Veteran goes after anti-troop politicians
By Arthur Weinreb


http://www.canadafreepress.com/2007/weinreb082307.htm

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Calgary Mayor David Bronconnier and 10 city alderman voted not to put yellow "support our troops" decals on city vehicles. The reason why the eleven voted the way they did was for the usual reason – they didn't want to "offend" any of those workers who are anti-troop (but of course don't have the guts to say that; they are only anti-war). The city opted instead to sell yellow ribbons to those Calgarians who want them with the money supposedly going to the troops that the politicians refuse to honour. Both the province of Alberta and Edmonton allow decals to be displayed on provincial and city vehicles.

In fairness to Calgary, the proposal that was voted down was a lot wider than the controversial allowing of decals was in Toronto. The plan in Calgary was to put decals on all city vehicles while in Toronto they were limited to ambulances and fire trucks with police cars being thrown in at the last minute. No one in Toronto even dared suggest that the ordinary city workers who are playing their part in bankrupting Canada's largest city should ever have to show support for soldiers. Nonetheless, the decision of the city of Calgary mothers stirred up some controversy.

Bill Tramble, a veteran and a member of the Royal Canadian Legion wants politicians banned from legion halls and other military ceremonies unless and until they change their minds, an idea that is not likely to get off the ground. Tammy Wheeler, the secretary of the Alberta Northwest Territories Royal Canadian Legion was quoted as saying that their members don't get involved in politics and will not be supporting Tramble's plan. It's nice that so many sacrificed their lives for the freedom not to get involved in politics.

The idea of banning politicians who do not support the troops war from entering legion halls seems to be a non-starter. To paraphrase former U.S. General Norman Schwartzkopf, banning these people from legion halls would be like going to war without your accordion. But something needs to be done and Tramble certainly has some ideas that are worth considering.

There is nothing more hypocritical than attendance at November 11 ceremonies by these anti-war political types who throw on a poppy and pretend that they care. They march up to the cenotaph looking all somber when the reality is that they have no use for the troops. All these troops are doing is participating in George Bush's war.  Those that are being honored for giving up so much are really no different than the men and women who are currently serving in the Canadian forces in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Yet while the politicians cry tears over those who paid the ultimate price in previous wars, they find honouring our current troops by putting a decal on a vehicle way too onerous.

It is simply too contradictory to pay homage to those who served in previous wars while refusing to honour those who are currently serving. And something should be done about it.

Bill Tramble is on the right track but it is hard to figure out exactly what to do. Counter demonstrations during November 11 ceremonies wouldn't work because it would be seen as being disrespectful to those that Canadians who truly do support the troops are attempting to honour. Pressure should be brought to bear on those anti-troop politicians to simply stay away from these ceremonies and this should begin soon. We can't count on the mainstream media to help as they are some of the most teary- eyed hypocrites when it comes to honouring those who have risked and sacrificed their lives for Canada while slagging off those who are currently serving. If anything is to be done it will have to be by Bill Tramble and likeminded people. The last thing that we, including the troops, need to see is some purporting to honour previous generations while being indifferent or worse to the members of our current armed forces.

Let's hope Tramble is successful in going after these gutless two-faced politicians.


Arthur Weinreb is an author, columnist and Associate Editor of Canada Free Press. His work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Men's News Daily, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck and The Rant. Arthur can be reached at: aweinreb@interlog.com

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