Afghanistan war

On Sunday, despite the floods, a small group gathered in Brisbane to mark the 20th anniversary of first US led attack on Iraq. We joined others around the world gathering at the same time.

We remembered all those killed in the wars Australia has supported since then, especially those killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.

I started with an overview of the wars in those countries. I mentioned Pope John Paul 11’s strong opposition to the first Gulf War, when he prophetically called it the “Seed of death”. The war helped spark a never ending spiral of violence- “war-terror-war-terror-war……..”

A Geelong Magistrate today stated that activists who had blocked the gate of the Swan Island military facility had “acted in good consciousness” and in light of this, recorded no conviction, and dismissed the charges for 8 of the 9 defendants.The 9th defendant, who was arrested the same day she faced court for a similar action, was given a one month good behavior bond.

Yesterday the debate in Parliament on the Afghanistan war began. There was no debate between the ALP and Liberals who are both committed to the indefinite colonial occupation of Afghanistan by the U.S. and its western allies. The PM's speech was briefly interrupted by anti-war activist Marlene Obeid who labeled Gillard a "war criminal" as she was ejected from the public gallery.