I hate war as only a soldier can
ARMISTICE ANNIVERSARY
ON Sunday we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War 1 in which millions died. Australians and New Zealanders were among the first to volunteer and after the debacle in the Dardanelles where the tradition of Anzac was born were sent to France and Belgium where an even worse hell awaited them. Australian and Canadian shock troops turned the tide in Europe in 1918 due to fighting spirit and brilliant commanders. Outstanding among the generals was Sir John Monash. At the same time the legendary Australian Light Horse Brigades led by General Harry Chauvel were instrumental in defeating the Turks and Germans in the Middle East. Australians were therefore involved in shortening the conflict, saving lives on both sides.
We mourned the dead, over 3000 in Tasmania and 60,000 Australia-wide. As highlighted by the story of Percy Aherne ( Mercury, November 7), thousands were wounded physically and mentally, their loved ones suffering with them for years. At the end of another world war, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the invasion of Europe, which freed it from Nazi tyranny in the West, said: “I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality and its stupidity”. tears shed by parents, children, wives, and lovers have long since dried on their cheeks, but the stain on the human spirit remains deeply embedded. Is it not time for us to commemorate all victims of war, no matter which side they served?
Sacrificed to ideology
IN support of William Briggs’ article on militarisation (Talking Point, October 31), it seems we are being blitzed by a propaganda machine softening us up for another war. There has been a barrage of emotional manipulation about heroism, patriotism and self-sacrifice. The old tribal mentality of suspecting one’s neighbours is being stirred up by those who don’t have to risk their own lives. After every war, personnel return traumatised, unable to settle, and inadequately compensated. War is the ultimate anti-social act. Wars are not fought to protect the nation but to further the interests of sociopaths with no concern for human suffering. The real battle is to stop governments from sacrificing another generation to their ideology of profiteering from manufactured threats.
If you want peace, face the truth. mander Allied Expeditionary Force, told the men under his command: “You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.”
It is difficult to imagine security in a free world without weapons and men — and now women — prepared to use these weapons in defence of freedom.
Off-the-shelf subs
AS we approach the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day it’s time this country reevaluated its rearmament program. The French Naval Group building our next generation of 12 attack submarines are playing hardball on conformance-liability, sheeting it home to Australia. Not surprising, given we requested they reverse engineer state-of-the-art nuclear-powered Barracudas into diesel/electric subs with a $50 billion price tag, probably closer to $100 billion over 30 years. Time to approach America for off-the-shelf Los Angeles or Virginia class submarines that can stay submerged. Our refined liquid fuels all come from Singapore so this compounds the situation in a regional conflict. Diesel subs must snorkel to breathe, exposing them to geosat pinpointing.
Cricket noise
I WONDER how many people don’t go to the cricket because of the incessant banging of the blow-up tubes, given to every child? I have been told that the kids are enjoying themselves, but at what cost?
Read the meters
TO everyone who complains about parking meters in Hobart, there are instructions for operations clearly written on each and every one of them. Don’t blame the meters, blame the obvious epidemic of public illiteracy gripping the town.
Veteran disorder
PLANELOAD of vets all in priority line. Who gets on first? Most medals, least medals, oldest, youngest, male, female, no gender, highest rank, lowest rank. Captain spends the whole trip to voice accolades to passengers. Argument starts as to who gets priority exit when plane lands. So who is out of plane first? The flight crew, silly.
Kudelka does it again
ANOTHER cut-to-the-chase cartoon by Kudelka about “Malbena project raises noise fears” ( Mercury, November 7).
Electing a woman
WHO said the Liberals could not get a woman elected in the safe seat of Wentworth?