Author: Kev

Retired infantry officer. Conservative by nature and politics; Happily married and father and grandfather of eight. Loves V8 powered Range Rovers, Golden Retrievers, good books and technology and think there should be open season on Greenies. Born in the mid forties and overdue for servicing but most parts still work.

Armistice Day

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On Friday I represented Legacy at Tradelink, a commercial enterprise mainly involved with plumbing. They have a couple of hundred stores around Australia all administered from their Brisbane HQ. Once a month the staff have a theme day, dress up and generally have a good time while collecting for a nominated charity. This intiative comes from the top but is clearly supported from the ground floor. Friday being Armistice day the theme was the service and sacrifice of servicemen over our history. I was there all booted and spured with polished medals and regimental tie and was escorted around by two delightful ladies dressed as nurses, complete with make-up scars. One section had turned their office space into 4077 MASH with people dressed as BJ, Honeycut, Radar, ‘Hot Lips’ Hooligan and yes, there was a Cpl Klinger. He did it so well and had the panache to carry it off. One young man had his grandfathers medals, with history and a young woman had a huge library of 1942 newspapers and Time magazines recovered from under the linoleum when she recarpeted. Entire sections were given over to military themes with militaria, badges, flags, posters, news clippings, model soldiers and equipment. What impressed me was the respectful way I was treated. Not me personally, of course, but what I represented. Everyone I met knew what Legacy does and they gave generously – almost $500, a sum that will be matched one-for-one by the GM. They spoke respectfully of service and sacrifice and nearly all had a story to tell of their family member who had died or served. It bouyed me and reaffirmed my faith in the Australian people. No politics, just thanks and I thank them in return. Not for the money, although it is appreciated, but for their smiles, handshakes, appreciative comments about Legacy and service and just for taking us seriously. Armistice Day is always sad for me – I’ve buried too many friends for it not to be so, but this one was all the better for my having visited Tradelink.
General Musings

Dana Vale backs the wrong horse again.

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Dana Vale is starting to lose me. First she comes up with the crazy idea of a Gallipoli Theme Park on the Mornington Peninsular and now she’s wants Hicks brought back from Guantonamo Bay.
Former veterans affairs minister Danna Vale said today she had asked Prime Minister John Howard to lobby US President George W Bush for Hicks’ release. She says the Australian’s rights are being denied.
If she had half a brain she would’ve realized her faux pas when Hicks senior and Bob Brown agreed.
Hicks’ father Terry and Greens Senator Bob Brown say they hope Ms Vale’s comments will lead to public support for his release from other Coalition MPs.
I can understand Hicks senior going along with it but if I ever said something that Bob Brown agreed with I’d book myself in for retraining Dana Vale might like to consider that option as well. I’m sure glad she isn’t running Veteran Affairs any more. Marvelous, isn’t it? One second rate back bencher makes a comment and it’s all over the news with Howard and/or Downer having to waste time and say no! It’s not happening……remember, we said so before…..nothing has changed. Back in your box. Meanwhile from the UK comes bad news for Hicks and good news for the rest of us.
War on Terror

Back on net

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Brought myself a Toshiba laptop and set it up on my home network. Set up the old desktop to transfer all the data over….went to press start and the HD decided to take a break. Result. Three days to get back on line and I still have to recover the old data. There goes my Saturday. Bloody computers! Tonight some Brisbane bloggers are meeting at the Brekkie Creek to celebrate the demise of Whitlam’s circus. Come along if you’re up to it but I would hope the BLF pick another pub for the night. About sixish.
General Musings

