1. I’m a military spouse. My husband served in the Army before remustering to the Air Force in the mid 90’s. My father and grandfather served in the Navy. My great-grandfather served in the Army. Supporting our troops comes natural to me.
2. Based on my conversations with serving and past members of the Canadian Forces, the men and women of our Canadian Forces believe in the mission and in what they’re doing in Afghanistan.
3. For the first time in years, many Afghan women are learning to read and write. Through education, the Afghani people may learn there are alternate ways to resolve conflict and build freedom.
4. I’m a woman who, through a fortunate accident of birth, has access to education, medical care, employment, and the freedom to wear whatever I choose, say whatever I want, vote, and do what falls within my values and morals. I believe all women, regardless of which country she was born in, is equally entitled to these items.
5. Peacekeeping is only possible if there is an agreement between all factions to set aside their differences and work towards a peaceful resolution. Afghanistan isn’t at that point yet. We need to support their current actions in the hopes that all sides will be able to work towards a place where peacekeeping will be a viable alternative.
6. President Hamid Karzai, the first democratically elected president of the country, visited the Canadian parliament and re-iterated his governments desire for our troops to remain in the country.
7. It doesn’t often make the news in Canada, but our troops are working on humanitarian projects as well as fighting. They are working towards improving roads and infrastructure, helping support schools, etc. These are all things we can be proud of.
8. The mission has UN approval and NATO support.
9. The rally is co-organized by the group Married to the Canadian Forces of which I am a member.
10. The previous government (Liberals) sent our troops to Afghanistan and the current government (Conservatives) expanded their commitment to the mission until 2009. If we’re going to allow our government to send our troops into harms way, then we need to show support for the men and women willing to put boots on the ground (I know, boots on the ground is a US Army saying, not Canadian) to complete the mission our government has assigned them.
11. I believe every woman has the right to live her life without fear of being stoned to death.
12. I believe that everyone should have the right to choose which religion they want to follow – or not follow as the case may be. Freedom of religion (or from religion) should be an inalienable right. Dhimmi’s are, by our western definition, denied equal status in society. I strongly disagree with the tenets of Shari’ah law and believe all individuals should be treated equally under the eyes of the law.
13. I get to split my shift at work, travel on the LRT, dress up in my pretty red clothes, and possibly meet the DMB crew.

Thanks to other Thursday Thirteen participants who viewed my list and left a comment: Caylynn, Silver, Bev, Melissa, N. Mallory, Momma Bee and Lynn.

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