Tsunami - Australia sends troops... to Iraq
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Tsunami - Australia sends troops... to Iraq
Does anyone else shake their head in bewilderment?
The futility of war, any war, but Iraq getting more troops and a ship - which will sail right past Sumatra and Aceh whilst NGO's and other elements of our Air Force and Defence Force struggle to work out how to get logisitc support to the many 100,000's of survivors and injured in the wake of a massive natural disaster on our doorstep?
The AirForce are doing a fantastic job at the moment. The amount of chartered aircraft flying all around the place in Australia is something to see. Saw today 757, 707, 737, HS25 all in support.
So how do the leaders of our government reconcile the dispatch of our forces to Iraq to protect diplomats when 100,000's of people on our own doorstep just want fresh water, shelter and rudimentary medical support to survive?
The futility of Iraq is all too apparent this week - the irrelevance has surely been emphatically proven? No. Our priority - Australia's priority in the eyes of the world - is going to be to support George Bush in Iraq whilst our neighbours, and possibly many of our own citizens in these countries die of disease or from their injuries.
HMAS Darwin leaves for Gulf
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_...5E1702,00.html
Australia sends fresh troops to Iraq
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...5E1702,00.html
The futility of war, any war, but Iraq getting more troops and a ship - which will sail right past Sumatra and Aceh whilst NGO's and other elements of our Air Force and Defence Force struggle to work out how to get logisitc support to the many 100,000's of survivors and injured in the wake of a massive natural disaster on our doorstep?
The AirForce are doing a fantastic job at the moment. The amount of chartered aircraft flying all around the place in Australia is something to see. Saw today 757, 707, 737, HS25 all in support.
So how do the leaders of our government reconcile the dispatch of our forces to Iraq to protect diplomats when 100,000's of people on our own doorstep just want fresh water, shelter and rudimentary medical support to survive?
The futility of Iraq is all too apparent this week - the irrelevance has surely been emphatically proven? No. Our priority - Australia's priority in the eyes of the world - is going to be to support George Bush in Iraq whilst our neighbours, and possibly many of our own citizens in these countries die of disease or from their injuries.
HMAS Darwin leaves for Gulf
http://www.news.com.au/common/story_...5E1702,00.html
Australia sends fresh troops to Iraq
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/com...5E1702,00.html
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Sure do!! What are our so-called leaders doing? Howard was invisible today while the only Govt spokesman was Downer interviewed from Goolwa. Does nothing interrupt this clown's holiday??
And they all wonder why Asia looks on us with much suspicion. Jusy amazing.
And they all wonder why Asia looks on us with much suspicion. Jusy amazing.
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The futility of Iraq is all too apparent this week - the irrelevance has surely been emphatically proven
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$35M!
Big Deal. Not like it's out of their pocket, it's public money.
They spent more than $500M running detention centres for so-called 'illegal' refugees (whatever that is).
They spent countless millions getting us involved in Georges war in Iraq.
Am I supposed to be impressed by $35M?
I have personally donated $150 - it's not much, but if every Australian did it would be over $3 Biilion.
That would be more impressive in money terms, but it is not money terms only that count - it is priorities. Frankly, I think Australia has made chosen some very poor ones given events this week.
Big Deal. Not like it's out of their pocket, it's public money.
They spent more than $500M running detention centres for so-called 'illegal' refugees (whatever that is).
They spent countless millions getting us involved in Georges war in Iraq.
Am I supposed to be impressed by $35M?
I have personally donated $150 - it's not much, but if every Australian did it would be over $3 Biilion.
That would be more impressive in money terms, but it is not money terms only that count - it is priorities. Frankly, I think Australia has made chosen some very poor ones given events this week.
Last edited by Uncommon Sense; 29th Dec 2004 at 19:03.
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Uncommon Sense, I'm amazed at your lack thereof. Your hysterical rantings are reminiscent of Pauline Hanson. Are you are One Nation member per chance?
The way I understand it, Oz has pledged almost as much in assistance as the USA. That is fairly impressive given our relative population.
And your comments re "illegal refugees" doesnt deserve to be dignified with a response.
And "Frankly" as you put it, you were well outvoted at the last election. Now please be quiet.
Woomera, surely this thread could be moved to Jet Blast where it belongs?
The way I understand it, Oz has pledged almost as much in assistance as the USA. That is fairly impressive given our relative population.
And your comments re "illegal refugees" doesnt deserve to be dignified with a response.
And "Frankly" as you put it, you were well outvoted at the last election. Now please be quiet.
Woomera, surely this thread could be moved to Jet Blast where it belongs?
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I am not advocating hysteria or rants, nor I thought displaying any.
Simply criticism, even if somewhat aghast.
