Afghan riots over Quran-burning: 2 days, 20 dead

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

What a laugh! Go ask the many Vietnam vets that were forcefully drafted into the war what they think about that?

Well as it turns out, I have.

I served from 1968-1970. (conscripted) Did my tour in Malaysia; nobody shooting at me. My unit was the first Battalion ,Royal Australian Regiment,which had just returned from Vietnam. I served with several hundred vets,about 20% of whom were conscripts.

Spent a lot of time talking to vets about "the funny place". Most were apolitical and unconcerned about the why, although "hearts and minds" and "freeing the Vietnamese" was dismissed out of hand for the bullshit it was.. Interestingly without exception, every vet to whom I spoke respected the vc but was contemptuous of US troops (as troops,not as people) and their leaders; Westmoreland was loathed.

When asked "why did you fight?" the universal answer was; "to protect myself and my mates". Gung ho types (especially officers) were despised; they got people killed. I can't say fragging never happened,but I never heard of it amongst Aussies.


I have never forgiven the conservative government for breaching our constitution by introducing conscription, especially in peace time. For that reason alone I swore I would never vote for the cunts, and never have.