The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #74173 Message #1362484
Posted By: Peace
21-Dec-04 - 10:59 AM
Thread Name: BS: Canadian Submarines
Subject: RE: BS: Canadian Submarines
And you think governments aren't responsive to their citizens.
December 20, 2004
I sent you an e-mail in early October. This is a copy of the second
sending. That makes this the third time I have sent this e-mail and I
have yet to hear back from your office.
Below is the e-original e-mail and
then below that is the answer I received today, December 21, 2004.
ORIGINAL E-MAIL
The Right Honourable Paul Martin,
Prime Minister of Canada
Sir:
The death of Lt (N) Chris Saunders, 32 years old, is the result of
negligence on the part of the Canadian people and its elected
representatives in the Cabinet and the House of Commons. As you are
aware, he died as a result of smoke inhalation from a fire aboard the HMCS
Chicoutimi. Now, Lt Saunders will never see his wife or sons again, nor
they him. His children are two-year-old Ben and seven-week-old Luke.
Gwen will face the responsibility of raising these children by herself.
Our continued under funding of the military has led to a senseless death
aboard a Canadian submarine, and collectively, we are to blame. What
kind of country outfits its military men and women with second-hand equipment
and second-rate materiel? Is it not enough that our military goes in
harm's way on our behalf without them having to do so with little else
but their courage and sense of duty?
Recall when you were Finance Minister in the Chretien government that we
had an embarrassing and potentially-lethal set of circumstances
presented to our military personnel when one of two Sea King helicopters that was
to participate in the August 4, 2000 assault of an American-owned ship
(captained and crewed by Russians, and carrying millions of dollars
worth of tanks and peace-keeping materiel being returned from Kosovo) was
unable to lift off due to mechanical problems. The damned helicopters were
untrustworthy then. We still have them in use today. This is just
another in a list of debacles that make me so angry I can't even find the words
to explain myself. Add to that the lack of uniforms for the kids going into
Afghanistan, and the lack of transport to get them there--does this
present an ugly picture to you?
We have turned our backs on the military, and we are now killing our own
children because of our irresponsible behaviour to do with proper
funding.
I have NEVER before been ashamed to say I am Canadian. I am ashamed
today, and I am of the personal opinion that you and your Cabinet should feel
the same. I hope you do, but I think maybe you won't. How many more of our
children will pay this price for the rest of us? And why?
Bruce Murdoch
PS This was sent on October 9, 2004. I haven't heard anything back. BM
THE ANSWER
Please know that your e-mail message has been received in the Prime
Minister's Office and that your comments have been noted. Our office
always welcomes hearing from correspondents and being made aware of
their views.
Thank you for writing.
Sachez que le Cabinet du Premier ministre a bien reçu votre courriel et que nous avons pris bonne note de vos commentaires. Nous aimons être bien informés de l'opinion des correspondants.
Je vous remercie d'avoir écrit au Premier ministre.