Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Slander The Soldier

NDP rank and file should be grateful for the fact that most resolutions at policy conventions are either defeated, downplayed, or ignored afterwards.

Because if this one isn't unconditionally repudiated, the NDP is going to have a hell of a time outside the big three explaining to Joe Sixpack that his brother in the Army or neighbour in the Navy is just another terrorist:

Canada's troops in Afghanistan have been "acting like terrorists, destroying communities, killing and maiming innocent people", according to a resolution that will be voted on by New Democrats at the party's convention in Quebec City this weekend.

The resolution is one of 104 proposals on international affairs from local riding associations that will be presented at the convention. Others suggest Canada withdraw from the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), the World Trade Organization and the North American Free Trade Agreement, while one riding association proposes a freeze on trade with Israel until the "occupation of Palestinian lands" is ended.

....

The resolution comparing Canadian troops to terrorists, put forward by the Nanaimo-Cowichan riding association in British Columbia, says Canada's goals "cannot be achieved by violence when the 'enemy' cannot be distinguished from ordinary citizens" and calls for Canadian troops to be withdrawn from that country.

Its release comes as the bodies of five Canadian soldiers were returned home after being killed in the Kandahar region on the weekend.

A spokesman for Jack Layton said the NDP leader would not comment on the language used in the resolution or indicate whether he intended to vote for it.

"These resolutions have not been debated yet and have absolutely no status at this time," Karl Belanger said.

Jean Crowder, the NDP MP for Nanaimo-Cowichan, also refused to comment on the resolution before it has been debated at the convention.


On second thought, let the NDP adopt this resolution and put it out front at the next election, when the Afghanistan mission is likely to be a major campaign issue.

Let Jack Layton explain to the families and friends of our servicemen why his party holds them in the same contempt as most people hold the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah.

Let the NDP candidates try to explain as they go door-to-door in Halifax, Trenton or Esquimalt.

Let the party spokesmen tell us whether this is what the real meaning of the cant "support the troops, oppose the mission" is.

This resolution demonstrates just how deeply in thrall the NDP has become to some of its more radical elements. We can ignore the old-style Marxist policy resolutions calling for the nationalization of everything under the sun, because even the NDP knows it's all for show.

But this direct insult at our men in uniform cannot go unanswered.

Source: National Post

1 comment:

Joanne (True Blue) said...

They've recanted it now.