Special forces investigation
I sometimes think Australia lives in a realm of high standards, and we are so quick to judge.
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Investigations into our special armed forces in Afghanistan seem to be hell-bent on proving improprieties.
Without a doubt, we must always have and hold a standard of humane behaviour.
I'm saying that we must also take into account, we ask these brave young soldiers to go to war to defend us from hostility and oppression armed with the knowledge that they are fighting an enemy, divorced of moral fortitude willing in any way through terrorist activities to kill or maim them.
They live a nightmare every day constantly on guard for devices to kill them, bombs, land mines and bullets.
An enemy who through worldwide terrorist activities have killed innocent men, women and beautiful children.
Terrorists, who just do not care about honour, compassion or mercy, just death in any horrific way, and they are trained in Afghanistan.
What would you do when faced with an enemy capable of killing your beloved family and all of the above?
Pat them on the back? I think not.
I am not suggesting we convert to acting like them, but compassion for actions taken by our brave young special forces in the heat of the moment, if they are found guilty of any war crimes.
With built-up tension and fear for their lives, we have to exonerate them from any actions made under these extraordinary conditions.
Remembering we ask the special forces to accomplish tasks, an average person is incapable of achieving.
Does that mean we condone going beyond the bounds of engagement?
No, but leniency because this is an enemy we have never faced before, one who has no boundaries, and again I say if found guilty, I find it hard to condemn them.
They pull on a uniform to defend all Australians, witnessing unforgivable atrocities, and have unforgivable atrocities committed against them.
Do not let us judge them too harshly.
Thank heavens for the Australian Defence Force.
Peter Doddy, Trevallyn.
Sewerage sixes and surpluses
INVERMAY has a third-world combined sewer and stormwater system which needs separating, where are the design plans for this area alone?
It is stated in the article (The Examiner, November 15) we have a project plan for the funding. How can you fund a project without a hydraulic design plan, from qualified engineers? To separate the combined pipe-work to stormwater and sewer will be a mammoth task in this flat suburb.
Fiscal policies and re-jigging water infrastructure is talk without substance.
Hugh Boyd, Prospect Vale.
The dreadful loss of power
ALCOHOLISM is a dreadful disease which affects a whole range of people, irrespective of their status in society. The practising alcoholic is a veritable guru in creating a world that is far removed from reality.
This realm consists of a group of enablers who empower the alcoholic to continue along the destructive road that lies ahead.
Bizarrely, the co-dependent initially accepts the appalling behaviour because it is historically very familiar. An intervention consisting of people who care enough to challenge the alcoholic may penetrate the Teflon bubble and bring about a radical change in the alcoholic who may then be prepared to reach out for help.
In the meantime, the alcoholic will continue along the ever-darkening path of denial and bring other vulnerable people into a vortex of destruction and despair.
Ed Sianski, West Moonah.
Westbury Cricket Ground
WESTBURY for one reason or another is back in the news again, but this time it's not a prison.
Councillor John Temple has proposed the Westbury cricket ground be renamed after US President-elect Joe Biden.
This is the second time Cr Temple has proposed a US President-elect for the grounds name when in 2016 he put forward Donald Trump as the grounds name.
Is this some sort of a joke on Cr Temple's part or what but I can't hear too many people laughing?
This council is back in the news again. Big joke but not funny.
David Parker, West Launceston.
VAD Bill - thou shalt not kill
HAVING listened to comments and interviews on local radio following the passage of Mike Gaffney's private Assisted Suicide Bill in the upper house, it must be said in all charity that, for those purporting to be of Christian faith, the commandment thou shalt not kill means just that.
There are absolutely no caveats attached.
It is a commandment, and must never be mistaken as a voluntary code of conduct.
Mary Sexton, Trevallyn.
Launceston traffic congestion
TRAFFIC has been stopped from turning right out of The Esplanade to join the northbound traffic on the Charles Street Bridge, so why does the light still turn red for that traffic?
I can understand it when pedestrians are wanting to cross, but it's every cycle of the lights.
The experiment to see if the change improves traffic flow is not going to give a meaningful result if you keep on stopping the traffic flow for no reason.