Comments on: Australians End Combat Role In Iraq

Troops To Return Within Weeks, Fulfilling Campaign Pledge By Australia's New Prime Minister

[jackie0428]

CerberusII, how many of your Aussies were lost in Iraq total so far? 5? 10? OK, the correct number is 2. TWO. Just 2. Heck, more Americans die from falling in the shower accidents each month in Iraq than THAT. Two, compared to over 4000 Americans. All of us know the so-called "allies" have their forces in the least dangerous areas, while the Americans take on 99% of the dangerous missions. America is alone in this fight because they''re the only major country not only capable of doing this alone, but the only one who recognizes that this fight has to be fought and won now, or we''ll just have to send our kids back 20 years from now to do it. The USA is long used to fighting wars to help less capable countries such as France and Germany and Italy. I just thought the Australians were cut from a different and braver cloth. I guess I was wrong. It%u2019s a sad day when I even have to think of Australia and France in the same way. Oh, and by the way, mighty Bulgaria lost 13 men in Iraq, so looks like Bulgaria sacrificed 6 times what Australia did. Hang your head in shame, Aussies.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "Posted by FeelFreee4U at 01:49 AM"

Better, Mr. Totten.

At least you are showing a little creativity here.

[feelfreee4u]

My fellow readers, I''m sorry I lost my temper. I have to admit I was just released from prison recently on parole(wrongly convicted of crimes of a very personal nature), and this time in prison has made me lash out at people. I just wish that there wasn''t so much persecution of gay people. It really hurts my feelings.

[robertkjjj]

I''ve been reading CBS forums over a year, but the post a few minutes back by Jrew2008 takes the cake as Idiot of the Year post. Let''s all read it again together now: "It is wrong assumption that we made when we consider the Iraqi people as teariest. We should look to the facts:
The twin towers destroyed by Suidi.
Ibn Ladin is Suidi.
The car bombs in Iraq and the fitters are from Suidi people.
Australia took the correct decision. They realize the facts I hope they will be very wise to convince there Colleagues to leave the Iraqi people a lone to decide there destiny."
OK. This is 74 words, 9 of which are spelled wrong, and several more used incorrectly, which may be a record in itself. My favorite was "..when we consider the Iraqi people as teariest". Teariest? TEARIEST??? ***? Is that someone who weeps a lot? *** is this, the "Who Can Appear To Be the Biggest Dumba*ss in the World Contest?" Sheesh, can all you morons please use a spell checker? I know spelling is complex, but you make my brain hurt when you post such garbage.

[feelfree4u]

Clarification-

However, nobody as foolish and devoid of basic reasoning skills as yourself could possibly be an engineer.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "I''m a 49-yo Engineer..."

Nice try, Mr. Totten.

However, nobody as foolish and devoid of basic reasoning skills could possibly by an engineer.

Try again.

Join the fight, shut your maw, or consider yourself called out as a sniveling know-nothing coward, Mr. Totten.

[incog-nito]

Lost in the discussion (or name-calling) is why the "Coalition" members are pulling out, to the point where this looks like an exclusively U.S. operation. The end is nowhere in sight in Iraq, and things are not looking great in Afghanistan with the Taliban regrouping.

Perhaps the war supporters can help explain, without resorting to calling these former "Coalition" members cowards.

[feelfree4u]

Re: "For those who think that the Australian''''s Service in Iraq was merely "symbolic"..."

I don''t think that it was symbolic. I think that it was illegal, disgraceful, and self-defeating, but I have no doubt that it was plenty dangerous for all involved.

And of course the number of Australian soldiers there was never very significant as compared to those of various American agents.

[cerberusii]

To my Australians counterparts: "cheers!" it was a pleasure working side by side with you out here in the desert and your contributions and performance were remarkable. For those who think that the Australian''s Service in Iraq was merely "symbolic", I''d like to invite you (all expenses paid) to spend 30 days with us here in the sand box and ride along in our brand new MRAP''s or venture in an M1114 or M1117 on patrol, day or night. Run a couple of combat escort missions, cordon & search, mine clearing....etc...etc...and have a first hand experience on what direct & indirect fire sound like. Then, if you think that a Soldiers'' presence in a combat zone is purely ''symbolic'' Sir, I will reconsider my career in the service and dedicate my life to be a preacher or a politician since my presence anywhere, in that capacity, will not be of someone that represents the values of a nation but simply ''Symbolic''.

[ausus-2009]

As an American who has lived and worked in Australia, I would say that the comments of many show an ignorance of Australia, and the government in particular. It is interesting to note that not one Australian died in combat in Iraq, one died as a result of playing with his gun in the barracks. Having actually spoken to Australian soldiers who returned from Iraq, they told me it was worth it. The Australian Labor Party has a record of defying the Western Alliance. It was a reluctant entrant into World War II because of the alliance between Hitler and Stalin. During the Cold War, the Labor leader at the time got up in Parliament and quoted his friend Motolov. It tore itself apart then and over involvement in World War I. Yet every year Coral Sea Week is celebrated where the US and Australian fleets turned back a Japanese invasion of Australia. Iraq was a minor issue in the recent election in Australia. Inflation, interest rates and the cost of gasoline were greater issues. Rudd made promises on these which he now knows he cannot keep. All have got worse since he was elected.