Sunday 12 August 2012

Asylum Seekers






















It's refreshing to find another Vietnam Veteran who shares my opinions on asylum seekers.

There are plenty, but they don't make as much noise as the bigots and xenophobes.

His take on the issue is well thought out and reasonable - also refreshing.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

That's two.

1735099 said...

Which is probably as far as you can count........

Anonymous said...

Don't need a greater numerical understanding to assess your IQ old mate. Do you still count by tying knots in a piece of string? Or do you use a sheep counter?

1735099 said...

"old mate"
You've got to be kidding. I choose my friends carefully, and they don't include individuals who use hate as currency.
As to my counting ability - my platoon commander in Vietnam had enough confidence in it to make me responsible for navigation of distance using a sheep counter taped to my SLR....

Anonymous said...

It's pretty hard counting paces whilst facing backwards isn't it?
By the way it was your comment about my counting ability that set up this discourse as adversarial, I merely pointed out that there were two people thinking along the same lines and that you were one of them.

1735099 said...

"facing backwards"
Shows how much you know about patrolling.
"two people thinking along the same lines"
Really? I met plenty thinking the same as me at the reunion.
In any case it's immaterial to me what anyone else thinks. I make up my own mind. It wasn't so long ago that everyone thought the earth was flat.......

Anonymous said...

"It wasn't so long ago that everyone thought the earth was flat......."
Now you are on your own.
If you were counting paces and not covering your RS I can now assume you were not tail end Charlie and not the sig and not one of the gun crew or one of the scouts or had any leadership ability, that means you must have been a rifleman ahead of TEC and behind the bulk of the rest of the section. Am I close? SLR and loaded mags, extra ammo in cloth bandoliers, Claymore, 2 grenades, 200 rounds for the gun,M72 launcher and forty pound or so of tucker and strangely enough white toilet paper, mossie repellent and a shovel.
Forgot the sheep counter.

1735099 said...

"and not the sig and not one of the gun crew or one of the scouts or had any leadership ability"
At various stages, when numbers were tight, I was used in each of these roles. I also did a stint as a platoon medic before we were assigned someone with the requisite training.
Perhaps I was versatile....
As to leadership, I spent 18 years as a school principal.
I'm wondering what any of this has to do with the topic.

Anonymous said...

You became adversarial when you indicated your belief that I had a numerical deficiency. After that we got carried away sniping.
Versatile.....um...every member of a Porky section was trained in the facets of what were designated duties. Not everyone was required to fill each of those positions unless numbers required it. There is another possibility that the Platoon commander may have kept to himself. Perhaps he was trying to find a position you could handle competently.
"leadership" .....headmaster for 18 yrs.....in the public service that could mean you had reached your level of incompetence.....you know, can't be promoted further because you aren't handling the current position well, but not badly enough to be demoted.
What was the topic???

1735099 said...

"headmaster"
That term went out with button-up boots.
The Peter principle applies in the army.

Anonymous said...

"Headmaster" is a term that gets up your nose.

"The Peter principle" applies in all Government jobs and many outside that sphere. I hope that wasn't a shot at me in the Army because it missed by a mile. Now that you have me thinking, I can honestly say that I have never been promoted past my level of competence. It comes from realising what you enjoy doing and not seeking advancement or if you are unhappy, seeking employment elsewhere. That opens up a whole new train of thought for me, but to much to unravel here.
By the way you didn't seek to deny that line of thought on your 18 yrs.

1735099 said...

"By the way you didn't seek to deny that line of thought on your 18 yrs."
I was promoted through a range of levels (bands) during that time, and finished in a Regional Manager's job.
I don't think the Peter principle applied.

Anonymous said...

"I don't think the Peter principle applied"

Ah but you are not sure, or you would have said so.

No need to reply, just ask youself if you failed to be accepted at a higher level (band) when you applied for it. Then draw your own conclusions.

1735099 said...

At no time was I ever not appointed to a higher band on application. All appointments were on merit.

Anonymous said...

So, like me, you decided that you were happy at the level you finally operated at or you sought employment elsewhere. There is although another possibility in your case.....the tenor of your unnecessary reply indicates the possibility that you may have sought information as to your suitability and been advised not to apply.

1735099 said...

What really happened is that I asked a visiting Martian for advice and he told me what to do.......

Anonymous said...

Had a bad day 17.....?? I didn't expect the truth to be so readily forthcoming.

Taken for Granted

Pic courtesy Leader Today Yesterday I went to the state school down the road, and voted in the local government elections, something I'v...