[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

I posted this on another forum (Tanknet) yesterday:

ASW aside, this is what's pissing me off with this inept government we've been stuck with for 12 years - with the demise of the USSR, we now have the largest national landmass in the world, yet are utterly incapable of defending it, or even defining it by other than Liberal rhetoric:

CAMBRIDGE -- Prime Minister Paul Martin says a Liberal government will take the "necessary measures" to stop U.S. submarines from passing through Canada's Arctic waters.

He offered no specifics but cast a wary glance at reports that at least one U.S. Navy submarine recently patrolled the Arctic and likely passed through Canadian waters.

The prime minister has repeatedly drawn attention to his differences with the U.S. as part of a re-election strategy. But he chose his words carefully when asked whether Canada would accept U.S. subs in its coastal waters.

"No," Martin replied.

"Arctic waters are Canadian waters, and Canadian waters are sovereign waters. Canada will defend its sovereignty."

Together with the missle-defence package, the US has repeatedly stated defacto that it's willing to defend North America... yet this asshole, whose policies have not only inhibited but destroyed our ability to assert sovereignty, has actually fought the US on this. We have not the capability to make any meaningful contribution to continental defence, nor will we have any in the foreseeable future. Considering we had the world's third-largest navy in WW2, I am ashamed; while we may be on the edge of strengthening our force-projection overseas (hint - vote Conservative!), we need the US and its military resources to support the integrity of the continent. Our miniscule navy and worn-out airforce cannot do it by themselves - we should welcome US assistance, not fight it with bluster.

Who is this idiot? I am disgusted.

I'm a proud Canadian, proud of my background, proud of my heritage, proud of my people... but I know enough to STFU when I haven't got anything to back up my pontifications; this fool is just that - a fool. I know the part we can play as well or better than anyone, in this world's affairs... but the US are our brethren, and we need them for things we are unwilling or incapabable of doing ourselves. You don't poke your big brother with a pointed stick when you're about to get into a bunfight.

We may be small, but we are capable of doing great things, as we have proved in past; Martin will be the end of us if we don't shut him up at the polls.

[/rant]