Reflections From Kandahar

As I write this, our Prime Minister is talking to Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. Afghanistan has made the news lately, because of a poll suggesting a majority of Canadians (and at least one military family) have questions about the mission (despite the Canadian media establishment being, by and large, supportive of the mission) and because a number of soldiers have been killed while over there. The Opposition has called for a debate, but Harper says it's not needed, suggesting that Canadians will support the mission once they better understand it, and that the debate has already happened. He must remember things differently than I do. I remember then-Prime Minister Chretien announcing Canada's involvement in Afghanistan when the US campaign to displace the Taliban began, with little, if any, debate. It would be nice if the current Prime Minister could say when this debate happened.

Why is the Prime Minister afraid of debate anyways? The media's response to this issue may give an indication. For example, the Brandon Sun recently wrote in full support of the mission (and in support of re-opening talks on ballistic missile defence). What's disturbing is that the newspaper used the "War on Terror" reasoning that in the US has been used to justify the war in Iraq, among other things. Another way the argument can be interpreted is to say, "shut up or else the terrorists are going to get us all." War, however, is a very serious issue. It's expensive, it's hard on the soldier's families while the soldiers are away, there are many civilian casualties, and those who decide to go to war often are sheltered from the worst consequences. All the more reason to debate the issue. Who's interests are the Canadian government serving by going to war and by having little debate on the issue? Why are they afraid of public opinion?