Who would judge our soldiers in war crimes furore?

Reports that the federal government is having difficulty finding a special investigator to examine potential prosecutions of 19 special forces soldiers (C-M, Dec 9) should hardly come as a surprise. Readers have their say on the war crimes furore.

An Australian Special Operations Task Group soldier in Afghanistan.

REPORTS that the federal government is having difficulty finding a special investigator to examine potential prosecutions of 19 special forces soldiers (C-M, Dec 9) should hardly come as a surprise.

The outcome of the Brereton Report has been largely pre-empted already, prompting empathy for the soldiers involved, given the often horrendous conditions in which they served.

Who would want to be instrumental in prosecuting any of them when their chance of a fair hearing is compromised?

Roseanne Schneider, Toowoomba

I CAN understand why any legal eagle would be reluctant to accept the position of special investigator in the SAS furore.

It is a process that will drag on for months or years, and many reputations will be damaged, if not shredded.

How can anyone, except a frontline combatant, understand the situations encountered in Afghanistan during a dirty unconventional war?

This trial started years ago, and the prosecution will have to lay out in explicit detail what information they have, when they first had it, and how they got it.

Notwithstanding the Geneva Convention, rules of war and engagement, and human frailty, this is going to be messy and damaging to many people, and Australia in general.

Our potential enemies will revel in the investigation, and the ADF may never recover its reputation as a peerless fighting force.

Peter Corran, Wakerley

I CANNOT even begin to imagine how devastated the hundreds of special forces soldiers who have done nothing other than serve their country with honour, dignity, courage and selflessness must feel regarding the prospect of being stripped of their medals because a handful of their fellow combatants allegedly acted dishonourably.

Not just that, but possibly having their entire unit disbanded.

For so many soldiers 2 Squadron Special Air Service Regiment is their family, their spiritual home.

I don’t care what institution, what organisation, what profession you want to pick, there are always a few bad apples in every one.

By all means investigate the complaints and accusations and if, when the heat of battle has been taken into account, some of the men are found wanting, then discipline them. Take away their medals.

But for God's sake do not sully the reputation of every member of the Special Armed Forces and do not trample on their identity. Because for far too many of our veterans who battle crippling depression, anxiety and PTSD or who are homeless, the knowledge that they were soldiers is all that they have left.

For the families of those who have taken their lives the meritorious unit citation is also all they have left.

As is patently obvious we are already treating those who have served our country abominably.

Let us not fail them even more.

Carol da Costa-Roque, Annerley

OUR service personnel are entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise.

Other members should not feel threatened or ridiculed by their association.

The Prime Minister and senior Australian Defence Force officers have not displayed their unfettered support to the majority of our troops.

In fact they have achieved a result that no enemy has ever accomplished – a decrease of morale within the armed forces, and Special Operations in particular, and the proposed elimination of 2 Special Air Service Squadron which has served Australia in war and peace for many years.

This surely must impact upon Australia’s current operational effectiveness.

As we approach Christmas, give a thought to our service personnel and their families.

Alan Smith, Shailer Park

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CHINA NOT OUR FRIEND

ONCE again we must face the Chinese government banning another exporter (C-M, Dec 9).

Like any bully, they telegraph their punches and reveal their true nature.

And what is that true nature? At its core it is devoid of ethics. It is the same paucity of ethics that can land a spacecraft on the Moon at astronomical cost, yet leave its river systems heavily polluted.

It is the same paucity of ethics that can commit human rights abuses against the Uighurs, but hypocritically claim foul on allegations against some Australian soldiers.

The same paucity of ethics that can use trade instead of diplomacy to right some imagined slight.

Thank you to the Chinese Communist Party for revealing its true nature.

We can now see them for what they truly are.

They are not, nor have they ever been, a friend to Australia.

Rhett Martin, Toowoomba

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DISRUPTION TO LEARNING

FULL marks to Peter Mandryk and Ken Johnston (Letters, Dec 9) for expressing support for the educators who do the difficult job of running our schools.

I recall in the mid-1990s hearing a then new director-general of Education tell a university forum that principals’ use of new powers to suspend non-compliant students would be closely monitored.

The question that immediately crossed my mind was whether high or low numbers of suspensions would be perceived as good performance by a principal.

It would be a mistake to assume that disruptive student behaviour is evenly distributed across schools.

And surely one of a principal’s most important tasks is to ensure that conditions conducive to learning prevail in classrooms.

No doubt there are many reasons why some students are disruptive in classrooms but the behaviour of a small minority should not be allowed to mar the educational opportunities of the co-operative majority.

Garry Collins, Stafford Heights

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President-elect Joe Biden puts on his face mask. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP

US IN PERIL AS VIRUS OUT OF CONTROL

THE US appears hell bent on destroying itself from within with its slack precautions against COVID-19.

Hospitals are full and temporary shelters are being constructed to accommodate the growing virus cases.

Incoming president Joe Biden has asked for 100 days of mask wearing when he gets into office, while Donald Trump carries on as if the virus doesn’t exist. Biden’s job will be huge as the virus is running rampant and no mask will stop it. Mass vaccination is his only hope, coupled with enforced restrictions.

Good luck with that as borders must be shut tight, both land and air. Social distancing and mass testing with strict quarantining are also necessary to control the spread.

We are lucky in Australia to be surrounded by a sea moat which enables us to control our borders, something the Americans don’t have. However, we can’t be too complacent as international flights can bring the virus back in a flash if we aren’t vigilant.

Keith Whiteside, Sippy Downs

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CONSIDER COST OF GAMES

WE ARE told that Queensland, and indeed Australia as a whole, will benefit from the 2032 Olympic Games if the bid succeeds (C-M, Dec 7).

Although, then in my 90s, I would find active participation somewhat daunting, I wish the bid well.

Queensland would certainly be preferable than Communist China and its audacious bid for the 2032 Games.

And, no doubt, Queensland’s bid will involve much international travel to exotic spots by leading politicians.

Yet is the cost worth such effort?

We have an alarmingly high state debt. That, plus a record of the Olympics having a dismal history of financial loss by most host cities, makes one question the bid’s wisdom.

I do not wish to be a party-pooper, but I would, doubtless among a small minority, prefer the money to pay off some of that state debt than on an economically risky pursuit of athletic fame.

John Kidd, Auchenflower

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OLYMPIC CHANCE MISSED

I CAN’T believe breakdancing will be included as a sport in the Paris Olympics in 2024 (C-M, Dec 9).

For a person who was marble champion in Grade 5, could hit the urinal from 2m without spilling a drop, and had the best jokes on the restroom wall, I am highly insulted.

Thanks very much Olympic Committee.

Kerry Green, Parkinson

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