Loyalty, Consequence

 

Frustration among opposition MPs was evident, in the face of Conservative backbenchers suggesting they’re insufficiently behind the troops for asking those questions.

 

“This isn’t about who can say that they support the troops more than the other,” NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar said.

 

“This is about our job as parliamentarians . . . . We’re trying to get some honest answers and some transparency. What’s the cost of the war? You know, we went down this path in Afghanistan when we slept-walked into Kandahar without having a defined mission, without proper parliamentary oversight.”

 

Backbenchers playing politics; it's one of their stronger wedge files, after all, and they know damned well what their leader expects of them.  You need to present a united front and stay on message, reduce your target profile.  Then, hit 'em with everything you've got.

 

When I told one of the advisers to Justin Trudeau why I supported the International effort against ISIS/ISIL – and when I pointed out that I agreed with right-wing extremist warmongers like Barack Obama, Lloyd Axworthy and Bob Rae – I was told Messrs. Axworthy, Rae et al. were “traitors” to the party, because they’d disagreed with the leader. That’s a quote.

 

You're either with us, or you're against us.  If you're against us, you're out.  You don't belong.  If you are seriously enough against us to be a threat, or at least an obstacle, expect no mercy.  It's how empires work, am I right?

 

I'm not done yet.

 

So, Dipper folk, we are therefore enemies. As with Conservatives, I will do my level best to step on your throat. I will hit you, over and over. I will rip your face off, if you give me half a chance.

 

Are you loyal to the Party?  Are you loyal to the Government?  Are you with us?  Are you in?  Stakes are high and we need everything you have to fight this battle against these enemies of ours.

Asked to explain why Canadian soldiers now find themselves forced to defend themselves against firefights, Gen. Lawson said the fight is changing. Kurds are now taking the skills passed on by Canada and “putting pressure” on Islamic State militants.

Escalation?  Unintended consequences?  Catching flies by arming Saddams?  Think too much and you get stuck in analysis paralysis when what matters is acting now.  Stopping the threat in front of you.  We need to stop them at all costs.  At all costs.

Don't ask these things of the troops, the people who are fighting real wars, with real weapons and fatal consequences.  They know that it's not about them. 

 

It's too bad those they fight for have forgotten what it is we're supposed to be loyal to - and what the consequences are when we aren't.