2 more Australian soldiers killed. What strategy?

Two more Australian soldiers are dead in Afghanistan.

That is 3 in a short time; along with more wounded. Rather than start with the bare facts, the war-cheerleaders in the news media start out the piece by stating how the Prime Minister states Australia is committed to the mission in Afghanistan. Is “Australia” really all for Operation: USELESS DIRT? I’m not so sure. Certainly both the mainstream war parties are for the mission. The troops do what they are told and carry out the mission to the best of their ability; even if the strategy is grossly flawed.

“One Digger was murdered and another killed in a chopper crash in a black day for the Australian army in Afghanistan.

The first death occurred at a forward operating base in the Baluchi-Chora Valley when a rogue Afghan national army solider shot dead an Australian lance-corporal as they performed guard duty together.

The second, from Victoria, was badly wounded and later died from his injuries after an Australian army CH-47 Chinook helicopter crashed in Zabul Province. The victim was a qualified helicopter pilot, but had not been flying the chopper when it crashed.”

Vietnam: just on a different scale. Pakistan (Laos and Cambodia for the historian) is also not secure. It is pretty hard to win hearts and minds of a tribal society. It is even more difficult when the mission provides no valid security for Australia. For instance, 911, the reason to get into this mess, was caused by poor U.S. visa control and poor airline and airport security. The initial reason to go to Afghanistan as stated by the then U.S. President was to get Osama. That mission is over.

How many troops is our brave Prime Minister willing to sacrifice for a fool’s errand?

It is rather interesting that Houston just testified to the validity of Australia’s involvement in this war. Maybe at least if someone is going to be running this side-show then they need real Army experience? Sorry, but the political war hawks along with Houston, don’t give me the confidence of being war leaders.

I don’t think Houston has a grasp on the lack of quality of the Afghan security forces.

Then there is the issue of nation building. Why would I or anyone else want to contribute any money to a society that thinks child molestation is a sport?

Australia does not have any war leaders. This is unfortunate for our soldiers that ultimately pay for strategic folly. Just because they rightly volunteer to defend our country does not give the executive leadership the right to misuse them. It would be nice to see this discussion explored in the public. Maybe by doing that, we can save some lives.