Over a year. That's how long it's been since I've written on here. I guess I don't think my life is sufficiently interesting to blab about it, but I've had random shit on my mind lately and felt like writing it down somewhere. Today's issue: Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

Let it be known that I'm a left-wing person. I vote NDP/Liberal. I am generally opposed to war and using force to solve conflicts. As such, I've been distinctly anti-involvement for the Afghanistan effort. Today however, I read an article (link) that made a few good points, and while not entirely convincing, at least has me thinking. I'm aware that this has been a peace-keeping mission all along and that the Afghan government wants us to continue our efforts, but for the most part I did not feel that Canada was obligated to help in this conflict and that our citizens lives do not need to be sacrificed for this purpose.

This article has gotten me to question that stance though. Perhaps we are obligated to help? The shit going down in that part of the world is atrocious. Running some comparisons here. If I was walking down the street and saw an innocent child being assaulted by teenage bullies, I would feel obligated to step in and stop what was happening. If I witnessed a co-worker being sexually assaulted, I would feel obligated to confront the offender. So here's what I'm thinking about now: on what scale and how far from home should injustices be happening before we no longer feel obligated to step in and try to stop it? And I don't know the answer. Overall, I'm still opposed to the our involvement in the war, but I guess I'm empathizing with the 'support our troops' folk a bit more now. I think the article does make a good point too that if we are actually going to stop this shit, we can't half-ass it. We would need some serious commitment and enthusiasm. Though I just can't...

Over a year. That's how long it's been since I've written on here. I guess I don't think my life is sufficiently interesting to blab about it, but I've had random shit on my mind lately and felt like writing it down somewhere. Today's issue: Canada's involvement in Afghanistan.

Let it be known that I'm a left-wing person. I vote NDP/Liberal. I am generally opposed to war and using force to solve conflicts. As such, I've been distinctly anti-involvement for the Afghanistan effort. Today however, I read an article (link) that made a few good points, and while not entirely convincing, at least has me thinking. I'm aware that this has been a peace-keeping mission all along and that the Afghan government wants us to continue our efforts, but for the most part I did not feel that Canada was obligated to help in this conflict and that our citizens lives do not need to be sacrificed for this purpose.

This article has gotten me to question that stance though. Perhaps we are obligated to help? The shit going down in that part of the world is atrocious. Running some comparisons here. If I was walking down the street and saw an innocent child being assaulted by teenage bullies, I would feel obligated to step in and stop what was happening. If I witnessed a co-worker being sexually assaulted, I would feel obligated to confront the offender. So here's what I'm thinking about now: on what scale and how far from home should injustices be happening before we no longer feel obligated to step in and try to stop it? And I don't know the answer. Overall, I'm still opposed to the our involvement in the war, but I guess I'm empathizing with the 'support our troops' folk a bit more now. I think the article does make a good point too that if we are actually going to stop this shit, we can't half-ass it. We would need some serious commitment and enthusiasm. Though I just can't see that coming from myself or most Canadian citizens at this point in time.

Obama seems to be going around saying 'can't we all just get along? Come on, let's talk about it.' That would be nice. It seems that dicks with guns don't usually want to sit down and chat though.