So, to sum up this thread, the issue of celebrating or commemorating the sighting of Australia's east coast by Captain Cook does not seem to be all that crucial for most Australians ?

After all, given the nature of human societies everywhere, and imperial-minded ones in particular, the settlement/invasion of Australia was inevitable, sooner or later. That seems to be at least one conclusion to make.

Joe

Hi Issy,

As I said before, war makes good people do bad things. Being in denial as you are, I don't expect that you will accept that ALL sides in wars commit atrocities, including our side.

Just watched the DVD 'Going Upriver' The Long (Vietnam) war of John Kerry, a leading US political figure. Kerry was captain of a Fast River Boat in Vietnam, saw plenty of action, given medals etc. On return from Vietnam, Kerry became a leading figure in the Anti-Vietnam war movement, leading the "Veterans Against the War". An interesting bit from the video; When Kerry took command of his boat, he asked innocently; On patrol up river, how does one identify the Viet Cong?", his CO's reply was "If they run they are VC, shoot them, if they don't run, they are VC, shoot them!".

Paul,

I understand that you use a different English to the rest of us (mostly), so why did you say that Australian soldiers threw bombs at children?

Do you not understand the verb 'throw'?

That is your problem, not mine.

Let's get back to Captain Cook and all the good that he did for Australia's aboriginal people.

"why did you say that Australian soldiers threw bombs at children?"
Because they did! Being pedantic does not hide the facts. Please correct the errors of the account by Crp Pluck, if you can. You asked for evidence, I gave it, then you denied it. I'm not going to offer further evidence, as one account of truth is enough.

Trying to use deflection to mask your denial. I understand to a degree the sensitivity of those like yourself who willingly participated in these vile conflicts.

The balls in your court.

Paul,

The balls in your court, you dropped it and no amount of obfuscation is going to change the fact that you made an unsubstantiated allegation.

I can't help you with your poor English, that's your problem.

Is your habit of continually lying a congenital problem or did you acquire it after becoming a Green?

Hi Issy,

There is no obfuscation with the account of Corporal John Pluck being clear evidence of child killing by our side during the Korean War, something given your fantasy world of chocolate throwing and lolly dropping is not denied by you.

1.6 million non combatants murdered during the Korean War, many by our side, is self evidence of criminality. Do you want to deny that with another Col Wiggle Wings story.