Worthington on Harper

Toronto Sun columnist Peter Worthington fawns all over PM Stephen Harper today in his article, "Harper Gets it Right". Extolling Harper for his visit to Afghanistan and his "unassuming manner", Worthington completely misses the real point of Harper's trip: it's a political photo op. Nothing more, nothing less.

Worthington writes:

Sure, he supported our military in Opposition, but he'd never really seen them in action. Along with Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor, he fitted in well with the rank and file -- none of the poseur, no macho strutting (like George Bush in the field). Just a Canadian with other Canadians.

Firstly, doesn't that beg the question: why, as leader of the opposition throughout this war, didn't Harper ever visit with the troops? In the US, they have governors, senators and congressman rushing over to Iraq continually to talk to the troops. Why did Harper not go to Afghanistan before he became Prime Minister?

Secondly, Harper is a poseur. He may not be the "macho strutting" personification of Bush but, make no mistake, whenever a head of state visits their troops in the field they bring along as many cameras and journalists as they can. Using the troops as a backdrop for political gain has been going on for centuries. Harper is not immune from that phenomenon. If he really wants to support the soldiers, he'd allow a debate in parliament about their futures.

Perhaps starry-eyed Worthington ought to step back and take a rational look at this trip. Then again, if you write for a Sun newspaper, that's not part of the job description.

And, if you need more convincing about Worthington's naivete, read this:

Gen. Rick Hillier keeps warning Canadians to expect casualties, which may be a bit overdone. The road accident that killed two soldiers was hardly a battle casualty, and could have happened anywhere.

A bit overdone? In that case, Worthington, why don't you head on over there and wander around pretending you're back in Canada where we don't have to worry about axe-weilding insurgents and IEDs ready to blow up whoever strays near? After all, it's not really that dangerous. Right?