CP: Mounting Afghanistan death toll the price of leadership, Harper says

[tuvor]

CALGARY (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the mounting death toll in Afghanistan is the price of leadership that comes with playing a significant role in global affairs.

Harper says that Canadians want a clear, confident and influential role in a changing, dangerous road. In Calgary on Thursday to receive the Woodrow Wilson Award for public service, the prime minister said Canada is making a real effort on the rebuilding of Afghanistan.

He said the men and women serving in Canada's military have gone willingly to the war-torn country, knowing that not all of them will return.

Thirty-nine soldiers and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan since 2002.

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?id=becedd01-0ffd-41d3-8aa6-27038b71a397&k=54336

(Too bad there's no direct quote. I would love to hear this in context, and see if it still sounds like he doesn't want his beautiful mind bothered.)

[MrPrax]

1. Found this list of past recipients

http://www.nndb.com/honors/517/000059340/

He's in good company -- Howard Baker, Bill Frist, Slade Gortner, Dennis Hastert, Voinovich, Roirdan and of course Lyin' Brian to round out the list of infamy....the American GOP in other words.

Found this story that fleshes out the narrative with full quotes and some background that a National paper wouldn't likely want to remind it's readers...next stop Calgary!

_____________

"... "Canadians want a clear, confident and influential role in a changing, dangerous world -- one that doesn't just criticize but that can contribute," Harper said. "They want a Canada that reflects their values and interests and that punches above its weight.

"As proud citizens, they don't want a Canada that just goes along -- they want a Canada that leads."

Harper made his speech during a night when he humbly received the Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service for his contribution to furthering U.S.-Canada relations.

Harley Hotchkiss, the Flames' co-owner and NHL chairman of the board of governors, was also honoured by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars as this year's recipient for top corporate citizenship in improving cross-border relations.

Calgary Sun

Screwball patriot shit --

funny I was always under the impression that Canada does lead on the world stage and has a great deal of prestige in many international matters. In fact one the othe reasons we have such a high credibility is that we DON'T automatically follow the American lead and that 'look' of independence is what allows us access and influence on many world bodies, as being the North American 'go to guy'.

Oddly enough, the traditional US tactic is to actually ignore international bodies and treaties and forge a SINGLE axis of 'leadership' (confrontation) on issues like trade, torture, land mines, that the US deems as being in their sole national interest.

So Harper is proposing we be more like Poland...?

[glarius]

2. This son of a bitch, with his MINORITY gov't, is trying to redefine Canada

In the few months he has been in government. He has been hell bent to change Canada into his version of what we should be. My god, I pray that Canadians wake up and turf him out in the next election....whenever it will be!

[Spazito]

3. No, stupid stevie....

"the mounting death toll in Afghanistan is the price" being paid so you can slip into Blair's poodle position with bush. It doesn't matter how many of our soldiers die as long as you can be "best pals" with the psychopath down south.

[IntravenousDemilo]

4. Well, it's the price of HIS leadership, anyway. n/m

[daleo]

5. It seems like a smug statement

Like he is bragging that his leadership is so strong and unbendable that he's willing to see soldiers die for it. Kind of a "bring it on" statement.