[canuck]

Here are my thoughts on the spending priorities of this government.<br /> <br /> A key initiative of the conservatives was to have every government contract to be tendered and bid upon by at least three competitors. Doing so, as had been reasoned, would prevent previous cases of favouritism in awarding contracts. This means that everything from the purchase of billion dollar aircraft to the catering of meals for reservists on weekend training courses has been tendered since then. <br /> <br /> Now this sounds like a fair idea. However, there is problem. For instance, catering contracts are now awarded to companies that offer the lowest bid and could only be withdrawn if the caterer failed to meet its obligations in a serious way. Basically, short of failing to provide its service there is little that can be done legally to provide the soldiers with better quality food.<br /> <br /> (Previously, the hiring of a caterer was done at the request of the officer administering the course based upon any previous dealings with regards to both quality and cost.)<br /> <br /> Even so, I can still appreciate the fact the government is trying to be frugal with public funds. What I am confused about is how this latest expenditure of roughly $8B for new aircraft can be fully "tendered" but intended to favour one manufacturer of cargo planes, one manufacturer of helicopter. <br /> <br /> Isn't this the sort of favouritism harper wanted to eliminate or is this governmnet trying to justify huge status raising expenditures for his administration at the expense of soldiers being given poor quality food even though the problem only existed in the PMO?

[AngusThermopyle]

Good day all. So far I've resisted posting to this site as I find the degree of disinformation present is only exceeded by the degree of ignorance. Having said that, I will now give you a little background info about myself.<br /> I am one of those imperialist warmongers some of you delight in bashing. I was born in Liverpool England. When I was ten my familly decided to emigrate to Canada. At the age of twenty one I thought I would like to give something back to this country I had come to love so much. I joined the Canadian military. It was one of the best decisions of my life. I served twenty years before retiring and did six tours, including Yugolslavia and Somalia. During my time in service I learned not only to understand, but also value such concepts as loyalty, honour, fealty and respect. During that time in service to my country I have had the opportunity to assist and help many people in many meaningfull ways. Not in a happy silly "we're your friends, like us please" sort of way. No, in a rather more telling way. A way more related to" if you attempt to harm these people I will kill you". Yes, I know, how terrible, to resort to violence in order to preserve the lives of innocents from armed groups of thugs. Not very politic to say the least, effective however.<br /> Now that I'm retired I hold a management position, I serve my company in the capacity of Safety/Purchasing officer. I am also the company web designer and web master. I also act as company network engineer. Recently I've also undertaken a role as project manager, it's a lot to handle but I attribute my ability to do so in large part to my training.<br /> In response to an earlier post that slandered all military personel as bums, bad familly people, and low I.Q. vilage idiots, I would say that these negative aspersions could very well easily be applied to the poster. Given the tone of the post that is. Speaking of I.Q.'s, I have been tested several times and consistently score between 135 and 137. Not genius level by all means, but certainly above idiot level. I dare say this is a higher score than many of the self styled intelectuals who post here could muster.<br /> Money spent on the defense of ones own country is not wasted. We waste huge amounts of money in this country on silly exercises in stupidity. Things such as ten billion dollars just going missing, the long gun registry (sure has helped cut down on gun crime, hasn't it?)or, never ending hand outs to certain area's of the country. Funding of our military is woefully inadequate. What we do get is squandered in large part by those in high ranking places. Guess what, these squanderers are just doing what they've been groomed to do by succesive Liberal governments, no more, no less. Liberals decided that civilians could run the affairs of the military far better than actual military people themselves. Been a smashing success so far hasn't it? This is why the engineers in the gulf clearing mines couldn't get a few window air conditioners so they could sleep at night. Of interest is the fact that at the time the request for the aformentioned items was turned down due to a stated lack of funds a civilian official at DND paid $100,000.00 for a service. What was this service? Why, to import a California Guru. What did this Guru do? He gave civilian empoyee's bongo lessons in order to help them cope with stress. Money well spent wouldn't you say!<br /> So, in short. We do not fund our military adequately. What we do provide is squandered needlessly by weak minded civilian nincompoops. Some of the finest people in Canada serve, some of the worst in Canada just sit back and bitch, but dont lift a finger to help others or improve their country.<br /> Thank you for your time. Have a nice day.

[Wraun]

[QUOTE BY= AngusThermopyle]a little background info about myself.<br /> <br /> So, in short. We do not fund our military adequately. What we do provide is squandered needlessly by weak minded civilian nincompoops. Some of the finest people in Canada serve, some of the worst in Canada just sit back and bitch, but dont lift a finger to help others or improve their country.<br /> Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> If you knew as much about the people who post here and were as intelligent as you make yourself out to be, you would not come in here spouting off about disinformation, ignorance and self-styled intellectuals, only to go on and on with useless information about... who else? yourself, before ending with a few sentences of actual problems, then go right back to the insults. No, you are at least as ignorant as you accuse others to be but not to be outdone, I'm sure, you are also a pompous ass, Gomer Pyle!

