The Guardian reports the following: Australian Super Hornets pulled out of an air strike on an Islamic State target in Iraq when the risk of killing civilians became too high, defence officials have revealed. RAAF aircraft have carried out three missions in Iraq since joining the battle against Isis but
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Politics and its Discontents: Some Critical Thinking About The War Against ISIS
Contrary to what governments want their citizens to do, that is precisely what the following Star letter-writers are engaging in as they ask the right questions and point out what should be obvious about the war on ISIS terrorism: Chantal Hébert overlooked the sanest voice in Parliament when she analyzed
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Harper Regime: 90 Pound Weaklings When It Comes To Heavy Lifting
As I indicated in yesterday’s post, the Harper Conservatives seem very selective in ‘standing up for the vulnerable’; they just don’t seem to have what it takes to do the real heavy lifting that is required in our troubled world, preferring instead to utter bellicose rhetoric and put our young
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Curious Case Of Conservative Compassion
Some would say that the Harper regime’s justification for its decision to commit militarily to the fight against ISIS was patriotic and stirring: Said John Baird: “My Canada heeds the call’’…. “My Canada protects the vulnerable. My Canada does not leave all the heavy lifting to others.’’ Said Mr. Harper:
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Be Careful What You Wish For
Despite the polls currently showing majority support for Canada’s joining in the war against ISIS, the Prime Minister may find that its enthusiasm for such futile adventurism is short-lived. Perhaps, after the next election, Mr. Harper will find that he has some time for that long-deferred fishing trip? H/t The
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Penetrating The Fog Of War
Yesterday, in response to a picture I posted quoting Herman Goering on the ease with which people can be manipulated into war, Scotian, a frequent commentator, responded to the picture, offering his analysis of the Canadian reaction to ISIS. I offer you his comments, always insightful, for your consideration: Sadly,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: This Is Not The Time For Absolutism
In the absolutist world of Stephen Harper, there are those who wear white hats and those who wear black. No berets (especially berets!) of middling colours are recognized. So when he declares that Canada will not stand on the sidelines on this possibly endless battle against ISIS, King Stephen is
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