Apr 1, 2022·edited Apr 1, 2022Liked by Line Editor
Great piece. I am very happy to see a talented writer like Paul Wells contributing to The Line. I hope there is more to come. All the best with your new endeavors.
"To an Ottawa political reporter in the Trudeau era, there is a metaphor here as big as a billboard about what happens when too much decision-making is too centralized. But maybe just this once, I’ll resist the urge to jump in, more than I just did, and I’ll let Lake keep telling her story." A brilliant sentence, but it must have been hard for him.
Best story of the week, right here. I'm so pleased we've played a small role in helping the Ukrainians kick Ivan in the balls. I hope Ukraine is free soon. Slava Ukraini!
I had a chance to tour 17 Wing in Winnipeg a couple of years ago and came away very impressed with the air corp staff from officers down to ground crew and support.
Lake reminds me of how proud we should be with the dedicated and highly professional military who serve our country.
At the time the major complaint and concern was equipment from rifles to jets and transport. Planes and other equipment were being stripped for parts to keep the the fleet flying.
Our troops deserve better and I hope the budget goes a long way to remedy the deplorable political priorities that our government has placed our defences and NATO role that soldiers like Lake support.
Wonderful piece! It's a timely reminder of just how competent our military really is, despite the neglect of successive governments. Think of how much more they'll get done once they get the funding they so badly need and deserve. Given the times, that has to be forthcoming.
Congrats on getting a Paul Wells piece -- and a nice piece of reporting at that! For those that don't know him, Paul was a long time writer/editor for McLeans. This is a unique perspective on the war I haven't seen anywhere else. Well done!
Finally. This is why I invested my subscription fee (a big deal to those of us living on a fixed income) in what I thought, hoped, was a source of “no bullshit” journalism.
The incessant Canada bashing and self glorifying drivel of I-told-ya-so and I-know-better that spews out of this publication and so many others, fuelling the campaigns of the populist minions (Canada needs to be liberated) that belongs in the mainstream media not quality independent journalism.
The interviewer and interviewees are practicing their craft, working with what they have while learning and adjusting as the situations evolve, ultimately reporting accordingly. This is a refreshing piece on the human experience not the usual polarizing attack on what could have been if only we were something else.
I think it's unfair to paint the so-called mainstream media with a broad brush and lump all journalists who are not "independent" into a somehow-lesser-than pile.
What an excellent article. Really great to get this sort of perspective from a senior Canadian officer who helped train the Ukraine army. A particularly good read after her old boss pleaded guilty.
I live in central NS where we are following the Mass Casualty Inquiry. Is there any chance at all that the RCMP might implement the modern concept of decentralized leadership and mission authority Lt Col Lake described?
Great article. Thanks for making it happen. So nice to have some insight on what our forces do away from home in this capacity. So much to be proud of for them.
Thank you, so well written. I have many family members who are proud members of our military both active and retired. It has been horrifying to watch the leadership issues over the past few years. Like any big corporation, there are amazing leaders and then there are the horrible ones who will take advantage of their power to do bad things instead of good. Always has been, always will be wherever you go. We must make room for stories like this of an amazing leader who does not hesitate to give credit where credit is due and has made a positive impact to peoples lives. This is the leadership we need to support and promote and work on eliminating the bad at all levels.
Excellent article. Having a career in the military is certainly an interesting profession. I know little about how they are trained and how they learn new tactics. I support more money for our military. Re Ukrainians - I get the feeling they are 'quick studies'; they have learned very quickly how to be top notch defenders of their nation.
The contrast between the Ukrainians taking over after a few years, and the Afghans (save for a few commando groups) never getting it in 20, could hardly be more stark.
The propaganda is that both Ukraine and Russia have nothing but oligarch kleptocrats at the top, but I think that's only true when Russia installs the top layer. Ukraine has some oligarchs, but the Ukrainians clearly believe it's at least possible to push them all out and get real democracy eventually - if they can end Russian oil-money corruption.
I don't think the Afghans imagined that option; you could die to keep one kleptocrat in power, or live under a different kleptocrat; why die?
The top guys have to sound like they're worth dying for, worth it because they'll give you a different life than if you let them be killed or exiled. I think people believe Zelenskyy is not just personally admirable and brave; they think he'll get results.
While religious zealots and the money hungry both seek power and control, I think what motivates them is sufficiently different to make direct comparisons difficult. Just a thought.
No, I don't imagine that they fought for 20 years out of religious zealotry. Did they hand over control to non-Taliban religious figures? No, they took power and used it and profited from it. Religion no more drives them than honest belief in Communism drove Stalin.
Yup. There may be devout, 'true' Taliban, but I think most just have an eye for the winning team and regard the devout as useful idiots for suicide bombing.
Great piece. I am very happy to see a talented writer like Paul Wells contributing to The Line. I hope there is more to come. All the best with your new endeavors.
More Paul Wells = more subscribers = more Paul Wells.
Time for everybody to commit to a full-year subscription.
I'll second that!
