Missile Defense
Did Paul make the wrong choice?
I recently heard what I believe is the misconception that the Liberals have not signed on to missile defense in an attempt to continue to be “different” from the Americans, thus making this an extended “You went to Iraq and we didn’t, and that makes us Canada!”
Martin isn’t doing this in an attempt to be different, in fact I believe Martin personally still supports missile defense (even though he will no longer publicly admit it), he isn’t perusing it because he doesn’t have party support, and he doesn’t have voter support.
He doesn’t have voter support because of the mostly mindless anti-Americanism that exists in Canada. And he doesn’t have party support for roughly the same reason.
Now why should Canada have signed on to missile defense?
The Americans are building a defensive system for North America. Canada has no control over this. It’s happening with or without our blessing. Even if we don’t agree with it (I happen to agree with it, but let's assume for a second that I don't) their is something to be said for cutting losses and maintaining control over which missiles are going to be flying over Canadian air space. We would also have input into development and would be able to at least validly raise objections to certain parts of the plan. Even if the Americans get the final word I think that input from an ally rather than a foe would be heard louder. (I'm not delusional; I have no misconception that Canada would have become an equal partner by signing on)
Now why should we agree with the plan for missile defense?
A popular attack on missile defense is that it will start a new cold war. I seriously doubt this. Who is going to start competing with the Americans for the "contested" spot of the world’s greatest power. (One of the reasons for the cold war was that this had not been established) The Russians? I doubt it. Iraq? I think that has been taken care of (however poorly it was) North Korea? They are already developing technology for faster farther range missiles as fast as they can. I doubt the Americans building a North American defensive system will push them to work faster, they’re already going top speed. The idea that a new arms race will result if this occurs is bunk. Canada is not about to stop the missile defense program by not signing, it’s going ahead with or without us. Like I said before, we are simply giving up our right to input. (Though Mr. Martin seems to think otherwise by stating that the Americans will have no Canadian support but he still wants to be consulted on every decision. Oh Paul… you make me laugh…)
A lot of those who are against missile defense like to raise the objection that it does not work. This is a gross exaggeration. The assumption here is that missile defense if fully developed, and still fails to work at all, while the reality is that this system is still being developed and no one is claiming that it is a perfect working system ready to be deployed on a large scale attack. Again missile defense not working is a misconception. Recent testing of new technology within the system has vastly improved it's effectiveness against incoming missiles. Some recent tests have shown the system to be effective against 5 of 6 incoming missiles. (I wouldn’t like to be hit by that sixth missile but at least the other five will be taken care of.) This is a system still in development and the technology IS improving.
I hate to raise a fiscal point but Canada signing on would have pumped some, always welcome, money up north for development contracts.
Why is it important to stand with the Americans?
Recently when the Americans went to war in Iraq Canada decided to claim we were taking the moral high ground and keeping out troops and support locked up at home. I have had an admittedly "flip-flopping" opinion on whether or not Canada should have taken this route with the war. (To some up my internal debate on Iraq: Something should be done to get rid of the oppressive regime. But is all out war the right option? There was a lot more thought put into this but I’m not going to get into it right now as this isn’t what the post’s about.) The point is, in the end Canada decided not to go. The Americans were looking for support on an international issue where there were valid reasons not to support them, and Canada, citing these reasons, declared very clearly that we would not be sending troops or support of any other kind to the Americans. This was a contentious issue where Canada had a right to stay out of it and it still hurt relations. Missile defense is in many ways an internal issue for North America and it is also one that should not be as contentious as, let’s say, invading another country and ousting the entire ruling body. It is important that the Americans see clear evidence that they can still receive support from one of their closest allies, an ally that is drifting unfortunately further away at the moment. To be a friend of America we do not need to be or desire to be a clone of them, but it is important to sometimes stand by them.
We do look towards the Americans for protection. If something were to happen to Canada they would be the first country for us to turn to in our time of need.
So I ask you, why not give them the nod of approval in an effort to protect us all?
