Unfortunately it’s like preaching to the choir, but I agree with Eric Lerhe that this dialogue need to be publicized, ‘blogged’ or whatever else works to get some debate going in this election about the greater defence picture; other than the $35B F-35s.
I’ve been reminding our candidates, that in addition to the CF-18s, there is a frigate and two maritime patrol aircraft that have been ‘diverted’ from their roles at home protecting Canadian waters. Buried somewhere in the back of every party’s platform is at least a mention of defence and security. That our political leaders have been in Halifax, and made ‘photo ops’ on the harbour in sight of navy, coast guard, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, etc., and not commented or been made to comment on maritime issues is more that a bit frustrating, considering the expertise available to frame the questions.
I've got a favourite scene from the West Wing TV show where Sam Seaborne is talking about elections:
“I don’t know. I don’t know. I worked in a State Assembly race in Manhattan in a district where Democrats outnumbered Republicans 16 to 1. But everywhere we went, there’d be one lone poster of a right-wing nutbar who wanted to eliminate the income tax. And he was holding up signs and canvassing everywhere and bugging the local reporters until we had to comment on it. So I introduced myself to his campaign manager, and I said, “What are you doing? Your candidate doesn’t have a chance and neither do your issues.” He said, “This is what I believe. And no candidate gets to run in my district without speaking to my issue.” I came this close to voting for him.’
Call me naïve, but I don't think anyone should run in our district without speaking on our issues.
