Communicator

More documents

Recommendations

Info

The <strong>Communicator</strong> — Fall 2013 Issue tion somewhere in the world. The furthest contact was another amateur radio station in Australia. The York Region field deployment was in more remote area, in the field north of Al's Tack Shop, Stouffville, All in all, this annual event is considered to have been an effective learning opportunity for all participants. The opportunity for soldiers from 32 Sigs to work alongside the civilian volunteers to create an emergency communications base in the field is extremely invaluable. For the Canadian Forces, Field Day forms part of its mandate to support Civil Authority during times of domestic civil emergency. Whether the situation is flooding of a town, wildfires in parklands, wide spread snow storms, or catastrophic situations requiring support that requires sustainment for prolonged periods of time, the Canadian Armed Forces and the Canadian Army Reserve can be deployed to render a variety of supporting roles to the local, provincial or federal authorities. Often, volunteer organizations such as the National Amateur Radio Association, the Canadian Red Cross or the Salvation Army, are key players in the response to a civil emergency – and it is the inter-operability exercises like Field Day that aid in ensuring seamless integration and cohesive command, control and communications between all agencies to ensure an effective and timely response to mitigate the emergency and save lives. The participation of 32 Sigs in Exercise Field Day contributed to the successful drill of the abilities of both the civilian volunteers and military members involved. The practical deployment and integration of personnel, equipment and resources to ensure that we, collectively, are prepared to respond when the need arises to aid our communities can not be understated. not easily accessible to the public, thus no visits occurred. That did not mean that the event wasn't interesting, as Capt Caron (Borden OPI) and the Borden team had built a "HPG" (human powered generator) that was operated by Cadets of the Muskoka Pioneers, Borden Squadron members, and even Lt Peng, Toronto OPI, during a site visit! Bravo Zulu! 10
The <strong>Communicator</strong> — Fall 2013 Issue To Shoot or Not To Shoot By Padre Capt. Flavia Beriault The Just War Theory is possibly the most misunderstood ethical principle in modern history. This article will draw back the curtain and show the simplicity of the Just War Theory logic. 800 years ago, this ethical principle was codified by a man named Thomas Aquinas. He posed the question “whether it is always simple to wage war.” 1 Before answering this question, we need to understand the meaning of peace. Peace is the end that is sought by war; even the bad guys admit to this. “Peace is not simply the absence of war or a balance of power between two adversaries. It is the tranquility of order, the work of justice and the effect of charity.” 2 Nevertheless, if both the good guys and the bad guys claim they are seeking peace by their war, let us look deeper into the logic of a just aggression. There is a simple list of check-boxes which must be fulfilled for the Just War Theory to be invoked. Once you understand these criteria, you separate yourself from the masses to think that war is always futile. The following two sentences are true: 1. All wars are an evil that could be avoided. 2. Some wars are necessary to protect innocence but still a failure and a front to true charity and justice. The best way to understand this contradiction, and really many principles of ethics, is to contemplate the principle in the context of a family. For example, imagine you are a father or mother and are returning home after a sports game. On your way into your house, two men try to kidnap your children. In the commotion, a pistol is shaken from one of the man’s hands. You grab the pistol and because of the height of the man, you have a very clear shot at close range to his head. What should you do? Now we come full circle to the title of this article, to shoot or not to shoot. The real question is not what should you do but what must you do? As a parent, you not only have the right to protect your family against aggressors but the duty. To do otherwise, it would not only show cowardice but it would actually be a moral evil. The power of modern means of destruction weighs very heavily in evaluating this condition. These are the traditional elements enumerated in what is called the "just war" doctrine. The evaluation of these conditions for moral legitimacy belongs to the prudential judgment of those who have responsibility for the common good.” As you can see, these criteria are not easily satisfied. However, it is simply self-defence, as seen with the case of the family. St. Thomas Aquinas says that “those who wage war justly, aim at peace. So they are not opposed to peace.” Those who wage war unjustly claim it is for peace, but their peace should be spelled like this “piece.” This is because they usually want a piece of land, or a piece of money, or a piece of power and they are not satisfied when they get it nor do they concern themselves with any means of obtaining it. Therefore, if all means of peaceful negotiation have been exhausted and the rest of the criteria match, the necessary and dutiful source of action is to shoot. 1 Aquinas, Thomas. Summa Theologica, Part ii, 2, question 40, article 1. http://www.newadvent.org/summa/3.htm (I have the Summa on my personal computer). 2 Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, 481. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2309. Jimmy and Associates Awards In Honour of LCol Jack Lee, CD (Ret’d) The award is presented annually to a Junior rank solder, in both the Toronto and Borden squadrons of the 32 Signal Regiment for recognition of outstanding ‘Dedication and Devotion’ shown during the year within the Regiment. LCol Stasyna This year the Toronto Squadron recognizes Sgt. Duncan Lloyd and MCpl Carl Rogala for the outstanding achievement. Congratulations. Let us examine the condition to use deadly force to protect innocence. Here is the simple text that so many people talk about but very few have read. “The strict conditions for legitimate defence by military force requires rigorous consideration. The gravity of such a decision makes it subject to rigorous conditions of moral legitimacy. At one and the same time: the damage inflicted by the aggressor on the nation or community of nations must be lasting, grave, and certain; all other means of putting an end to it must have been shown to be impractical or ineffective; there must be serious prospects of success; the use of arms must not produce evils and disorders more grave than the evil to be eliminated. Sgt Duncan Lloyd—‐ Recipient MCpl Carl Rogala — Recipient 11
Page 1 and 2: The Communicator — Fall 2013 Issu
Page 9: The Communicator — Fall 2013 Issu

Communicator

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?