I am Canadian!!

Wednesday, 26. September 2007, 09:07:44


Another Canadian dies in Afghanistan!!!

Soldier believed in Afghan mission
Calgary tank crewman 71st to be killed in Afghanistan

By DENE MOORE The Canadian Press | 5:57 AM

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Before boarding a military flight to Afghanistan last month, Cpl. Nathan Hornburg told a newspaper in his hometown that danger would not deter him.

“It’s more of an argument we should be there — we know it’s a mess and that’s why we’re there,” he told the Calgary Sun in July.

The above was clipped from the front page of the Halifax Herald this morning.

I've long been a believer that there are situations in this world that have to change before we can move on to a better world. 911 aside the reality of Afghanistan has been ignored by the world for decaids. Everyone diserves the right to wake up in a safe home , get the education that best suites their lives, work an honest day for a liveable wage and to grow old in their own world.

When a country breaks down and can't insure those basic rights for its people, we (the rest of the world) should be able to provide whatever support is required to reestablish that platform of stability. That's where the United Nations is supposed to come in but it hasn't been able to perform as a united force for years, far too much internal politics.

Everytime there is a news item that starts with "Another Canadian dies...." I kringe in pain for the family and friends of the fallen but I feel that once we as a country stepped up to the plate and went to help, Canada should be there till the stabliity is re-established and the people of Afghanistan can live and grow as they should.

There is so much good that we can do, as a stabilizer, as a humanitarian force, as a breath of fresh air. There are no short term fixes for a country which has lost its foundation of safety and growth for its population. It takes time; unfortunatly as individuals we measure time in hours, days and weeks but a fundimental change in the lifestyle of a nation has to be measured in years, decaids and centuries.

The termoil in Afghanistan has to end. Until the Canadian forces can put an end to the violance, which for the most part is as a result of outside forces, there will be more unfortunate deaths. One life is far too valuable to come to its end if the goal of safety for the Afghanistan people is not met. The only rationizable justification is that the end of the violence is near and the platform of safety that is so desparatly needed is just around the corner.

As Canadians we should be looking at the situation in Afghanistan to be a long term commitment, moving from the current stage of aggressive force, to a policing action then on to a supportive roll and eventually reaching the goal of a joint venture partner in the health, education, development and growth of a New Afghanistan that comes out of the platform of safety & allowing the people of Afghanistan to determine their own direction; without outside influences from us or any other organization that has alternative goals.

Cpl. Nathan Hornburg may you rest in peace...