Political statements on Suicide Bombing of Canadian Troops - 18 Sep 06

[geo]

After we finished our Ops in the area, you had to figure the Taliban would respond in some way, shape or fashion.  It serves two purposes
- Wng to NATO that we didn't get them all
- wng to the locals not to cozy up to NATO!

Another day in the neighborhood.....................

 

[vonGarvin]

"An explosion hit Canadian troops giving candy to children in southern Afghanistan early Monday"
You know what makes me angry?  Yes, troops being targetted whilst doing this kind of action.  Yes, bombs going off that may have killed, maimed or otherwise injured children.  But what REALLY grinds my gears is that this kind of action, handing out candy, etc, is NEVER covered by the press UNTIL something horrible happens.  THIS is why Taliban Jack thinks that our mission over there is "unbalanced".


Sorry if I've offended anyone (except Taliban Jack).

Now, for those injured and/or killed over there, God Speed to the wounded and those left behind, and RIP to the fallen, no matter who they may be (all except for any suicide bomber: may he rot in hell for setting off a bomb in the midst of children).

 

[GAP]

We had similar situations with children selling cokes. They know the affinity we have for children, and while they may have it also, they also consider life cheap. That is the largest obstacle the western powers have to wrap their heads around...their willingness to sacrifice a life to achieve a relatively minor goal.

 

[armyvern]

Let's just see whether this disgusting incident raises the same amount of outrage and protests that the pope's remarks have.

 

[George Wallace]

Let's just see whether this disgusting incident raises the same amount of outrage and protests that the pope's remarks have.

Of course not.  The Pope is a 'figure Heading a Religious faction of Infidels'.  That is completely different from an act of 'jihad' by a Muslim.  The mentality of these people does not equate the two acts as having any commonality.  The Pope is 'evil' no matter what he or anyone else says.  A 'Suicide Bomber' in a jihad is a completely different matter and considered a martyr to their cause.

 

[armyvern]

Of course not. 

I know, I know. When I mumbled it to myself while typing I was using my sarcastic voice.

 

[Old Sweat]

Much as it pains me to say it for I grieve for the loss of four more Canadian soldiers, it seems to me that this is a very effective tactic on the part of the Taliban. Unable to defeat our forces in battle, they have resorted to a method of attack that both negates the impact of the recent operation and strikes at public opinion at home. In one act, by one person, they have inflicted as many fatal casualties as they did in the whole of Medusa, while keeping their own losses to a minimum. Basically they have retaken the initiative in the information war, at least for a short period, especially as much of the comments I have seen by our punditry seems ill considered and based on incomplete information.

I suspect that this sort of enemy reaction was expected by the friendly forces, but that does not make it any more palatable. We should see more of this sort of thing in the days and weeks to come.

 

[armyvern]

Much as it pains me to say it for I grieve for the loss of four more Canadian soldiers, it seems to me that this is a very effective tactic on the part of the Taliban. Unable to defeat our forces in battle, they have resorted to a method of attack that both negates the impact of the recent operation and strikes at public opinion at home. In one act, by one person, they have inflicted as many fatal casualties as they did in the whole of Medusa, while keeping their own losses to a minimum. Basically they have retaken the initiative in the information war, at least for a short period, especially as much of the comments I have seen by our punditry seems ill considered and based on incomplete information.

I suspect that this sort of enemy reaction was expected by the friendly forces, but that does not make it any more palatable. We should see more of this sort of thing in the days and weeks to come.

I would like to take the optimistic approach. Perhaps, just perhaps, this one act by this individual while our troops were out winning hearts and minds, which though grossly underreported by our National media outlets happens on a daily basis,may do much to debunk the notion that these terrorists are worth negotiating with. 

That these animals find it OK to intentionally blow-up children firmly proves that negotiating is not consistant with realism.

My condolances to our soldiers, their familes, the injured, their Units. Godspeed.

Condolances as well to the families of the innocent children offered up for sacrifice today by these scum.

