Controversy over scholarship for kids of Cda soldiers killed

[Slats]

http://news.ca.msn.com/canada/cp-articl ... d=23731854

Given some of the leanings on this site with regards to police, social issues, etc., I'm curious to hear some thoughts on this.


Controversy over scholarship for kids of Cda soldiers killed on duty
REGINA - Controversy has erupted over a scholarship for the children of Canadian soldiers killed in the line of duty.

And it has sparked debate over what makes a person a hero.

Sixteen University of Regina professors have sent a letter to the school's president saying the school should withdraw from the scholarship program known as Project Hero.

The program offers free tuition to the children of dead Canadian soldiers.

But the professors say the program glorifies Canadian imperialism in Afghanistan and elsewhere - and associates heroism with the act of military intervention.

But the Royal Canadian Legion says the issue is about properly caring for soldiers and the families of those who don't return from battle.

Legion official Robert Butt says the scholarship is not about justifying military action.

The University of Regina announced earlier this month that it would provide the scholarship starting in September.

Joyce Green, a political science professor who signed the letter, says there was no discussion before the university decided to offer the scholarship, but it needs to be debated.

[Old Dog Flying]

Typical reaction by university air heads who have never held a real job in their useless lives. Our guys and gals are in Afghanistan at the request of the Afghan government so where do these air heads get the Imperialism shit from? I'll be they have never had the balls to fight for their country.

End of pissed off rant.

[iflyforpie]

Typical reaction by university air heads who have never held a real job in their useless lives. Our guys and gals are in Afghanistan at the request of the Afghan government so where do these air heads get the Imperialism shit from? I'll be they have never had the balls to fight for their country.

End of pissed off rant.

Big +1!

[Brewguy]

If Canadians don't want our forces to participate in 'x' (Afghanistan, NATO, UN Peacekeeping, or whatever that may be); then they have the opportunity to express that through their elected officials. After all, sailors, soldiers and airmen ultimately work for the people of Canada.

But, when our elected government decides to sent them somewhere, we have an obligation to look after them. And if the worst should happen, and someone doesn't come home, we have an obligation to look after their families.

Individual members of the forces don't get to decide where they serve, or what they do. Those decisions rest with the government (people) of Canada.

These professors are entitled to their opinions, because past generations of soldiers earned them that right, through their service & sacrifice. Let's not repeat the mistakes of the past by pissing on / ignoring the needs of our vets and the families of the fallen.

[Nark]

I give these profs a lot of credit. They are obviously standing up for what they believe in, despite being completely ignorant.

Thank goodness those warriors died so they could sit comfortably in their sport coats and talk about the world which they've only seen/read about in a books.

[Nark]

by the way:

joyce.green@uregina.ca

[Meecka]

Typical reaction by university air heads who have never held a real job in their useless lives. Our guys and gals are in Afghanistan at the request of the Afghan government so where do these air heads get the Imperialism shit from? I'll be they have never had the balls to fight for their country.

+1!

[. ._]

Personally, I think everyone should have free tuition. But that's just me.

Incidentally, Laurentian University set up a scholarship for kids of fallen soldiers. They were going to call is some kind of "Hero" scholarship, then one of the Vice Presidents there who had served quite a bit of time in the Canadian Forces spoke up and said to change the name. I think his reasoning was that soldiers don't see themselves as "heroes" they're just trained to do a job and they do it. Something like that. I just know what went through the rumour mill.

-istp

[Hedley]

This is not exactly without precedent.

Nark: correct me if I am wrong, but before any of us were born,
by law in the USA don't the offspring of Medal of Honor holders
get non-competitive slots in the trade schools? (West Point, Citadel)

Something I read decades ago. Could have changed by now by
some lefty (shrug).

Edit: found this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_Cor ... Foundation

The Foundation has made special commitments to the sons and daughters of Marines and Navy Corpsmen, and in other special circumstances, to the children of all American servicemen and women, whose parent is killed in combat.

After the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon in 1983, the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation awarded a total of $1.1 million in education bonds to the child of every American serviceman killed in this tragedy, constituting 3 children from the Army, 80 children from the Marines, and 19 children from the Navy. Again, after Operation Desert Storm in 1991, the Foundation awarded $2.5 million in education bonds, to the child of every American serviceman and woman killed in this war. Included were 37 children from the Air Force, 131 children from the Army, 66 children from the Marines, and 17 children from the Navy.

Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Foundation committed to provide Heroes Tribute Scholarships, totaling up to $30,000 over four years, to every child of a Marine or Navy Corpsman serving with the Marines, whose parent is killed in combat in the Global War on Terror.

To me at least, that would be something to be pretty proud of - the right thing to do.

I guess not, though, in Canada.

[Nark]

As a Vet my kids get free University of California school system tuition. ie Berkely, Santa Barbara San Diego etc...

I'm pretty sure Wisconsin does the same. I can also transfer my GI bill to them as well.

I didn't have to die in combat to get some of these benefits. I also get a ton of other incentive's. no cost fishing/hunting permits, Vet plates= low registration fee's etc...

[Moose47]

Friggin left-wing bleeding heart libtards. Thankfully they in the minority and the program will go ahead.

