Canadian military vs. American military presence in Afghanistan...?

Question

As far as I know the US has sent nearly 20,000 troops to Afghanistan and Canada has sent over 2000. The US has had 341 military casualties in Afghanistan, and Canada has had 39.

Now, considering that Canada's population is just over 30 million, and US is around 300 million... percentage-wise, Canada has sent the same amount of troops and had a higher casualty rate. (I am only talking percentages)

My question is, how can some Americans say that Canadian's are sitting with our thumbs up our a**es watching the Americans do the dirty work. I am not even insinuating that Canada is doing more...

What I am asking is this:

HOW is it that Canadians have become the punchline in US military humour when we have sent and lost (percentage-wise) a comparable amount of good and brave men and women?

Know-it-all: I am not a country I am a person. I think this is the kind of confusion that creates generalized statements like 'Canadians give Americans attitude all the time.'
I have American family and a family member at West Point. I support the American military. I am asking why are the Canadians, that are putting just as much on the line, being mocked for doing so... not, do you know how to generalize?!

Answer 1

We migh only have 10% of the US' numbers in Afghanistan, but down in the south, where the Canadian Forces are operating, we're doing what the whole might of the Red Army back in the 70's and 80's, and thousands of American soldiers could not do. We're winning.

It might not look that way, but make no mistake, we're scaring the living daylights out of the Taliban down there. However, to answer your question, it is because we can't field tens of thousands and spend billions a day that we get laughed at. Granted, a lot of our kit needs upgarding or downright replacement, but we have the best damned soldiers in the world, and I stand by that. Those men and women who have died, each of them came at the cost of a lot more lives on the other side of the fence. Even counting the accidental deaths, over 40 insurgents, if not closer to 60, died for every single one of ours we lost. I know, it is little comfort for the families of our fallen, but to the rest of hte military, it's a case of an obvious superiority as military assets. And with every single one of ours who gets killed at the hands of the enemy, we just get more resolved to fight even harder.

Answer 2

Well Canada has lost 42 sons and a diplomat in afghanistan. We lost 5 men from american hands, but that is the risk of war.

Americans lose more cause 20,000 troops there is a higher possibility of that happening.

Canada is losing to for they are in the hot spot in afghanistan.

But americans honoured their canadian brothers when they accidently killed four canadian troops by putting their names on a plaque with american soldiers of the same base.

Brothers tease each other but put them together in the line of fire I guarentee their flag badges go out the window.

Answer 3

Oh com'on! You know how it works.

When possible blame someone else, especially if they do not have voice in the debate.

And why do you care what Americans think about Canada? Do you need that to be validated as country? Finally there are very few Americans on the ground in Afganistan. The US Ground troops are busy is Iraq. And Canada got stuck with the most Taliban active area of Afganistan.

Answer 4

Well no one really looks at it like that. People just look at it as how much of a contribution a country is making to our cause. And most Americans don't even know our Canadian friends are helping us in Afghanistan. It's pretty much just a stereotype that us Americans put on you guys. I wouldn't take it personally because I don't think most people mean what they say, just the ignorant ones. And you don't have to worry about being insulted by ignorant people.

Answer 5

We don't say that stuff about you. We don't make fun of you guys. Some times we do. But for the most part thats wrong, because we still have the british to taunt.

Sorry to hear about the lose of the canadian military. However, you can't talk about such a situation in percentages. It just doesn't work that way.

Answer 6

Since 9/11 Bushie Baby has been disgusted with our attitude about not wanting to support his idea. Where are these weapons of mass destruction? Thank god the liberals were in power at the time. The liberals especially under Trudeau never put up with the American ********. Its only now since the Conservatives are in power that we are sending more of our troops to their deaths. Canada's agenda has only been to be peace keepers. That is why we used to be respected. And who are you to correct other peoples spelling. Your American bastardization of the english language sucks.

Answer 7

Actually US Gis give Canadian GIs the raspberry for exactly the same reason that Marines give Army guys a raspberry, or Air Force a hard time.
To be blunt,,, it is a sign of respect, and something would be terribly wrong if such banter did no occur.

Answer 8

Canada does not have a lot of budget on military, and the task is much different than their more traditional role of peace keeping after WW2. I think it is doing the best it could. I tend to agree with your thinking on percentage. Canadian just don't have the matching number of people and wealth of the US to spend on military actions.

Answer 9

Personal I think its the attitude Canadians give Americans all the time.

Answer 10

You asked the wrong question. You should be asking (your government) why the Americans can conduct more intensive combat operations and still suffer a lower casualty rate.