I've learned a great deal here and truly appreciate what you have done with this web site. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.

Good luck , enjoy home .

Arthur I wish you well and all the best on your return to Alberta.The insight you have provided on Afghaniatan has been an education and I have learned much.
I can only hope the powers in the west can use this information to generate a better life for the people of Afghanistan.

Hey everyone, thanks so much for your words of encouragement. When it goes on line, I'll post a link here to a new site that'll enable everyone who might be interested to follow my sojourn into politics.

The big question, of course: will I fall victim to the same dysfunction detailed in these pages - or can determined people, like you and I, still make a difference? Can we find ways to renew our systems of government?

Here in Alberta, that's what people are demanding, and I believe we're on the way to making good things happen, together.

Mr. Kent

I will miss your honesty and info that MSM does not wish to publish. You were truly a breath of fresh air.

Great luck in your new endeavours. Please just one favour-stick to your principals......

.

And thanks Arthur for making yourself available to us. Your answers to the questions posed helped clarify for me what was really happening in Afghanistan. I've learned much here about Afghanistan and my won personal triggers. lol. Thanks for putting up with me! I hope that in the future you will be able to make more documentaries. You really are excellent with your craft. Oh, and thanks for ending with my favorite photograph.

Let me add my thanks. You have never shied away from telling the truth and presenting an unflinching report of whatever story you were covering. You have always done your homework and remain one of the very best journalists in the true sense of journalism. Thank you for all you have done and best of everything to you in your new endeavors. Alberta is very fortunate to have you in their corner. Peace! And may YOU never grow tired!!

As Afghan, I want to put my respect for your truth informations and analysis, if we would have just few such honest truth journalists, who having true sense of journalism like you have it, then we would not have such disaster in the world very easy. Thanks for your excellent truth informations!

Good Luck, Arthur, may you not allow yourself to be muzzled by the current political machinery.

Hi Arthur,
Can understand your desire for a change and wish you all the best. Your perspectives and voice of reason will be much missed.
Hope you can inject a breath of fresh air into our one-party system here in Alberta!
Bill
Priddis AB

Answer this Arthur--why is Canada another lap dog for USrael and what business is it for NATO Canada to be in Afghanistan ? Before you join the Harper Seal party consider this---No arabs were envolved in the 911 bombings or hi jackings of planes. Canada should be invading Washington instead ,cause it was a black operation an inside job and contracted to Israel. Leave the Arabs alone.
{:-( USA invaded both countries for controlling world supplies of oil.Shame on Canada. Petro Canada and Sunico are now 100% American owned. Now that to sucks Aruther !

Hi Arthur,

I wish the best of luck to you in your venture into politics. You have impressed me with your dedication and hard work in exposing the truth behind the conflict in Afghanistan and I believe that our province would be much improved with someone with your ethics and principles helping to chart the course.

Alberta is quickly developing into one of the world's primary sources of the world's most important commodity, and as a result I think we all have some concerns as to the changes this will make to our province and country, good and bad. Politicians in this province are faced with serious pressure and temptation from political and business interests, not just the voting public. As such I think it is more important than ever that our public offices need to be populated with citizens of conscience and moral strength. I believe that you would fit the bill.

I'm not typically a PC voter but if I were in your riding (sorry, too far north!) I would not hesitate to mark your name. Good luck!

Dan

Wow, politics. Best of luck to you Arthur and a sincere thanks for giving "us" some insight into a part of the world very few of us will ever see first hand.

Good luck!

I guess the former poster's question should have been, "Do you have any political aspirations", not "Do you have any political affiliations".

Thanks for everything, Arthur, you've shaped my understanding of Afghanistan's complexity. As an Edmontonian born and raised (now living in Saskatoon)you running in Calgary is a bit sad; however your clarity, thoughtfulness and foresight will serve the people of Alberta exceptionally. And maybe, just maybe, you'll get to help broaden Alberta's vision beyond the oil sands.

If you're ever in Saskatoon, I know a great pub on Broadway where the atmosphere is alive, the discourse engaging and the beer's ice cold. I'd love to tip a pint with you!

Hey, I'm humbled - and energized by your kind encouragement. On the campaign front, meantime, I'm already being buoyed along by a wave of volunteers, people who hope, like you and I, that we can make a positive difference. Please keep an eye here for a weblink, coming soon...

Many of us will miss your admirable journalistc abilities. As for politics - its a dirty and tough game at best, and I hope you can bring it up to your standards, without loosing out to theirs. Best of luck ....

heh

you thought top-heavy editors were a pain in the ass wait until the party press secretary gets his hooks into you.

good luck. do well. get ready to compromise; its part of the job.

you'll be missed here.

