[Eric]

Oil is not a major concern for Canada, we have a thriving oil industry and massive reserves. When the price of the stuff goes up, we have problems with our currency, trying to keep the loonie from going into orbit. So what our govt. is trying to sell us is that Canadian troops are involved not for oil, but to bring peace and stability to Afghanistan and to improve thier quality of life. It's a hard sell. The govt. tries to tell us that our troops are, well, like boy scouts doing their good deeds. But the generals tell us something different. For them it is a combat mission.

I know this looks like a wander, but I do think that Iraq and Afghanistan and what is going on in Pakistan (good luck sorting that one out) are all part of the same ugly game. However, I do believe that if there was no oil in the Middle East, no one would give a flying you-know-what about the place.