Shaming Sajjan
Re: Intoxicated with his own success, John Ivison; and Shameful display by Sajjan, Christie Blatchford, May 2 What if Minister Sajjan actually was the person who proposed the idea that became Operation Medusa? What if all the self- important scribes and politicians who are howling for Sajjan’s head, don’t actually know whether he was the “architect” or not? The term architect would apply to the conception of the idea, not its development by staff, nor the decisions associated with implementing it.
Do we know that what the military now calls “Operation Medusa” was ever conceived by anyone, and would not be better described as a name applied to the evolution of the military activities ( Taliban and ours) in the Panjwaii? Only a few people in the Canadian and ISAF command staff actually know who first proposed and began this “operation” and they aren’t talking. We do know that Sajjan was a senior intelligence officer in place at the time, who spoke Punjabi, Urdu and actually understands the multiple tribal, linguistic, religious and geo- social groups that inhabit Afghanistan. Surely he was in a position to use his knowledge to formulate ideas.
Our military, political and journalist community that conducted the “war” in Afghanistan were characterized by their ignorance about that country and its varied peoples. They couldn’t tell a Pathan from a fireplug. And now they are doing in the one guy in the history of Canada’s involvement in Afghanistan who we know was truly knowledgeable. Peter Spurr, Victoria, B. C. Watching the shenanigans in Parliament and the tearing apart of Harjit Sajjan over and over again, I am reminded of Christians being thrown to the lions in ancient Rome.
The man is guilty of self- aggrandizement — definitely wrong, definitely even reprehensible, but how many of us can honestly say we have never done something similar? He has apologized, seemingly sincerely, over and over again — what more do we want? Why lose a competent Minister of National Defence, a dedicated and decorated member of the armed forces who was involved in the main assault during Medusa, and a man described as “honourable” and “the best single Canadian intelligence asset in theatre”? It makes no sense. This is just plain political vengeance at the expense of our country.
He has been publicly shamed — smack his wrists and let’s move on. Bloodletting is a shameful sport. Marguerite Caunt, West Vancouver When Harjit Sajjan was appointed Minister of Defence, Canadians were informed that he was a “bad- ass.” However, based on his boneheaded lie regarding his role in Operation Medusa and his subsequent weasel- word non- apology, a more fitting description would be “dumbass.” Canada’s armed forces and NATO allies deserve better. Peter Stone, Burlington, Ont.