Dear Mr. Howard - Australia 2* United States 3,124**

[Mortos]

I don't want to be flippant about the small amount of Australian troops serving in Iraq but after hearing Australia's prime minister John Howard call Barack Obama and all Democrats terrorist supporters I have to point this out.

When I was in Iraq I met and saw hundreds of Australian, British, Polish, Ukranian, Italian, Japanese and other "coalition" partners.

The one consistent with all of our partners was that those troops were kept in the safest areas of Iraq and given the safest assignments within those areas.

The most dangerous missions were always given to American soldiers. Convoy escorts, patrols and other risky jobs were always performed by the U.S. soldiers while the "coalition" soldiers kicked back in the American bases within their own compounds where they were able to do things the U.S. soldiers couldn't. Like drink alcohol and party. Their compounds were much envied because of the laid back party atmosphere in them.

Australia has lost 1 soldier in Iraq and that was inside the Green Zone by an accidentaly weapon discharge (i.e. he killed himself or one of his buddies was fucking around and shot him). The only other Australian listed as killed was in Kuwait in a vehicle accident. By way of comparison, 3124 U.S. soldiers have been killed and over 32,544 have been wounded. The fact is we lose more U.S. soldiers in one day in Iraq than Australia has lost in over 3 1/2 years and our troops are dying as a result of hostile action, outside the safety of the green zone.

The American soldiers serving in Iraq know that the "coalition forces" are a dog and pony show. They don't take risks and it is often up to our soldiers to protect them when they leave the wire. The Japanese soldiers were not even allowed to leave the base I was at unless they were protected within a U.S. military convoy.

The "coalition troops" love being in Iraq because many of them are reportedly paid much more money than they would normally make, some of that money was rumored to be given by America.

The Australian commitment to Iraq is like the right wing republicans support of the war, symbolic and low or no risk.

Mr. Howard should either put up or shut up, he should provide more troops and or put the current troops on the ground into harm's way by having them pull the same missions the U.S. troops pull every day and die, from hostile action, as a result. He has no right to impugn Mr. Obama or the Democratic party when history has proved he and his good friend George W. Bush have provided much more aid and support to the terrorist groups than Osama Bin Laden could have ever hoped for.

Australian Casualties:

http://icasualties.org/oif/Country.aspx?hndRef=AUS

*Australia has lost 2 soldiers, neither to hostile action and only one in Iraq
**United States has lost 3,124 soldiers but, unfortunately, this figure will be outdated within 3 hours of this writing.

[Mortos]

1. try it with the new title

[peace13]

2. Yes!

And as a result of this war America has lost all semblance of integrity within the world community. In addition to losing our soldiers we have lost our soul along the way!

[Neecy]

3. Not only are our casualties higher....

But the United States started this terrible war and as far as I'm concerned we, as citizens, have a responsibility to end it. That's a burden that Australia doesn't have and Howard apparently doesn't understand.

Why would a foreign leader involve himself in our domestic politics? Let's hope it backfires on this Aussie neo-con.

[Mortos]

4. I always admired the Austalian people

They, in my mind, were most like Americans, cast offs, unwanted and went on to build a self sufficient society.

Their political tides may be mirroring the United States but just a little bit behind. Hopefully their next election will put people with more common sense in power.

[TZ]

6. I don't know many Aussie's but the few I do know..

Are two of the smartest nicest most down to earth people I have ever met if a little blunt at times. And my understanding is that most Aussie's are like that. My friend has said to me that Australia is really a very small and conservative culture/country although things are changing I believe. I was shocked to read about recently that Howard and his gov't are really as bad as * on global warming. One thing I do know is that I think Aussie's are more environmentally concious than the typical American and with the huge environmental issues/challanges (droughts and wildfires) they face I imagine that things will change dramatically there soon.

[Mortos]

5. kick for the lunch crowd