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Leave it to Canada to be politically correct in Afghanistan

Cover up our traditional symbols as to not offend others? We do it at home, why not other countries as well? Pretty soon it will be offensive to show our flag at the olympics because "it means someone else didnt win."

Im sick of this defeatist canadian attitude. We are helping afghans and we should fly our flag ALONGSIDE theirs. Not pull it down because it might "offend" someone.

quote:

Canadians troops lower Maple Leaf at Canadian camps, raise Afghan flag KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (CP) - The Maple Leaf is coming down at Canadian military installations in Afghanistan. Commanders of Operation Enduring Freedom have asked coalition troops to take down their national flags and fly only the black-red-green of Afghanistan in an effort to put Afghan colours on the forces bolstering the national government. Canada has decided to comply with the request, citing "cultural sensitivity." "This is not Canada, this is the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan," said Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, head of the Canadian contingent and the multinational brigade in southern Afghanistan. "We've got to respect their cultures and traditions and be respectful that they invited us here. I think it's only fitting we fly their flag." Fraser, officially made head of the multinational brigade for southern Afghanistan on Tuesday in a ceremony at the main air base outside Kandahar, said there is one team behind international efforts to pacify Afghanistan and that it should unite under one flag. As Fraser was installed, soldiers at the small camp housing the Canadian provincial reconstruction team in downtown Kandahar a few kilometres away lowered the Maple Leaf in a dignified ceremony. "It goes back to the cultural sensitivity training we did back in Canada," Fraser said. "We're in support of the Afghans. They're leading this mission." Fraser said small Canadian flags on the side of vehicles and the tiny ones on soldiers' shoulders can remain. For years, coalition and NATO military leaders have tried to polish the image of the Afghan government by insisting local authorities regularly lead operations with only the backup of international troops. Despite improvements in training and equipment, the reality on the ground is often far different. International soldiers often pick up the slack for under-paid and poorly trained Afghan police and troops, although Afghans take the bulk of the casualties from insurgent attacks. U.S. Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Freakley, the coalition operational commander who asked contributing countries to lower their flags, said the international community needs to build institutions like the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Raising the Afghan flag as frequently as possible can only help the effort. "We're trying to make subtle transitional moves to help the people of Afghanistan fend for themselves," he said. Freakley said some U.S.-run compounds hosting international troops fly a dozen flags from various coalition countries. He said the U.S. has a tradition of flying only one flag at military installations. Contributing nations will understand, according to Freakley. "In no way is it intended to suppress any nationalistic pride, commitment or investment in the nation of Afghanistan," he said.

Re: Leave it to Canada to be politically correct in Afghanistan

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 Pretty soon it will be offensive to show our flag at the olympics because "it means someone else didnt win."

i duno what you're talking about. everybody is a winner at the olympics as long as they do their personal best.

LOL

...unless you're the Canadian Men's Hockey team.

I think the compromise should be Afghan's flag flying the highest, then the foreign nation's flag flying lower.

This is the normal tradition when visiting another country, or living there.

quote:

Originally posted by crazedcanuck I think the compromise should be Afghan's flag flying the highest, then the foreign nation's flag flying lower. This is the normal tradition when visiting another country, or living there.

but comprimise isnt politically correct. After all it may offend someone.

given that I've never been shot at, or faced the risk of being bombed, I can't really comment...but maybe they're more looking out for their own best interests? (i.e. safety)

it's easy to be idealistic when you don't face the danger that they do on a daily basis.

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT given that I've never been shot at, or faced the risk of being bombed, I can't really comment...but maybe they're looking out for their own best interests? (i.e. safety) it's easy to be idealistic when you don't face the danger that they do on a daily basis.

It says in the story itself that its a result of "sensitivity training" and that they dont want to be overbearing on the afghan soldiers. Not a matter of safety.

So the answer to that is to erect both flags.

If canada's flag offends those who want us there, then we should take that as a cue to leave.

you don't think that may be a *wee* bit of an oversimplification of the matter?

none of us (most of us, anyway) know little to nothing of their culture, national conciousness, feelings on a military foreign presence being there, etc. To comment on what "they" (the citizens, the rebels, the gov't, etc) perceive is simply ignorant.

our military people have spent enough time over there that I'll defer to their better judgement instead of sitting at home in the safety of my own living room and second-guessing their move as merely catering to "political correctness".

IMHO, it's more important they do their job than proudly display our flag.

so why is this only suddenly an issue when canada takes over?

perhaps Canada wants to take a different approach than others, like the U.S.?

I'd be very surprised to learn that the SOLE reason the flag is coming down is due to some "sensitivity training".

the answer to YOU is to erect both flags...I'm *guessing* that our military leaders considered that option, don't you?

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT perhaps Canada wants to take a different approach than others, like the U.S.? I'd be very surprised to learn that the SOLE reason the flag is coming down is due to some "sensitivity training". the answer to YOU is to erect both flags...I'm *guessing* that our military leaders considered that option, don't you?

they said that traditionally only one flag is raised so they decided it to be the afghan one. It said so in the story. But what i dont understand is that tradition calls for the country who runs the base to fly their flag. So why is one tradition important and not the other?

