Australia Reinforcing Disaster!

Major General Alan Stretton, the Australian Army No 1 man during the Vietnam War, warned Prime Minister Howard that by sending another 450 soldiers to Iraq, when other countries are pulling out, the politician would be reinforcing disaster.

Stretton considered the decision to deploy more troops was irresponsible, and forecast another Vietnam debacle for Australia. He added:

"I was taught that you never reinforce disaster, and that's what the government is doing. We had the same policy in Vietnam. The idea was when the war started to go against you, you put a bit more in. Look where that ended up. This will go the same way."

Challenging Howard’s assertion that the proposed despatch of more troops has been in response to Japan’s request to protect the latter's non-combat troops there, many political analysts stated that Britain and the US, desperate because of the Coalition of the Willing is fast becoming the Coalition of the Dwindling in Iraq, have collaborated to politically ambush Australia, and twisted arms to make her accede to the military top-up.

70% of Australians are against Howard’s intention.

Sensitive New Age Samurais!

Amazing! It seems the Emperor’s soldiers, once dreaded throughout Asia for their fierce and fanatical devotion to duty, are now fearful of being deployed in Iraq. Mind you, I would be too.

Experts have stated that these Japanese soldiers have found risking their lives in Iraq very stressful (and why wouldn't it be!), hence have been subjected to depression, leading to many suicides. The Japan Defence Agency admitted that the suicide rate among Japanese soldiers is at its highest point ever.

They are only human and I sympathise with them and share their fears.

But this newly revealed attitude does show that the modern day samurais of Nippon aren’t like their forefathers, who would even refuse to surrender unless ordered by their personal commanders.

Thank God for their new sensitive feelings. I prefer them like this than what my parents, grandparents, relatives and family friends had experienced.

KTemoc Konsiders starts today!

Today, on 01 March 2005 I commence blogging on my own site. I am fairly new to blogging, having only cut my teeth at BolehTalk in the last 4 months. There, I was provided with the opportunity to learn, understand and practise this art.

I thank Mr X, the founder and owner of BolehTalk who invited me last year to join him there, to enjoy a new hobby. I must now learn to shoulder responsibility for administering my own blogsite, a task that have been until now looked after very well by Mr X. I know I still have a lot to learn. Any tips from anyone on any blogging aspects will be most welcome.

I would like to also thank Dave, another colleague on BolehTalk. His quality articles have provided me with guidance.

I have decided to start a blog of my own for two principal reasons:

(1) I feel that the best way to learn about blogging quickly would be for me to administer the site by myself, and exploit the inevitable mistakes into useful lessons learnt;

(2) As those of you have realized from reading my postings on BolehTalk, I have basically a left leaning political proclivity, though from time to time, I do zip to the centre or even slightly to the right. I feel with my own site I may indulge in my brand of international and domestic affairs without embarrassing or compromising my colleagues at BolehTalk, who have been very patient to me.

I look forward to meaningful discussions, and don’t forget, please continue to support BolehTalk.