 

[big bad john]

http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/ISAF/Update/Press_Releases/newsrelease/2006/Release_18Sept06_163.htm?tsfsg=9ee2228889ce63df4f6c20f9c3742a3a

IED attack inflicts casualties in Kandahar Province
Release #2006-163 18 September 2006

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - 18 September 2006

At approximately 09:30 a.m. a suicide bomber killed four ISAF soldiers and wounded others from an ISAF patrol operating in Kandahar Province. Many local civilians also suffered injuries from the blast.

The ISAF soldiers had been on patrol in the Panjwayi District. Police on the scene have reported that the patrol had been talking with local people and had been giving gifts to children when they were attacked by a suicide bomber on a bicycle. It also appears that 27 local nationals were injured in the incident, including a number of children. The bomber also died. The casualties have been evacuated to medical facilities for treatment.

Further information regarding the incident will be released when available.

In accordance with ISAF policy, the nationalities and details of the casualties will be released through national press offices.


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

Contact Information
ISAF Public Information Office

Press Office +93 (0) 799511155
Mobile: 0093 (0) 799 55 8291
http://www.jfcbs.nato.int/ISAF
[email protected]

 

[LakeSup]

Yes they are scum but they are not cowards (they are worse...I'm not making a compliment)  and they are in a seemingly endless supply willing to cashier themselves to kill our own and their own citizens and children.  You cannot defeat an enemy that is fighting this way and , no matter how much we love and support our troops and their "high road" brave method of winning hearts and minds, I'm am certain that we will be looking at a grinding loss of life until our weak politicians and citizenry finally throw in the towel. 
There is no honour to be had fighting these people.  We are making it worse for the Afghanis....if they really want change they must do it themselves.

 

[Journeyman]

Another well done OpEd piece by Christie Blatchford in today's Globe & Mail.

CHRISTIE BLATCHFORD: "Can we not wait a day before exploiting deaths?"
http://www.theglobeandmail.com//servlet/story/LAC.20060919.AFGHANBLATCH19/TPStory/National/columnists

What was the response, at home, to their deaths?
Why, let's be blunt, it was to feast upon the carcasses.....

The attack immediately became fodder for returning federal politicians....

But can there not be a short interval, can it not wait until the dead are buried? Publicly identified? 

Thank you Ms Blatchford

 

[GAP]

Excellent article...especially the last point of what would have happened if they had shot him and he was carrying nothing...the press would have crucified them.

Which got me to thinking about a TV program approx. a year ago about non-lethal means of stopping people. One of them was the sticky net that essentially immobilized the person temporarily. Does nothing much if it is a suicide bomber and he decides to pull the pin, but allows the security element to stay back and if the person is innocent....not much harm done, except to their dignity...just a thought.

 

[Pea]

Another awesome article by Christie. I LOVE that woman.

 

[patrick666]

Great article, and it is true --- it's so easy to "pick their bones" from the relatively safety of a democratic nation with two oceans segregading it from the rest of the world.. people need to inform themselves and quit relying on the government to spoon-feed them facts and falsities.. talk to soldiers, read the paper, visit a web-site, research through literature... it's all readily available for an inquiring mind..

And Mr. Layton, who is known as "Taliban Jack" now in the military, ought not to purport to speak for soldiers, least of all when they are doing the very sort of thing he claims to want them to be doing.

Taliban Jack, always good for a laugh at best.

 

[big bad john]

Cpl. Glen Arnold, 2 Field Ambulance, CFB Petawawa, Ont.


http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=6f49f1c7-efb6-424c-af6e-84e07034f019&k=20190

 

[Lockness]

I mourn the soldiers who lost their lives on this mission and pray for a full recovery of those injured.

Upon reflection I decided to delete the contents of the post.  A hearts and minds strategy discussion maybe is more appropriate elsewhere.

 

[vonGarvin]

I mourn the soldiers who lost their lives on this mission and pray for a full recovery of those injured.

That part of the post I agree with.  The rest is moot.  You aren't there.  I'm not there.  THEY are there, they are professional, they take risks every day.  The know what they are doing.  I have faith in them.