Fighter Jets Are For Climate Losers

Cymry Gomery / World BEYOND War – Canada

MONTREAL (November 26, 2021) — On November 25th 2021, a group of activists gathered in front of Steven Guilbeault’s office on de Maisonneuve Est in Montréal, armed with signs and an ardent desire to save the world… from Canada.

You see, the Trudeau government is planning to buy 88 new fighter jets, to replace the Canadian Forces’ aging fleet (and for other reasons… more about that later). The government received three bids: Lockheed Martin’s F-35 stealth fighter, Boeing’s Super Hornet (since rejected), and SAAB’s Gripen. Early in 2022, the government expects to choose the successful bid and award the contract… which would be disastrous for the planet, especially for its most voracious denizens, the human species.

Now, you might ask, ‘But the world is going to proverbial hell in a handbasket, with climate change and all that, so why would our government choose this moment to hasten the process by purchasing military bombers that will kill civilians and spew CO2 and other GHG emissions and pollutants equal to 1900 cars per fighter jet, (multiplied by 88 fighter jets)?

The short answer is: Military-industrial complex, Imperialism, capitalism, failure to evolve.

The longer answer is: Canada joined a military partnership of nuclear-armed nations that embody toxic masculinity, ironically named the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and to remain in this “elite” country club, Canada must pay its dues, which means spending 2% of its gross domestic product (GDP) on “defense” … hence these $77 billion (long term) flying machines, with alluring capabilities like murdering civilians and releasing persistent toxins released when they crash (which happens often).

If you weren’t already sold on this idea… wait, there’s more! These fighter jets are incredibly noisy, so the good folks living near the Canadian Forces bases in Cold Lake Alberta (Dene Su’lene’ lands) and Bagotville Québec are in for a rollicking, roaring, noisy future of whining engines and toxic fumes. There has even been a film made about this particular feature.

Seriously, though, there is no right way to do the wrong thing. Whatever jet the government chooses will be a bad choice for our children, for the natural world, for civilians in non-NATO countries, for those who are hoping for humanity to survive the climate crisis. Fighter jets are for climate losers. Smarten up, Canada.

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• Dozens of Protests Across Canada Demand Cancellation of Planned Purchase of 88 Fighter Jets

No One Needs Another F-35 Fighter Jet

Win Without War

(November 28, 2021) — For defense corporations, the Pentagon budget is a lot like Santa’s sack of presents. And just like spoiled children, they seem to get everything they want:
•  F-35 fighter jets (that don’t work)?
•  Trillions for the nuclear arsenal?
• “Security assistance” for foreign militaries, regardless of their human rights records?

The amount of money we’re talking about is simply staggering: up to $7 TRILLION has gone directly from taxpayers into weapons makers’ corporate bank accounts over the past two decades. What would healthcare and education look like with that level of investment?

The end of the year is a time for reflection and resolutions, Gar, so here’s ours: 2022 will be THE year we turn the tide on this fundamental flaw at the heart of our country’s priorities.

But influencing Congress is more challenging than ever, and every day we’re up against lobbyists and special interests with deep pockets and unethical relationships. Win Without War is one of just a handful of organizations willing to take on this corruption — and we need your help if we want a chance at tearing up their weapons wishlists.

We’ve been building toward this moment with allies in Congress and everyday people across the country for years. Now, we’re on the verge of something incredible — and 2022 could be our chance.

Because people just like you are tired of being told our communities’ priorities are ‘unrealistic’ and ‘too expensive’ while we spend BILLIONS on weapons and war every year. 

You know what’s unrealistic? Thinking you can bomb your way to peace.

Now, we’re seeing a growing number of bold progressive lawmakers agree. And with their help, we’ve been able to build enough power to successfully BLOCK the Pentagon’s attempts to sneak war funding into our COVID recovery and infrastructure spending

It’s proof our work is paying off — and it’s why we’re gearing up to go even harder. 

But winning won’t be easy. Because with their biggest argument for irrational spending — the war in Afghanistan — now gone, you can bet your bottom dollar weapons contractors will come out swinging to find new wars and new weapons to fight them with.

You and I know that it’s time that we tear up weapons CEO and lobbyists’ wishlists. And to make sure we succeed in this much-needed generational change, we need all the wind at our backs that we can muster. So I need to ask:

Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.