Topic: Re: Editorial: Carolyn Parrish on Afghanistan

[Bruce Monkhouse [5]]

Check the political section, Matt, its in there somewhere.

[Mike Bobbitt]

Here's a repost:


MP Parrish furious over Afghanistan mission
Ex-Liberal says she'd vote government down if troops die in new role
 
Anne Dawson
The Ottawa Citizen


Thursday, July 28, 2005


Independent MP Carolyn Parrish lashed out again at the Liberal government yesterday-- this time criticizing Defence Minister Bill Graham for sending combat troops to Afghanistan and Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan for making "taunting" remarks about Canadians being potential terrorist targets.

Ms. Parrish is furious that Canadians and their politicians have not been consulted about what she calls the new role Canadian soldiers are being asked to carry out in Afghanistan, a role that includes killing, which is not the traditional job of peacekeeping. She warns there will be outrage when Canadians in uniform return home "in body bags."

Ms. Parrish, who was booted out of the Liberal caucus last year after she criticized the government of U.S. President George W. Bush as "bastards" and "idiots," also said she is interested in returning to the Liberal fold, but only if she receives a personal invitation from the prime minister that has no strings attached.

Meanwhile, the opinionated MP spoke harshly about Canada's new role in Afghanistan.

"We're sending in armed troops to kill people (in Afghanistan). This is a drastic change in direction. I don't think anybody has consulted with the Canadian public. The first time Canadian soldiers come back in body bags, you just wait for the outcry," said Ms. Parrish, who was elected as a Liberal in 1993 but has been sitting in the backbenches as an independent MP since last year.

"If this thing gets any deeper in (Afghanistan) and we get a couple of dead Canadians back, I'll vote to bring the government down the first opportunity I got."

Ms. Parrish helped prop up the fragile minority government when she voted with the Liberals on a number of confidence votes, including the budget and same-sex marriage legislation. Since then, some of her colleagues have been speaking to her about rejoining the caucus.

But she remains as outspoken as ever, criticizing Liberal cabinet ministers.

"Anne McLellan's not helping," added Ms. Parrish. "Every time I have the TV on there's a comment from her (that) 'we're not safe, we could be next.' What are we doing taunting people?"

Ms. Parrish made her comments as Prime Minister Paul Martin begins two days of business travel to Toronto, Timmins, Ont., and Winnipeg for his first public events in almost two weeks. Mr. Martin has spent most of his time at his Quebec farm since he returned from the G-8 summit in Scotland on July 8.

Ms. Parrish fired off a letter to Mr. Graham 10 days ago about her concerns in Afghanistan, and was particularly critical of Canada's new chief of the defence staff, Gen. Rick Hillier, who she said should be "muzzled." Speaking to reporters about the Canadian troop deployment to Kandahar, Gen. Hillier referred to terrorists as "murderers and scumbags" and made clear he believes the job of the Armed Forces is "to be able to kill people."

In the letter to Mr. Graham, Ms. Parrish wrote: "I implore you to muzzle the beast, assume command of Canada's agenda in your usual articulate, dignified and intelligent way. Let the Canadian public know Gen. Hillier does not speak for our government."

Mr. Graham, who was in Edmonton for the send off of 110 Canadian soldiers to Afghanistan, was unavailable for comment Wednesday but his spokesperson, Renee Filiatrault, said the minister "absolutely" supports the job Hillier is doing.

[SHELLDRAKE!!]

Pit bull Parrish is at it again.

Outspoken Independent MP Carolyn Parrish issued an open letter to Defence Minister Bill Graham yesterday, blasting his chief of defence staff as "truly barbaric" and calling on the government to "muzzle the beast."

Parrish, who was turfed from the Liberal caucus after calling Americans "bastards" and stomping on a George W. Bush doll for a satire program, said she's offended by Gen. Rick Hillier's recent comments.

Canada's top soldier called terrorists "murderers and scumbags" and said the armed forces must be prepared to kill people.

"For the top general in this country to emulate the simplistic phrasing of Mr. Bush, on behalf of you and our government, is to degrade the hard-earned reputation of this country and its people," Parrish wrote.

Graham said he stands behind Hillier "100 percent."



Quoted from Calgary Sun 28 July 2005

[~RoKo~]

Ms. Parrish is furious that Canadians and their politicians have not been consulted about what she calls the new role Canadian soldiers are being asked to carry out in Afghanistan, a role that includes killing, which is not the traditional job of peacekeeping.

Phew. At least peacekeeping isn't the traditional job of soldiers.

Sorry Ms. Parrish, the terrorists will try and hurt us wherever they can. Why not fight them over there, on our terms, rather than over here on their terms.

[career_radio-checker]

I think we can take some reprieve knowing she is the only MP who doesn't seem to grasp the main purpose of the army. Heck, even the NDP know why we have guns.

Mrs Parrish,
All the power to you. The faster you bring down that government, the faster your constituents can vote you out of power.

