[dsn_klr650] the 4th (nklr)

[Jeff Walker]

> > I haven t given much thought to the differences between policing vs. > peacekeeping; nor diversity vs. assimilation. I do love beaver! >

Consider that the Canadian Army has been involved in every single UN Peacekeeping Mission since the beginning of the UN, and that the U.S. has not, and the Canadians are well thought of throughout the third world, and the U.S. isn't. The Canadian soldiers I've trained with were some of the most professional I've ever encountered (and better paid too). If they had better equipment they would be up to par with any U.S. line unit, but as it is now, they really come close. Now consider the U.S.'s efforts to "Police" in Somalia. We sent troops in to protect UNICEF's efforts to distribute food to the starving masses and save lives. Later, my unit was sent as part of Task Force Ranger to assist in the capture of Mohamed Farrah Aidid and his chief lieutenants. We never captured him, and the lieutenants and others we did capture were later released by Clinton's order. While we lost 18 men, we managed to inflict over 5000 KIA on the Somalis, by the Red Cross estimates. In short, a failed plan to "Police" in a foreign land where we had absolutely no understanding of the situation or culture. I don't regret mine or my unit's actions, as Aidid was personally responsible for starving tens of thousands of civilians. I do regret that I was put in that situation, with no plan or political will to back us up, and that the situation was never successfully resolved. Bosnia.....well, I won't even start on that, except to say that I have been to Macedonia, and the entire situation outrages me. Rwanda.........the list is endless......... Without diversity there would be no innovations or new ideas. I can't personally stand it when everybody wants to look alike, listen to the same music, have the same culture, (suburban white rap wannabees) and I enjoy foreign cultures and learning about them. I also believe that everybody should have the tolerance to accept the differences in other cultures. Prejudice has no place in the modern world. I also like beaver. Jeff