Deja Vu as 'peace' activists spit on Diggers
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[i]Deja Vu[/i] as 'peace' activists spit on Diggers
I see in my local rag that someone opposed to the war in Iraq spat on a soldier in Townsville.
For me, it was like old times. I'm assuming that this well-meaning 'peace-lover' took lessons from his or her parents who did the same to my generation of servicemen who went where they were sent 30 odd years ago.
For me, it was like old times. I'm assuming that this well-meaning 'peace-lover' took lessons from his or her parents who did the same to my generation of servicemen who went where they were sent 30 odd years ago.
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Pretty sad, isn't it?
I was only a kid during the latter stages of the war in Vietnam. My dad spent many years away in WW2, and after that some time with the BCOF in Hiroshima just after the Yanks turned it into an uninhabitable wasteland.
The psychological effects of him "doing his duty" still haunt him today, as do the effects of radiation on his physical health, which of course are difficult to prove
.
When his unit returned they were all heroes. Fat lot of good that did for him. He was just doing his job....
Then I remember the protests on TV against the Vietnam War, and the way our military were treated by the masses. Those guys went through similar trauma to my dad, yet cop the ultimate rejection by protesters when they came home. And many of them were sent against their will, as in the 2 wars preceding!!
I was sad to read your post Wiley as I'm sure many others that read this forum are. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Perhaps the offending protester could do our country a service and offer to be a Human Shield in Iraq.
Sure as hell they would embrace our Servicemen and women if the tides were turned and we faced invasion......
The psychological effects of him "doing his duty" still haunt him today, as do the effects of radiation on his physical health, which of course are difficult to prove
.When his unit returned they were all heroes. Fat lot of good that did for him. He was just doing his job....
Then I remember the protests on TV against the Vietnam War, and the way our military were treated by the masses. Those guys went through similar trauma to my dad, yet cop the ultimate rejection by protesters when they came home. And many of them were sent against their will, as in the 2 wars preceding!!
I was sad to read your post Wiley as I'm sure many others that read this forum are. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Perhaps the offending protester could do our country a service and offer to be a Human Shield in Iraq.
Sure as hell they would embrace our Servicemen and women if the tides were turned and we faced invasion......
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I would have thought that the appalling way in which Vietnam vets were treated on their return home had now been acknowledged and that we would never stoop to that level again. It appears some people have not read their history books.
I would have to be classed as anti-war in this case, but I deplore unreservedly the shameful and cowardly action of this twit. To vent anger on people who are doing their jobs as ordered is not only unthinking and useless but counter-productive. No doubt all of us who remain unconvinced of the wisdom of the proposed action will now be labelled with the usual epithets by those with their own barrow to push. Let us hope that this incident will prove to be an aberration.
I would have to be classed as anti-war in this case, but I deplore unreservedly the shameful and cowardly action of this twit. To vent anger on people who are doing their jobs as ordered is not only unthinking and useless but counter-productive. No doubt all of us who remain unconvinced of the wisdom of the proposed action will now be labelled with the usual epithets by those with their own barrow to push. Let us hope that this incident will prove to be an aberration.
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I posted the original message while online, without time to put my feelings into print in any detail. As Hugh J says, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
I know (hope?) the two incidents mentioned in the news article were isolated, and I know that there are many out there who oppose the (it would seem) coming war with quite some passion. However, I had hoped that all had learned a lesson that the personal vitriol directed towards servicemen and ex-servicemen during and for 15 years after the Vietnam fracas was misdirected. The fact is, that unlike the people who demonstrated in the streets last Saturday, the people in khaki (and two different shades of blue) don’t get to choose whether they agree or disagree with the decisions of the government of the day.
It’s a given that war is a terrible, truly horrible business, and a course of action that even supposedly irresponsible political leaders take only after deep consideration of all the alternatives. If you want to find the most genuinely anti-war sentiments, look no further than any group of veterans, who’ve seen first hand what it entails. But that doesn’t mean that those same people will all oppose a war in all circumstances.
I have to say that I suspect the vast majority of servicemen probably do agree with the government’s decision on this one, for they have almost certainly asked themselves the same questions I’ve asked myself - (but, it would seem, that many of the anti-war camp have not): what are the alternatives? The sad fact is, for twelve years now, the UN has tried all the ‘civilised’ alternatives with this particular despot and the countries calling for sanctions to continue have been pilloried, mostly by the very same people who demonstrated last Saturday when these measures ‘have led to the deaths of countless Iraqi children’.
