Reply #2: This is so not surprising [View All]

[Bragi]

This looked like a setup from the outset. Manley put the 1000 troop addition in as a faux "demand" so that Canada could shill inside NATO for Bush. The logic was that though everyone could easily dismiss Bush's appeal for more troops, maybe they'd listen to Canada.

But it was obvious all along that if no-one took the bait -- which now appears to be the case -- then Bush would move in 1000 of its own troops to keep the Canadians engaged. Hell, why wouldn't Bush do that, rather than see 2500 Canadian troops, who are worth their weight in gold in PR terms, leave the battlefield?

What an embarrassment this whole thing is for Canada. I predict this war is going to end real badly. In a year's time, I'll bet the Conservative and Liberal MPs will all be trying to distance themselves over their support for this unwinnable war, and dark footnote in Canadian history.

- B