Afganistan is Getting Brave

Has the effort to rebuild Afghanistan given Prime Minister Hamid Karzai too much confidence in his troops? I read a report today stating that Karzai is threatening to send Afghan troops into Pakistan to search and destroy Taliban insurgents. There still are over ten thousand international troops in Afghanistan making an effort to stabilize the nation, Canada has 2500 troops doing their part in the region. Granted every nation has the right to defend itself, is this the right course to pursue?

Is threatening a nation with nuclear capabilities a good idea? Not even if you have nuclear capabilities. Especially if your nation is not yet stable. Afghanistan does not have nuclear capabilities as well there still are International contingents of troops within the country dedicated to stabilizing the nation. This really is a bold move by the Afghan Prime Minister.

Granted this seems like an act of desperation. Karzai has pleaded with International forces to deal with the cross-border attacks but this was the first threat he's made. One could argue that if a plea for help defending oneself they have to defend themselves in which ever way they see fit. But what does Pakistan say about all of this?

Pakistan can understand why Karzai would want to stop cross-border attacks but says that the border is too long to post troops on it. It is in Pakistan's interest to have stable neighbors but will not tolerate those who interfere with their territorial limits. What does all of this have to do with Canadians? Other than affecting our troops serving in Afghanistan, it gives us more of a reason to want them home. If this threat goes any further I really think we should withdraw our support. If Karzai wants to begin a war with a more powerful nation before his country is stable than Canada should pull out of Afghanistan.

Pakistan has not always been cooperative when dealing with terrorists. If they want to prevent a war with Afghanistan they should work with Karzai to get the Taliban out of Pakistan. But are they harboring the Taliban? We won't really know for sure until the history books have been recorded on this scuffle in the middle east.

News source: Karzai threatens to send Afghan forces into Pakistan

Looking Up!

This is a tree in my back yard that I just looked up and realized what a cool picture it would make. I may not be a photographer but now that I have a flash card reader it is much easier to get pictures on my computer so I got a little snap happy!

And the Winner is...

The day has finally come for me to give away 500ec to my top dropper for the past 30 days. There were quite a few that were tied but there can only be one winner so the first person to drop from my top droppers was chosen. And the winner is Drum roll please... Chilly from On The Bricks. Congratulations I hope you will enjoy the 500ec which will be on its way in a matter of minutes. For the runners up, since you took the time to comeback and drop your card 30 times in the past 30 days, I have decided that you will each receive 50ec. The runners up in no particular order are:

Stir the Cauldron
Personal Finance Management
CK Marketing
Devils View~~Study
The Success Blog

So now that I am 750ec lighter I hope you all will keep coming back and keep dropping your cards. Thanks for making this contest a little interesting and keep those comments coming, I haven't given up on my Random Comment Contest yet!

Random Comment Contest

I've enjoyed reading your comments since I have started this contest. I will be continuing this contest for as long as I am signed up with Entrecard. Some of your comments have been really useful and entertaining so why stop now?

Anyway I would also like to announce the winner of last weeks Randomly selected Comment: Shinade from The Painted Veil has won this weeks 100ec. Keep those comments coming and I will announce another winner next weekend.

And for those that have commented on last weeks "Wordless Wednesday" ... of course I will be posting after pictures of my summer project. I just have to finish it first!

My Summer Project

As you can see, the back of my house needs some work done to it. Since I usually work very long hours Monday to Friday it will be one of those weekend projects that I will be working on.

Emergency Toilet Repair!

Since Entrecard is still down I got to spend some time going through different News Networks' pages today. It seems that the toilet on the ISS (International Space Station) is partially broken down. The Space shuttle Discovery was launched yesterday carrying emergency plumbing supplies and the Japanese Kibo laboratory. I wonder what a leaky toilet would look like in space? Another important note for Canadians is that an ex-pat will be joining the crew of the Space Station for the next six months.

Going forward with the construction of the Space Station is a very important step for all of mankind. We have had a need to search out the unknown since before Columbus swore that the earth was round and not flat. We have come a long way since we have discovered that the earth is indeed round and we still have a lot more ground to cover. Creating an outpost for humanity in the darkness of space will help us get to Mars and beyond. Where am I going with this? Anyway, it is important that a Canadian ex-pat will be joining the crew of the ISS for the next six months.

I'm not sure if many of you have heard but the Canadian Space Agency is looking for more astronauts. I doubt I have much chance of becoming one, but I am sure there are quite a few Canadians who are willing to try. This has not been the first time the CSA has been looking to increase their number of employee's and I am sure that it will not be the last time either. I hope to hear more on their recruitment in the coming months. I also hope that they get that toilet they have on the station fixed as well, that could get really messy. All that urine floating around can't be good for the crew. Anyway be of luck to the Astronauts throughout their current mission!

Image Source: NASA
News Story: Shuttle lifts off with Montreal-born astronaut aboard