Australia says it will begin airstrikes in Iraq

Go Oz...........

" Yes, it is a combat deployment, but it is an essentially humanitarian mission "

Ah, humanitarian bombing!

I find it interesting how the mass media were all over Israel for the bombing Hamas rocket launchers and terror tunnel entrances. Then, all we heard about dead civilians.

But when Obama, and now Tony Abbot, bomb installations of a very similar radical Sunni terror regime, then it is all good and humanitarian. To think that the Australian (and Obamas) humanitarian bombs don´t kill any civilians, is of course laughable.

Blatant double standards, anyone?

I hope the United States and all Americans never forget what a good friend we have in Australia.

Woot! One more plane flying against ISIS.

I hope the United States and all Americans never forget what a good friend we have in Australia.

We do! The Aussies like England have always been there through thick and thin, they definitely are a true friend and ally and that kind of respect goes a long way. They get it, they understand the reality of this endeavor. Kudos!

The sheer stupidity of tying down the one guy who would deal with ISIS, namely Assad, and at the some time bombing ISIS from from the air seems lost on most everybody, it seems.

I hope the United States and all Americans never forget what a good friend we have in Australia

Lets hope this is a two way street and the US comes to Australia's defence if the day ever comes... there is no obligation under the ANZUS treaty for the US to actually put boots on the ground (sorry, drones in the air) if Australia is attacked...

there is no obligation under the ANZUS treaty for the US to actually put boots on the ground

There are already US boots on the ground in Australia.

http://japanfocus.org/data/ADF,_Joint_and_US_bases_2_-_Tanter_and_Waddingham.jpg

I hope the United States and all Americans never forget what a good friend we have in Australia.

Many thanks Australia!

There are already US boots on the ground in Australia.

A few hundred US boots can not protect thousands and thousands human wave of northern neighbors. During East Timor Crisis, Indonesia was very angry about Australia intervention. Due to US warning, Indonesia backed off from fighting with Au. However it was long time ago. Their GDP is rising and they bought plenty of military hardware. Most of the Asian neighbors of Aussie too.

If they fly the missile from Bali, US boots can not kick off flying missiles. What Aussie need is Israeli style Iron Dome which can intercept missiles and rockets from all of hostile northern neighbors.

Tony Abbot love kissing the Marine boots. The question is whether it is one way traffic or two way?

As an Aussie, I have trouble understanding how this military action will "protect the people of Australia", according to Abbott. More than likely it will endanger the lives of some, and cost Billions of dollars. Did our previous hugely costly wars in Iraq and Afghanistan bring us much benefit?

@Burakumindes

The threat of radical Islam is a growing and real and present danger to Australia. There is a lot of tension between Australians and the Islamic community one benefit is that the Jihadists will be a bit more careful when they see that Australians will not tolerate radical Islam in their country compared to other countries that refuse or are afraid to take action against these people.

You could pick 50 different issues facing Australia that have a higher death count or even incidence count than 'radical islam'. The only difference is the fact that it's Islam, which has people afraid, very afraid. And racist, very racist.

You could pick 50 different issues facing Australia that have a higher death count or even incidence count than 'radical islam'. The only difference is the fact that it's Islam, which has people afraid, very afraid. And racist, very racist.

And where did these racist fears arise from? These barbaric perceptions of Islam and how they deal with people in societies their and other NON-muslims didn't manifest itself on its own. As I said before, if Muslims want change that negative perception then the moderates need to come out in force and show the world otherwise, but until then, the majority of society will be cautious around muslims and rightfully so.

by the way, another Brit was beheaded today. Another negative image in the thoughts of people from Islam. So those 50 different issues will take backseat now.

This outlines my point exactly: http://m.mic.com/articles/100418/jon-stewart-points-out-all-the-ways-republicans-aren-t-interested-in-saving-american-lives

By the way, I'm sorry to hear that this new beheading has increased your fear levels to an even more irrational degree.

Now you are quoting "John Stewart?" A comedian, are you serious? ROFL

By the way, I'm sorry to hear that this new beheading has increased your fear levels to an even more irrational degree.

Hmmm..not MY fear level, but radicals have put fear in the rest of the world and keep putting more negative thoughts about the religion overall, so I hope they are proud of themselves.

Now you are quoting "John Stewart?" A comedian, are you serious? ROFL

Darn rights I am. Just because he is funny when making his point, doesn't make him wrong. And what he says in the link is 100% spot-on.

As for your being afraid about the beheadings, why is it that the fact that Saudi Arabia has beheaded 19 people in the past month - significantly more than ISIS - doesn't result in a demand to invade Saudi Arabia? I'm curious as to how this hypocrisy is justified by the right.

Saudi Arabia is not relevant to this discussion.

Darn rights I am. Just because he is funny when making his point, doesn't make him wrong. And what he says in the link is 100% spot-on.

Actually, anyone that takes the word of a comedian, actor, entertainment industry about geopolitical politics is pretty much unqualified to make accurate factual statements and that's the problem with society, when you have people getting their information from Stewart, Colbert and the likes instead of listening to people that do this kind of work for a living shows us how deep down in the gutter we've sunk.

As for your being afraid about the beheadings.

Being afraid and being vigilant and taking a stance on radical Islam the way Australia, the UK and US are doing is about preserving the rights and freedom we all hold and value and when the Islamists threaten to come to our countries and kill us and behead us and use terrorism as a weapon, then it should be met with the harshest response.

Actually, anyone that takes the word of a comedian, actor, entertainment industry about geopolitical politics is pretty much unqualified to make accurate factual statements and that's the problem with society, when you have people getting their information from Stewart, Colbert and the likes instead of listening to people that do this kind of work for a living shows us how deep down in the gutter we've sunk.

