ABBOTTS COMMENTS OFFENSIVE AND DEGRADING TO VETERANS
Tony Abbott's comparison of former Prime Minister Howard's Presidential Medal of Freedom
and Trooper Mark Donaldson's Victoria Cross is offensive.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin said today the comments highlight a fundamental lack
of understanding of the service and sacrifice of Australia's military and its veterans.
"While rightly lauding Trooper Donaldson, Tony Abbott has then sought to equate a Victoria
Cross awarded to a man who has shown supreme bravery under fire to save the lives of others
to the medal given to former Prime Minister Howard," Mr Griffin said.
"Such a comparison is offensive and degrading to those who put their lives on the line for our
country.
"You can have a legitimate debate about the merit of John Howard's award. However, Mr
Abbott's contention that political courage is a higher and rarer virtue than physical courage
suggests that he clearly sees Mr Howard's medal as superior to the Victoria Cross.
"The deeds required to be awarded a Victoria Cross are incomparable with the challenges of
political life.
"Mr Abbott must have a complete lack of understanding of what our veterans and their families
have given to this country, or the conditions under which they serve.
"I call on Malcolm Turnbull to ensure Mr Abbott apologises for his offensive comments and
comparisons. It is the least our servicemen and women and our veterans deserve," Mr Griffin
said.
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109The VVCS Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days aweek on
1800 011 046.To receive the Ministers media releases automatically by
email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
dave06 said
01:30 PM Mar 6, 2009
makes one wonder what these idiots would do if suddenly caught in a firefight, I dont think political speechmaking would help much with a military speck .223 round coming at them
JRH said
02:01 PM Mar 6, 2009
Well I reckon the only time a politician says anything remotely intelligent is when he passes wind.
On a slightly different tack, there is always a lot of talk about a soldiers bravery and the medals given for such actions and rightly so. Soldiers deseve all the accolades and awards they receive, but there are a handful of people who never rate a mention, who receive no public accolades or recognotion for their expolits during both war and peacetime, these are the people who do not exist, the covert operators who risk their lives to gather intel. Intel. which has on many occasions saved soldiers lives simply because it gave them an edge over the enemy.
So to all these men and women who have served our country so well, selflessly without any recognition I would just like to take this opportunity to say thankyou and well done.
John
xina said
05:27 PM Mar 6, 2009
Let's face it, Pollies just don't live in the REAL world. xina.
-- Edited by xina at 16:29, 2009-03-06
Road Ranger said
06:42 PM Mar 6, 2009
Hey Baz, no one gets out alive, their all wankers most of them should be put against the wall for treason, as thats whats been going on since year dot.
Road Ranger said
07:24 PM Mar 6, 2009
Road Ranger wrote:
Hey Baz, no one gets out alive, their all wankers most of them should be put against the wall for treason, as thats whats been going on since year dot.
SCHOOL -- 1957 vs. 2007 -- 1957 vs. 2007
-- 1957 vs. 2007
: Jack goes rabbit shooting before school, pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his rifle & chats with Jack about guns.
2007 - School goes into lock down, Star Force called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his ute or gun again.. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers. Scenario: Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it. Both children go to anger management programs for 3 months. School board hold meeting to impliment bullying prevention programs
Scenario: Robbie won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Robbie sent to office and given 6 of the best by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Robbie given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. Robbie's parents get fortnightly disability payments and School gets extra funding from state because Robbie has a disability.
Scenario: Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.
Scenario: Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark gets glass of water from Principal to take aspirin with.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons. Scenario : Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. AFRE files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English. Scenario : Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a bullant nest.
1957 - Ants die.
2007- Star Force, Federal Police & Anti-terrorism Squad called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, Feds investigate parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated. Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again. Scenario : Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
This should be sent to every e-mail address to show how stupid we have become! Think about it! Scenario
Cruising Granny said
09:27 PM Mar 6, 2009
Absolutely brilliant!!!
I was raised at the end of a long stick, and was seen and not heard.
I raised my children to have respect and think about the consequences of their actions on others. The slap was deserved. Not bashed, but reprimanded and slapped for failing to follow the rules.
They're not perfect, but they're alive and free, and really nice people, and parents.
Keep up the good work. Granny
mike and Judy said
06:03 PM Mar 7, 2009
Any wonder there are nomads wandering this country, we try to get away from all this absolutly unreal lifestyle of the cities,
and all the idiots who class themselves as DO_GOODERS
Wombat 280 said
07:03 PM Mar 9, 2009
I get rather P###ed off when pollies use vets to score points against each other, if both sides put as much time into assisting vets as they do scoring points off them then I could see some good coming out of Canberra rather than just hot air with odour
Cruising Granny said
10:35 PM Mar 9, 2009
I'm getting a great laugh from the Qld election ads.
Do they really think everyone is so stupid with their heads in a suburban bucket?
It really doesn't pay to underestimate the intelligence of the voters, it may come back to bite the pollies on the bum.
All I can say is I'm glad I don't have to vote, because it would be a really difficult descision. Idiot No. 1 or idiot No. 2? Choices. Mmmmm ........ PASS!
Nevertheless, the ads are really funny, and if the issues weren't so serious they could both take up comedy stand-up.
Every time they open their mouths they prove how really, really dumb they are.
Cheers Granny.
Rolly said
12:28 AM Mar 22, 2009
Cruising Granny wrote:
I'm getting a great laugh from the Qld election ads. Do they really think everyone is so stupid with their heads in a suburban bucket? .............
Not everyone, Granny, but a sufficiently large portion of the population to make a difference to the outcome.
