Teddy Bears, War and Personal Opinion
"Here's a letter I wrote to our local newspaper.
Last week I walked into the Irving on the New Maryland Highway and was horrified to see that they were selling teddy bears dressed in combat gear as a fundraiser for the Halifax Family Resource Centre, the support group for military families. Teddy Bears, asymbol of childhood and comfort, are given to children traumitised by acts of violence and here they are portrayed as those doing the violence. This seems so morally wrong to me.
Military families in Canada have a huge support system within the military, plus they have all the benefits that a society like ours gives, pensions, death benefits, disability benefits, rehabilitation, life insurance, you name it, these military families will not be left without if and when their family members are injured or killed in this war, which we are supposedly fighting to "help" the people of Afghanistan.
I would suggest that this fund raiser, instead of supporting these families, be used toraise funds for the families of those Afghans killed and wounded who do not have theluxury of life insurance, disability insurance etc. I challenge the governments of themaritimes, both provincial and local, who are in support of this war; the corporations of the maritimes, like Irving, that are supporting it and the people of the maritimes, both military and non military who give their support , to put their money where their mouth is and raise money for the real victims of this war, the people of Afghanistan. Donate to groups that are directly invoved with the people of Afghanistan, donate to Afghan groups that are helping their own people. In fact, start with the fundraiser for RAWA that is being held Thursday evening from 8 until 10pm at the Tilley Hall Auditorium - UNB Fredericton. Lets see how much the people of the Maritimes really want to “support” the people of Afghanistan.
Have had some really negative responses like on this blog : Dust my Broom.
What do you think about this issue?" I whisper.
Are you listening?
posted by Alisa @ 7:51 PM
7 comments
7 Comments:
This comment has been removed by the author.
It quoted part of the article, and then has a link to the blog.
Only a moron, could not find the whole article.
I don't support you at all.
If you want to start your own campaign to raise money for the Afgan people fine. Just leave theirs alone.
Perhaps you should talk to some military members who have been over there for some insight.
The base I live near just did a toy drive for children over there. It wasn't the first drive, nor is it the only project that the MFRC is currently working on to help our soldiers help the Afghani people.
As a Canadian, you are lucky to be able to share your viewpoint with others as you do. Both as a woman and a (I assume) christian.
A woman just like you in Afghanistan does not have that same choice.
There are bigger issues at work here.
aYou stated, "Military families in Canada have a huge support system within the military, plus they have all the benefits that a society like ours gives, pensions, death benefits, disability benefits, rehabilitation, life insurance, you name it, these military families will not be left without if and when their family members are injured or killed in this war, which we are supposedly fighting to "help" the people of Afghanistan."
Have you ever been in the military, and tried to access the benifits that are suposed to help you or your family, its not as easy as it looks. Sometimes members have to wait long periods of time in order for their "applications" to be processed. Which can place not only financial hardship on a person, but other hardships, like dealing with the pain and horror of what they had to deal with while on mission "fighting to "help" the people of Afghanistan." The military and VAC have never been the quickest in taking care of those who have sacrificed for other peoples freedoms.
It is organizations like this that these families can turn to to receive the help they need. I agree with Wayne "If you want to start your own campaign to raise money for the Afgan people fine. Just leave theirs alone."
Hmmm, nope not listening, as I am laughing to hard to hear anything you say. Maybe we should replace all of our troops in Afghanistan with you and all your friends and you can give the Taliban a big group hug. That's just my personal opinion.....
May the Goddess bless all of you.
Nice article mate. I really loved it.
MIKE"teddy bears"
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