Hillarysworld

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Hillarysworld -> All things Hillary -> Hillary Clinton's 'fighting words' a plea to talk (Toronto Star 4/6/10)
Post Info
TOPIC: Hillary Clinton's 'fighting words' a plea to talk (Toronto Star 4/6/10)
Jen the Michigander


SuperModerator

Status: Offline
Posts: 1788
Date:
Hillary Clinton's 'fighting words' a plea to talk (Toronto Star 4/6/10)
Permalink  
 

An editorial response to all the anti-Hillary sentiment that we read about in the Canadian press last week:

http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/790642--cohn-hillary-clinton-s-fighting-words-a-plea-to-talk

What was she thinking? And who does she think she is?

Forget the fulminations: at least Hillary Clinton knows her own mind. Canada, by contrast, doesn't quite know what to think about Afghanistan anymore. And doesn't want to talk about it.

Never mind that she left Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a defensive crouch and Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon sputtering last week. Despite all the fuss about a U.S. Secretary of State lobbing multiple warheads over Canada, you don't have to be a rocket scientist to see why she took aim.

Clinton's real motive was to go over the heads of Harper and Cannon to the Canadian people – and get us talking about Afghanistan again. These weren't fighting words, nor even a finger-wagging lecture. This was a plea for straight talk between friends – and among Canadians.

Here's what Clinton was trying to say, in her own non-threatening way: post-2011, we Americans are not really expecting any Canadian boots on the ground, but why not Tilley hats on the horizon? Canada could stay involved with police training, judicial reforms, eradicating polio, building schools and other humanitarian measures.

There may be good reason for rolling up our combat role in Kandahar. Casualties have been high, our troops are exhausted, our equipment is rundown and public support for frontline combat has evaporated. No politician wants to send soldiers onto the battlefield without support on the home front.

But before we try to analyze public opinion – and support for a future role – it's worth asking why none of our national leaders has had a serious conversation with Canadians about how we can make an enlightened transition that doesn't devalue or undercut what has gone before it.

The question for Canadians is why we would scale back our pioneering aid and reconstruction role in Afghanistan by ruling out any armed role. Will Canadian humanitarian workers be left without any security backup? If we are loath to protect our own embassy in Kabul, will we contract it out to other countries, or sign up with private security firms?

There are no good answers because almost no one is asking the questions. In recent days, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff has gingerly broached the topic, but he remains leery of the media's whack-a-mole approach to Afghanistan. Harper, for his part, has tried to shut down debate – just as he did in the last election campaign – to avoid expending any political capital on this issue.

That's why Clinton tried to restart the debate here. But Canadians are still reluctant to respond – with actions, or even words.

__________________

4145952823_2e0edce16f.jpg

Nobody puts THIS baby in the corner!
Hillarysmygirl16


Administrator

Status: Offline
Posts: 2818
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hillary is right there are other ways to stay involved besides combat.  Now the best solution would be to end this war as soon as possible and since I now have no faith in that man who is in the oval office I don't see him doing anything.  Now that he has completely screwed us with that Nuclear war thing.  I just don't trust him perhaps now would be a good time for Hillary to run

__________________

4459303562_3f593359a2_m.jpg
Jen the Michigander


SuperModerator

Status: Offline
Posts: 1788
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hillary needs her own exit strategy. I don't expect her to make any major moves until after the disaster that will befall the Dems this November. However, we are starting to see her separating herself from That One, especially with the remarks she made about abortion during her Canadian trip.

Right now, she's off to Prague. We'll see what happens there.

__________________

4145952823_2e0edce16f.jpg

Nobody puts THIS baby in the corner!
Sanders


Diamond

Status: Offline
Posts: 4567
Date:
Permalink  
 

She has begun to voice her individual opinion a bit more and has very subtle-ly separated herself. It is noticeable to her followers.

I think she will still be in that role until after November, and yes, she may need an exit strategy.  Will she run again? I have my doubts.  She would be happy enough to work at the Clinton Global Foundation.  Of course, I would love for her to run again..

-- Edited by Sanders on Wednesday 7th of April 2010 11:17:42 PM

__________________
Democracy needs defending - SOS Hillary Clinton, Sept 8, 2010
Democracy is more than just elections - SOS Hillary Clinton, Oct 28, 2010

Madam Secretary Blog at ForeignPolicy.com
Project Vote Smart - Stay informed and engaged!
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Hillarysworld -> All things Hillary -> Hillary Clinton's 'fighting words' a plea to talk (Toronto Star 4/6/10)
Tweet this page Post to Digg Post to Del.icio.us


Create your own FREE Forum
Report Abuse 		Powered by ActiveBoard