February 27, 2006

Dear Warriors: Last week the Globe and Mail announced (see whole article) it was holding a “debate” on Canada’s role in Afghanistan. The debate was partly prompted by the surprising results of a Strategic Counsel poll commissioned by the G&M and CTV which showed:

“The poll found that 62 per cent of Canadians are against sending troops to Afghanistan, while only 27 per cent are in favour. Furthermore, 73 per cent of those surveyed said parliamentarians should have the chance to vote on deployment.” (G&M - Feb 24)

According to the G&M:”

“On Monday evening and on Tuesday, globeandmail.com readers will — after reading the debate and hearing the discussion — be able to vote in an on-line poll on the question of whether they support this mission.”

Please vote in the poll and forward it to your lists as widely as possible and give a voice to the Strategic Counsel survey which shows Canadians oppose this war-fighting role for Canadian soldiers.

ALSO....WHILE OTHER NEWSPAPERS ARE NOT INVOLVED AND WILL NOT TAKE LETTERS BASED ON THIS DEBATE, IF YOU ARE INCLINED TO WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR TO THE GLOBE [letters at GlobeAndMail.ca] AS WELL AS VOTE IN THEIR POLL PLEASE DO SO - EMPHASIZING:

1. THAT YOU OPPOSE THIS WAR FIGHTING ROLE
2. THAT THIS RADICAL DEPARTURE FROM PEACE-KEEPING (WHICH IS WHAT WE WERE TOLD OUR ROLE WOULD BE) MUST BE DEBATED IN PARLIAMENT.