Face it, this smacks of canadian style PC do-goodness gone mad.

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT you don't think that may be a *wee* bit of an oversimplification of the matter? none of us (most of us, anyway) know little to nothing of their culture, national conciousness, feelings on a military foreign presence being there, etc. To comment on what "they" (the citizens, the rebels, the gov't, etc) perceive is simply ignorant. our military people have spent enough time over there that I'll defer to their better judgement instead of sitting at home in the safety of my own living room and second-guessing their move as merely catering to "political correctness". IMHO, it's more important they do their job than proudly display our flag.

I like this post.

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 ... Face it, this smacks of canadian style PC do-goodness gone mad.

now you're appearing ridiculous with these wild preconceptions...


Another article on the matter, from today's Toronto Star, notes that this request was made to ALL nations with a presence there, not just Canada:

quote:

...The commanders have asked coalition military installations in the country to lower their national flags and fly only the Afghan flag to emphasize the authority of the Afghan government. Canada has decided to comply out of �cultural sensitivity, and the Maple Lead was lowered at a Canadian base in Kandahar...

so I guess you can drop your "canadian style PC do-goodness" theory out the window.

source:

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/Co...72154&t=TS_Home

The request was made BY canada to all other nations because we are in charge right now. So the theory still stands.

Canada is taking over in one area...the U.S. is still in charge overall, from what I gather, no? From the same article:

quote:

Canadian Brig.-Gen. David Fraser took command today of a new multinational brigade forming in southern Afghanistan to relieve American troops who have formed the bulk of coalition forces in the region. The handover took place during a ceremony at the main airbase near Kandahar. Fraser is also in charge of 2,200 Canadian troops that are part of that brigade. Fraser echoed the prediction of peril by his coalition superiors.

canada has been in charge since the beginning of the year. And we are getting more and more responsibilty. Hence why they requested the flag thing.

It was canada's request.

actually, FROM YOUR OWN QUOTED ARTICLE:

quote:

U.S. Maj.-Gen. Benjamin Freakley, the coalition operational commander who asked contributing countries to lower their flags, said the international community needs to build institutions like the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police. Raising the Afghan flag as frequently as possible can only help the effort.

lol

btw, I believe that overall coalition authority is still currently held by the U.S....our Brig.-Gen. Fraser, who's taking over in the southern region, has two U.S. superiors (also noted in the Toronto Star article).

Actually he is outgoing commander as the canadians are starting the transition to heading the afghan operations. So why wasnt this an issue before?? Suddenly because canada has its flag up instead of the US? Whether the initial request came from them or us, we are doing it no questions asked. And thats a bloody shame.

you're point keeps changing.

it's gone from Canada lowering it's flag to Canada asking everyone to do it...to me pointing out that a U.S. commander asked everyone to do it.

we complied.

so tell me EXACTLY what your problem is...since we've now done away with your "Face it, this smacks of canadian style PC do-goodness gone mad." position


if you have an issue with ALL countries being asked to lower their flags...that's fine. Stop knocking Canada as some pussy country who caves to political correctness and address your concerns to the U.S. commander who issued the request.

and while you're at it...have some f'n respect for the job they're doing over there and stop getting hung up on this one stupid issue.

x 100

This is a silly debate.

quote:

Originally posted by MarkT you're point keeps changing. it's gone from Canada lowering it's flag to Canada asking everyone to do it...to me pointing out that a U.S. commander asked everyone to do it. we complied. so tell me EXACTLY what your problem is...since we've now done away with your "Face it, this smacks of canadian style PC do-goodness gone mad." position if you have an issue with ALL countries being asked to lower their flags...that's fine. Stop knocking Canada as some pussy country who caves to political correctness and address your concerns to the U.S. commander who issued the request. and while you're at it...have some f'n respect for the job they're doing over there and stop getting hung up on this one stupid issue. x 100

we ARE a pussy country that caves in. Why not put up both flags? And i have a huge respect for what they are doing. That is why hiding the flag is offensive to me and should be offensive to them as well.

quote:

Originally posted by EvilTree This is a silly debate.

it is.

I'm just tired of inaccuracies and people bashing the efforts of this country.

If the Liberals were still in power, he'd find a way to drag them into it too, I'm sure.

quote:

Originally posted by Jayx1 Face it, this smacks of canadian style PC do-goodness gone mad.

FTW!

PC - progressive conservative (do-goodness) - and now you are complaining - you are too funny!

BLAME HARPER

WHAT WHAT!

quote:

Originally posted by Sean Cassidy FTW! PC - progressive conservative (do-goodness) - and now you are complaining - you are too funny! BLAME HARPER WHAT WHAT!

PC = politically correct btw... reading comprehension not a strong suit?

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