None of these protestors ever seem to ask how it is that Saddam Hussein can afford to run (and, at considerable expense, hide) costly weapons programmes, but can’t afford basic health care for his people. (And if there’s anyone out there who honestly believes he hasn’t got them, read on: ”Honourable Sir, Greetings and felicitations. I was a cabinet minister in the last Nigerian Government and I have 300 million dollars in a Swiss bank account that I cannot access without an overseas bank account. You can have 20% of this money as commission if you will allow me to use your bank account. Just send me all your bank account details.”
And as for the ‘peace’ protestor who allegedly spat on the Digger? As hard as you might find it to come to terms with the fact, the only reason you live in a society where such disgusting, anti-social behaviour is tolerated is that men like the man or woman you spat on were (and continue to be) willing to put their lives on the line to defend that society.
I know (hope?) the two incidents mentioned in the news article were isolated, and I know that there are many out there who oppose the (it would seem) coming war with quite some passion. However, I had hoped that all had learned a lesson that the personal vitriol directed towards servicemen and ex-servicemen during and for 15 years after the Vietnam fracas was misdirected. The fact is, that unlike the people who demonstrated in the streets last Saturday, the people in khaki (and two different shades of blue) don’t get to choose whether they agree or disagree with the decisions of the government of the day.
It’s a given that war is a terrible, truly horrible business, and a course of action that even supposedly irresponsible political leaders take only after deep consideration of all the alternatives. If you want to find the most genuinely anti-war sentiments, look no further than any group of veterans, who’ve seen first hand what it entails. But that doesn’t mean that those same people will all oppose a war in all circumstances.
I have to say that I suspect the vast majority of servicemen probably do agree with the government’s decision on this one, for they have almost certainly asked themselves the same questions I’ve asked myself - (but, it would seem, that many of the anti-war camp have not): what are the alternatives? The sad fact is, for twelve years now, the UN has tried all the ‘civilised’ alternatives with this particular despot and the countries calling for sanctions to continue have been pilloried, mostly by the very same people who demonstrated last Saturday when these measures ‘have led to the deaths of countless Iraqi children’.
None of these protestors ever seem to ask how it is that Saddam Hussein can afford to run (and, at considerable expense, hide) costly weapons programmes, but can’t afford basic health care for his people. (And if there’s anyone out there who honestly believes he hasn’t got them, read on: ”Honourable Sir, Greetings and felicitations. I was a cabinet minister in the last Nigerian Government and I have 300 million dollars in a Swiss bank account that I cannot access without an overseas bank account. You can have 20% of this money as commission if you will allow me to use your bank account. Just send me all your bank account details.”
And as for the ‘peace’ protestor who allegedly spat on the Digger? As hard as you might find it to come to terms with the fact, the only reason you live in a society where such disgusting, anti-social behaviour is tolerated is that men like the man or woman you spat on were (and continue to be) willing to put their lives on the line to defend that society.
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Hmmmmmm
I'm currently reading a new biography of "Churchill".
Blair and Howard must have done the same.
But in any event, it is a fact that for every conflict that has taken place since polls were invented there have always been around 50 % who don't agree or who don't want to engage in war.
Probably not a bad thing overall, lest we would tend to make ourselves extinct.
But at the end of the day when there is no alternative other than to live on your knees, the human spirit inevitably rises up.
Where it has been beaten out of a part of our civilisation we have no alternative but to go help them stand up and support them for as long as it is necessary to become self sufficient.
I'm currently reading a new biography of "Churchill".
Blair and Howard must have done the same.
But in any event, it is a fact that for every conflict that has taken place since polls were invented there have always been around 50 % who don't agree or who don't want to engage in war.
Probably not a bad thing overall, lest we would tend to make ourselves extinct.
But at the end of the day when there is no alternative other than to live on your knees, the human spirit inevitably rises up.
Where it has been beaten out of a part of our civilisation we have no alternative but to go help them stand up and support them for as long as it is necessary to become self sufficient.
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Many serving members of the ADF probably do agree with a military course of action. This may be because many of them have access to information which is still not widely known by the public.
Very few of them however, would be relishing the idea of spending a protracted period of time away from their families and other loved ones. If the war goes ahead, we can expect significant numbers of casualties (physical and psychological). Wouldn't it be better if these service men and women had the support of the poulation.