You have always struck me as a person who stands strongly apart from the crowd. An independent person. Are you able to be part of the group? They're using your celebrity status because they want to take the seat back from the Liberals. Doesn't that sound familiar to you? Will you be able to resign from this, if it doesn't turn out to be what you expect it to be?

You created this website, invited people in, and then unceremoniously stopped. I think most people are stunned by your decision. You claimed no political affiliation, then without any hints, after an ego flattering weekend, you're entering politics?

I know that your love of democracy and freedom is strong. That is wonderfully admirable. But are you truly suited to the compromises that you will have to endure as a politician?

I have always counted on you to present the truth, even against the odds with which you were frequently presented. Unfortunately (but true) there are very few journalists who can be counted on to tell the real story instead of the story 'the powers that be' want people to hear. While I'm disappointed to see you leaving that objective arena, you must feel the need for a new challenge. Conforming has never seemed to be your style, so I hope that you will be able to continue being a voice for the people and not get sucked into the political machine that we have all learned to distrust so much.

Wouldn't you reach a larger audience by writing about the challenges that Alberta faces. Wouldn't broadening your writing horizons work just as well. I've noticed that only one of your Afghani posters has commented on this. Why the sudden shift in gears.

Very valid sentiments - and believe me I've taken them on board, in advance of this course change. Sure, in some respects the odds are long. But if we don't take chances to break those discouraging patterns, and really try to prove that open, effective government can be a reality, well then, aren't we part of the problem?

Until discovering your web site I had no idea about Afganastan. Thank you for creating something we can believe. Your honesty and frankness about the current government and Canada's role has been enlighting to say the least.
Best of Luck, you will be missed on my PC.

I remember you from U of C days and know you will fill the void left when colourful reporter-turned-politician Ralph Klein retired.

You seem like such a cool guy with a good head on your shoulders. Why would you gey involved with a tired old, anti-democratic regime like the Alberta Tories?
Do me one favour before you decide to do this for sure. Read Kevin Taft's latest book, 'Democracy Derailed' and then consider whether you want to attach your good name to the Alberta Tories.
The list of anti-democratic measures this government has enacted is stunning and you won't want to be apart of them, trust me.
Reasonable, peace loving, pro democracy people and the Tory party do not mix well!

Benson Burner - you trying to remind us it's Halloween?

Mike, all I'd say is that renewal is vital to the system. So just watch us.

They're reeling you in to keep you close. You have been exposing truths they don't want to hear. What better way to shut you up. They're corraling you. Don't you see that. Put the ego aside and think about this. You've been doing damage, they're doing damage control.

Okay, I'm over being stunned! For me the sad part is that the board was just settling in to a comfort zone. I'm surprised that that one poster hasn't stepped in to do a final pontification!
Now it will be gone. I'll miss "talking" with you and being able to disagree with you from time to time.

If you absolutely have to do this, promise me one thing. Please don't do the standard photo op with a dog or a cat! It just might put me under.

I hope that your dream comes true. I'll miss you Arthur.

I'm amazed at some of these comments. You're being vilified before you've even set foot in office. Perhaps people are so jaded by politicians that they can't understand why such a level-headed guy would join the muckrakers.

I guess I prefer to think that it will be great to have someone in office who is level headed and who deeply cares and will do his very best to do what is best. Maybe that's idealistic, but I think we could use a good shot of idealism right now.

Go for it, Arthur. You haven't betrayed anyone. Just consider this as a new assignment. It takes time to get your sea legs, but when you do your homework and do your best to keep making progress, and enlisting the best people to do the job, it'll all settle out and people will see you are sincere in your work.

I wish you well. Maybe your brother could cover for you here while you're away. :o)

This site was a breath of fresh mountain air, Afghani air. Thanks for sharing your courage with us as we were all being enlightened. It will be difficult to fill this void as personal sacrifice must be part of your brand of journalism.

I have no doubt you will inspire people and make a difference in your future endeavour, even though you are entering the lions den armed only with a pen and the ability to speak for the underdog.

Successfully facing the challenges you have had in the past with big corporations because of your honesty has prepared you for what is certainly to come. Legions of believers will be in your corner to shore you up, promoting your every step. I know you will not let them down.

It has been my good fortune to have found this site. I hope I can continue the principals you have shown here to dig deeper into stories and speak out against government actions and policies that are detrimental and ill conceived.

