I doubt those guys who chose to urinate on what they probably thought was just some old concrete monument in downtown Ottawa really knew what they were into until after they awoke from their hangovers the next day only to see photos of themselves spread across the front pages of the daily newspapers. I doubt any of the surrounding party-hardy folk who were laughing as the piddle soiled Canada's National War memorial really understood what major offence was being committed. This all happened moments after the final fireworks went off on Parliament Hill just a stones throw away, as the masses of revellers were heading off after capping a day in celebration of Canada's 139th birthday.

Was it a passion to show their Canadian pride which compelled the pee pee lads to go to the Parliament Hill show to watch performers like Susan Aglukark before a splendid display of fieworks behind the Peace tower? Or, was it just another party where they could get hammered and maybe score with some chicks?

Did the pee pee lads think they were just peeing on some old forgotten monument, or were they making an antiwar statement, perhaps in protest of Canada's involvement in the war on terrorism in Afghanistan? That, I doubt, although it's not unusual for youth to exhibit counterculture behavior no matter what government is in power just for the mere appearance of looking cool.

Did the pee pee lads know they were peeing on a national monument which recognizes the deaths of thousands of Canadians who fought and died against tyranny for the cause of freedom, or are they simply ignorant products of a society who are gradually forgetting our military heritage? Remembrance Day used to be a day when as kids, we'd assemble in the school gymnasium and get it pounded into our heads how important it was to pay respects to those who fought for Canada and how we must never forget.

I've read on blogs that these 19, 20, 21 year olds are products of the Jean Chretien liberal era, reflecting the attitude of that time in Ottawa when our defence forces experienced its sharpest decline. When Canada's collective remembering our military past was some how connected to the reduction of defence budgets. Perhaps there is something to this.

Given the new government in Ottawa, and relatively little arguments against its recent spending spree to upgrade military hardware there seems to be a greater willingness to beef up our military by Canadians. While the huge outrage against the pee pee guys has lead to the biggest manhunt in Canadian history may just be a reflection of the summer silly season in the news, I have a feeling they're going to learn a lot about Canada's war past very soon. Perhaps other ignorant Canadians will learn something as well.