Foxy,
precisely !

I think this year's ANZAC day was underlined by the horrors we are witnessing in Ukraine.

It's a reminder that all war is terrible, whether it's in Ukraine, the Baltic States or the Middle East and it's always the innocent who suffer.

My parents were refugees who saw out the last part of WW2 as prisoners in forced labour camps in Germany and they taught me that war is the very worst thing that people can do to each other. There is absolutely nothing "glorious" about it.

For me it's also a time of sadness and some suppressed anger, knowing that politicians are always willing to sacrifice one generation on behalf of another and I'm yet to see one lead the troops into battle. Smedley Butler was brave enough to speak truthfully about it almost 90 years ago it but in the end, nothing has changed.

"I think this year's ANZAC day was underlined by the horrors we are witnessing in Ukraine."

Thanks rache, very true.

Unfortunately, there are many other wars in the world as well, where the innocent victims are suffering in silence, all but forgotten. The Ukrainians are "like us", and their land is of vital importance to the US and Europe in the geopolitical game, thus the nightly coverage on the 6 o'clock news, and the anger of people like Morrison and Biden.

It was the tee-vee camera, and not the gun that defeated the Americans in Vietnam. The scene of that young Cambodian (born in Vietnam) girl Phan Thi Kim Phuc, burnt naked from American napalm, running away in terror and pain, with the camera rolling. That few seconds of film, did more to defeat America than all the bombs the North could throw at them. It helped make patriotic Americans question, AND WE'RE THE GOOD GUYS!

"There's nothing senseless about defending yourself" I agree Indy, these folk and not defending themselves, but are non combatants the victims of war. My grand daughter is correct when she says that she can't understand why there are wars.

You then see fit to jump into some political diatribe about "lefties".

"That's why I (individual) believe in good, sensible un-indoctrinated education by sensible un-indoctrinated tutors whom the Left has banished from the classrooms several decades ago!" No, you believe in education by those who think like you, with very much a pro war stance.

Show me a war that Australia has been involved in that Conservative politicians, and their supporters like you, have not been gung-ho about from the outset. BTW; you have never explained why you never did militarism for Australia when up to the age of 35 you could have enlisted in the Australian Army. You must be another 'Pig Iron' Bob Menzies, all for war, but not willing to fight yourself, members of the 'White Feather Brigade'.

Paul1405,
Wars are not started by the defender, they're started by the antagonist. Anarchists are the antagonists. People such as yourself who taunt & taunt the society that feeds you.

all war is terrible, whether it's in Ukraine,
cache,
US & NATO will come down hard on Putin or so they've been saying since before the invasion of Ukraine.
Just give them another few Billion Dollars !

Dear Paul,

You may remember this offering from poet - Kevin Gilbert:

"Should tears be asked to change their form
Sobs to syncopate?
Why should the easy words of love
Be polished hard to hate?
Can hearts be asked to change their beat,
Distort love-truths for rhymes?
My subtle pen, for all its tricks
Must tell the truth sometimes
Forget the rules of poetry!
Byt the great stars above
I am ME, black opal!
Soft with lights of love."

While watching the moving dawn ceremony on television
filmed from Gallipoli - it hit home that if former enemies
can come together and unite in such a moving way - there is
still hope left on this planet of ours for love to triumph
over hatred.