The paltry assistance offered by the US so far is no comparison base - for a country of it's size it is also pathetic.
(How do you know how I voted? And what has that got to do with it?)
Simply criticism, even if somewhat aghast.
The paltry assistance offered by the US so far is no comparison base - for a country of it's size it is also pathetic.
(How do you know how I voted? And what has that got to do with it?)
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Does anyone else shake their head in bewilderment?
The AirForce are doing a fantastic job at the moment. The amount of chartered aircraft flying all around the place in Australia is something to see. Saw today 757, 707, 737, HS25 all in support.
Our priority - Australia's priority in the eyes of the world - is going to be to support George Bush in Iraq whilst our neighbours, and possibly many of our own citizens in these countries die of disease or from their injuries.
I am sure the decision to send futher troops to Iraq would have been made over many months and should not be changed due to developments in our region, unless of course we had a military responsibility back home (ie: being invaded). As for the ships in the gulf, they have been routinely rotated for many years now.
Cheers, HH.
I am also in favour of our polilticians making better decisions for our country. However, I fully support the brave men and women of our services once they have been called upon.
Also, with the recent natural disaster, it will take time for some of the regional countries to work out what type and how much assistance they require. Not quick enough you say!!! But it is their country and not ours.
Frank
Also, with the recent natural disaster, it will take time for some of the regional countries to work out what type and how much assistance they require. Not quick enough you say!!! But it is their country and not ours.
Frank
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It is a sad indictment on our armed forces, that we do not have sufficient resources to cope with an emergency in our region!!
Anyway they are limited to what the government mandates they will carry out. They are no more than another government tool (and that is not a sly reference to politicians in general), carrying out policy, as always.
Do you really know enough about the capabilities of the ADF to make such a sweeping comment?
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Ithcy,
Now let me answer each point in turn.
No, but surely when called upon for help we can expect our armed forces to be sufficiently equipped to handle the response.
The best we can afford, if not then perhaps we should providing better funding.
I totally agree that the primary role of the ADF, or any defence force for that matter is DEFENCE. However a secondary and no less important role is disaster relief (ie: Cyclone Tracy).
I totally agree.
No more than any other concerned citizen, but my point was not to denegrate the capabilities of our defence force, more to point out that IMHO there should be more funding for the ADF. Apologies to you and any current/former members of the ADF if I offended in any way. Whilst I am also, not qualified to comment, I do believe that they do an amazing job, given the financial and political costraints that they work within.
Cheers, HH.
PS: Note to self, refrain from making sweeping political comments on public site in future.
Now let me answer each point in turn.
Do you think dealing with this disaster is solely the responsibility of the ADF?
What level of emergency response is acceptable to you then?
I think they are doing well considering the primary role of the Australian Defence Force is self-evident and definitely not disaster-relief
Anyway they are limited to what the government mandates they will carry out. They are no more than another government tool (and that is not a sly reference to politicians in general), carrying out policy, as always.
Do you really know enough about the capabilities of the ADF to make such a sweeping comment?
Cheers, HH.
PS: Note to self, refrain from making sweeping political comments on public site in future.
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Uncommon
I think you have a lot of common. Australia has a $6.2billion surplus and we donate $35million which is a p.ss in the bucket.
Yes, we have donated as much as the USA, but theirs is really pretty pathetic when you think about it. The USA has allocated more than $100 billion for the war in Iraq.
100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed by the war...started by the USA and lamenatably, with little Johnny's full support.
I ask a genuine question...why are we so shocked and appalled by one and not the other?
The ADF do a fatastic job for thier size and with thier resources, its just a shame that the politicians mis direct their efforts to destructive purposes and not to help Australia's close neighbours and friends.
HH
(The other HH)
I think you have a lot of common. Australia has a $6.2billion surplus and we donate $35million which is a p.ss in the bucket.
Yes, we have donated as much as the USA, but theirs is really pretty pathetic when you think about it. The USA has allocated more than $100 billion for the war in Iraq.
100,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed by the war...started by the USA and lamenatably, with little Johnny's full support.
I ask a genuine question...why are we so shocked and appalled by one and not the other?
The ADF do a fatastic job for thier size and with thier resources, its just a shame that the politicians mis direct their efforts to destructive purposes and not to help Australia's close neighbours and friends.
HH
(The other HH)
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Whilst the events of recent days in Asia are absolutely tragic, I fail to see the relevance of this thread.
This is an aviation bulletin board. The topic of this thread has little relevance to PPRuNe and therefore has been closed.
Woomera (Eastern Sates).
This is an aviation bulletin board. The topic of this thread has little relevance to PPRuNe and therefore has been closed.
Woomera (Eastern Sates).
