8 replies to this topic

[taita cakes]

On this day, the 25th of April, we remember and commemorate those fallen, those fallen of the ANZACS, the Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Those who gave their lives to secure the way in which we live in right now. Those who lost their lives in the fatal beach landing at Gallipoli, an Australiasian and European equivilant of D'day. Those who actually made it up the steep and rugged cliff faces only to be locked into fierce trench battles for the coming months.

And to those who are still serving our nation to this day. Although not as brave and reknowned as the old Diggers and their slouch-hats, they have served in peace-keeping missions around the world. Granting independance to East Timor, playing mine-clearing roles in Afghanistan and the many undisclosed roles they are playing right now in Iraq. Whether or not it is in our best interests to be there, whether or not they match up to the past generation of Australian and New Zealand soldiers, we respect them and commemorate the long since dead, captured or missing.

[Oroku Saki]

I think it's pretty cool hearing about other troops out there helping make the world better. I have a lot of respect for our troops in the US (I even have a few friends in the National Guard), but I rarely hear anything about the military in other countries. Thanks for helping bring this to light for others, Taita. There are many military divisions who do not get the recognition they truly deserve.

[taita cakes]

well, its a western world which most of us live in, we dont often here much about the other breaking news, unless there are otherwise several dead or a zany darwin award potential story.

My best recommendation for the recognition they deserve is the Spanish and Japanese and such, for withdrawing from iraq...

[Oroku Saki]

I wish that the US could withdraw from Iraq as well, and focus their military on more important areas in the world for the war on terrorism. I feel that our president decided to go to war with Iraq mainly for the oil, instead of the "legitimate" reasons they tried to pitch to the UN.

[Vintage]

I wish that the US could withdraw from Iraq as well, and focus their military on more important areas in the world for the war on terrorism. I feel that our president decided to go to war with Iraq mainly for the oil, instead of the "legitimate" reasons they tried to pitch to the UN.

Oroku_Saki, Osama bin Laden released a message to the political leaders of the world stating that he would not attack any countries that withdrew from Iraq and attacked the US. Should we give in to these kind of threats? Do you really think that our president doesn't care about these threats?

We are fighting terrorists, not oil prices.

~Vintage

[Oroku Saki]

You have a good point there, Vintage. I wish this whole situation could just go away, but looking at reality, the US is at a point where it is too dangerous to pull out anyway. We do need to stand our ground there until the dust finally settles. My main problem with the situation is the reasoning for us going to war there in the first place. I am all for the elimination of terrorism, but I think that our government should make better decisions on where military action should be taken, and weigh in the possible consequences. The main reason that the US told the UN they were going to war with Iraq is to find their weapons of mass destruction, which I have yet to hear any reports of them being found in Iraq.

But, looking at Osama's threat about Iraq, maybe we are indeed starting to tread on the terrorist's weak spots. I guess we'll have to find out.

Edited by Oroku_Saki, 26 April 2004 - 11:47 AM.

[Vintage]

The main reason that the US told the UN they were going to war with Iraq is to find their weapons of mass destruction, which I have yet to hear any reports of them being found in Iraq.

I know, and it seems like there might not have been any WMD's there. I do hate it when our supposedly supreme national intelligence fails.

However, I do believe that the reason we are there in Iraq is not a selfish one. Osama's threat comforts me that what we are doing is right. I only wish we had a better operation in Afghanistan and the nut over there was taken care of.

Yes, Taita_Cakes, it is good to respect the courage of all military. And Australia certainly deserves that respect. Thank you for the time you put into this thread.

~Vintage

[taita cakes]

hey, its not like i have anything better to do, i couldnt be bothered getting up for the dawn service anyway, i had basketball training, [no, not at dawn, but close to]

Oroku_Saki, Osama bin Laden released a message to the political leaders of the world stating that he would not attack any countries that withdrew from Iraq and attacked the US. Should we give in to these kind of threats? Do you really think that our president doesn't care about these threats?

Can you really trust a man who killed what was it, 3000 men and women on the last count, for a coupla chicks in heaven.

Why these guys honestly strap themselves up in explosives and maim and kill others is beyond me.

If they are that stupid and devoted, they deserve to die an "honourable death".

Edited by taita_cakes, 27 April 2004 - 06:43 AM.

[Oroku Saki]

But, looking at Osama's threat about Iraq, maybe we are indeed starting to tread on the terrorist's weak spots. I guess we'll have to find out.

As I have said here, it seems that there is becoming a better reason for the US to stay in Iraq. If Osama is trying to convince other countries to get out of there, it means that he wants fewer troops in Iraq screwing up terrorism plans. This seems to be an indication that Osama really doesn't want anyone there. If we stand our ground, I believe that it is possible that we could cripple Al-Queda, or at least other major terrorist activity there.

Also, I have been watching the news lately, and the current firefights have been in an area where a suspected insurgent leader is hiding. Our intelligence has failed a few times before, but it was able to track down and capture Saddam. I just hope that this battle will turn out for the best.

Vintage, thank you for helping clear up this issue for me.

Edited by Oroku_Saki, 27 April 2004 - 09:46 AM.