Should Canada support US Military actions in Iraq

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

Our professor set up a debate... and gave me this topic while all others got to chose their own topics of discussion. Being the only American in my class, I already think that's wrong (but that's another topic)
This will be in a debate. Should Canada support US military actions in Iraq or not? My side of the debate is that they should as that is what was given to me.

Original thought was of course Canada should support the US in Iraq... but after asking some Canadians, they all (well mostly all) seemed against it.

What are some reasons why Canada should support the US military actions in Iraq? Anybody got good facts for this? Just trying to get the American opinion here too.

well if you were in a college class what did you expect, conservatives? no.... college students usualy don't become conservatives till their 30's

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

"oooooooooooooooooooooklahoma.... oooooooooooooooooklahoma"

"I was... BOOOOOOORN IN THE USA i was....... BOOOOOOOOORN IN THE USA I WAS............... B' BOOOOOORN IN THE USA"

"Syrup... on EVERYTHING..."

"It is canadian law that all postings need to be in both English and French..."

come on people... Canadian Bacon??

 

[psych0ticnemes1 5,000+ posts]

John F' Candy people!!! Dan Akroyd!!

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

well if you were in a college class what did you expect, conservatives? no.... college students usualy don't become conservatives till their 30's

I would say that depends on the major. Business students become fiscally conservative much sooner. I would agree it may take time to become socially conservative, if ever.

 

[adio 5,000+ posts]

Our professor set up a debate... and gave me this topic while all others got to chose their own topics of discussion. Being the only American in my class, I already think that's wrong (but that's another topic)
This will be in a debate. Should Canada support US military actions in Iraq or not? My side of the debate is that they should as that is what was given to me.

Original thought was of course Canada should support the US in Iraq... but after asking some Canadians, they all (well mostly all) seemed against it.

What are some reasons why Canada should support the US military actions in Iraq? Anybody got good facts for this? Just trying to get the American opinion here too.

NO, hells no!!!!!

 

[bimma85 5,000+ posts]

Common, when you guys had a real problem not your dumbass oil war, like Katrina for example, we offered a huge amount of our military, and almost all of the few vehicles that would help. What about that? We help loads of countries any way we can, we just dont go to war when it feels un-necessary.
So ya, if we ever have a major natural disaster and need money, aid, food, and vehicles than I do hope you guys do what we did.

Yea, because we get so much of our oil from iraq //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif Freeing people from Sadam's Reign of horror, isnt necessary? Next you gonna say getting rid of hitler wasnt necessary either? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/crap.gif.7f4dd41e3e9b23fbd170a1ee6f65cecc.gif

 

[AcidicDreams 10+ year member]

who cares... they should buy more american audio gear //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif and then make a line of uber cheap audiophile amps and speakers....

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

The strongest argument on the side of the Pros here would be as a show of support and solidarity with the Americans. Hardly a convincing or strong argument, but it's the most commonly expressed one.

Canada falls within the American Nuclear Umbrella, meaning (basically) that Canada is protected from attack by its political and geographical association with the United States. It's the reason that Canada never had to develop a nuclear weapon program: attacking Canada with a nuke would undoubtedly result in retaliation from the US.

On the "No" side, the arguments are far stronger. Canada is not bound by an treaty or any other political agreement to participate in any declaration of war by the United States. Doing so is a political, economic and social decision which must be made on a case-by-case basis. The Canadian government is not obligated to participate nor to support the American military cause. UN led missions or battles are another story all together, but we all know this isn't the case here.

There is a wide range of sound arguments against Canadian participation in the war in Iraq, and a so-called Canadian "reliance" on American technology and military power is hardly one of the most effective or logical ones. There is no implicit reliance on the American military/industrial complex simply by virtue of the Canadian government purchasing (key word there...) military technology from them. To suggest that such a purchase would obligate the application of those purchased technologies (like someone was saying on the first page) is absurd at best. Just because I bought a Japanese car doesn't mean I have to support Honda in any and all other endeavors, does it?

Again, the primary argument FOR participation and support is one based on the friendly political and economic relationship of the two countries. Supporting the war could potentially serve to strengthen Canadian-US relations. Not a great argument, but the best one I can see.

Good luck.

 

[DJGTSR 10+ year member]

It is important to understand that the war against Iraq was rushed and not legal in the UN's eyes. That is why there was very little support for the war.

I think it was a good idea, but poorly executed and perhaps executed for the wrong reasons.

Oil isnt the only reason, but im sure it had a slight influence.

I think the more important thing is finishing the task at hand in Iraq and not whining about who helped out or not. I feel for the people living in that country.

 

[bimma85 5,000+ posts]

I just hope our government doesnt send our troops(many people i know) if you guys need some extra soldiers, if you guys get in some shit. Hopefully we come with food/supplies after all the killing is over though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

It is important to understand that the war against Iraq was rushed and not legal in the UN's eyes. That is why there was very little support for the war.
I think it was a good idea, but poorly executed and perhaps executed for the wrong reasons.

Oil isnt the only reason, but im sure it had a slight influence.

I think the more important thing is finishing the task at hand in Iraq and not whining about who helped out or not. I feel for the people living in that country.

Careful. There are probably just as many international legal scholars that would say the war is perfectly legal. This is hardly a settled point.

The original Gulf War was never technically ended. The two countries have technically been enduring a state of war during the entire period. There was never a peace agreement, merely a cease fire.

Don't think that I'm saying it was ethical, legal or whatever, I'm just pointing out that the issue is hardly as clear-cut as above.

 

[bimma85 5,000+ posts]

It is important to understand that the war against Iraq was rushed and not legal in the UN's eyes. That is why there was very little support for the war.
I think it was a good idea, but poorly executed and perhaps executed for the wrong reasons.

Oil isnt the only reason, but im sure it had a slight influence.

I think the more important thing is finishing the task at hand in Iraq and not whining about who helped out or not. I feel for the people living in that country.

UN had many corrupt money grubbing POS's....Saddam would still be there if we didnt do anything //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif. Killing and raping people daily, I dont see what there was to wait about.

 

[Wonderbread 5,000+ posts]

I just hope our government doesnt send our troops(many people i know) if you guys need some extra soldiers, if you guys get in some shit. Hopefully we come with food/supplies after all the killing is over though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

I see you have a keen understanding of International Relations, both in theory and in practice.

 

[DJGTSR 10+ year member]

I just hope our government doesnt send our troops(many people i know) if you guys need some extra soldiers, if you guys get in some shit. Hopefully we come with food/supplies after all the killing is over though //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif.

I dont think it is in Canada's interest to get in any shit. Canada has enough internal problems with farmers and Quebec trying to start its own country. Starting international problems is the last thing "Canada" wants to do. However, Canada would never hesitate to help out in natural disasters (Katrina) and other shit.

Some of you guys interpret things the wrong way. Dont get politics involved with the people who live in the Country. Canada is a warm and friendlier country overall on the whole and would never hesitate to lend a hand. Remember what happened on Sept 11? All US bound flights were directed to Canada and many people took Americans and others into their homes.

J

 

[bimma85 5,000+ posts]

I see you have a keen understanding of International Relations, both in theory and in practice.

Yay!!! wegayed....//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/laugh.gif.48439b2acf2cfca21620f01e7f77d1e4.gif. NO, no I dont //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif. I would think helping to free of a country of such a ruthless dictator would be good for international relations, though. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/confused.gif.e820e0216602db4765798ac39d28caa9.gif