Over the weekend another issue arose the could apparently topple the minority government. This time it is the possibility of Canada sending 40 troops to help in the reconstruction effort in Iraq. Let's ignore the fact that it is only 40 troops being considered, as the embarrassment that that is all we could send is too easy. Instead I will look at the politics.
..."Prime Minister Martin has always been very clear that our contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq would not bring boots to the ground," he (MP Pettigrew) said.
Reminds me of the famous Robert Kennedy quote, Canada will provide anything short of help.
The hypocrisy of the Liberal Party on this is worrisome to me but I am more frustrated with the NDP.
..."This was an invasion that Canadians opposed," NDP Leader Jack Layton said.
Layton told CTV's Rosemary Thompson that the move would be a dangerous one, and a reversal of position on the part of Prime Minister Paul Martin.
The invasion is over MP Layton. This is a country that struggling to find it's feet in establishing democracy. Do you hate the Americans so much that you would rather have the terrorists win there?
MP Harper is rightfully angered by the whole thing.
...On Saturday Conservative Stephen Harper warned that the Liberal government will pay a "severe price" if it sends Canadian troops to Iraq.
"I remembered how the prime minister attacked us during the federal election for wanting to spend more on defence," Harper told reporters in Halifax.
"I sat through an election campaign where the prime minister accused me of having secret plans to send troops to Iraq. If it turns out he has secret plans, this has to be one of the biggest election deceptions in history."
There is a line in an Odds song, I've never met a manipulator that wasn't paranoid. The reason that the Liberals know so much about "hidden agendas" is because that is how they govern.
I love the last part of the article where it discusses what I am going to declare as the "Martin Doctrine", making a difference.
..."There's a limit to our resources," Martin said at the time.
"And that's why I'm putting the focus right now on Afghanistan, on Haiti.
"Whatever it is that we do, I really want to see us do it in an area that makes a difference," Martin said.
Yet again PM Martin's rhetoric will get ahead of him. How can you possibly spin that 40 troops will make a difference? Why would he want to alienate the NDP and BQ in the House over such a small contribution?
