I voted "Don't know" because I find the term "support the troops" so ambiguous. Some people think it means keeping them in Afghanistan and sending even more troops over, some think it means bringing them home right away, and some think it means putting a ribbon sticker on their car's bumper.

I don't know specifically what Canadians can do to support our troops. Would someone give me some suggestions? I could write to someone, for example. Probably sock-knitting is no longer necessary--but I agree, if we sent young people to fight or do development work, they do need to know the people of their nation are behind them. So, folks, give me some idea. Thanks.

I find the question kind of funny. Are we doing enough to support our daycare workers? Are these different classes of national contribution? and if so, why?

I agree with many of the other statements so far. I find this question to be one of those (many) survey questions that has an inherent bias. It's somewhat similar to the old lawyer's question in the courtroom, "Mr. Smith, have you stopped beating your wife?" If Smith answers "Yes", he admits implicitly to having at some time beaten his wife. If he answers "No", he incriminates himself as a past AND current wife-beater. In other words, the question is a set-up.

No offense to Wondercafe - often very provocative, interesting, and relevant questions. But I hear in this question implicit, if unintentional, support for war. Others, I'm sure, will argue to the contrary. But this phrase "support our troops" is a buzz-phrase usually used to drum up to support for war, itself (at the command of political, military, and economic leaders who, I might add, in maintaining their cozy distance from the battlefields, rarely themselves suffer death and injury due to bombs and gunfire.)

A better question, I think, would be, "What is the best way that Canadians can support people who find themselves caught up in war either as combatants or as civilians?" To respond to this question, we must look squarely at the tragic issue of war, itself.

I think that this question is biased. I can't really choose any of the options, because I don't support the fact that we are involved in the war in the first place.

I don't support the war either TigerLily, but that doesn't mean I don't support the troops. Most of them are just young kids who are doing what they think right, some perhaps to gain some skills and opportunities, some because they believe it's right for Canada to be in Afghanistan. In any case, they are just people like our own kids, so I think they are entitled to our support.

Unfortunately, the government hasn't supported them with proper equipment or a plan for the purpose of their engagement and when it might end. I don't think we should be there in the first place, but if they are going to send young people over, then at least they should be well equipped and following a well thought out plan.

That's the minimum.

Experienced

I would definitely agree with you on all of those points.

Tigerlilly

I agree with tigerlily and expeirienced!

I do not agree with war in the first place. So even if canada is not really supporting the troops. I think that the little they're doing is enough and maybe even tooo much

What war exactly? When did we declare war on Afghanistan?

As others have noted, this is a poorly worded survey question, perhaps deliberately so to initiate discussion. Is that the case, Admin?

If more people were pro peace and not anti war, the troops would be home. Anti war feeds into what the governments want....WAR!!!

Atheisto your right, "What War?".
I thought they were supposed to be Peace Keepers, but it has turned out to be more. The question was "Do I support the troops?" Yes I do. But I'm having a problem with the government for putting them in that position especially when you see eight soldiers being brought home in boxes in the past week.

Thanks Atheisto ... you said "When did we declare war on Afghanistan?"

Exactly. We aren't at war ... the U.S. is. Let's try not to confuse the two ...

Our troops are in there helping to rebuild communities, and doing a darned good job.

I've never been a fan of the military, but Canada's military is something to be proud of.

With 8 Canadian soldiers returning to Canada this week in body bags, how can anyone say we are not at war. This United Nations sanctioned invasion is war - a different type of war than what has been fought in the past. I would love to support an immediate withdrawl of our troops. If only I could be assured that the Taliban would not use the opportunity to amass more terrorist attacks tp remove Isreal and western nations from the face of the earth. Our wavering of support for keeping our troops in the field only strengthens the resolve of those who want to use Afg. as a basis for terrorist attacks.

Whether or not it is called a 'war' or not called a war...our Canadian troops in Afganistan have my 100% support and admiration.

I choose to support the action there because of the consequences that may occur without their presence.

My support may be as small as wearing red on Friday.

Support should come from the media - which is currently lacking!

As Canadians we should be asking ourselves, "Am I doing enough to support our troops?" No matter if you answer "˜yes', "˜no' or "˜don't know' ask oneself, "Am I doing enough? I'm not doing enough. I accept that the Canadian troops are in Afghanistan to rebuild communities. All I have done is make that determination. I know that I would like to read in the The United Church Observer under the title Justice something like the article "Generation Craig" that talks about Canadians in Afghanistan who are rebuilding communities. An article like that could prompt me to do something to support Canadian troops.