B from Canada writes: How are the negotiations going with the Taliban or do we not negotiate with the bad guys?
  81. George Hall from Canada writes: The leader of the Western world which Canada is part of is without a doubt a blatant liar. George Bush President of the United States lied to the entire world about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq...there were no weapons and there is no excuse for this. Canadians were lucky that Jean Chretien was not in the back pocket of the U. S. , unlike Bushs' buddy ' Steve', and did not support the invasion.
    Afghanistan was and is another story.
  82. George Hall from Canada writes: I don't think Hillier is privy to the talks with the Taliban, but the Americans made it clear a few months back they wanted negotiations as did Karzai.
    It would make a great story for a journalist to find out how negotiations are going.
  83. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: 'Mike McFae from Canada writes: Excellent observation Freddie Fender. We must assume that occasional comments are planted by actual Taliban supporters...
    --------------------
    Promote the fear. A Taliban under every bed. Divide Canadians and perpetuate fear. Fear is the real enemy here and those who seek to perpetuate it or condemn those who raise valid criticism as being pro-enemy - and old game - a game with always the same outcome.'

    No one said anything about ' a Taliban under every bed.' If you don't think that the Taliban/al Queda are not taking advantage of the internet to promote their information operations campaign, then you are an even bigger fool than you have previously demonstrated.
  84. Steven Koning from Bloomfield, ON, Canada writes: Freedom fighters do not kill their own compatriots. Only fanatical dope-crazed terrorists do that.
  85. Mahatma Gandhi from Calgary, Canada writes: Chris Jenkins writes: 'The Lefties in Britain thought Hitler was a good guy too until the bombs started landing in London.'

    Actually, Chris, that would have been the 'righties'. Like the British Union of Fascists, led by Oswald Mosley. The royal family was not without its black sheep. Prince Charles Edward, a grandson of Queen Victoria, was a notorious nazi sympathizer, and was dubbed the 'traitor peer'. And Edward VIII's sympathy for Hitler is well documented.

    On the other hand, 'lefties' fought bravely against the fascists all over Europe, notably against Franco in Spain.
  86. Freddie Fender from Canada writes: I R from White Rock, BC, Canada writes: '...I would assert that your views are commonly held in some circles. I must remind you and those who serve in uniform that they are still subject to international, domestic law and the Charter. The CF are not employees of the Afghan government. They are an occupying force and subject to Canadian laws. Further they are there largely in support of a NATO and UN mandate, so international law does apply.

    A military not subject to international, domestic or Canadian constitutional law. Mmm. That is quite a thing to be proposing. If there are personnel who hold rank, advocating such a position, then they do not deserve the rank they hold. Freddie Fender take note.'

    IR - you consistently demonstrate that you know absolutely the square root of SFA. No one in the CF let alone myself advocates that the CF is not subject to international and Canadian law. Any suggestion otherwise is against the law. For your part, you might to review your obligations as a resident of Canada under Section 62 of the Criminal Code of Canada in this regard.

    Furthermore, the CF is not in Afghanistan as a 'occupying force.'
  87. Interested Observer from Canada writes: Hillier is a US puppet under US command and spews warmongering propoganda as good as any US warmongering appologist.

    US OIL interests planned the invasion for decades. Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran are all part of US Hegemony.

    $100,000,000. PER MONTH to prop up the colonial puppet regime - ex-UNOCAL pipeline negotiator.

    If Canada was is the traditional role of peacekeeper supporting the local people bombed into oblivion by the US the Canadians would support the mission.

    Canada is no mre than a US divsion of the invading/occupying nation, plundering and kiling at will.

    How many dead Afghans children are a fair trade for our involvement?

    Canada = showing our LOVE of Afghanistan at the end of uranium enriched armaments. Blowing the Afghans to pieces, one heart and one mind at a time!
  88. Inga Himeson from Pineville, Canada writes:
    Shawn writes: ''Can someone please remind me again why the hell we're there in the first place?''

    Well Shawn it's a constantly moving changing target. At the beginning it was Osama bin Laden, then democracy, then to enable little girls to go to school. It may soon become to liberate Afghan women so they can loose their centuries old traditional costume the burka, and one day who knows they may even be making to the centerfold of Play Boy magazine the ultimate symbol of western female liberation and true freedom.
  89. Tom Alderman from Vancouver, Canada writes: This much is clear - the Taliban seek a return to power and the glories of the 8th century, and fervently pray each day for a return of the Natural Governing Party of Canada so that may be achieved. Nobody despised the military to the extent Trudeau did. Where is his ghost when we need it? What are the chances of the weakling Dion being placed in to the seat of power. Death to the women and children of Afghanistan! Long live the Taliban!!
    • Posted 16/12/07 at 9:51