You'll have to explain the logic that makes you believe that someone who is funny is logically unable to have a viewpoint that is valid.

Of course, we both know this logic does not exist. You are just trying to find a reason to discount completely valid viewpoints without having to actually argue the viewpoints given.

Being afraid and being vigilant and taking a stance on radical Islam the way Australia, the UK and US are doing is about preserving the rights and freedom we all hold and value and when the Islamists threaten to come to our countries and kill us and behead us and use terrorism as a weapon, then it should be met with the harshest response.

So where is the outcry about the beheadings in Saudi Arabia? Why are they acceptable, but the beheadings by ISIS are not?

The answer is because the media has not made you afraid of the Saudis. Out of sight, out of mind. Unfortunately, it just shows you to be sheep, following what the media wants you to follow, instead of the truth.

Tony Abbott did not consult the government and take a vote whether to come involved in another protracted war that no one will win . This is an middle eastern problem that has been going on for centuries. Australia with all of their social cuts cannot afford this or the purchase of war materials to be used to the benefit of a third party. With no finical return to help cover the loss of life here and there for both sides .No one considers that both party's will never be peaceful . so to do a proper job and get it over Quickly wipe out the lot even those supporting any wars.

You'll have to explain the logic that makes you believe that someone who is funny is logically unable to have a viewpoint that is valid.

Sure, that would be like Tommy Lee Jones trying to tell me that drinking coffee out of can is good. Of course Stewart is entitled to his OPINION, but that's it, he is a comedian. The NY Times, AP, Reuters, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and others are NOT consulting Stewart on anything involving Geopolitical topics because he is NOT qualified to give an informed opinion that the masses care to hear. Once he makes the transition into politics, understands it thoroughly and knows every detail factual, historical, then he can make an informed choice, conversation, offer pertinent and contribute to real solutions that the masses will listen to, other than that, he is just a comedian and brings levity to the screen which is good, with all this doom and gloom, we need a good laugh from time to time.

Of course, we both know this logic does not exist. You are just trying to find a reason to discount completely valid viewpoints without having to actually argue the viewpoints given.

Hardly, I loved George Carlin funny as hell, witty and made savvy social and political jokes, but that's where it ends, he was a comedian, NOT a politician, If people want to be that naive and get their news source from a comedian, then as I said before, we have reached rock bottom in our society OR, I can listen to Dennis Miller, he counters a lot of what Stewart says, so I would rather take his word over Stewart's, not to mention, he's a heck of a lot smarter.

It seems like you don't like Australia's and Britain's decision to join this coalition. At every turn, you seem to be on the side of the Jihadists and for the life of me, I am just baffled by that. No one wants a war, NO one likes war. I have NEVER met a person that was in love with war, but sometimes, you need a war in order to keep the peace.

That was a long speech there which still didn't even remotely explain the logic that dictates that a comedian cannot be correct with their political commentary.

The fact that he is a political comedian and that thousands and thousands of people watch him indicates that me must be saying something right, or people would tune out.

It seems like you don't like Australia's and Britain's decision to join this coalition. At every turn, you seem to be on the side of the Jihadists

Ahh, the old 'if you're not with us, you're against us' argument.

I have no love for the jihadists whatsoever. But the fact is that they are the problem of the Middle East, and until the Middle East wants to take care of them, they will be their problem. They are most definitely not the problem of the west, and fighting them not only doesn't make the west any safer, it actually makes the west less safe. Fighting them in the Middle East is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. No matter how hard you try, you're just making things worse.

The fact that you disagree with me shows that you WANT the jihadists to attack the west. For the life of me I cannot understand why.

"The announcement has been widely anticipated since six F/A-18F Super Hornet jet fighters were pre-deployed to the United Arab Emirates more than two weeks ago in response to a formal request from the United States for specific contributions to the international coalition."

I wonder why countries with much bigger military forces have not been formally requested for specific contributions to the international coalition against the Islanic State...

That was a long speech there which still didn't even remotely explain the logic that dictates that a comedian cannot be correct with their political commentary.

Because you weren't trying to understand my point. Comedians and actors can say what they want, but to take them seriously in a professional sense would be a joke. I don't care if people want to listen to Stewart or Colbert. I'm a big Stewart fan myself, but when it comes to geopolitical topics, he's way over his water and he admitted that on a number of occasions, that's why I like him, he doesn't pretend to be something that he is not.

The fact that he is a political comedian and that thousands and thousands of people watch him indicates that me must be saying something right, or people would tune out.

Saying something right and being an expert on a topic is like comparing apples and meat pies. He is a comedian, nothing more, nothing less.

Ahh, the old 'if you're not with us, you're against us' argument.

No, but at least the UK and Australia know exactly what the threat is and decided to stop and combat radical Islam and bring the fight to the enemy.

I have no love for the jihadists whatsoever. But the fact is that they are the problem of the Middle East, and until the Middle East wants to take care of them, they will be their problem. They are most definitely not the problem of the west, and fighting them not only doesn't make the west any safer, it actually makes the west less safe. Fighting them in the Middle East is like trying to put out a fire with gasoline. No matter how hard you try, you're just making things worse.

And you honestly think if we leave them alone, they will call off their crazy Jihad? Of course they won't. Never! No one believes that. The moment we stop, they will continue with their twisted Jihad.

The fact that you disagree with me shows that you WANT the jihadists to attack the west. For the life of me I cannot understand why.

No, quite the opposite, I want to wipe them out, all of them or as many as we can, However long it takes.