The F-35 is needed, question mark

I'm sitting here all juiced up from a pot of strong coffee and it pops into my head that the F-35 purchase may not be necessary, at all. I mean, we don't pack F-35s onto our frigates.

Is the F-35 supposed to protect us from the Russians? or the Americans? I think not. To fight these guys we would need something more insidious and intimidating -- like mobile surface-to-air and drone air-to-air thingys.
Is the F-35 supposed to protect us from the Taliban air force? Is a 5th generation fighter really necessary for shooting down airliners?

I guess we need F-35s for enforcing no-fly zones over Libya, and the such. Hmm. I can't really see why Canada would ever be extending foreign policy in such a way. I do remember that Canadian fighter pilots shot some half million dollar air-to-air missles at some fleeing pick-up trucks in the Iraqi-Kuwait adventure. I am not convinced that justifies investment in a 5th generation fighter.

My preferred role for the Canadian military, other than clever defense of sovereignty, is as impartial third-party guarantor of two parties desiring peace. A nostalgic view, I know.

Anyway, as the franchise is MY most powerful weapon, the Conservatives with their predilection for picking sides in civil wars may rest assured that they will NEVER get my vote.

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