Hi there DAVID F... My friend, you and me, were never enemies. Just two gentlemen attempting to discuss the impossible, the Vietnam War, it's causes and effect.

What made a lot of vets upset was the reception they received when the returned home from the war.

I think it was 3 RAR on completion of their first tour. They were marching through the streets of Sydney, and a woman suddenly rushed out and threw red paint all over the uniform of the Major, who was leading the march, as he took the general salute outside the Sydney Town Hall. I wasn't there, so I can only pass on to you, what was reported by the media. Personally I think that was a disgusting act, that desecrated the ARA Uniform and those who've worn it. I understand, despite the red paint, he marched on, and took the General Salute, without missing a beat. A soldier's soldier in my opinion DAVID F.

On another occasion, also on an ANZAC Day, My wife and I had just parked the Car and we were walking down the road to where my Unit had assembled, prior to the March. There were three or four well dressed young women, in their early twenties, walking towards us, and as they drew closer, they suddenly stopped and started hurling abuse at me, calling me a rapist, a baby killer, and other terrible accusations.

And this all occurred in the middle of the Sydney CBD, prior to the commencement of the ANZAC Day March. My now deceased wife ended up in tears, and as a result I didn't march that year. Had I been on duty I would've arrested the lot of them and put them before the Court. ANZAC Day is a solemn day for most Aussies DAVID.F. But I'm sure you know that. Thanks DAVID F., we're good my friend.

o sung wu,

Your claim of being pragmatic to me is untrue, from what I read in your posts. You dwell in the past and lack the capability to judge things with relevance, I would call you dogmatic. Your only defence is a violent one, on this forum you can only engage in verbal violence through the written word. Due to your advancing years you probably are no longer capable of engaging in physical violence against those you disagree with, but you probably like to think you are still capable of that at the age of 80, the old man wielding a walking stick or some such weapon.

As for Buddhism it is in fact a earthly pursuit with the emphasis on the individual.

As for being the school yard bully, I said "possibly" and didn't claim it was a fact, but to take on personal victim hood you did. As coppers like to say "he fits the profile". I can see on here how you engage in classic bullying tactics with others, first its the tirade of abuse towards a poster you disagree with, after they have cringed a bit to explain themselves to you, comes your soft soap towards them with words of kindness. Its all part of you need to subjugate others.

I'll let you into a little secret, some days back I emailed a friend of mine who is a retired Psychologist, saying follow this thread on OLO and the exchanges between o sung wu, david f and myself, I said I see a classic online bully among us. Giving him what background I could, about you and David. He, not in an unkindly way sees you as a somewhat "problem person" . After reading your Friday morning post attacking david f as being an ally of mine, it was more of a warning to david f he predicted how david f would reply and then how you would reply. I got to say my friend was spot on with what sorts of replies to expect towards each other. Interesting.

Hi Issy,

You have no answer to gun control, so you deflect to nonsense, I could add to your list flights of stairs as someone could be thrown down those stairs and killed. The only defence of guns the Gun Nuts have is the "NOTHING TO SEE HERE" rubbish.

US President Biden has called for a public ban on ASSAULT WEAPONS, do you agree with Biden? What are your reasons to agree or disagree.

I agree with Biden, my reason is, they remove the means of mass killing from the hands of Gun Nuts. Where do you stand on that.

Dear Paul1405,

Although I'm not a Bible basher in general I find occasional wisdom in it. The following is for your consideration.

Matthew 7. [1] Judge not, that ye be not judged. [2] For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Paul,
What’s nonsensical about arson and the means to achieve it?
Why do you attack the US when they have, by World standards, a low rate of firearms crime, enviably low in fact.
I’ll comment on “assault rifles” when there is some agreement on a definition.
The do-gooders ought to concentrate on the countries with the high murder rates, such as our friend, ally and border sharing neighbour PNG, or does their skin colour make them unimportant.
Why do so many countries with strict firearms laws have such high murder rates?

Thanks David,

I try not to be judgemental, and even though I often fail in that regard I do try not to be vindictive with that judgement. I attend bible study most Wednesday nights, not because I am a believer, but because I seek answers in life. and there is much in Christian teaching I admire. What often strikes me after a passage is read and interpretation is called for, is the deafening silence within the room. I speak up quite often.

Something to consider;

PROVERBS 26:24-28

24 He who hates, disguises it with his lips. And lays up deceit within himself.
25 When he speaks kindly, do not believe him. For there are seven abominations in his heart.
26 Though his hatred is covered by deceit. His wickedness will be revealed before the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it. And he who rolls a stone will have it roll back on him.
28 A lying tongue hates those who are not crushed by it. And a flattering mouth works ruin.

It is my turn in a couple of weeks time to lead the group, I now have 2 quotes to offer for interpretation. Judgement and hate can be my theme for discussion.

cont