Comments on: Gen. Rick Hillier on his biggest strategic error, the Taliban, and Canada's future in Afghanistan http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/ Canada's only national weekly current affairs magazine. Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:13:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: GeoffM http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195511 GeoffM Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:13:56 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195511 The fact that Afghanistan is a considerable distance from the Caspian sea, that Georgia is both better located and friendlier to the US, and taking into account the overall nonsensicality of this this conspiracy from a strategic standpoint, I have to conclude that this theory has merit. A plan this absurd could only come straight from Cheney. The fact that Afghanistan is a considerable distance from the Caspian sea, that Georgia is both better located and friendlier to the US, and taking into account the overall nonsensicality of this this conspiracy from a strategic standpoint, I have to conclude that this theory has merit. A plan this absurd could only come straight from Cheney.

]]> By: Guest http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195510 Guest Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:35:27 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195510 Afghanistan borders on the following countries or regions: Pakistan; Iran; the Kashmir (India? Pakistan? Neither?); Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan; and China. Iraq lies on the opposite side of Afghanistan to Iran. How are Canadian softwood lumber shipments to the USA doing these days, now that the rate of new residential construction has dropped so much in that country? Afghanistan borders on the following countries or regions: Pakistan; Iran; the Kashmir (India? Pakistan? Neither?); Tajikistan; Turkmenistan; Uzbekistan; and China. Iraq lies on the opposite side of Afghanistan to Iran.

How are Canadian softwood lumber shipments to the USA doing these days, now that the rate of new residential construction has dropped so much in that country?

]]> By: the realist http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195509 the realist Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:10:02 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195509 I am starting to think a second career in politics might not be a bad idea for him. He would unfortunately learn how to lie (not a natural skill for him like it is for Harper) but apparently he is smart so could probably pick it up in time for his 3rd mandate. Finding the appropriate party might be a problem since none of the ones we have now seem to value intelligence and honesty which are his main strengths. I am starting to think a second career in politics might not be a bad idea for him. He would unfortunately learn how to lie (not a natural skill for him like it is for Harper) but apparently he is smart so could probably pick it up in time for his 3rd mandate. Finding the appropriate party might be a problem since none of the ones we have now seem to value intelligence and honesty which are his main strengths.

]]> By: wayne moores http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195508 wayne moores Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:25:38 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195508 And tell us, wise old Gary, what would you like him to evolve into, a conspiracy buff like you? I am always amazed by that rediculous, tourtured argument about Afganistan being some magic gateway for resources and energy for the US. Paaleeese, there are a million other ways and places on the planet for the US to get any of those items, starting with right here in Canada, which is a hell of a lot closer and the Yanks don't have to commit even a platoon of soldiers. To believe your thesis we must believe that 9/11 was orcastrated by the Bush administration so they could invade Afganistan. Then all but ignore it to go fight some useless war in Iraq. Then come back after the Taliban has reconstituted itself. I know Bush was a mental midget but really, give your hear a shake. I live in a military town and have never heard any of our troops dis Hillier or the mission, many of them volunteering for their 2nd and 3rd tour. I tend to take their opinion much more seriously than yours. Meanwhile carry on with the conspiracies Gary. Perhaps you and Mulder can uncover the truth, which is out there(cue the spooky music). Cheers And tell us, wise old Gary, what would you like him to evolve into, a conspiracy buff like you? I am always amazed by that rediculous, tourtured argument about Afganistan being some magic gateway for resources and energy for the US. Paaleeese, there are a million other ways and places on the planet for the US to get any of those items, starting with right here in Canada, which is a hell of a lot closer and the Yanks don't have to commit even a platoon of soldiers. To believe your thesis we must believe that 9/11 was orcastrated by the Bush administration so they could invade Afganistan. Then all but ignore it to go fight some useless war in Iraq. Then come back after the Taliban has reconstituted itself. I know Bush was a mental midget but really, give your hear a shake. I live in a military town and have never heard any of our troops dis Hillier or the mission, many of them volunteering for their 2nd and 3rd tour. I tend to take their opinion much more seriously than yours. Meanwhile carry on with the conspiracies Gary. Perhaps you and Mulder can uncover the truth, which is out there(cue the spooky music). Cheers

]]> By: Jack Mitchell http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195507 Jack Mitchell Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:21:17 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195507 I used to think Hillier was a bit of an egomaniac and his habit of contradicting the government rather dangerous, but after reading this interview I wonder if I didn't have the wrong end of the stick. He seems very reasonable, direct, fearless, and intelligent. Guess I should buy his book! I used to think Hillier was a bit of an egomaniac and his habit of contradicting the government rather dangerous, but after reading this interview I wonder if I didn't have the wrong end of the stick. He seems very reasonable, direct, fearless, and intelligent. Guess I should buy his book!

]]> By: FPSS_Dave http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195506 FPSS_Dave Sun, 25 Oct 2009 03:54:42 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195506 And please don't "evolve" Mr. Hillier. You are a principled and intelligent man, and I would vote for you any day. The conspiracy theorists like our good man Gary notwithstanding, I believe most Canadians would wish to help anyone who suffers at the hands of anything like the Taliban, and would not be so self centered and selfish as to blame the Americans. And please don't "evolve" Mr. Hillier. You are a principled and intelligent man, and I would vote for you any day. The conspiracy theorists like our good man Gary notwithstanding, I believe most Canadians would wish to help anyone who suffers at the hands of anything like the Taliban, and would not be so self centered and selfish as to blame the Americans.

]]> By: psiclone http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195505 psiclone Sat, 24 Oct 2009 18:08:33 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195505 Hilier is like a giant breath of feresh after being confined in a lonney left cell for too long. If only he would move out west here I would drop everything and work on his campaign for him then put my money where my mouth is - make no mistake about it ... so would many others! Hilier is like a giant breath of feresh after being confined in a lonney left cell for too long. If only he would move out west here I would drop everything and work on his campaign for him then put my money where my mouth is – make no mistake about it … so would many others!

]]> By: Gary http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/10/23/gen-rick-hillier-on-his-biggest-strategic-error-the-talibans-comeback-and-whether-canada-should-stay-in-afghanistan-past-2011/comment-page-1/#comment-195512 Gary Sat, 24 Oct 2009 16:20:54 +0000 http://www2.macleans.ca/?p=88233#comment-195512 I see Hillier has not evolved one iota . He is still part of the problem. His lack of depth and understanding of why we are there is very telling. This is an American strategic resource war to ensure access to Caspien basin fossil fuels. Canadian lives are not worth this . I see Hillier has not evolved one iota . He is still part of the problem. His lack of depth and understanding of why we are there is very telling. This is an American strategic resource war to ensure access to Caspien basin fossil fuels. Canadian lives are not worth this .

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