Canadians not responsible for deaths of 3 Afghan children

Not that it makes any different, people here really dont care and locals in Afghanistan will believe what they want to. If a mullah from the Panjwaii said Harper himself personally executed the children the locals would believe it.

I'm more disappointed in the people here back in Canada. When this first hit people were quick to jump on the military saying that it was our fault, we killed them, we are to blame, and we should get out now. Now that this result is out they are claiming that we are lying its a cover-up etc etc. But had it turned out the other way then the investigation was right and the military is evil again. I can't help but get frustrated sometimes.

You can be more specific than just Canada. This forum has people like that.

Thats very true. Though I find it slightly more distressing that it is reflected in the general population. I find that forums tend to inflate people's opinions at times while actual public opinion is slightly more reserved. sometimes.

The vast majority of Canadians have never found themselves in situations, that some members of the military are placed in, thanks to the fact that our military places itself in harms way. While they have a right to an opinion it doesn't mean their uninformed opinion is worth shit.

I agree, the local PR over this is probably lost already.
That needs to change.

IMO, the media only mirrors the public. They specialize in telling you what you want to hear because the media market is a market place like any other and appealing to customers is what you have to do. Subsequently it's rare to read many reconstruction stories or otherwise positive stories as the paper will be afraid of being labeled a propaganda machine.

Also it's human perception. A paper with a headline that reads "Canadian soldiers build school in Afghanistan" will be ignored but a paper whose headline reads "Did Canadian soldiers commit murder?", written long before any information is really known will be picked up in droves.

If the military had its way they would not report a thing to the public, unless it was something major, just like back in WWII or Korea. Sometimes I think that's the way things should be again.