This war in Iraq has been a test of character. For those who have stepped forward to end Saddam Hussein’s mockery of the UN’s countless resolutions to disarm, they will be recalled for answering the bell when it needed to be answered. All leaders and governments and nations will be remembered for where they stood and how they conducted themselves leading up to this conflict. For Canadians, sadly, Jean Chretien speaks for our country. Unquestionably, his Government’s actions will have repercussions for us to deal with for years to come.
What Americans should know, however, is this Prime Minister and his views do not represent all Canadians – he does not represent how a majority of our people think and feel on issues like owing up to our international responsibilities and working with our closest allies. Recently, the silent majority across Canada has begun to speak out and relate just how embarrassed we have been by our inarticulate leader and his incomprehensible foreign policy stance(s). We are truly ashamed by the hollow bravado and inflammatory rhetoric of him and his colleagues in Ottawa.
In 1859, John Stuart Mill wrote: “War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing he cares about more than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature who has no chance of being free; unless made and kept so by the exertions of a better man than himself.”
As a Canadian who has had relatives fight and die in our wars, I have confidence that our country’s people aspire to much more than our current political leadership is capable of reaching. I hope that in future tests of mettle, we can demonstrate our character and our convictions and be there with our allies to stand tall for our values and rights and responsibilities. There are many in Canada who are with our American friends and family in spirit and in prayer. God bless America and may everyone serving in the Coalition safely make it home soon.
cgacommunications.com |
