Archive for April 2009
CF Looking for Outside Help on Several Fronts
Some recent postings to Canada’s public tendering web page MERX are showing how the Canadian Forces is trying to get through pressing operational times through outside help.
Where’s PM’s Statement…
…on the latest Canadian death in Afghanistan?
She’s Home
This from the Canadian Press:
“The body of a Canadian soldier found dead at Kandahar Airfield last week arrived home Sunday to the same adulation given to those who have died in combat.
An aircraft carrying the casket of Maj. Michelle Mendes touched down at this eastern Ontario military base at 2 p.m., with Canadian-flag waving military supporters watching outside ….”
More on link.
Columnist doesn’t get it…
….about why folks are pissed about calling one of Canada’s fallen “Dressed Up Like a Soldier”.
“War” Reporting, or Legitimizing Rumours?
I was disappointed in one of the many follow-up stories I read regarding the death of Michelle Mendes in Afghanistan.
Michelle Mendes, R.I.P.
This, from a Canadian Forces statement:
“At approximately 4:00 p.m. Kandahar time, 23 April 2009, a Canadian Forces member was found dead in her accommodation room, at Kandahar Airfield.
Deceased is Major Michelle Mendes, based in Ottawa, Ontario.
An investigation is ongoing to establish the circumstances of this incident. No further details are available at this time, although enemy action has been ruled out.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of our lost comrade. Our primary focus at this time is to provide the best possible support to the family of our soldier and to her colleagues.
The immediate family of Major Mendes has no comment at this time. They are asking that the media respect their privacy and they will provide a statement in due course.”
Condolences to Maj. Mendes’ family, colleagues and friends.
Columnist Says Latest Fallen “Dressed Up Like a Soldier”
Short answer from me: Michael Coren is dead wrong in a recent column about Canada’s latest fallen in Afghanistan.
Taliban Chutzpah
The term “temerity” also came to mind when I read one of the Taliban’s latest statements this week.
Taliban’s Equal Opportunity Program for the Disabled
I guess this means Afghanistan’s Talibs “respect” the disabled as much as they “respect” women?
Not Your USUAL American Terrorism Suspects
An interesting document is out there highlighting the US Department of Homeland Security’s worries about domestic terrorism – from the right wing.
