"When in doubt, pull the trigger."

Yes, that's the sound military advice given to Canadian troops from career politician and eternal Conservative backbencher Rob Anders. According to the Toronto Star (that evil bastion of liberal media), MPs from all parties signed a giant "Support Our Troops" card that was making its way around the lobby of the House of Commons. While some opted for the token "Keep up the good work" message, Anders went for the less-used shoot first, ask questions later greeting.

Guess we'll just add this to the list of Stupid Shit Rob Anders Does, which includes calling Nelson Mandela a terrorist, refusing to later smooth things over with the Nobel Peace Prize-winning South African president, and  pissing off a Chinese delegation by wearing a Free-Tibet shirt. One could argue the last incident was morally correct, but considering Anders' version of democracy in the riding of Calgary-West riding (Open candidates election!? That's not democracy; that's an attempted Liberal coup!), Free-Anything from his maw rings rather hollow.

But to be fair, considering the antics of his collegues Rahim Jaffer and wife Helena Guergis, the re-writing of history by fellow Calgary MP Jason Kenney, and the repetative use of prorogation as a 'save-my-political-ass-and-screw-democracy' tool by master political strategist Stephen Harper, what Anders says and does is hardly shocking.

***UPDATE***

After taking some flak from the public, media and even fellow colleagues, including Defence Minister Peter Mckay, Anders has apologized for his remark.

"Last week, I wrote a note on a card to our troops in Afghanistan. I meant to say keep and defend yourselves. For those who found my note in appropriate, I apologize for any offence taken," Anders told the House of Commons on Tuesday.