I echo the sentiments already expressed. "Peace - and may you never get tired".

salam

Dear Arthur,
Its hard to add anything new to what your intelligent and articulate readership have already said; but still, I wanted to thank you for bringing to us an open 'window of truth' to peer into Afghanistan, Bosnia, and the mid-east; and to acknowledge your integrity and excellence in journalism and your tireless efforts to try to counter the mass-fed spin; and to wish you the very best as you openly move into the political ring. Its not easy being a public-servant, certainly, one doesn't do it for thanks, sometimes it feels like theres a great big target on ones head! But I understand wanting to protect and improve the political and social stance of one's home-town and its effect in global affairs. I wish for you continued support, health, and happiness.

All your comments are really appreciated. And yes, I want to assure everyone, I'm not making a course change to get in touch with my inner marshmallow. To this site, to my work, I've always tried to show a little chrome and steel. You don't change your ride just because you've taken a different road...

Arthur,

Thank you very much for all that you have shared about Afghanistan. I have been following your reports and readers' comments since I arrived at Kandahar Airfield six weeks ago.

The information here would be so useful for Canadians to consider before deciding - or even debating - our country's role in Afghanistan. I will continue to direct people to Skyreporter’s archives so that they too may make a connection with Afghanistan and its people.

I believe most Canadians don’t know what to think of the situation here. The public sees the issue as so complicated that most just tune out whenever there’s talk of Afghanistan policy. Everyone back home is concerned for our soldiers here, and it’s much easier to make a connection with the welfare of our troops than anything as abstract as politics.

I am a civilian contractor originally from Newfoundland and Labrador, and I plan to work here for a year or two. I was a soldier in the Canadian Forces Reserves for seven years, did one tour in Bosnia and then stayed on to support the Canadian Forces in Bosnia as a contractor for another three years.

Since arriving in Kandahar, I have interacted with soldiers and civilians from many nations and have formed many new connections. Before coming to Kandahar my thoughts regarding Afghanistan were about the safety of our troops. Since arriving in Kandahar this concern has naturally grown to include all the people I meet here: my co-workers from the Philippines, UK, US, Bosnia & Canada; the Polish, Dutch, Danish & American soldiers I chat with in the mess or outside Tim’s; Afghans who drive the colour-jarring jingle trucks, the men clearing land mines just outside our fence and the little boys - the same age as my nephews - at the Saturday market who stop to let me take their picture and then try to sell me another necklace for two dollars.

The debate about Afghanistan is much bigger than the question of whether or not our troops should be here. Our politicians owe Canadians and the people of Afghanistan more than PR sound bites, and we Canadians need to educate ourselves to ensure they deliver.

Skyreporter.com is a fantastic resource and I can’t tell you how sad I am that I won’t be reading your views about the latest developments regarding Afghanistan. Perhaps though there is one more thing you could do before you go. Could you please post a list of recommended resources on Afghanistan? Books, articles, websites, films – anything you think would help us to better understand what is going on in Afghanistan, the policies (or lack thereof) generated by the powers-that-be, and anything that could help us to connect with Afghans themselves.

Arthur, if you bring half the moral courage to politics that you have demonstrated in your reporting, the Alberta government will be lucky to have you… even if it is for the Progressive Conservatives. :-)

Take care, all the best and safar-e khosh (happy travels… I think).

Having seen, through these articles, your deep love and concern for the people of Afghanistan, I have no doubts that, when you achieve your new political goal, you will make your home a better place. Your tenacious spirit will take you far as you travel down this new road in your life. How fortunate the citizens of Calgary Currie and Alberta are to have you on their side.

Please tell us, Arthur, that you will be leaving this site up, so that we may continue to reference it.

An extrememly good book I read recently about Afghanistan (non fiction and post-Taliban) was "The Places In-Between" by Rory Stewart. It certainly does help explain the incredible difficulties that the Afghans, as well as those temporarily in their county (invited or otherwise) have to overcome before they become a politically secure country.

Thank you Arthur for your unique reporting.

As an Afghanistani, I wanted to extend my heartfelt gratitude to each and every Canadian journalist, soldier, serviceperson, medical aide and voluneteer for their selfless, heroic roles in their respective ways in the direction of keeping the terrorist Taliban at bay and making Kabul, northern, and western Afghanistan safe and liveable again. I further thank them for their role in the creation of at least an air of democracy, despite the emerging challenges facing it, in the otherwise suppressive Afghanistan.

Being in Kandahar is walking on the breeding ground of the Taliban beasts and treading on the treacherous soil that has grown nothing but opiums, smuggled weapons, humans, and sinister plans for the extermination and suppression of the rest of Afghanistanis. I invite those Canadians stationed in or around that city to take an excursion into Kabul, western and northern Afghanistan to see how their work is appreciated and how many lives depend on their presence in Kandahar.

