Warning, controversial viewpoints, next ten kilometres.

Okay, I think it's time I weighed in on the whole "war against terror" issue. This isn't really a very popular subject. It brings out the hottest debate, even among people who essentially carry the same beliefs. Please feel free to express your thoughts.
To start with, fighting a war on terror isn't as easy as one might think. In a standard war, you know exactly who the enemy is. It's the guy wearing the other side's uniform. The latest round of bloodshed involves a side that doesn't "play" by the usual rules of engagement. They act as the rest of the civilian population around them, and then use that population as cannon fodder. The terrorist "army" is made up of children much of the time.
I am in favour of Canada participating in action in Afghanistan. There is a defined enemy, albeit one that follows the new rules. We didn't invade that country so much as go in after a terrorist. The Taliban chose to work with them, and so they had to go as well. I do wish we could take our traditional role as peacekeepers and re builders. The Taliban insurgents just make that impossible.
I think it might be better if the allied forces just started at one end of the country, set up a majorly tight perimeter, rebuild within that area, then expand outward. By then, the people inside the rebuilt area would be solidly on our side. The people just outside of the perimeter would be waiting on their turn. It wouldn't be in their interest to support the terrorists.
Afghanistan is truly a war about religious fundamentalism though. To them, it's a case of us vs. them, Islam vs. everyone else. I don't see it that way. I think it's a case of somebody hitting us (with planes no less) and us going wherever we have to in order to hit back. It was the Taliban's choice to support the terrorist group.
Then there is the sticky subject of Iraq. That was a mistake from word one. There was never any evidence that they were supporting Al Queda or had the weapons of mass destruction. That's why Canada never touched that part of the war. It was going to be a drag-out, long term conflict with no real goal. The people of the United States should have smelled something wrong with that war when we didn't join them. We didn't go into Vietnam either, and look how that turned out.
Now that they are there, I do think it is important that the United States accomplish something in Iraq. Waiting for total peace isn't an option though. Better, I think, to train the Iraqi army and police, then quietly step aside and let them settle their own issues to the best of their ability. Just remember to take all allied equipment when you go. Most of what the insurgents in Afghanistan are using were left behind by the Soviets after their little go-round at occupation.
I consider myself a rather peaceful person. There are times when force is called for, so I support the allied forces in Afghanistan. That said, there is a time to call it a mission and get out. Let's set ourselves an obtainable goal, put all of our effort into it, then bring everyone home for a rest before the next big brush fire.