Dear Editor,

A letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Defence Minister Peter McKay and MP John Weston:

I have finally been caught up in the excitement of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in my home town of Whistler.

What I have heard from several visiting foreigners though is that the security here is excessive and it makes them feel as though they are in a war zone. We all know the cost for this security and it’s mind-boggling. We also know the reason and necessity of this security blanket over the Games.

Since the sending of our troops to Afghanistan in a fighting role, we are now more prone than ever before to a terrorist attack here in Canada. The reports coming out of Afghanistan at this time are very disturbing and worrisome to me. The collateral damage, including the number of civilian deaths of mainly innocent women and children, breaks my heart. These are supposedly the ones we are there to help, protect and educate. I am now convinced more than ever that it is wrong for our troops to be in a fighting role over and above self-defence.

Let’s dust off our blue helmets and re-establish our reputation around the world as peacekeepers. The sooner we bring home our troops, the more young Canadian lives, innocent Afghan lives and billions of dollars will be saved.

Ueli Kaltbrunner

Whistler