A civic lesson in war, charter rights and citizenship

There seems to be a disconnect in the minds of many between the current task before the Canadian Armed Forces - and the rest of the country - and our past struggles and accomplishments.

The country and its military - one and the same - are involved in making Afghanistan more of a modern country and world neighbour. The fact it has to be done under cover of firepower is unbearable to some.

The NDP is opposed to the effort - despite the fact the aims are very close to those allegedly espoused by the party: human rights, small-scale economic development and all that. In short, it's their kind of war. Sadly, obviously the old protest days loom greater than they should in the minds of some of the party stalwarts.

Then the Liberals, with their new leader Stephane Dion - who certainly is no Paul Martin Jr., waffle and go on about the issue.

During the recent Vimy Ridge event, deputy Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff denied even a connection between Vimy veterans and those involved with the Afghan mission. He implied it was a stretch.

This is beyond belief, let alone good taste. It's well within the anti-military attitudes of the Trudeau/ Chretien eras. The short enlightenment of the Paul Martin Jr. years did not last long.

Former primer minister Jean Chretien, meanwhile, under whose watch the armed forces saw the least support in decades; sprung out of political oblivion to go on about the Stephen Harper Tory government's declining to make a huge thing over it being 25 years since the repatriation of the Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Dion dutifully followed the lead of his former boss and mouthed a weak protest.

Possibly the Harper government's lack of enthusiasm was because the constitution was essentially a housekeeping chore, reiterating what had already been common law and precedence going back to aspects of the country's British political and judicial heritage - which successive Liberal governments so diligently attempted to bury.

As well, Quebec hasn't signed on to the new constitution, despite the fact it was largely for that province's good the exercise was undertaken.

At the same time, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms remains half completed. The other shoe has to drop soon, hopefully in the form of a Charter of Responsibilities.

A whole generation has come of age and immigrants have arrived without proper instruction and guidance in civic and national responsibilities.

We have too many people who believe citizenship is summed up by social services and/ or a passport they consider a “get out of jail - or the latest hellhole - free” card.

Only when Quebec signs on to the constitution and we get the rest of the Charter can we celebrate.

The Vimy Ridge 90th anniversary commemoration was indicative of our past citizens' responsibility, duty and sacrifice, as well as their careful Canadian planning.

I can't imagine what kind of Vimy commemoration would have been afforded by a continued Chretien regime.