Peace_out

[Sergeant295]

Just a thought.  I will not pretend to be an expert on Canadian Governmental Policy, or the Canadian Forces but something occured to me as I was reading this.  Being a duel US/Canadian Citizen serving in the United States but growing up a great deal in the Greater Toronto Area I feel I have been blessed with a unique perspective on things. I, like many others out here, think that the way in which various Governments (mostly Liberal) have let the Canadian Forces shrink in size and equipment is terrible.  That said the Canadian Forces does a hell of a job and I have a great deal of respect for all you guys and the great job you do.  I occures to me though, that is woman Carolyn Parrish is the reason why things were allowed to get in the shape that they are in.  Her and everyone like her that takes their freedom for granted, then abuses it by insulting not only the entire country with comments like that but everyone who has ever worn the uniform.  To say that she feels that it is offensive for CF members to kill, by using the freedom of speach that CF members have fought and killed to protect for years is not only ludicious but in turn far more offensive then anything a soldier could do. It is a shame that after all the good the Canadian Forces has done, and will do in Afghanistan it has all taken a step back to the idiotic comments that this woman has made.  I agree with whoever said that if she is ignored she will disipear and I thinik everyone should make this the last post on this topic, as her comments no long deserve our attention.

[Haggis]

The following was e-mailed to Ms. Parrish:

Good evening Ms. Parrish:
 
I read with great interest your recent comments regarding the deployment of Canadian Forces to the Kandahar region of Afghanistan.   I must say that I find them totally incomprehensible.  
 
You fail to support and assist the very people that you and every other Canadian rely on to safeguard our country from an enemy which wants to put you and your fellow Members of Parliament out of business.   This perplexing outlook leads me to ask some questions:
 
Do you understand why the Canadian Forces exist?   Do you grasp why Canadian soldiers are taking the war to the enemy rather than having it come to us?   Do you understand the consequence of inaction?
 
More importantly, do you realize that members of the Canadian Forces want to do the jobs they've been trained to do?
 
Have you visited Canadian troops in mission areas overseas, Ms. Parrish?   Have you walked with infantry soldiers though dark back alleys or sat with Coyote crews in biting dust storms?   Have you gone with mechanics to recover a broken down vehicle at the bottom of a snow covered switchback?   Have you followed engineers working to de-mine uncleared routes?   Have you stood, sweating buckets, on the flight line while Hercules are loaded and fuelled to supply those same troops?   Have you stood bone numb with cold on the ice slicked deck of a frigate during a search for smugglers?
 
If not, I suggest you have your staff involve you in the CF Parliamentary Program. But be warned: this is not a photo op.
 
http://www.admfincs.forces.gc.ca/admfincs/subjects/daod/2008/7_e.asp
 
Remember, some of those soldiers, sailors and air personnel, as well as their families and friends, are your constituents.   You would do well to support them.

(signed)
Sincerely proud of our troops;

Replies from Ms. Parrish (if any) will be posted here.   I won't hold my breath.

[Britney Spears]

Since you asked for a review.

As a public, we need to be aware that the Government has committed the CF to a dangerous mission in a hostile part of Afghanistan, which does not resemble the old style Peacekeeping missions of the 1990's.

would be less ambiguous if worded as follows:

As a public, we need to be aware that the Government has committed the CF to a dangerous mission in a hostile part of Afghanistan, a mission which bears little resembelance to the old style Peacekeeping missions of the 1990's.

Just to keep the subject-object relations clear.

[SFB]

Haggis,

good post...

I would like someone to post to her and point out that she is trampling on our guaranteed freedom of speech which said General is sworn to defend....

Oh, and while your doing it, you may want to point out that the CDS has served as ISAF commander and is considered the Gov't expert in the area...

[on guard for thee]

no offence intended (except to you, Ms Parish)!!

"If this thing gets any deeper in (Afghanistan) and we get a couple of dead Canadians back, I'll vote to bring the government down the first opportunity I got."

did i daydream everything? or was Caroline too busy (being interviewed) to notice that this has already happened.......

GOD rest their souls......

[Enami]

I find it rather hypocritical that Parrish believes Gen. Hillier should be muzzled for his words "murderers" and "scumbags" in reference to terrorists, especially when considering her own words of "bastards" and "idiots" when referring to an allied country.

[Dare]

Point 2:     Unlike poison ivy, this nuisance WILL disappear if we, as a country, stop paying attention to her.

I disagree. Her kind of attitude needs to be confronted. She needs to be embarassed publicly, and repeatedly every time she is given the opportunity to speak. She puts her foot in her mouth, give it a few shoves for good measure.

On a side note. If any Conservative or Liberal MP's are taking heed, the usual grandiose, shocked-yet-furious retort should not be the measure. Laugh her off the stage. She's made this one almost too easy, if you blow it (which I have complete faith will be done) then she'll be back to business as usual.

EDIT: For side note.

[Slim]

Personally I would like to see her trivialized, maginalized and ultimately removed either by the govt or by her own constituants. I do agree that someone has to get in her face and call BS whenever she opens her cakehole.

She chews on the CDS for doing the very same things she does (Namecalling) And, if she is from a teaching background then I can understand all too clearly whats wrong with the country today if our educators are all even remotely like that!

She is an embarrassmsnt to Canada, and completely irrelevant.

[Younghusband]

Some comments from non-mil folks:

http://www.cominganarchy.com/archives/2005/07/28/parrish-the-thought/

[Spr.Earl]

OUCH!!!