[shaggy eel]

,,, BUMP your post - well said! - and welcome. I'm not saying whether Debka is a good or bad source as I've never accessed it. A lot of stuff on this site is to be taken with a pinch of salt. You've hit the nail on the head though. Anyone who's done fifteen years with the Marines would appreciate what teamwork, synergy and a certain level of diplomacy is all about. If they don't they're probably still sitting around, really pissed off that the phone hasn't rung yet confirming their part as an extra in the "Dukes of Hazard".

[norton]

This thread began on a hopefully high note, although few on FR trust DBKA or have real reason to do so.

Too bad that we can't manage to say thanks for even a small (but quite capable) contribution. Also too bad that NZ has gone so far down the socialist chute over the past 25 or so years.

Even if their being in Afganistan is mostly a training exercise, its better to have them there than not to have them there. And, being largely OK folk lulled by their isolation and lack of natural enemies, there is always hope for the future.

PS to those who might be influenced, Shag is on our side; don't jump to conclusions (what is this panty fixation anyway?)

Canuckwest (?) - it would have been nice for Canada to have at least appeared to have done a tad more after 9/11. If there was something bigger going on behind the scenes we ain't heard of it & we're feeling a bit miffed. But don't fear, GWB will probably incude comedians and ditzy singers in the new Bracero program. (PPS thanks for the troops, Commonwealth special operations have always been first rate as far as I know.)