Very thought provoking! The sad thing is that you could be talking about either side. No-one can take the moral high ground.

Posted: Aug 27, 2008

While that is true, at least in your Country people get to vote out goverments which they feel are not doing as they wish.

The trouble seems to be in convincing governments that their business is their own country and no-one elses, no matter how financially rewarding it might be to disregard this truth.

Try not to hate the soldiers, for the most part they are people who don't have a lot of marketable skills, seeking employment.

Here in Australia, people generally are able to support the Troops while disagreeing with the War.

Of course Australian troops tend to fulfil their role in a different way and their Mission has a lot to do with winning hearts and minds and making good destruction, so it is easier for our people to be accepting and supportive of them.

Perhaps you can find something positive that you can contribute to disadvantaged people, which will make you feel as though you have done something (no matter how small) to try and redress the balance.

Kind regards,
Susan

Posted: Aug 28, 2008

I thought that you might be interested to know that our previous Prime Minister John HOWARD took us into Iraq, against popular opinion, because he regarded President BUSH as his very good friend! Apparently Tony BLAIR the U.K. Prime Minister felt the same way.

We have quite good reserves of our own oil, East Timor and Indonesia, our near neighbours, also have oil, and we are constantly researching alternatives.

I don't mean to be offensive when I say that it constantly surprises me that Americans, a people who value education so highly, know so little of countries and cultures other than their own.

Our ABC (Australian Broadcasting Commission)broadcasts are downloaded by a very large number of people in America, so perhaps some people are trying to broaden their horizons.

I certainly don't support murder and torture and was astounded when America changed it's policy on the latter. However, while individuals are ultimately responsible for their actions, I believe that when either is committed by troops it is only because they feel that it is somehow sanctioned or ignored by their system.

While I sense despair in your comments, I repeat what I said earlier, take heart from the fact that you live in a country where you are able to vote out governments that you don't agree with.

Kindest regards,
Susan

Posted: Aug 28, 2008

This may sound amazingly old fashioned but I was speaking of Radio National. Our ABC has excellent programs on Radio National, all day every day with World News on the hour every hour. Take a look at http://www.abc.net.au/radio/ then click on the Radio National option.

Given your age you will probably prefer the TripleJ option, which by the way, had an interesting programme of American Troops music (really exceptional stuff)recorded by an Australian. You might be surprised by the comment and emotions expressed by your fellow countrymen and women in Iraq. By now it is probably in the Archives, if you care to look.

I enjoy RN so much I even wear earphones at the Gym so that I won't miss anything!

Kind regards,
Susan

Posted: Aug 28, 2008

wow!!! your right they will kill,cheat and steal all for personal gain. theres no one to trust anymore. and they wont stop untill theres nothing left. and the pic... made me tear up

Posted: Sep 12, 2008