Chemical stockpile led to raids

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NSW and Victorian police have made arrests preempting a terrorist attack. I’ve just watched the news conference and had to smile at the journalists repeated questioning aimed at getting Commissioner Moroney to say Howard forced the police hand by his statement about possible, imminent terrorist attacks. Please say Howard forced your hand. Please say Howard was wrong. Please…pretty please! The Commissioner didn’t bite.
Nine men have been charged in Melbourne with terrorism related offences and seven were being held in Sydney after a joint counter-terrorism strike in the two states this morning.
Cleric arrested as well
ONE of the nine men arrested in anti-terrorism raids across Melbourne overnight was the outspoken Melbourne Muslim cleric Abu Bakr, his lawyer said today.
Residents shocked at terror raids in South west Sydney
Residents of Renown Avenue, Wiley Park, described their shock at being woken by armed police raiding a single-storey brick home nearby.
And predictably, a junior journalist was dispatched to find someone who thought they were good people.
Ms Beyrouthy said she believed several families lived in the raided home, and she had often seen them in the street. “I am surprised (about the raid),” she said. “I see a lot of people in there (and) they’re very good people. “We’ve never had any problems with them.”
TREASURER Peter Costello has indicated last week’s amendment to federal anti-terrorism laws was directly related to raids today on homes in Sydney and Melbourne targeting terrorist suspects. AFP confirms 15 held after raids Commissioner Moroney says ‘Someone has been shot at Green Valley’ The SMH has a link Man shot in western Sydney The Age obviously made a typo when they let this positive Howard statement through
Victoria Police chief commissioner Christine Nixon said the raids were connected to comments last week by Prime Minister John Howard regarding a “specific” terror threat.
But manage to quote a lawyer to balance the issue and reflect The Age’s point of view;
However, a lawyer acting for six people in Sydney described the prosecutions as “political and a great shame on this country”.
I think you will find the public will describe the prosecutions as a positive step in the war against terror and will feel just a bit of pride and relief in that our political leaders had the sense to amend laws to allow police to act prior to the event rather than have to play catchup after Australians have been killed. I particularly like the fact that Abu Bakr was also arrested. Altogether a good mornings work. We should thank the police and the politicians who had the stamina to pursue the terror bills passage through parliament inspite of all the left wing carping.
War on Terror

SAS soldier killed in Mid-east

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DEVELOPING STORY: An Australian soldier serving in the elite special forces has been killed in a training accident in the Middle East, Defence said today. More as it comes to hand. UPDATE: From the Defence Media Centre
One of Australia’s most experienced special forces soldiers Warrant Officer Class 2 David Russell Nary, from the Special Air Service Regiment, was killed yesterday as a result of an accident that occurred during a training activity.
WO Nary had served for almost 25 years, experience that we can ill afford to lose.
Warrant Officer Nary was an extremely popular soldier with a wealth of special forces experience. He enlisted in the Australian Defence Force in 1981 and served as an infantry soldier in 8/9 Royal Australian Regiment, and 11/28 Royal Western Australia Regiment prior to joining the Special Air Service Regiment in 1989.
He had already served in three overseas rotations and was training for deployment in Iraq when the vehicle accident happened.
Warrant Officer Nary served the nation on operations in the Sinai, East Timor and Afghanistan. He was a professional and dedicated soldier. His experience, leadership and significant achievements within the Regiment were recognised in January this year when he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 2.
Rest in peace soldier, your duty done. UPDATE: This is the second time that Naomi Nary has been widowed
It was a second tragic blow for Naomi Nary, who married the long-serving soldier after her first husband, SAS Corporal Gordon “Dutchy” Holland, was killed in a training accident in Perth in 1993. That first tragedy happened soon after the couple returned from their honeymoon.
Tragic.
War on Terror

Raffle funds ‘used to pay teachers’

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From the Australian… Of the 331 Victorian principals who responded to the Australian Education Union (AEU) survey, 87 per cent said funds raised by the schools through events like fetes were seen to be very important or important. Fair enough. I used to be involved in school committees and helped raise a lot of money for additional equipment but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine we could raise enough to pay teacher salaries. I still don’t but apparently in Victoria they do exactly that – according to the Australian Education Union.
And 55 per cent of principals said they used those funds to pay teacher and staff salaries.
With Victorian Teachers starting at $48k the raffles must be gold plated. At the local Catholic Ed school I know they net about $20k from the annual fete and I guess maybe they might get several thousand more from raffles but enough for a salary…I don’t think so. I just can’t help being cynical about the survey but I’m happy to be corrected if I’m wrong. Anyone?
Politics