I admit that Afghanistan is no longer a success story: The opportunity for democracy has been rigorously stifled by Karzai and his mainly Pashton cabinet; freedom of speech is under constant threats by Karzai's fellow Pashton Attorney General, the maniac Sabet; those friends whom Canadians and Nato helped topple the Taliban regime, those had earned astounding popular support (the media networks showed how they were flocked by the jubilant Kabul residents upon their liberation of Kabul from the Taliban) are in no control of the government; and corruption and drugs trafficking are directly attribuded to Karzai and his assciates.

However, for Afghanistanis, Afghanistan today is still far safer and better than Afghanistan during the Taliban era.

At the end, besides renewing my gratitude for the great Canadian role in pushing the sharp-toothed Taliban wolves away from Non-Pashton cities, I have a humble request from these Canadian heroes to urge their military and political leaders to direct Karzai back onto the path of democracy and to discourage him from pursuing the unfinished Taliban task of Pashtonizing Afghanistan and suppressing the Non-Pashtons, who make over 69% of the total population. If they are not urged, Afghanistan will eventually slide into the Taliban-like one-ethnic rule again and genecides will ensue again.

Peace

Hey buddy,
I am really excited for you and I know that you will be a big influence in your new political career, and if there has been one thing you have been good at, that is taking a stand and not giving an inch. I know that you will do very well and be able to do a lot of great things.

Again, thank you everyone for your comments. Today our thoughts are with Pakistan, and the consequences of the West's support, since 9/11, of a fractured, dysfunctional military dictatorship which has provided a lifeline for the Taliban an al Qaeda.

Gen. Musharaff has taken us all in a giant leap backward in the struggle for stability in southwest Asia. Today, all people in the region, especially Afghans and Pakistanis, are paying the price for our leaders' complicity with a doomed, anti-democratic regime.

The people of Afghanistan are in fact very human and peaceful people, but it exist some dealer, they do not want to see the Nation of Afghanistan in peace and to be united, they want to split the Nation under name Pashton, Tadjik, Uzbek, Hazara, Pashaii, Turkmen,.....etc. The neighbor countries motivate them. Afghan Nation was witness, that those dealer (communist, former Mujahiddin leaders, Taliban and some elements by present governments) killed innocent people, they put innocent people into jail, they destroyed the country totally. They are still not tired to split the Nation after so hurtful actions. All those above mentioned ethnic groups are proud groups, each group has given during the occupation its best, unfortunately the winner were at the end the dealer and they have further sub dealer, who want to keep this dirty matter alive.

Mr. Arthur described and analyzed the situation of Afghanistan as honest journalist, he did not care, who belong to which ethnic, he saw Afghan Nation as one Nation!

Afghanistan without Pashton, Tadjik, Uzbek, Hazara, Turkmen,...etc. can be NOT Afghanistan. Pakistan, Iran, Tadjikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China and Russian, they are never interested to be Afghan one Nation, they were never interested to have Afghanistan stable government, they were never interested to see Afghanistan developed.
Also, Mr. Friend, see Canada, does exist there such rubbish ideology? No, you can NOT see it at all there such intrigues, it is time for you to wake up! Taliban was created and supported by CIA and ISI with advising of Mr. Zalmay Khalilzad, Mr. Karzai and former King Zahir Shah, later on when the duty of Taliban was over, those guys switched to rhe guys of North Alliance for their using, it seem to me, that the duty of North Alliance is coming to end too.
All Afghan should work for one Nation, the different ethnic is the beauty of Afghan Nation, without one ethnic is Afghan Nation NO Nation, please keep it in your mind!!!!

