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Leave it to Canada to be politically correct in Afghanistan
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| Jayx1 |
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.
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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. |
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| infinity HiGH |
| 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."
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i duno what you're talking about. everybody is a winner at the olympics as long as they do their personal best. |
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| infinity HiGH |
| ...unless you're the Canadian Men's Hockey team. |
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| 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. |
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| Jayx1 |
| 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. |
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| 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 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. |
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| Jayx1 |
| 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. |
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| 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. |
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| Jayx1 |
| so why is this only suddenly an issue when canada takes over? |
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| 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? |
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| Jayx1 |
| 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. |
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