King Arthur Movie Tristan

"We're not going to win this war," Brig. Mark Carleton-Smith said this weekend. He is the most senior British military commander in Afghanistan, and he was talking about a war in which almost 100 Canadians have lost their lives. He may be right, at least at present troop levels, we may only be able to reduce the risks "...to a manageable level of insurgency that's not a strategic threat and can be managed by the Afghan army."

But it is unimaginable that someone who claims to be running for the Prime Ministership of Canada would respond to that declaration with these words:

I'm heartened actually by the words of this senior military commander...

He's heartened by the country he leads suffering a military loss! He is heartened that he was right and his country will, according to Mark Carleton-Smith, not win a war in which they are engaged! He is heartened by the defeat of his country at the hands of mysoginistic, hateful terrorists who want to tear down the progressive society he has worked his life to try and build up.

For the record, here's the quote in context, because some apologists will say it matters - it doesn't:

"I'm heartened by the words of this senior military commander who is adding his voice to those many, many Canadians and others around the world who believe that the prosecution of the continued war effort has got to be changed,” Mr. Layton said.

“The New Democrats came out very early with this view and we've continued to argue respectfully with those who disagree that there's got to be a new path ... Let's hope that more and more people are reaching this conclusion.”

Again, read it how you want, but Jack Layton (pictures above, riding away) is "heartened" that a senior military adviser has said what Jack Layton has been saying, we will lose this war.

Being heartened by Canada's defeat, makes him unfit to lead it.

Never mind the strange sleeping lizard picture, ground zero or any of my other pictures I have posted here as picture of the day. Have you seen the amazing shots of Canadian soldiers in a firefight in Afghanistan that graced today's papers?


The photographer responsible is Finbarr O'Reilly (a good Irish name). This guy was right in on the action, and took incredible shots, a few of which are here, a bunch more on a Globe and Mail slideshow.

Better yet, browse through his web site. Great stuff.