Defending the indefensible

Last time the Cons decided to put on a PR offensive against peace talks in Afghanistan, it took a matter of hours for their claims to be completely and utterly debunked, and only a few weeks before even the U.S. and the U.K. publicly noted just how far off base the Cons were. But apparently Peter MacKay is looking to embarrass himself and his party yet again by pretending that what's already being done (and for good reason) is beyond the realm of possibility:

Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay is accusing the New Democrats of demoralizing Canadian troops in Afghanistan with talk of withdrawing them from combat.

MacKay says in a speech to the Canadian International Centre that calling for peace talks with the Taliban -- a suggestion made by NDP Leader Jack Layton -- only makes insurgents bolder.

Although he doesn't refer to Layton by name, MacKay says there are some who believe they can wave a magic wand and make the insurgency disappear.

That's "naive," he says.

Granted, MacKay didn't name names this time - meaning that he could well be taken to be bashing the U.S. and the U.K. as well as the NDP. But it seems far more likely that he's simply papering over (or wilfully ignoring) the reality that talks are necessary both to limiting the humanitarian damage in the short term, and securing peace in the long run.

Based on their retreat into long-demolished positions, it's more obvious than ever that it's the Cons who are living in a fantasy world. Which can only have Canadians looking forward to giving the reins to a party whose position is based in reality rather than fiction.