All Afghanistan All The Time
Not Only are American troops arriving at the Canadian Kandahar Base, warriors of a different stripe are also moving in. NHL oldtimers landed today with the Stanley Cup in tow. Defence Minister Peter Mackay had a few words:
"For Canadians, I mean, this symbolizes something that every young boy or girl grows up dreaming about – playing for the Stanley Cup," said Defence Minister Peter MacKay, whose departure after a top-secret three-day visit to Afghanistan coincided with the team’s arrival.
"The soldiers on the base – there’s probably a few of them who didn’t sleep last night in anticipation of getting to play against some of their heroes, getting to see the Stanley Cup – it’s just a huge morale boost."
Meanwhile in other news from Afghanistan today -
MUQIBEL, Afghanistan (Reuters) – U.S.-led coalition troops killed three men, two children and a woman, in a raid in southeastern Afghanistan, provincial officials and village residents said. The governor of Khost province, Arsallah Jamal, has previously called on U.S. forces to seek Afghan assistance before launching nighttime raids, saying Afghans would be in a position to "reduce mistakes."
Body of 81st Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan to return home Wednesday
BBC News: Gunfire has been heard from the Pul-e-Charkhi prison, a huge complex built in the 1970s on the outskirts of the capital, Kabul.
footnote: Afghanistan Drug Trade Hits Home
KABUL, Afghanistan – Muhammad Nasir lives with 70 drug users on the outskirts of town. His home is an abandoned building sitting amid a mass of toppled concrete. This field of rubble is one of the most dangerous, least visited parts of Kabul – police say two people were killed here just weeks ago. Inside what used to be a Russian cinema house, Mr. Nasir and others sleep in flour sacks and smoke.
Canada’s "new" mission, according to our "defence minister": To Bring diversity and freedom of expression to the Afghan people…just like in Canada.
After 6 years, 82 Canadian lives lost, many wounded, hundreds of innocent Afghans slaughtered, and billions spent…we have to ask…is it all worth the price?
Harper’s a ‘decider’. Dion’s his washroom attendant. The combined wisdom — and real guts — of those two wouldn’t fill a real leader’s coffee cup.
But I sure am glad hockey’s coming to Kandahar. Maybe they can hold the 2048 All-Star Game there.
Yes…doc, once Mr. Mackay has instilled “diversity and freedom of expression” in Afghanistan, so they’ll be able to protest in their parliament just like we do…they’ll be clamoring for that allstar game.
However, I think you’re being a bit optimistic about the early date.