Canadian Woman Killed in Combat
Captain Nichola Goddard of the 1st Royal Canadian Horse Artillery was killed in firefight with insurgents near Kandahar today. She’s the first Canadian woman to die in combat since 1945:
Capt. Goddard was killed while Canadian troops were supporting Afghan security forces in an operation against the Taliban, who had massed in the district. Hundreds of Canadian troops are involved in the clash, which was one of the biggest firefights since the arrival of the 2,300 Canadian troops in Afghanistan.
I have very mixed feelings about Canada’s role in Afghanistan, but I’m always in awe of people who sacrifice their lives in the service of our country.
Today’s events unfold while debate rages in Parliament about our Afghanistan mission. The Conservatives want to extend the mission by two years to 2009 (notably, the year President Bush leaves office and apparently the earliest possible exit from Iraq). The opposition will likely vote against the proposal.
UPDATE: Harper called a vote on the issue this afternoon, and won it by 4 votes. This was probably wise, as Captain Goddard’s death couldn’t have helped his case.
Tim Storms 
Stand Easy