If you listen to the military talking, the main function of the mission in Afghanistan is to put down the Taliban to help the country rebuild itself (sound familiar) as a democracy.

Many of the soldiers I've heard interviewed have formed a lot of feeling for the people around them, many of whom are grateful for the presense and protection of the Canadians. I can't believe these soldiers would be happy to hear their fellows back home consider Afghanis the enemy by default.

grrrr.