Mr. Musharaf could not start such dangerous action without backup at this sensitive time. Mr. G. W. Bush failed in Irak, he needs success regard
Bin Laden and Mullah Omar till election, otherwise will be his party in huge difficulty. I will never trust the phrases, which will be announced vie Medias, Mr. Bush never used honest words, he cheated his Nation and the world all the time. This action will not guide both of them to positive result. Mr. Bush is making one mistake after the other, he never understood politic, he has dictator in Pakistan and he has weak people in Afghanistan, against both styles are both Nations.
CIA and ISI cooperated since 1980 very close, they are working like one team, it is impossible, that Mr. Musharf made him through his unexpected action confuse. Mr. Musharf succeed by his proposal, that he has to have the whole power and decision possibility over the country in his hand, then he can succeed fully, what Mr. Bush is expecting from him.
CIA analyzed the present of Ms. Bhutto in Pakistan, her sharing of power with Mr. Musharf will create new trouble, therefore such unexpected action of Mr. Musharaf. His stupid action will make it possible to get opposite output, it means, the religion parties, nationalists and other parties will cooperate together, the nation of Pakistan will start resistance and act against Mr. Musharaf, he is hated, the terrorists will get a new possibility to attack over the whole country. Afghanistan will suffer because of his dirty action very much, Ms Bhutto will lose her publicity very soon, the religion and nationalists will appear as strong spokesmen.
If the pressure will not put on Mr. Musharaf from outside, then I am afraid, the door for chaos, anarchy will open completely in both countries(Pakistan and Afghanistan) and Iran, Russian will not stay just for watching!

All the best, Arthur. I hope someone can step up and continue the great work you've done in Afghanistan. Uh, sure you don't want to run for the, ahem, federal Liberals?

Very good interview.Lots of Afghanistan info.Ms Joya is currently visiting Canada.

www.rabble.ca

http://www.rabble.ca/rabble_interview.shtml?x=63969

Stephen Harper's government has not seen fit to comment on the case of Malalai Joya, the suspended Afghan parliamentarian who has become known around the world because of her courage in denouncing the warlords and war criminals who have been empowered by NATO and foreign interests in Afghanistan

Ms Joya suspended through warlords, because she announced regular in parliament and outside parliament their criminal doing in the past and at the present time, they killed during their power lot of innocent people, they occupied houses and land with power, they are dealing with opium and they built houses, hotels, markets and private companies with the money of reconstructions. They occupied parliament totally, they release themselves from their crimes. All those actions of them are very known to USA, Canada, EU governments, it is also known the barbaric behavior of those elements to Ms. Joya, but NO one government reflect any reaction, although all of them went to Afghanistan with the slogans " We are bringing peace, freedom, democracy, women right, eliminate terror and prosperity". we are witness now, that they supporting only those people, who are known as killer, criminal in country, even they are carrying for their safety, during the present of those countries increased the terror.
No one from those governments reflect any kind of protest signal regard Ms Joya! How can we believe such phrases of those countries in the future???

Hi Arthur:

After you have won your riding and are ready to "staff up", I would love to work for you.

Cheers,

ET

ET, you're on. And thanks, everyone, for your continuing comments. Today, Nov. 7th, my most recent investigative piece has been published in the November issue of Policy Options magazine.

Go go to http://www.irpp.org/po/index.htm and look for CASHING IN ON KARZAI & CO.

Funny, I wouldn't have pegged you as a Conservative. Hopefully the world of politics won't corrupt you as it has so many others. I hope you find that sticking to your ideals will not impede your political aspirations, and I further hope that if you find that is the case, you will not compromise what you stand for and abandon politics instead.

As Kevin posted ealier, maybe you're better suited for the Federal Liberals role (c;

Good luck.

Arthur,
I sure hope that Stelmach plans to offer you a minister's job. Otherwise, as you know only too well, the role of a back bencher around here, provincially and federally, is to do his/her local thing, be quiet, and support the party line unwaveringly.
Conservatives under Harper are totally gagged in spite of all the talk about transparency. Fortunately it's not quite that bad on Alberta.

Arthur, I hope, you could influence the politician in positive direction and bring them closer to the people, I hope not, that you adjust yourself on them, and you will be not blind YES follower. We have some journalists in EU, they change their styles and behavior, when they switched to politics.
I wish very much, you will stay as you are now!
May be, you realized the sympathy for your honest being through many comments among the different people and you realized may be too, that they are missing very much honest and transparent politic of their politicians!
The trust is missing, cheating is increasing, the people wish to have trustful politician among them and for them, I am sure, you will be from the people and for the people!
My best wishes to you and very much joy, succeed and luck!

How are things on the campaign front? Can we expect a link to the new website after the nomination meeting next weekend?

Thanks Beverly, we're into our final week of campaigning for the nomination. Our weblink is: www.arthurkent.ca I'll be blogging there and here at skyreporter once the dust clears!

Meantime, a reminder to please have a look at CASHING IN ON KARZAI & CO. at: http://www.irpp.org/po/index.htm

a conservative, unbelievable!!!
Bush finaly found a way to silence you.
You'll be sorry!

Sorry, postscript.
If you can't beat'em join'em

Ouch - just a touch cynical, my friend. Please have a look at CORRUPTION AND COVER UPS PUT AFGHAN ARMY AT GRAVE RISK. And get real.