war Archives — The NL Independent

Why is the United States always fighting a war somewhere?

Published on June 1, 2018 in Opinion/The Nonagenarian’s Notebook by Ed Finn

Why is the United States always fighting a war somewhere? Could it be because war is profitable? Harper’s magazine, in its June issue, reports on a panel of former soldiers that it convened at the U.S. Military Academy at Westpoint, New York. They were all veterans of wars waged by the U.S. over the past 30 years, mainly in Iraq and Afghanistan, or stationed in some of the nearly 800 military bases the U.S. maintains in more than 70 countries and territories around the world. These veterans were asked to explain why their country has been engaged in so many armed conflicts, and why, in none of them since World War II, has the outcome resulted in a decisive victory. And this despite the U.S. having the world’s best-trained and best-equipped armed forces. The war in Afghanistan has now dragged on for 17 years, under Presidents George Bush, Bill Clinton,…

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Trump “has done us a favour”: Gwynne Dyer

Published on October 2, 2017 in Uncategorized by Luke Barry

One of Newfoundland’s most famous intellectuals argues the U.S. President’s election in 2016 offers valuable insight into American politics and society before it’s too late.

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Lest we forget, let’s put an end to war

Published on November 11, 2015 in Letters by admin

We are right to remember those we have lost to war. But we owe it to them, to ourselves, and to future generations to abolish warfare once and for all.

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Why I am still wearing a white poppy for Remembrance Day

Published on November 10, 2015 in Gadfly by Robin Whitaker

The white poppy symbolizes grief for all victims of war, civilian as well as military, regardless of nationality. It also represents opposition to war and determination to work against the causes of war. Today it is relevant as ever in a Canada newly committed to humanitarianism and peacekeeping.

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Why I am wearing a white poppy for Remembrance Day

Published on November 10, 2014 in Gadfly by Robin Whitaker

The Peace Pledge Union asks people to wear a white poppy to symbolize their commitment to working for “the removal of all causes of war.” It’s an appeal Canadians should remember this year more than ever.

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Fighting Islamic State in the age of airpower

Published on November 3, 2014 in Uncategorized by John R Matchim

On Sunday Canada launched its first air strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq. However, it is worth considering the recent history of air power to better understand what we can expect from the present mission, and where it can go wrong.

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