Parliament House Canberra ACT 2602 Telephone 02 6277 7820 Facsimile 02 6273 4140
The Hon Alan Griffin MP
Minister for Veterans Affairs
VA004 Saturday, 24 January 2009
ABBOTTS COMMENTS OFFENSIVE AND DEGRADING TO VETERANSTony Abbott's comparison of former Prime Minister Howard's Presidential Medal of Freedom
and Trooper Mark Donaldson's Victoria Cross is offensive.
Minister for Veterans' Affairs Alan Griffin said today the comments highlight a fundamental lack
of understanding of the service and sacrifice of Australia's military and its veterans.
"While rightly lauding Trooper Donaldson, Tony Abbott has then sought to equate a Victoria
Cross awarded to a man who has shown supreme bravery under fire to save the lives of others
to the medal given to former Prime Minister Howard," Mr Griffin said.
"Such a comparison is offensive and degrading to those who put their lives on the line for our
country.
"You can have a legitimate debate about the merit of John Howard's award. However, Mr
Abbott's contention that political courage is a higher and rarer virtue than physical courage
suggests that he clearly sees Mr Howard's medal as superior to the Victoria Cross.
"The deeds required to be awarded a Victoria Cross are incomparable with the challenges of
political life.
"Mr Abbott must have a complete lack of understanding of what our veterans and their families
have given to this country, or the conditions under which they serve.
"I call on Malcolm Turnbull to ensure Mr Abbott apologises for his offensive comments and
comparisons. It is the least our servicemen and women and our veterans deserve," Mr Griffin
said.
Media inquiries: Laura Ryan 0437 863 109The VVCS Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service can be contacted 24 hours a day, seven days aweek on1800 011 046.To receive the Ministers media releases automatically by
email subscribe at minister.dva.gov.au/subscribe.htm
On a slightly different tack, there is always a lot of talk about a soldiers bravery and the medals given for such actions and rightly so. Soldiers deseve all the accolades and awards they receive, but there are a handful of people who never rate a mention, who receive no public accolades or recognotion for their expolits during both war and peacetime, these are the people who do not exist, the covert operators who risk their lives to gather intel. Intel. which has on many occasions saved soldiers lives simply because it gave them an edge over the enemy.
So to all these men and women who have served our country so well, selflessly without any recognition I would just like to take this opportunity to say thankyou and well done.
John
xina.
-- Edited by xina at 16:29, 2009-03-06
-- 1957 vs. 2007
-- 1957 vs. 2007
:Jack goes rabbit shooting before school,
pulls into school parking lot with rifle in gun rack.
1957 - Vice Principal comes over, looks at Jack's rifle, goes to his car and gets his rifle & chats with Jack about guns.
2007 - School goes into lock down, Star Force called, Jack hauled off to jail and never sees his ute or gun again.. Counsellors called in for traumatized students and teachers.
Scenario:
Johnny and Mark get into a fistfight after school.
1957 - Crowd gathers. Mark wins. Johnny and Mark shake hands and end up buddies.
2007 - Police called, arrests Johnny and Mark. Charge them with assault, both expelled even though Johnny started it. Both children go to anger management programs for 3 months. School board hold meeting to impliment bullying prevention programs
Scenario:
Robbie won't be still in class, disrupts other students.
1957 - Robbie sent to office and given 6 of the best by the Principal. Returns to class, sits still and does not disrupt class again.
2007 - Robbie given huge doses of Ritalin. Becomes a zombie. Tested for ADD. Robbie's parents get fortnightly disability payments and School gets extra funding from state because Robbie has a disability.
Scenario :
Billy breaks a window in his neighbor's car and his Dad gives him a whipping with his belt.
1957 - Billy is more careful next time, grows up normal, goes to college, and becomes a successful businessman.
2007 - Billy's dad is arrested for child abuse. Billy removed to foster care and joins a gang. State psychologist tells Billy's sister that she remembers being abused herself and their dad goes to prison.
Scenario :
Mark gets a headache and takes some aspirin to school.
1957 - Mark gets glass of water from Principal to take aspirin with.
2007 - Police called, Mark expelled from school for drug violations. Car searched for drugs and weapons.
Scenario :
Pedro fails high school English.
1957 - Pedro goes to summer school, passes English and goes to college.
2007 - Pedro's cause is taken up by state. Newspaper articles appear nationally explaining that teaching English as a requirement for graduation is racist. AFRE files class action lawsuit against state school system and Pedro's English teacher. English banned from core curriculum. Pedro given diploma anyway but ends up mowing lawns for a living because he cannot speak English.
Scenario :
Johnny takes apart leftover firecrackers from 4th of July, puts them in a model airplane paint bottle, blows up a bullant nest.
1957 - Ants die.
2007- Star Force, Federal Police & Anti-terrorism Squad called. Johnny charged with domestic terrorism, Feds investigate parents, siblings removed from home, computers confiscated. Johnny's Dad goes on a terror watch list and is never allowed to fly again.
Scenario :
Johnny falls while running during recess and scrapes his knee. He is found crying by his teacher, Mary. Mary hugs him to comfort him.
1957 - In a short time, Johnny feels better and goes on playing.
2007 - Mary is accused of being a sexual predator and loses her job. She faces 3 years in Prison. Johnny undergoes 5 years of therapy.
This should be sent to every e-mail address to show how stupid we have become!
Think about it!
Scenario
Not everyone, Granny, but a sufficiently large portion of the population to make a difference to the outcome.
'Twas ever thus.