North Star
Member
- Reaction score
- 36
- Points
- 330
I saw a political ad today that I view as unacceptable to members of the CF. Far from being quiet, I've fired off the letter below to the major political parties and major news outlets.
To Whom It May Concern,
I have been a military officer for 11 years now, and as such have made numerous sacrifices for Canada. Until now, I always thought those in power had at the very least a degree of respect for those sacrifices as well as the high degree of professionalism my fellow soldiers and I demonstrate on a daily basis.
This evening, I saw an election advertisement by a political party that shattered this illusion. The advertisement, which critiques another’s promise to enhance a military presence in Canada’s large urban centres, implies that the Canadian Forces and its members would willingly consent to abuse the position of trust granted to it by the Canadian people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Far from being an automaton with a gun, I am a thinking citizen of this country and would never consent to be a part of some kind of overthrow of Canadian democracy. I can say with full confidence that all of my peers feel the same way. To imply otherwise as did the advertisement in question is not only deeply insulting to me as someone who has contributed a great deal of their life to defend Canada, but to previous generations of Canadian who did the same.
Tomorrow morning, I have to provide leadership to soldiers who were hurt by this ad. I will stand in front of the men and women who serve under me and reassure them that their sacrifices are appreciated – that what they do is held in esteem by Canadians. I will try my best to have them put their self-doubt aside, and carry on with the task at hand. However, as one of their leaders it would be negligent of me to not make known the terrible damage caused by this advertisement to the morale and welfare of the soldiers, sailor and airmen who protect this country’s interests. As one of their leaders it would be negligent of me to lie down and accept the perpetuation of a negative stereotype that dogs the Canadian Forces for the sake of a few cheap political points. As one of their leaders it would not be honest of me to hide the feeling shared by many in uniform that this is yet another example of an unfounded suspicion of the military held by a portion of the political elites of this country, and that this suspicion is yet another weight on the backs of all service personnel.
Accordingly, as a private citizen, I ask that the leader of the party that broadcasted this advertisement apologize to the men and women of the Canadian Forces, and publicly acknowledge that they were wronged by this attempt to attack one of the opposition parties.
Although I do not feel as if I have violated, in my capacity as a military officer, the requirement to maintain political neutrality, I understand that some may have a different interpretation. From my perspective, I am writing this letter as a private citizen who also happens to serve in the Canadian Forces. I accept the consequences of anyone, including my superiors, feeling differently.
Sincerely,
Andrew James Duncan
To Whom It May Concern,
I have been a military officer for 11 years now, and as such have made numerous sacrifices for Canada. Until now, I always thought those in power had at the very least a degree of respect for those sacrifices as well as the high degree of professionalism my fellow soldiers and I demonstrate on a daily basis.
This evening, I saw an election advertisement by a political party that shattered this illusion. The advertisement, which critiques another’s promise to enhance a military presence in Canada’s large urban centres, implies that the Canadian Forces and its members would willingly consent to abuse the position of trust granted to it by the Canadian people. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Far from being an automaton with a gun, I am a thinking citizen of this country and would never consent to be a part of some kind of overthrow of Canadian democracy. I can say with full confidence that all of my peers feel the same way. To imply otherwise as did the advertisement in question is not only deeply insulting to me as someone who has contributed a great deal of their life to defend Canada, but to previous generations of Canadian who did the same.
Tomorrow morning, I have to provide leadership to soldiers who were hurt by this ad. I will stand in front of the men and women who serve under me and reassure them that their sacrifices are appreciated – that what they do is held in esteem by Canadians. I will try my best to have them put their self-doubt aside, and carry on with the task at hand. However, as one of their leaders it would be negligent of me to not make known the terrible damage caused by this advertisement to the morale and welfare of the soldiers, sailor and airmen who protect this country’s interests. As one of their leaders it would be negligent of me to lie down and accept the perpetuation of a negative stereotype that dogs the Canadian Forces for the sake of a few cheap political points. As one of their leaders it would not be honest of me to hide the feeling shared by many in uniform that this is yet another example of an unfounded suspicion of the military held by a portion of the political elites of this country, and that this suspicion is yet another weight on the backs of all service personnel.
Accordingly, as a private citizen, I ask that the leader of the party that broadcasted this advertisement apologize to the men and women of the Canadian Forces, and publicly acknowledge that they were wronged by this attempt to attack one of the opposition parties.
Although I do not feel as if I have violated, in my capacity as a military officer, the requirement to maintain political neutrality, I understand that some may have a different interpretation. From my perspective, I am writing this letter as a private citizen who also happens to serve in the Canadian Forces. I accept the consequences of anyone, including my superiors, feeling differently.
Sincerely,
Andrew James Duncan
