Who’s Going to Challenge Harper on the War?

(written for rabble.ca's election coverage)

Yesterday morning, over breakfast with the members of the media who are traveling with his campaign, Stephen Harper announced that the Canadian military mission in Kandahar would end in 2011.

That’s the date the Conservatives and the Liberals agreed on in the parliamentary resolution both parties supported in the House in March. Now Harper’s using that pullout date as his way of responding to the rejection of this mission by the Canadian people. He’s making it sound as though he’s sensitive to public opinion and will be pulling Canadian troops out.

The journalists were so charmed at actually breaking bread with the great man that they reported the story at face value. A pullout of troops three years from now? Canadians want the troops out now. Not in three years, after dozens, perhaps hundreds, more Canadian soldiers have died.

Stephane Dion isn’t going to say anything about this. He made his deal with the devil (that’s an expression, not to be interpreted literally) in March.

Where are the other leaders on this? Jack, Gilles, Elizabeth, somebody….speak up.

On a day, when we will hear many genuine expressions of sorrow about the tragic events of September 11, 2001 along with the words of those who use that day as a pedestal to preach war, let’s spare a thought for those who will die in this dirty conflict over the next three years.

Only 32 days left to debate the war until Canadians vote.