"To an Ottawa political reporter in the Trudeau era, there is a metaphor here as big as a billboard about what happens when too much decision-making is too centralized. But maybe just this once, I’ll resist the urge to jump in, more than I just did, and I’ll let Lake keep telling her story." A brilliant sentence, but it must have been hard for him.
Brother, was it ever.
Paul, I always enjoy reading your articles and listening to you speak. You are a terrific Canadian journalist.
Good call, though. One clear story will stick in our heads, and be there when the Ottawa topic comes back. (Alas.)
Best story of the week, right here. I'm so pleased we've played a small role in helping the Ukrainians kick Ivan in the balls. I hope Ukraine is free soon. Slava Ukraini!
I had a chance to tour 17 Wing in Winnipeg a couple of years ago and came away very impressed with the air corp staff from officers down to ground crew and support.
Lake reminds me of how proud we should be with the dedicated and highly professional military who serve our country.
At the time the major complaint and concern was equipment from rifles to jets and transport. Planes and other equipment were being stripped for parts to keep the the fleet flying.
Our troops deserve better and I hope the budget goes a long way to remedy the deplorable political priorities that our government has placed our defences and NATO role that soldiers like Lake support.
Love your contributions to Power and Politics.
Wonderful piece! It's a timely reminder of just how competent our military really is, despite the neglect of successive governments. Think of how much more they'll get done once they get the funding they so badly need and deserve. Given the times, that has to be forthcoming.
Congrats on getting a Paul Wells piece -- and a nice piece of reporting at that! For those that don't know him, Paul was a long time writer/editor for McLeans. This is a unique perspective on the war I haven't seen anywhere else. Well done!
What an excellent article! Well-written and well-interviewed. I hope for more of this caliber from The Line.
Yeah! Came for the usual opinions and rants, got journalism - bonus!
Finally. This is why I invested my subscription fee (a big deal to those of us living on a fixed income) in what I thought, hoped, was a source of “no bullshit” journalism.
The incessant Canada bashing and self glorifying drivel of I-told-ya-so and I-know-better that spews out of this publication and so many others, fuelling the campaigns of the populist minions (Canada needs to be liberated) that belongs in the mainstream media not quality independent journalism.
The interviewer and interviewees are practicing their craft, working with what they have while learning and adjusting as the situations evolve, ultimately reporting accordingly. This is a refreshing piece on the human experience not the usual polarizing attack on what could have been if only we were something else.
I think it's unfair to paint the so-called mainstream media with a broad brush and lump all journalists who are not "independent" into a somehow-lesser-than pile.
What an excellent article. Really great to get this sort of perspective from a senior Canadian officer who helped train the Ukraine army. A particularly good read after her old boss pleaded guilty.
Interesting and informative piece. Thank you.
I live in central NS where we are following the Mass Casualty Inquiry. Is there any chance at all that the RCMP might implement the modern concept of decentralized leadership and mission authority Lt Col Lake described?
Great article. Thanks for making it happen. So nice to have some insight on what our forces do away from home in this capacity. So much to be proud of for them.
Thank you, so well written. I have many family members who are proud members of our military both active and retired. It has been horrifying to watch the leadership issues over the past few years. Like any big corporation, there are amazing leaders and then there are the horrible ones who will take advantage of their power to do bad things instead of good. Always has been, always will be wherever you go. We must make room for stories like this of an amazing leader who does not hesitate to give credit where credit is due and has made a positive impact to peoples lives. This is the leadership we need to support and promote and work on eliminating the bad at all levels.
Excellent article. Having a career in the military is certainly an interesting profession. I know little about how they are trained and how they learn new tactics. I support more money for our military. Re Ukrainians - I get the feeling they are 'quick studies'; they have learned very quickly how to be top notch defenders of their nation.
The contrast between the Ukrainians taking over after a few years, and the Afghans (save for a few commando groups) never getting it in 20, could hardly be more stark.
The propaganda is that both Ukraine and Russia have nothing but oligarch kleptocrats at the top, but I think that's only true when Russia installs the top layer. Ukraine has some oligarchs, but the Ukrainians clearly believe it's at least possible to push them all out and get real democracy eventually - if they can end Russian oil-money corruption.
I don't think the Afghans imagined that option; you could die to keep one kleptocrat in power, or live under a different kleptocrat; why die?
The top guys have to sound like they're worth dying for, worth it because they'll give you a different life than if you let them be killed or exiled. I think people believe Zelenskyy is not just personally admirable and brave; they think he'll get results.
While religious zealots and the money hungry both seek power and control, I think what motivates them is sufficiently different to make direct comparisons difficult. Just a thought.
No, I don't imagine that they fought for 20 years out of religious zealotry. Did they hand over control to non-Taliban religious figures? No, they took power and used it and profited from it. Religion no more drives them than honest belief in Communism drove Stalin.
I guess our views differ on this one :)
Yup. There may be devout, 'true' Taliban, but I think most just have an eye for the winning team and regard the devout as useful idiots for suicide bombing.
Have you travelled to or lived in any "developing" countries?
Certainly. But is a news comments forum the right place to open an unrelated conversation? The brander.ca link has my email.
Lions led by donkeys.