Harper, you lied.
Harper speaking to troops in Afghanistan, pledging to sacrifice a dozen or so Canadian soldiers every year for the next ten years to support the cause in Afghanistan and to secure our economic and social interests there.
One of Harper's main election platforms was Accountability. He promised that all future military action would be put to a parliamentary vote.
What is he saying now? How did he suddenly appear in Afghanistan addressing troops and condoling with President Karzai?:
At a newsconference today (according to cbc.ca) Harper cited his Conservative election promise to hold a vote on all future military deployments. "These things obviously will be put to votes in the future. That's a commitment we've made".
OH. So you will do what you want without consulting the parliament, despite your promise to do so. Is this present not the future you spoke of during the election? How many more promises for the future are you going to evade?
Peter Mackay has said the a parliamentary vote would undercut support and morale for the troops. At today's press conference in Afghanistan, Harper also suggested that if the "opposition parties vote against an extension, they could undercut Canada's commitment to the military mission". (cbc.ca)
What a twisted concept. Informed discussion will undercut both our troops and "Canada's commitment"? OK: instead of discussing the pros and cons of sending our sons and daughters to war, let's just blindly keep them there. That's easier and less complicated. And Yes, Mr. Harper, a vote against an extension of our mission in Afghanistan will indeed "undercut Canada's commitment". That's exactly what a negative vote would mean: we don't want to go to war in Afghanistan.
"As I said to the president, we have a parliamentary system. I don't control the majority," Harper said. "I don't control the other parties." (cbc.ca) True. But parliaments have procedures for decision-making. You are not following these procedures as you promised, and as is your duty.
What a shameful day for Canada.
Coming soon:
South Dakota and A Womb of One's Own: a reqiuem for women's reproductive and human rights. If I can manage to bottle all that bile.
posted by Arty Povera @ 6:59 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
"But parliaments have procedures for decision-making. You are not following these procedures as you promised, and as is your duty." Troops are already in Afganistan. There are no "parlimentary proceedures" that Harper isn't following. His argument is pure and simple: Canada had troops in Afganistan before he was elected. The decision was made. Period. During the election he made a promise that future military initiatives would be put to a parlimentary vote. I hate Steven Harper as much as the next person, but I'll hold off calling him a liar until there is a clearer case for it.
Good points. It is perhaps too strong to call Harper a liar, however, I'm angry. The troops are already in Afghanistan, but I don't think that means we should be locked in. I don't think Canada should make a long-term commitment, when there is clear dissent on the part of most citizens, and without it at LEAST going to a parliamentary vote.
Post a Comment
<< Home