Realism, Not Wishful Thinking

If only the Blogging Tories would stop spitting on Jack Layton and actually listen to the people who know what is going on in Afghanistan. People like Rory Stewart:

"I see little interest on the part of the Afghan army or police to fight the Taliban in the south of Afghanistan," says Rory Stewart, a writer and former British foreign office official who now heads a charity called Turquoise Mountain dedicated to helping artisans in and around Kabul. "The Afghan government may want to keep out the Taliban, but they clearly lack either the capacity or the power to do it."... Stewart believes the most realistic way forward could be to allow a decentralized form of government in which Taliban, and other deeply conservative elements, would play a role if they were accepted by people in the regions.

"We may be forced to reconsider our theory of state-building, which is based on a centralized bureaucracy. But the Afghan government doesn't have the ability to run the country that way. The alternative would be to look to the villages, which have been running things their own way for 25 years because there was no real government."...

"The diversity of the country is enormous, and it's little understood in the West. Some people want freedom from torture, but not freedom of the press. Others believe sharia law is crucial. There are those who want minority rights, but not minority rule, and more prosperity but not market reform. And there are many who are more in sympathy with the Taliban than with foreign troops. We need a policy that's built on realism, not wishful thinking." Toronto Star. Toronto, Ont.: Apr 14, 2007. pg. A.18

It is easy to shut your cerebral cortex down and spew hate toward Jack Layton (and no I don't agree with the party's position on Afghanistan). Try turning it on, for a change and give some thought to the realities of Afghanistan. The time for telling yourselves fairy tales about creating the Switzerland of Central Asia (and hiding behind jingoism) is over.

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Toryspeak Translated

Conclusive proof, if more is needed, that "Support Our Troops" translated into English means, "Shut the fuck up and do what we say!"

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Be Careful, English

The Dear Leader has a brilliant new approach to federal provincial relations. It is called the Amish Plan. Any premier who challenges orthodoxy (i.e. that Steve never tells anything but God's own truth), will be shunned. Wikipedia defines the purpose of shunning this way:

Shunning can be broken down into behaviours and practices that seek to accomplish either or both of two primary goals.

1. To modify the behaviour of a member. This approach seeks to influence, encourage, or coerce normative behaviours from members. It may, conversely, seek to dissuade, provide disincentives for, or to compel avoidance of certain behaviours. In this context shunning may include disassociation from the member by other members of the community who are in good standing. It may also include more antagonistic psychological behaviours (described below). This approach may be seen as either corrective or punitive (or both) by the group membership or leadership, and may also be intended as a deterrent.
2. To remove or limit the influence of a member (or former member) over other members in a community. This approach may seek to isolate, to discredit, or otherwise dis-empower such a member, often in the context of actions or positions advocated by that member. For groups with clearly defined membership criteria, especially criteria based on key behaviours or ideological precepts, this approach may be seen as limiting damage to the community or its leadership. This is often paired with some form of excommunication.

No word will pass between Steve's glorious, pouty lips, to the evil doer in question. No invitations to Steve's parties will ever be issued. No more barn raisings for Rodney, Danny and Lorne.

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Quote Of The Day (Well Yesterday Really)

From the Times about our American allies, in Afghanistan:

The Americans will lose the war for us. They have no idea about counter-insurgency and they have no idea about winning hearts and minds, one British officer told The Times.

I guess that trooper doesn't support himself. Hat tip to Paul Wells.

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Bush To Scooter

Keep your mouth shut until January '09 and the pardon is yours.

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More Canadiana On Canada Day

If I may be allowed some Ontario-centrism this Canada Day (and I am since this is my blog), I would say this is the best Ontario-themed song ever written. It was written by Wade Hemsworth, who I had never heard of (which is typical, sadly of Canadians of my generation) until this fantastic version was brought out by the National Film Board. Sit back, relax, and try not to scratch.

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Ten Reasons To Love Canada

10. Hockey Night In Canada
9. Feist
8. Montreal Bagels
7. Medicare
6. Trailer Park Boys (especially Bubbles)
5. Butter Tarts
4. Gay Marriage
3. Niagara Wines
2. Sweet, sweet, freedom
1. It's home.

Happy Canada Day to all. And for the U20 team. Go Canada Go!

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