[rearguard]

[QUOTE BY= AngusThermopyle]Some of the finest people in Canada serve, some of the worst in Canada just sit back and bitch, but dont lift a finger to help others or improve their country.<br /> Thank you for your time. Have a nice day. [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Please, name one thing that all your years of service did for Canada, for Canadians, directly.<br /> <br /> Good day.

[Diogenes]

After reading Stuart Robinson’s aka AngusThermopyle’s entry He only affirms those I choose to call shit-eaters come from all IQ levels. <br /> Had he substantiated his claims with reasoned argument he would have had some credibility. He did not because he cannot. Displays of braggadocio being easily recognised by those here he chooses to slander. He may have been an officer, but he is certainly no gentleman. <br /> <br /> It is ridiculous to base one opinion on all military personal by the posts of an armyguy, however after reading what Stewie has to offer all one notices is the language may be better and the message is the same <br /> One cannot expect the Stuart Robinsons of the world to offer reasoned argument; their training knocked that out of them long ago. The mindset of his parent’s generation was one should join the military to learn discipline and respect which would be a good thing if discipline and respect didn’t translate to blind obedience to ones “betteres” <br /> <br /> <br />

[AngusThermopyle]

My my, I certanly seem to have stirred up a hornets dont I. Struck a nerve perhaps? It certainly is amusing to read the febrile and juvenile insults and name calling in response to my post.<br /> What have I done directly for my country? How about the Quebec Ice Storm and the Red River flooding?Would assisting the civilian population during these two emergencies qualify? Or is that far too prosaic for your standards. As to why I told you about myself. Simple really. I believe that one can not begin to understand the point of view of another without first understanding a little about the other. Besides, it's only polite to introduce one self. though it does appear that good manners are something that are sadly missing around here. No, I have never said I am a self styled genius, I merely wish to make the point that all who serve are not imbeciles.<br /> I have seen post on this site decrying "hate" speech, racism, prejudice. Yet, whenever a military person makes a point contrary to the popular one on this site, that is exactly the kind of speech put forth in retaliation. The response of the posters makes a lie of the very point they strive to prove. This leads me to believe that they are either too filled with hate and loathing to see any point but their own, or they just dont understand any point but their own.<br /> Now, back to topic. We just dont spend the money we should on National Defence. What we do get is squandered. I for one dont think it is wise for us to be in Afghanistan. It's horrendously costly and the end result will be what it has always historically been. Defeat and withdrawal, with somewhat dubious objectives as the end result or goal. This money would be better spent in purchases that would allow us to enhance our soverienty and be prepared for events that in my opinion would be far more meaningfull, should they arise.<br /> We seem incapable of learning from the past. Historically, no nation has ever defeated the Afghani people, nor have they ever been able to hold this country. I dont think it will be any different this time. As to who is right or wrong in Afghanistan, I believe that is for the people of Afghanistan to determine for themselves.<br /> Now, could we actually discuss the topic, rather than indulge in childish, hatefull personal attacks? When one indulges themselves in such fashon, they do no credit to themselves, or the group they claim to represent. Well, gotta go, work you know, it waits for no one.<br /> Have a nice day.

[Wraun]

[QUOTE]Now, could we actually discuss the topic, rather than indulge in childish, hatefull personal attacks? When one indulges themselves in such fashon, they do no credit to themselves[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> I suppose you've already forgotten your oh so "polite" entrance to this forum. You know the "childish, hateful personal attacks" you opened with? I will not be discussing military spending, nor any other topic with you.

[rearguard]

