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So? My point is NZ contributes nothing. They have given up any responsibilty for sharing in any form of defense of themselves. East Timor? Once again without US logistical support nothing would have been done. As they are your neighbors glad to see you finally decided to give a care.

,,, six billion people on the planet and you get to be the judge. Let me just get my crayon out and try to frame this a bit better for you. New Zealand has a total population of 3,8 million people. As it's history has unfolded, no Prime Minister or government has ever steered us toward the notion of becoming a superpower. We sit above the south pole, we grow carpet wool, sheep meat, produce dairy products, processed fish, forestry, wine, computer software and host tourists. It's a delightful place to live a life apart from having a Marxist governement at the helm right now and hellish tax rates applied to low salaries.

We have two very new frigates, 109 or so LAVs are on order for the army and the Air Force exists totally to rescue Helen Clark from around the globe, where she spends most of her time.

Our defense policies are down the toilet - YES, you're right. However, our troops who specialise in mountain warfare seem to be doing what they do best under command of US movers and shakers. I'm betting the synergy with US and other troops is more than you'd ever be capable of when wheeling your shopping cart thru aisles at your local supermarket.

Get onto the internet and look at what your population and GDP is against New Zealand's and let it all fall into place.

I'm not a new zealander. I'm British, and yea, the New Zealand Govt. may be shirking, it may also seem that the Kiwis only have a few soldiers to send, but they maintain a high quality army for a population of just under 7 million. I bet theres more kiwis in there army than there are new yorkers in the US army, and theres more people in New York than in NZ. Logistically your right, the smaller countries like NZ do need US carriers (logistics), but please don't let it detract from the fine quality of men and women that come out of NZ, Australia and even Canada (discounting the French from Quebec), that are making a contribution to the war, no matter how small. After all Clark could have turned around and said 'F**k you'.

The contributions and ultmate sacrifices made by the individual soldiers is no different, no matter whether you serve in the massive US forces or the tiny NZ army.

When the bully was dishing out his punishment to his victim in the school playground, the victim was happy for any support, no matter how big or small. Anything that would tip the scales in his favour. America was the victim of a bully on 9/11, but the bully didn't really understand the capabilities of his victim, and the support his victim would receive. Lets hope peoples attitude in the US doesn't turn into that of the bully, because that would be sad. Thats the way I see it.

Den.