The prime minister, 9/11, and Afghanistan

At this time an appropriate link:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks at a memorial in Ottawa for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. (CBC)

The impact of Sept. 11, 2001, has not lessened over time, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said on Friday as he honoured the victims and efforts of Canadian soldiers to prevent such attacks.

“Eight years on, the memory of a beautiful fall morning suddenly becoming a nightmare has lost none of its power, none of its horror and none of its sorrow,” Harper said at a memorial ceremony at Ottawa’s Beechwood Cemetery — The National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces.

On Sept. 11 eight years ago, two hijacked planes crashed into the World Trade Center in New York City, one crashed at the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., and a fourth went into a field in Shanksville, Pa. Almost 3,000 people, including 34 Canadians, died in the attacks.

The prime minister honoured the work of the Canadian Forces in Afghanistan, saying they have demonstrated the valour, skill and commitment that has been the hallmark of Canada's military throughout history.

“It is fitting that we are gathered here today to honour not only the memory of those Canadians who perished on 9/11, but also the great sacrifices made by those determined to prevent such a dark day from ever re-occurring,” Harper said.

Harper said the attacks and the fact 24 Canadians were killed revealed that terrorism is not something that happens elsewhere to other people.

“We are still confronted with the evil that inspired the terrible events of that day,” Harper said, referring to subsequent attacks in London, England, Madrid, Bali and Mumbai.

But then we'll be out of it in two years, if not sooner. The prime minister also said this--without any direct reference to Afghanistan:

...
"Terrorism is not something that happens somewhere else to someone else. The 24 Canadians killed on 9/11 are a reminder that it can happen to us. So we have worked with the United Nations and our allies to resist and prevent terrorism where it finds sustenance and sanctuary."..

Hmmm.