The Last Cavalry Charge

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Beersheba Australian Cavalrymen in Iraq celebrate Beersheba Day and well they should as on 31 October 1917, Allied soldiers participated in what has been called the last Cavalary Charge. With bayonets drawn (in the absence of sabres) the Aussies charged Beersheba and routed the Turks and Germans. From lighthorse.org.au
1630: The 4th and 12th Australian Light Horse Regiments drew up behind a ridge. From the crest, Beerhseba was in full view. The course lay down a long, slight slope which was bare of cover. Between them and the town lay the enemy defences. The 4th was on the right; the 12th was on the left. They rode with bayonets in hand. Each drew up on a squadron frontage. Every man knew that only a wild, desperate charge could seize Beerhseba before dark. They moved off at the trot, deploying at once into artillery formation, with 5 metres between horsemen. Almost at once the pace quickened to a gallop. Once direction was given, the lead squadrons pressed forward. The 11th Australian Light Horse Regiment and the Yeomanry followed at the trot in reserve. The Turks opened fire with shrapnel. Machine guns fired against the lead squadrons. The Royal Horse Artillery got their range and soon had them out of action. The Turkish riflemen fired, horses were hit, but the charge was not checked. The Lighthorsemen drove in their spurs; they rode for victory and they rode for Australia. The bewildered enemy failed to adjust their sights and soon their fire was passing harmlessly overhead. The 4th took the trenches; the enemy soon surrendered. The 12th rode through a gap and on into the town. Their was a bitter fight. Some enemy surrendered; others fled and were pursued into the Judean Hills. In less than an hour it was over; the enemy was finally beaten.
 The Lighthorsemen drove in their spurs; they rode for victory and they rode for Australia. I like that.
Defence

Poor Bloody Infantrymen

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Scared to shoot back, British troops feel the stress.
LONDON: British troops in Iraq are suffering levels of battle stress not experienced since World War II, army doctors have warned, because of fears that if they shoot a suspect insurgent, they will face court.
That’s what happens when the government continually caves into the Left-leaning press. What a great bonus for the terrorists. Whenever one of theirs are killed they simply wind up the Western press who agitate for a trial of their own soldiers.
One source said: “There doesn’t appear to be any overt consideration or understanding of the pressures our soldiers are under. The unpopularity of the Iraq war at home and a belief that firing their rifles in virtually any circumstances is likely to see them end up in court are sapping morale.
Imagine, if during WW2 each and every Bomber Command pilot was charged and tried with murder after raids over Germany or Pte Smith on the Kokoda Track was charged because he killed a Jap before reading him his rights. Beggars belief!
War on Terror

Pirates or Terrorists?

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The plot thickens with the ‘Piracy’ against the cruise ship Seabourn Spirit now being described as a possible ‘Terrorist” attack.
AN unexploded missile is embedded in an accommodation unit after a possible terrorist attack off the east African coast, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has said today.
As well as missiles, the pirate/terrorists have RPGs and machineguns in their armoury.
The passengers on the US-owned Seabourn Spirit were woken by machinegun fire and a rocket-propelled grenade crashing into the vessel at dawn on Saturday about 160km off the coast of the lawless nation of Somalia.
My money’s on terrorists. A full armoury suggests an infrastructure that too date, hasn’t been a signature of pirates. UPDATE: Rueters report the missile is actually a rocket propelled grenade (RPG)
An unexploded rocket-propelled grenade remained on a U.S.-owned cruise ship after the vessel escaped an attack by pirates in the Indian Ocean over the weekend, Australia’s foreign minister said on Monday. “An unexploded rocket … is embedded in some of the passenger accommodation of the ship,” said Downer.
It’s actually a grenade but rocket or grenade…whatever, it’s still dangerous.
War on Terror
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