[FatBoy]

Sorry to correct you, UM, but if the deployment is 6 months or more then they do get two weeks at home during that deployment. It is called ROCL (not sure what it stands for). Single people could take the equivalent airfare and fly to Europe for a break.

[Ugly Mongrel]

Trev, thanks for your post.

Firstly, let me say my opinions are in no way influenced by where I work or by those I work with. In fact, I have very little contact with military personnel in my role.

Secondly, my post was intended to convey my opinion that the current influx of refugees is a direct result of Australia's involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In other words, we are partly to blame for what is happening now.  Just look at how many Iraqui and Afghani refugees were coming to Australia BEFORE our invasion of their countries.

Now to answer your question, Trev.

We became involved in both conflicts because of our alliance with the USA.

All true as posted but I think we need to go back further to assess this a bit more. The "why" I was referring to included the US, Britain etc.
And as to them not coming before, I'd like to know more about the opportunities thay had to do so (or not).

Sorry, Trev, I thought you meant Oz.

In my opinion, the reason "we" invaded and bombed the crap out of Iraq (without UN approval) was because of George Bush's ego. His daddy may have bloodied Sadam's nose in the first Gulf war, but he never delivered the KO punch. George and let George int do that.

I saw a documentary where Colin Powell actually admitted that most of the "intelligence photos" from his famous UN presentation were false. Australia, along with the rest of the nations who invaded Iraq were duped.

As far as why more Iraqis and Afghanis now than before our invasions of their countries, I can't see any reason why it would be easier for refugees to leave "now" rather than "then"

[Ugly Mongrel]

Sorry to correct you, UM, but if the deployment is 6 months or more then they do get two weeks at home during that deployment. It is called ROCL (not sure what it stands for). Single people could take the equivalent airfare and fly to Europe for a break.

I am aware of that, Jamie,  as I had a son who served as in Iraq in the RAAF.  But I also know that the recent press about single defence force personnel not being given free trips relates to members within Australia, not deployed members.

[Doggie 1]

Sorry to correct you, UM, but if the deployment is 6 months or more then they do get two weeks at home during that deployment. It is called ROCL (not sure what it stands for). Single people could take the equivalent airfare and fly to Europe for a break.

I am aware of that, Jamie,  as I had a son who served as in Iraq in the RAAF.  But I also know that the recent press about single defence force personnel not being given free trips relates to members within Australia, not deployed members.

If that is the case, then it is bad but not as bad as I thought.
However, everything I have been hearing about it indicated that it also relates to overseas deployment.
It would be good to clarify that.

[Phil №❶]

UM, db08,

I wonder if it will rain tomorrow 

[Doggie 1]

Not sure, but I heard that the sky might fall in. 

[Phil №❶]

Not sure, but I heard that the sky might fall in. 

 

[Ugly Mongrel]

UM, db08,

I wonder if it will rain tomorrow 

Impossible! We have a Carbon tax now.

[rustynutz]

[rustynutz]

Sorry about that, that video just took my fancy....any similarities to "our" Julia are purely coincidental...   

[Doggie 1]

That was, er, different.

[Ugly Mongrel]

That was, er, different.

That was, er, stupid.

[rustynutz]