I think there's room for a middle ground of consensus here, where a majority of Canadians find torture unacceptable, but are willing to understand that an imperfect situation like Afghanistan might involve the occasional horrible misstep. It's how we address and learn from missteps that can form the basis of consensus, but that requires leadership that values accountability, and that doesn't see every concern and question as a threat.

Couldn't agree more. Leave the dirt under the carpet…if there's any to be found.

Just referencing the other side isn't helpful…we are trying to win a hearts and minds war, right. Having said that i don't think that holding our selves to impossible standards helps either…after a certain point it can become self flagellation. For me the real issue here is – outside of real negligence – did our officials participate in a cover-up?

To be unable to distinguish is the issue. The others sides conduct doesnt excuse your own, however, you also need to decide equivalencies. The issues here are murkey at best, one of speed of compliance, not compliance with norms and standards. To even breach that topic begins to bring the whole regime in to disrepute when you contrast it with the lack prosecution or attempts at prosectution of the other side. It is a complete lack of perspective of what was done, what was being done and what the situation is.

War Criminal is now the new racist. When everyone is a war criminal, nobody is. Goodness even the Red Cross is on Colvin's butt these days. So just what is the agenda here, recovering old ground that was settlled in 2007.

Canadian War Cirminals would generally be considered and oxymoron.

We move from the sublime to the ridiculous.