an old sailor's opinion...

A letter forwarded to me from a good friend who knows the author...

-Mac

To:	Lunn - Gary MP , "Martin, Keith - Riding 1"

Gentlemen,
As you both may be aware I contributed financially towards your recent
re-election - not because of your Party affiliations but because I know
and respect both of you.

Regretfully, I am too old now to serve Canada in any political
capacity.  However, I did serve faithfully  for 38 years in the RCN and
the Canadian Armed Forces - including in NDHQ, as a Rear Admiral and
Vice Admiral,  where I had  the honour to serve both under  Liberal and
Conservative Ministers of National Defence. In every  instance they
received  my complete respect and  loyalty regardless of Party.

My father also served in Canada's Navy  for 37 years from 1909 to 1946.
He commanded several RCN ships and both coasts, and was ultimately  the
Commanding Officer Pacific Coast during the last three years of World
War II.

His father was Speaker of the House of Commons, during  the Laurier
Government, then was Minister of Inland Revenue, then Minister of Marine
and Fisheries (in which capacity he became the founding Minister of the
Royal Canadian Navy), then served as Justice of the Supreme Court of
Canada, and ultimately died in office as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
He devoted his entire life to Canada.

On behalf of three generations who have devoted their lives to Canada, 
I  unequivocally condemn the power grabbing  political charade now
taking place in Parliament.

We are witnessing a deplorable and juvenile scene which demeans  its
participants, and also further erodes  the residual  prestige of a
Canada which in both World Wars  achieved greatness and international
respect. Politicians and their sycophants delude themselves  into
believing that Canada  has influence and prestige in the modern world.
Compared to the Canadian  international influence and prestige I
witnessed in the 1950's we have become moralizing nonentities who are
recognizably no longer even capable  of constructing our own warships,
submarines  and military aircraft; and will soon become totally
dependent on other nations for even our means of defence.

When a terrorist crisis hits Canada  - and someday it undoubtedly will 
- the politicians will scurry about seeking who to blame for lack of
capability or preparedness. I can save them  the trouble - look in the
mirror! Make it a long look if you come from the NDP - the political
party which has consistently opposed defence spending over the past
three decades!

So this obviously dysfunctional consortia is about to approach the
Governor General  seeking her concurrence to form the next government?
Ask yourselves  how Her Excellency will be able to reconcile the fact
that Canadian soldiers, of whom she is the Commander-in-Chief, are
fighting,  and dying for Canada in Afghanistan; while Canadian
politicians are obsessed with  power grabbing.  Our military are not
stupid - how long can they be expected  to put their lives on the line
under those circumstances?

There was a stunning contrast yesterday between the statesmanship
displayed by President-Elect Obama with  his National Security Team and
the complete lack of statesmanship in Canada's Parliament.  A great many
Canadians will have noted that contrast and be disgusted with  Canada's
politicians.

I realize that you are only two Members of Parliament among many. I can
only hope that my words and my respect for you may assist you in
bringing your colleagues to their senses.
                                        Sincerely
                                        Nigel Brodeur