By all means, express opinions. That is what our democracy is about, and what previous generations of serving members have fought and died for. But to personally insult and assault individuals is nothing more than disgusting and shameful.
Very few of them however, would be relishing the idea of spending a protracted period of time away from their families and other loved ones. If the war goes ahead, we can expect significant numbers of casualties (physical and psychological). Wouldn't it be better if these service men and women had the support of the poulation.
By all means, express opinions. That is what our democracy is about, and what previous generations of serving members have fought and died for. But to personally insult and assault individuals is nothing more than disgusting and shameful.
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I think Hugh Jarse was spot on in his last sentence. Those protesters/peace activists
would be the first ones in the event of an invasion to point there finger at the service men and women and say "why didn't you stop this from happening"
They are truly sad people.
would be the first ones in the event of an invasion to point there finger at the service men and women and say "why didn't you stop this from happening"
They are truly sad people.
Well this was first posted on Thursday and its now Friday,has this so called 'peace activist been tried,found guilty and then hung or shot?
Also, I noticed some Australians are off to Iraq to act as human shields. If they survive the Allied Forces lets hope the general population makes them feel unwanted and traitors to their nation.
hoss
Also, I noticed some Australians are off to Iraq to act as human shields. If they survive the Allied Forces lets hope the general population makes them feel unwanted and traitors to their nation.
hoss
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This little item is doing the rounds within the ADF at the momentl. It refers to "Soldiers" but applies equally to sailors and airmen as well.
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gave us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who gave us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organiser, who gave us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair trial.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Author
Father Denis Edward O’Brien USMC
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who gave us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who gave us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the campus organiser, who gave us freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to fair trial.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves under the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.
Author
Father Denis Edward O’Brien USMC
Last edited by Islander Jock; 21st Feb 2003 at 02:59.
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Isn't it amazing how these "peace marches" took place all over the world on the same day.
Its all orchestrated from one place freely accessable on the internet. And all these well meaning and not so well meaning people join in like sheep. Oh well most have nothing else to do on Sunday.
Its all orchestrated from one place freely accessable on the internet. And all these well meaning and not so well meaning people join in like sheep. Oh well most have nothing else to do on Sunday.
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Wings Of Fury, I forgot to add......
They would be the first to embrace our Servicemen and women in times of natural disaster when the troops are sent in to help save the day.
And more appropriately, when we experience our first terrorist attack on the mainland and the military are sent in to help out as well as maintain law and order.
How can they do it for the money??
And more appropriately, when we experience our first terrorist attack on the mainland and the military are sent in to help out as well as maintain law and order.
How can they do it for the money??
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the only reason you live in a society where such disgusting, anti-social behaviour is tolerated is that men like the man or woman you spat on were (and continue to be) willing to put their lives on the line to defend that society.
BW
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Hoss; In time if war (formally declared that is) the actions of the 'human shields' would be considered as
'giving aid and comfort to the enemy'
which technically could be viewed as Treason.
But do these people really believe that their presence would stop any bombardment?????
'giving aid and comfort to the enemy'
which technically could be viewed as Treason.
But do these people really believe that their presence would stop any bombardment?????
Exactly, Tinstaffl
.
Pinky, yep certainly they would be considered 'Traitor's'. Perhaps they believe that human shielding will stop the Allied Forces. I wonder how many will still be there after the first bombardment 'takes a few of them out'. Also I wonder how they will go when the Allies start fighting the Iraqi's in the streets of Baghdad.
I think it would be Deja Vu if when the Traitor Human Shields return to Australia they should be spat on/punished and generally made to feel unwelcome. Perhaps made to go through the Immigration process (detention centres) inorder to return?
I think that one of the blokes off Big Brother is over there (gordon), goes to show how smart he is .
Safe flying, hoss
.Pinky, yep certainly they would be considered 'Traitor's'. Perhaps they believe that human shielding will stop the Allied Forces. I wonder how many will still be there after the first bombardment 'takes a few of them out'.
Also I wonder how they will go when the Allies start fighting the Iraqi's in the streets of Baghdad.I think it would be Deja Vu if when the Traitor Human Shields return to Australia they should be spat on/punished and generally made to feel unwelcome. Perhaps made to go through the Immigration process (detention centres) inorder to return?
I think that one of the blokes off Big Brother is over there (gordon), goes to show how smart he is
.Safe flying, hoss