The commercialization of the war has started. Some company in Taiwan is selling rice crackers packaged as shown.

This is my last post here, I promise!

:classic: :classic: :classic:

Yes Carl, I thoroughly agree with you that this forum has been both interesting and enlightening.

I have enjoyed the diverse opinions and congratulate all participants for not getting too "heavy" with each other and resorting to personal abuse.

Personaly, I hope the thread continues. I find it to be the most enjoyable since I joined, second only to BOOBS.

hmsports Rick,

I know where you are coming from mate. While no where near as devestating as Sept. 11, the Bali bombing had much the same effect on us. Our problem is also complacency.

Prime Minister Howard has made one statement that has total agreement from the Veteran community. In his speech to the nation he urged anyone with a grudge to direct their anger at him and his government and NOT at the servicemen and women who are merely diong the job that they were trained to do.

At least he has learned something from the Viet Nam fiasco.

By the way Rick, I too am a PROUD Viet Nam Veteran and a proud Australian.

1 Bravo 6 Rick.

Rick, Leeroy,

Ok, let's say the main reason is humanitarian in Iraq - I REALLY hope so ! And I want to know when the US, their coallition or the UN is going to step in and liberate the populations in ALL the other oppressed countries ,

No double standards please, let's therefore do a worldwide spring vacuum clean-up !

Rick, I loved your fuel price board !

Leeroy,

My (and I suspect other) problem is not that we're in Iraq but because of how we are there without the backing of the UN and giving a slap in the face of every other country who says no !

It is technically an illegal act ! This also makes some of us fear for the consequences and I don't mean higher fuel prices or even a bomb in your local railway station/post office / supermarket.

Look at India who've just tested another missile capaple of carrying a nuclear warhead and Pakistans' instant reply that they have some too ! These two belligerents could easily go to full scale war nearby and who could stop them and hold them apart ?

Russia is now stalling on the final signing of the latest nuclear arms limitation treaty due directly to their wanting the US to withdraw from Iraq.

Blair is trying to get assurances from Bush that the US would not be setting up a 'protectorate' after the fighting has stopped, preferring the UN. Do you think Bush will hand it all over ?

If anyone still thinks oil companies are not involved, here, the former boss of Elf being charged for just about everything has admitted to having a 'hidden purse for bribing politicians (and I don't just mean local, Arab or African leaders - respectable French ones too). Elf are not alone !

I heard and saw the Iraqis today being given out aid and they were shouting Saddam, Saddam, no Americans !

This was in an area deemed safe enough to let humanitarian teams in, no soldiers or police holding guns to peoples' heads and still they don't want us !

The British commander has said that Saddam has lost control of the south. Great but it took a week when everyone thought the soldiers would put their hands up after two days !

Saddam is playing for time and gathering world opinion against this war - I hope we get him because otherwise all the arab countries will unite behind him !

I repeat something I said earlier/elsewhere : I begin to think that the US Military is too strong/big compared to other active forces in the world, it begins to destabilise what was a (more or less) even balance. Now there are a lot less military threats to the US homeland, when is it gonna be reduced ? I'm sure the US could spend that money on humanitarian projects at home !

Finally, well done Flipper, now the aid (and more arms) can be sailed direct to Iraq ! Europe is already sending nearly 80 million dollars worth of aid !

I'll miss you Carl, but not enough to sit on the other side of the fence to provoke your return. In any event, I'm going to leave you all in peace from this weekend as I'm being temp. transferred to Paris where I won't have internet access !

My very best wishes to you all and your families and the speedy conclusion to this war and the reconstruction of Iraq and aid to it's peoples !

The US, GB, Iraq, etc are at war.

UN Failed to keep the peace between several nations.

Only thing now to do is choose sides.

Too easy just to choose sides but I can't stop it, the damage has been done, the worst thing now would be not to follow through.

But don't think destroying Iraqs' military and political machine will finish this - that will just be the beginning !

Bush yesterday " good progress but not yet over"

Bush today "the war will last for several months, more troops on the way"

Bush tomorrow ? "Good Morning Iraq !"

Hope so, it seems like we stepped into a den of scorpions.

No matter what the US/UK/Aus military does, you know that the Iraqi press and the civilians will complain bitterly of coalition "attrocities" even as they parade their own killing of coalition prisoners on Iraqi TV. How do you battle that mind-set? Scary.

Only thing to hope for a fast victory, dissarming, and better sanctions as they rebuild... IMHO, of course.

:classic: