VOICE OF THE PEOPLE
9-11 HOSPITALITY
There were 150 of us on a United Airlines flight from Munich, Germany, to Washington, D.C. We became unexpected “drop-in” guests when our plane was diverted to Halifax on Sept. 11, 2001.
After remaining on the tarmac for 12 hours, we deplaned and were sent to the naval base. The first impression I had of Halifax was that the wonderful naval base staff had prepared a hot breakfast for us at 3:45 a.m.! We all appreciated the effort made on our behalf.
For the next three-and-a-half days, everyone we met showed the same “going the extra mile” attitude in conversation and actions. We were truly welcomed!
Another person and I were walking back to the naval base. We noticed a car following us. We stopped in a nearby store to use the telephone. The couple in the car asked if we would like a ride.
While en route, the question was asked as to why we were offered a ride. The woman replied: “We would not have wanted this to happen to our country and we are so sorry that it happened to yours.” Those words were the best gift we could have been given. Someone understood!
Thank you, dear people of Halifax. Your city is beautiful and your attitude is the same. Your graciousness and generosity have not been forgotten! May you be blessed!
Patricia Buhrer, Ann Arbor, Michigan
ABANDONED IN AFGHANISTAN
One thousand two hundred and fifty. That is the estimated number of Canadian citizens and allies left behind in Afghanistan.
The Canadian government had 18 months' notice that the U.S. would be pulling out of the country. Instead of fast-tracking the exit, bureaucrats devised a labyrinth of procedures that required documents that often were not available and an expertise in form-filling that would challenge anyone living in Canada, let alone someone in a country with sporadic electricity and internet.
Mostly, it was a failure of leadership. Were the ministers so focused on the election that they didn't have time to save lives? Ministers should be able to do more than one thing at a time.
I have known and worked with men and women in our Armed Forces both in Canada and overseas. They are a very capable group, able to carry out orders to protect our citizens under the most difficult of circumstances. The order never came. I was thankful to the Ukrainian troops who left Kabul airport and escorted 19 Canadians to safety and onto their flight. I was embarrassed that our government had not asked our troops to fulfil that and other safe escorts.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told those left behind: “Do not lose hope.” I am afraid that I have lost hope that this cabinet did not see that the first job of government is to save and protect Canadians.
Robert Leblanc, Halifax
20,000 REFUGEES IS TOO MANY
Not all of us are onside with our prime minister bringing in 20,000 Afghan refugees.
The first question that must be answered is: “What do we owe Afghanistan?” After a decade-long combat mission, billions of dollars and the blood of 150 of our troops soaking that wretched country's soil, we owe Afghanistan and its people nothing.
In the past weeks, we've seen that most Afghans wouldn't fight or oppose the Taliban. If the people of Afghanistan are unwilling to fight for their country, why would we bring 20,000 people here who likely will not fight for Canada either?
Beyond dubious loyalty, what else should we expect from the Afghans? Let's see: due to their inability to speak either official language, they will require complete taxpayer support for at least one generation, including medical, dental and drug coverage, lodging, food allowance, cellphone, cable TV, and other benefits we so very generously provide. For which we receive, in return, nothing.
When we cannot provide clean running water to some of our own citizens, when people sleep in our parks, when so many thousands of Canadians are without a family doctor, when inflation is rapidly eroding the common person's ability to pay for shelter and feed our families, this virtue-signalling demonstrates that the prime minister and his government are so profoundly detached from the reality of daily life in Canada that they see the plight of foreigners as far more of a priority than Canadians.
No doubt, this will garner the usual left-wing overreaction of heads popping off in pink fogs since progressives believe that consideration is the highest virtue, and then they will call me a bigot.
I prefer honesty as the highest virtue, and honestly, I'm already paying enough taxes for people who aren't loyal to Canada or who don't believe in, or won't defend, our nation and institutions. And I look forward to voting them out shortly.
So, bring in the interpreters and their families; at least they speak English and can hopefully support themselves. But 20,000 Afghans? Unless Mr. Trudeau is housing them at his expense, a hard no.