Today’s letters: Choices in Kanata-Carleton and the thorny situation in Afghanistan

Article content

Voters in Kanata-Carleton have more than two choices

Article content

RE: Kanata—Carleton voters have great choices, Aug. 25

Mr. Denley, it is disappointing that you neglected to interview me for this article. Instead, you chose to reinforce the false Liberal-Conservative duopoly that has got us into this mess of climate emergency, failed Truth and Reconciliation, and many other unkept promises. People are beginning to realize that their vote does not matter when they vote Liberal, Conservative, or even NDP: most votes are whipped, and thus their candidate’s Party’s will is represented, not their constituents’.

I am the only K-C candidate whose vote is never whipped, and I am encouraged, not discouraged, by my party to work with others regardless of political affiliation. I also happen to be highly qualified for the job: I am a leader, a family doctor, a 23 year veteran of the CAF, a small business owner, and a farmer.

Article content

Jennifer Purdy, Dunrobin
Candidate for the Green Party in Kanata-Carleton

There was no winning in Afghanistan

This isn’t Star Trek, and although there are similarities of visage, neither Stephen Harper nor Justin Trudeau are Captain James Tiberius Kirk, who can manipulate the odds to their favour in a no-win scenario.

We, along with the coalition, did our best, and although we had a sadly short but seriously profound effect on the women and children of Afghanistan, we lost. The afghan security forces we poured our expertise into refused to fight. Simple as that.

Losing in the face of a ruthless and backward foe is always messy. But we planted modern ideas in that troubled garden. Brutality is powerless against such seeds.

Article content

Thomas Brawn, Orleans

Afghans relied on us and we can’t let them down

Neither the Prime Minister nor Defense Minister’s resignation in the face of the heart wrenching situation in Afghanistan is acceptable.

Courageous people relied upon us and made decisions about their lives and the lives of their daughters and sons accordingly. An implicit promise was made that we would keep safe those who helped us, and it is not enough to now throw our hands in the air and walk away.

Former UN Deputy Secretary General Mark Malloch-Brown described in the Guardian only a few days ago how Canada and its allies could create humanitarian corridors to ensure that those most at risk can escape the brutal repercussions the Taliban will meet out. Canadians have the resources to welcome them into our borders. There are still allied troops on the ground, what is possible now will not be in a week. It is a moral abomination for us to pull out now.

Claire McMenemy, Ottawa