CP:Military worried about Tory failure to defend Afgh. mission over summer

[tuvor]

OTTAWA (CP) - The Conservative government's inability last summer to clearly articulate and defend Canada's mission in Afghanistan was a source of great frustration among the country's top military commanders, Defence Department sources say.

The vexation was vented at a Sept. 6 meeting involving senior federal officials and Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier.

At the meeting, called to discuss the dispatch of reinforcements including tanks to help in the battle for Panjwai, Hillier reportedly said that critics of the war had enjoyed an "open field" to "degrade public support for the mission," said a source who asked not to be named.

As casualties mounted through the summer, opposition to the war galvanized and found a rallying point in NDP Leader Jack Layton's call for a withdrawal of Canadians from combat operations.

http://www.brooksbulletin.com/news/national_news.asp?itemid=57101

[Bragi]

1. Hillier is a disgrace

Hillier actually thinks that the quality of government propaganda is his business. He doesn't seem to get the basic notion that his job is to be a general, not a political pitchman. This guy should be fired.

- B

[CHIMO]

2. Military worried about Tory failure to defend Afghan mission

Mr. Allard denied that public support for the mission has softened since the summer spike in violence.

“Canadians are very supportive of our military, the mission, and the extra resources that Canada's new government is providing to end a decade of military neglect under the previous government,” he said in an e-mail reopens to questions.

One of the military wives who organized the mass show of support said Canadians who believe in the soldiers and their mission have not had a way —nor been encouraged — to publicly display those sentiments until it was suggested they wear red on Fridays.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20061001.waf1001/BNStory/National/home

Who is Mr. Allard? One of the un-named sources?

And who made the suggestion?

[tuvor]

3. Allard must be Gordon O'Connor's spokesman.

And OT, but I'm curious to know how deep or tenuous the connection is between the Canadians behind Red Fridays and the US group who originated it: http://redfridays.us

(I thought the wearing of red was inspired by our flag, but the US group has been doing the same thing, implying that all "red-blooded Americans" should support their cause.)

[CHIMO]

4. In

The US the GOP color is red.

Sorta like commie red with comparison of what occurred in Canada.

[daleo]

5. By wearing Red, Canadians can show that they support Bush. n/t