Canada threatens to pull soldiers from Afghanistan

It seems that another U.S. ally is coming to recognize the quagmire that the Chimperator has drag itself and other nations into in Afghanistan. While the initial premise of going into the country had a rational basis - unlike Iraq - the bungled handling of the military operations under the Chimperator and the allowance of Bin Laden to escape the country has left a huge mess for which there is no easy solution. Canada apparently has recognized that further half-ass efforts are futile. I can't say that I blame the Canadians whatsoever. Here are some highlights from Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSN2248709020080128):

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada will pull its 2,500 troops out of Afghanistan early next year unless NATO sends in significant reinforcements, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Monday, signaling Ottawa has lost patience with what it sees as foot-dragging by allies. The minority Conservative government wants the soldiers to stay beyond their current withdrawal date of February 2009 but in another potential threat to the mission, the main opposition Liberal Party expressed doubts about the idea of an extension.

Harper, who is exasperated at the refusal of many other NATO nations to commit more troops to Afghanistan, said the Alliance's failure to provide enough forces meant the whole future of the organization was under serious threat. Harper said he accepted the recommendations of an independent panel which last week urged Canada to end its mission in the southern city of Kandahar unless NATO provided an extra 1,000 troops and Ottawa obtained helicopters and aerial reconnaissance vehicles.

"For this mission to go forward and achieve its objectives and be successful, we do have the need for a substantial increase in combat troops and particular needs in terms of military equipment," Harper told a news conference. "Both of those recommendations will have to be fulfilled or Canada will not proceed with the mission in Afghanistan. We believe these are essential to our success."

My Readers - Preparing for a Move to Canada

One of my readers and fellow bloggers is having some sport with me over Huckabee's win in Iowa since I have previously commented that if Huckabee were to be elected President, I would seriously consider leaving the USA. Ranging from comments on the weather in Toronto to all matter of things he was having a great time. Here's part of his instructions to me:

In getting ready to move to Canada, you'll need to know a few key phrases...

"That'll look some friggin' nice on the patio, eh"
"double double"
"bugger off" (everyone appreciates the English version of fuck off)
"colder than a witch's tit"
And so many others you'll just have to learn as we undo your yankee brainwashing.

As I said, hopefully the GOP establishment will knee cap Huckabee and his Iowa showing will be a fluke. Speaking of Huckabee, I posted a comment to his campaign website via the blog page asking why as a gay American I should not fear his candidacy. So far my comment has been not been published on the website - I suspect they are censoring the comments - nor have I received any acknowledgment of my posting. Should my comment get actually published on his website or I receive a response, I will let readers know. I am NOT going to hold my breath. In Huckabee's world, gays are supposed to be invisible or disappear.

Ottawa Anglicans Approve Same-Sex Marriages in Vote

No doubt this development as reported by the Edmonton Journal (http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=bae1d20b-761c-4d16-82d6-810609908ae8&k=27424) will cause homophobic Archbishop Peter Akinola of Nigeria to have a stroke (well, one CAN wish after all) and result in all kinds of threats and foaming at the mouth. I for one believe that if Akinola is the wave of the future of the Anglican Communion, then the U. S. Episcopal Church and progressive elements in the Communion would be better off leaving Akinola and those of his ilk to their own devices. The reality is that Akinola may have lots of ignorant, uneducated followers in Africa, but it is the progressive branches of the Communion that have the money. Cut off the money flow and see if Akinola's followers are still enamored with his homophobic rants. Here are some story highlights:

CORNWALL -- Ottawa Anglicans approved the blessing of same sex marriages by a vote of 177 to 97 Saturday, the first diocese in Canada to support the blessings since the national church nixed them this summer. In June, the Anglican Church of Canada made seemingly contradictory decisions when it ruled that same sex blessings do not contravene core doctrine, then refused to allow local dioceses to decide for themselves how to handle the issue of gay marriages.

Ottawa is the first diocese to broach the issue at the local level since that national meeting in Winnipeg. The diocese of Montreal is expected to debate a similar motion at its own annual meeting, or synod, next week. Ottawa Bishop John Chapman said he welcomed Saturday's vote because it tells him where the diocese stands on the issue. However, he stressed that the final decision on whether to bless gay marriages still rests with him, and he expects to take his time making that decision. He wants to talk to other bishops, both nationally and internationally, before going ahead with a policy.

Saturday's delicately-worded motion did not ask that gay couples be allowed to marry in an Anglican church, or even that their civil unions be blessed. It just asked that priests be given the right to approach the bishop for permission for such a blessing, should their parish approve. This way, priests and parishes who are not comfortable with gay marriage need not concern themselves with it.

Many others brought up the fact that the church welcomes gay people individually, gives them communion, baptizes their babies, and even offers a pension fund that recognizes same sex couples. Yet it can't "bless" them even though it blesses boats, houses, even animals.

The last sentence actually identifies the underlying issue. To individuals like Akinola, gays are something less than animals. Somehow, I do not believe that Jesus would concur with that.