[QUOTE BY= AngusThermopyle]Struck a nerve perhaps? It certainly is amusing to read the febrile and juvenile insults and name calling in response to my post.[/quote]<br /> <br /> Well I think it's safe to say that you jumped in here with your arms a swinging. Had you not tossed around insults I would have welcomed you aboard.<br /> <br /> If you don't mind, I'd like all of us to put the insults aside and have an honest discussion.<br /> <br /> [quote]What have I done directly for my country? How about the Quebec Ice Storm and the Red River flooding?Would assisting the civilian population during these two emergencies qualify? Or is that far too prosaic for your standards.[/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> I don't mean this as an insult, but isn't using the military to deal with a natural disaster like using a bulldozer to do gardening work? <br /> <br /> My thoughts are that you do not need military training or military weapons systems to deal with a natural disaster, and I suspect that almost all of the money goes to buying equipment and training that is ill suited to the task, and what is suited for the task, is only due to happenstance. <br /> <br /> I'm sure that the military does do some natural disaster training, and perhaps you do have some equipment specially designed for such an operation - correct? If so, I wonder what percentage of the armed forces is directed at the task?<br /> <br /> In any event, you gave out a very good reply to my question, thanks.<br /> <br /> If you don't mind, I'd like to rephrase the question to get at the original intent: <br /> <br /> Can you name one thing that you did in a <i>military capacity</i> for Canada, for Canadians, directly?<br /> <br /> You may or may not be able to give me an answer, I don't know, but if you can, I'll take an interest in learning all about it. Thanks.<br /> <br /> So that you know a little about me, I'm not trying to be hostile towards anyone at a personal level, however I am very hostile towards a government that uses public money (forcebly extracted) to fund US hegemony. Often that anger spills over and is directed at the Canadian military, especially at your leadership. It boggles my mind how anyone can stay in the military knowing what it is being used for - of course those who are in the military don't necessarily see it in the same way as I do, and I can understand that. The way I see it, we're all victims of the same disease.<br />

[Diogenes]

Stewie:“ My my, I certanly seem to have stirred up a hornets dont I. Struck a nerve perhaps? It certainly is amusing to read the febrile and juvenile insults and name calling in response to my post.”<br /> <br /> Classic IGYNYSOB (Now I've got you, you son of a bitch) a well know troll gambit.<br /> The set up, followed by the predictable response to the set up and the type of retort as seen in Stewie’s reply above.<br /> <br /> The superior NEVER bow to the inferior, Stewie, so take it back to where ever you got it from. It don’t play well here.<br /> Kinda looks like armyguy scurried off to get reinforcements , Don't it?<br /> Esprit de Corps and all that tommyrot<br />

[AngusThermopyle]

Good day. Hmmm, I dont quite see where all the fuss is coming from. as I recall I have not made any personal attacks against anyone. All of my statements were made in a general sort of way, no names mentioned, no fingers pointed. Childish? I dont believe that stating an apparent lack of information present in posts is childish. However, the only responses I've seen so far have been both very childish and very personal.<br /> It is very telling to note however that those posting at this time appear to be capable of only those responses.I had noticed previously that staying on topic seems to be extremely difficult for certain members of this forum. As for those who do not wish to discuss the topic, well, that really is their choice, far be it from me to condemn them for that choice.<br /> Now, back to topic. I think that Military funding should also be discussed with the topic of government waste. The two are interconnected, inseperable in fact. I believe the military should be granted more funds. First however there should be a general "pruning" (no pun intended). Canada has more Generals than any other nation ion the world per serving member. In fact, we have far too many officers, the high priced help. A lot of funding is wasted, not only in wages, also in accomodations and "perks". In New York they have a base containing more personell than our entire armed forces, yet a Colonel commands it. We have one officer for every ten non commisioned members. It seems to me the money would go much farther if we could reduce these officers in number and thus eliminate their frivolous spending. That is not to say that more funding would be unecessary, but it would go a long way toward a solution.<br /> Anyway, gotta run. I dont have very long for lunch.<br /> Have a good day.

[AngusThermopyle]

Sorry Rearguard, I didn't mean to overlook your post. I dont really have time now to go into it. However if you can wait until I get home from work I'll be happy to attempt to answer your questions.

[Dr Caleb]

[QUOTE BY= AngusThermopyle] as I recall I have not made any personal attacks against anyone. All of my statements were made in a general sort of way, no names mentioned, no fingers pointed. <br /> [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> So, comments like this were directed at everyone, yes?<br /> <br /> <blockquote><br /> So far I've resisted posting to this site as I find <b>the degree of disinformation present is only exceeded by the degree of ignorance</b>. . . .<br /> I am one of those imperialist warmongers some of you delight in bashing. </blockquote><br /> <br /> So, if you're going to put a target on yourself, perhaps you shouldn't be surprised at all the red dots directly over your heart?

[Diogenes]

Oh Just stop it Dr, Caleb or I shall be forced to admire your astuteness (in assessing Stewie) <br /> edited to incluled <br /> He does play a fine game of IGYNYSOB don't he

[Dr Caleb]

[QUOTE BY= Diogenes] <br /> He does play a fine game of IGYNYSOB don't he [/QUOTE]<br /> <br /> Indeed he does. If we're so full of BS, he should feel free to correct us, not insult us.

[Diogenes]

Agreed!<br /> it is a treat for to have to adjust my thinking after I have been so damned adament about a stand i "believed" to be correct.<br /> and it is also a pain in the butt <img align=absmiddle src='images/smilies/cool.gif' alt='Cool'> <br /> Such is growth<br />