I recently heard what I believe is the misconception that the Liberals have not signed on to missile defense in an attempt to continue to be “different” from the Americans, thus making this an extended “You went to Iraq and we didn’t, and that makes us Canada!”
Martin isn’t doing this in an attempt to be different, in fact I believe Martin personally still supports missile defense (even though he will no longer publicly admit it), he isn’t perusing it because he doesn’t have party support, and he doesn’t have voter support.
He doesn’t have voter support because of the mostly mindless anti-Americanism that exists in Canada. And he doesn’t have party support for roughly the same reason.
Now why should Canada have signed on to missile defense?
The Americans are building a defensive system for North America. Canada has no control over this. It’s happening with or without our blessing. Even if we don’t agree with it (I happen to agree with it, but let's assume for a second that I don't) their is something to be said for cutting losses and maintaining control over which missiles are going to be flying over Canadian air space. We would also have input into development and would be able to at least validly raise objections to certain parts of the plan. Even if the Americans get the final word I think that input from an ally rather than a foe would be heard louder. (I'm not delusional; I have no misconception that Canada would have become an equal partner by signing on)
Now why should we agree with the plan for missile defense?
A popular attack on missile defense is that it will start a new cold war. I seriously doubt this. Who is going to start competing with the Americans for the "contested" spot of the world’s greatest power. (One of the reasons for the cold war was that this had not been established) The Russians? I doubt it. Iraq? I think that has been taken care of (however poorly it was) North Korea? They are already developing technology for faster farther range missiles as fast as they can. I doubt the Americans building a North American defensive system will push them to work faster, they’re already going top speed. The idea that a new arms race will result if this occurs is bunk. Canada is not about to stop the missile defense program by not signing, it’s going ahead with or without us. Like I said before, we are simply giving up our right to input. (Though Mr. Martin seems to think otherwise by stating that the Americans will have no Canadian support but he still wants to be consulted on every decision. Oh Paul… you make me laugh…)
A lot of those who are against missile defense like to raise the objection that it does not work. This is a gross exaggeration. The assumption here is that missile defense if fully developed, and still fails to work at all, while the reality is that this system is still being developed and no one is claiming that it is a perfect working system ready to be deployed on a large scale attack. Again missile defense not working is a misconception. Recent testing of new technology within the system has vastly improved it's effectiveness against incoming missiles. Some recent tests have shown the system to be effective against 5 of 6 incoming missiles. (I wouldn’t like to be hit by that sixth missile but at least the other five will be taken care of.) This is a system still in development and the technology IS improving.
I hate to raise a fiscal point but Canada signing on would have pumped some, always welcome, money up north for development contracts.
Why is it important to stand with the Americans?
Recently when the Americans went to war in Iraq Canada decided to claim we were taking the moral high ground and keeping out troops and support locked up at home. I have had an admittedly "flip-flopping" opinion on whether or not Canada should have taken this route with the war. (To some up my internal debate on Iraq: Something should be done to get rid of the oppressive regime. But is all out war the right option? There was a lot more thought put into this but I’m not going to get into it right now as this isn’t what the post’s about.) The point is, in the end Canada decided not to go. The Americans were looking for support on an international issue where there were valid reasons not to support them, and Canada, citing these reasons, declared very clearly that we would not be sending troops or support of any other kind to the Americans. This was a contentious issue where Canada had a right to stay out of it and it still hurt relations. Missile defense is in many ways an internal issue for North America and it is also one that should not be as contentious as, let’s say, invading another country and ousting the entire ruling body. It is important that the Americans see clear evidence that they can still receive support from one of their closest allies, an ally that is drifting unfortunately further away at the moment. To be a friend of America we do not need to be or desire to be a clone of them, but it is important to sometimes stand by them.
We do look towards the Americans for protection. If something were to happen to Canada they would be the first country for us to turn to in our time of need.
So I ask you, why not give them the nod of approval in an effort to protect us all?