[bmc]

No wonder the states think Canada is a communist country.

Academics out of touch with the real world.

This isn't sad. It's embarrassing.

[. ._]

I don't think we should be in Afghanistan anyways. There are way better spots to get our troops killed, and those countries have oil! What benefit is it to us to be in Afghanistan?

-istp

[Brewguy]

...What benefit is it to us to be in Afghanistan?

They make nice rugs, and someone has to teach Ikea that they are not the end all and be all of home decor.

Besides, there's no future in oil. The key is to develop some kind of new bio fuel out of opium.

[. ._]

Sorry, I forgot about the rugs and the opium. BTW, we're up to 141 dead over there. 141 people who died for rugs and opium.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/afgha ... /list.html

-istp

[Brewguy]

Oh sorry, we're you looking for a serious answer?
141 Canadians have died (to date) to justify the ongoing existence of NATO.

You know, that whole, "an attack against one member is an attack on the whole alliance" thing. When the US decided that they had been attacked on 9/11, identified from whom/where that attack came from, and called on their NATO allies for help - Members either had to ante up, or else we'd be forced to reevaluate whether the alliance has any real role to play in a post-cold war world.

On that topic, it will be interesting to see what happens if the Falklands flares back up. Hasn't Argentina started making more noise about it recently?

[. ._]

Hmmm... to justify NATO. OK. Sure, I'll buy that.

So now I wonder. If most of the 9/11 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia, and Bin Laden is Saudi, why didn't we invade Saudi Arabia? At least they have oil. This is so confusing.

If we are going to send our young men and women to die, I at least want cheaper gas in exchange for their blood. Otherwise, it's just a waste of blood.

-istp

[Moose47]

ISTP - You can make all the smart ass comments you want about our personnel in Afghanistan if it makes you feel better. I personally find them disgusting. I've lost a number friends from my old regiment. My brother-in-law's cousin was killed in a friendly fire incident (bombed by USAF F-16's). I guess it is safe to assume you never served in the military.

[Nark]

I was born and raised in Canada but fought for the US. My actions while wearing the uniform didn't reflect Canada.



I know your smarter than that.

[. ._]

I knew this would happen. Someone takes it the wrong way. That's OK, mistakes happen.

Let me be clear. I support our troops over there 100 percent and want them to come home alive.

I think we have no business being in Afghanistan. I am against the POLITICIANS that sent them there to die for no reason.

I also believe that if people must die (which I disagree with), then we should benefit from their deaths.

And whether or not I joined the military makes no difference, so I will refuse to answer that. I am a Canadian, I can vote. I have a say.

-istp

[. ._]

I was born and raised in Canada but fought for the US. My actions while wearing the uniform didn't reflect Canada.



I know your smarter than that.

You were in Iraq. Different story. The Americans NEED to have that oil if they want to keep living the way they do. It is vital to their national security. That's justified. Heck, it benefits Canada too. There's no way I would want China to control the oil in that region.

But for Afghanistan, Canada does not need to be there in my opinion, nor does any other military.

I hope my position is clear. If not, I'll clarify more if needed. I'm sick and tired of our troops dying for nothing.

-istp

[Moose47]

ISTP- If you ever talked to anyone who was there, you would get a different answer. I will be seeing a young soldier in Sudbury soon who lost both legs and an arm to an IED. You know what he wants? He wants to get a proper fitting set of prostetics so he can go back and finish the job he was sent to do. This is a common mindset of my fellow warriors and that goes for the Americans as well. As well as being a former Canadian army grunt, (one who has tasted the sting of lead twice) I also had the honor of spending 12 years as a USAF Public Affairs Officer. If you never served, you will never really understand what we are all about.

'Pro Patria'

3 Platoon
Golf Company
2 RCR

[. ._]

Actually, this is turning into a bit of a threadjack, and it's bumming me out. So this is the last I'll post in this thread.

I don't think anyone should have their legs blown off by IEDs. That's why I want our troops home. If they are safe in Canada and they're pissed off that they have limbs and are alive, then I did MY job as a voter.

End rant.

-istp

[Brewguy]

Don't worry istp, I understand what you're saying. Supporting the troops, and objecting to a particular deployment, are not mutually exclusive.

Moose, as you're a former grunt, I'm sure you can understand a bit of 'black humour' ... which is how I read istp's line about "if people must die (which I disagree with), then we should benefit from their deaths". I at least took it as being a little tongue in cheek.

Back to the original topic of this thread - those university profs are entitled to their opinions, but as far as I'm concerned they can pound sand. I think that program to offer scholarships is a classy thing to do. Only an idiot would object to such a program.

[just curious]

Back to the original topic of this thread - those university profs are entitled to their opinions, but as far as I'm concerned they can pound sand. I think that program to offer scholarships is a classy thing to do. Only an idiot would object to such a program.

+1

I fail to see how providing an education for children whose primary financial support has been eliminated, (during service to the government) should be evil. It is neither evil nor imperialistic.
More to the point it is a moral debt. Whining to the contrary simply reflects poorly on the ethical character of the signatory professors.