Responsibility To Protect Mantle

Really, it makes Canada look like a tin pot military power. Like - stretching it somewhat - those goose-stepping militaries placed on prideful parade by their political masters, replete with the latest armaments their treasuries have been sacked to purchase to ensure that they are well armed in reflection of their paranoid national pride. In countries where this clanking of military armour and be-medalled soldiers marching in mechanical array make this an annual event of great fanfare.

But this is Canada, why drag the country into this kind of display that has that whiff of nationalism's pride in defensive capability? We are the quiet nation, where pride certainly exists, but without the prod of the state machinery or the nation's military machine, usually kept carefully under wraps, where it modestly takes shelter. We have no need for a costly, embarrassing display of our forceful might.

Yet there it was in bold display, when the Privy Council Office gave instruction to the Canadian Forces in October to prepare for a victory celebration. Victory celebration? Why yes, the successful NATO overflight of Libya that aided, abetted and obviously assisted rebel militias in that country representing a full array of various tribal and religious interests to unseat their long-time dictator.

For whose benefit was this martial display of victorious celebration? That it took place was highlighted in the newspapers. But we are not a nation that worships and celebrates our military. We respect and depend upon it, as we should. We have pride in our men and women who dedicate themselves to the difficult and dangerous job of representing our nation militarily. We do not worship them.

Canada had entered the fray because NATO felt compelled by its member-countries, most notably Italy and France and Britain, and lassooing a reluctant United States into the frenzy of the moment which had them all solemnly repeating "responsibility to protect". There was no cohesion nor coherence within the rebel militias motivated by their fury over the tyrannical rule of Moammar Gadhafi, he of another tribe, without the aid of NATO.

With the blessing of the United Nations, (as flawed an international institution as could ever be wished upon the world, manipulated by the malicious aggregate that conspire to keep it that way), NATO engaged. And, bombing the regime's murderous military without end, allowed the Libyan rebels to succeed. Enabling them also through the direct assistance of NATO, to capture, mutilate and murder their former ruler. For whom no tears are to be shed.

So, did Canada, and the others who rallied to the rebel cause in Libya do good in the near and far sense? Those tribal-based militias have not surrendered their arms, nor joined themselves in a united political and social movement for the greater good of the country. They remain fractured and fragmented in their purpose and intent, and continue to prey upon one another, as is the tribalized wont.

The war permitted weapons to fall into the hands of terrorists. Fanatical Islamists followed in the wake of of triumph and it is yet to be seen whether their ideological agenda will yet prevail in the country; certainly Sharia law has been imposed. Lawlessness and dire criminal acts continue to prevail both in Libya, and further in North Africa, in countries whose people had been dependent on Libya for employment and financial assistance.

So, what is there to celebrate, pray tell?