Majority of New Zealanders back military support for US: poll

I suggest that you relate to me which part of my post even remotely suggested that we were grudging in lending our support.

I didn't actually mean you specifically. You might honestly believe that we are not being grudging about it. However, I am of the firm opinion that the government's response so far seems to be qualified, and Helen Clark's attitude is a barely concealed "well, I suppose, if we have to". She is from the anti-American school - those who were students on the left during Vietnam etc etc so she is finding it very difficult to reconcile what she knows she has to do with years of her beliefs. A better leader would be better at that.

...it states that Manhatten has no army, air force or navy because it is a city. It is not expected to. However, New Zealand, with a similar population, not only is expected to have a full military complement but also use it in international concerns far from our shores.

Yep, I know. And Manhatten chooses to be a city, while we choose to be a country. If we want to ditch our international responsibilities then perhaps we could start discussions with Australia or, even better, the US and become another state/territory?

Of course we had been hit by terrorism from another country and as devestating as the events of 11/9 was, the terrorist event that happened in our own harbour was just as devestating to us and shook our country to the very core. Do you even remember the public outcry for a war against France despite the obvious fact that we could never win against a vastly superior force?

I don't think anything has ever been as devastating to us as the WTC attacks have been to Americans. Consider. We knew that attacks such as that on the Rainbow Warrior existed. We only have to turn on the tv to see Northern Ireland & Israel, where such things are a regular occurrence. The shock was that it could actually happen in Godzone country. I do not remember a call for war on France, well, not as widespread as the current call in the US. Mind you, I was only 8 I think? (Was it 1986, I can't remember). Anyway, that was the day NZ lost its innocence. September 11 was the day the world lost its innocence. That's the difference.

The original incorrectly worded newspaper article caused a number of hate posts against New Zealand that were frankly quite scary.

You seem to suggest that the article was reproduced incorrectly, or misquoted Helen Clark. I heard parts of the speech reported and I don't think it was misquoted. The posts were scary in a sense because it was scary to think that a few lefties in NZ could destroy our international reputation. Thankfully, the situation appears to have been remedied. No "real facts were proven". All that happened was that the Americans on this site realised that not all kiwis felt the same. That doesn't change their attitude to our tactless leader.

Hi Kiwigal. We have a report of a case of inhalational anthrax in Florida. Ya want to sponsor my immigration? I'll be your gardner. :)...:(

I don't have a garden unfortunately, I live in the middle of Wellington. But if you get on a crapped-out ferry and claim you're from Afghanistan or Iraq, and that Australia has rejected you, they'll let you come and live in Mangere for a while.

I know! [sob!] But it will be ok soon I hope - there are a lot of anti-govt people in the defence force and treasury that keep leaking and/or shredding important documents. Roll on the next election...

I LOVE NZ!
True, they have their share of strange people but much less than the bay area.
Also they are the friendlest people on the planet.

Thank You I don't know what the deal is with all this Kiwi hating about. You Americans are just bad as the Aussies. Why the hell are you knocking us for? it's not like anyone voted for helen clark on the pretext that she would disband the strike force of our Air Force. And where's the great Icelandic special forces or even Mexicos. If it does fully go ahead some sensible person will come along and reinstate them no matter what the cost. I just hope they buy top of the line technology to complement the excellent men and women who serve our country for a pittance every damn day. And as for lying down while the PLA storm pur ports and take over our cities; a determined and spirited resistance force would be far more effective than any regular forces our small nation could muster. New Zealand has a high gun ownership record (i'll get the exact figures from Phillip Alpers and report back later)and therefore a few rifles in the hands of pissed off guerillas would make the effort of taking and holding this country a stupid expedition indeed!

So informed and opinionated for one so young Kiwigal. A word of suggestion to you and other like minded individuals on this thread - if you don't like it - leave it, you have the option, there's always Australia. As for Mr McGoo and his incessant ramblimgs about the Chinese - indulge the bloke - just smile and nod.

So informed and opinionated for one so young Kiwigal. A word of suggestion to you and other like minded individuals on this thread - if you don't like it - leave it, you have the option, there's always Australia.

How young do you think I am? That is what university is for - to inform and educate me. Now that I have my degree, I can leave the country and become part of the "brain drain". It is certainly appealing given the student loan I now have. However, thanks to some up-with-it companies over here, I can actually earn the money to pay off the loan before I go overseas. I'm thinking London, although I have contacts in New York. I wouldn't go to Australia, it's barely bigger than NZ on the international scene. Sorry to Australia but if I'm going to do it I may as well do it properly!!

Besides all that, I like NZ. My family is here, my friends are here. We are not a prime terrorist target. We have gorgeous scenery, cleanish air, and good rugby. And hopefully, after next year, we will have a sensible government!

As for being opinionated, what on earth is wrong with that? Please tell me you aren't one of those stuffy, middle-aged grumpy men who thinks young women should be seen and not heard?! I think that the ability to think for oneself and form educated opinions is an important trait in a democratic country.

Please tell me you aren't one of those stuffy, middle-aged grumpy men who thinks young women should be seen and not heard?! Actually I am far from the above - I am a 20 something Kiwi Female going into my 4th year of my OE, living in Amsterdam. And there is nothing wrong at all with being opinionated - I have been accused of the same thing myself on numerous occasions. I love NZ - what she stands for, the people etc, pretty much exactly like yourself. I don't kid myself into thinking we have a perfect country, with perfect people, a perfect society.. humada humada, but after alot of travelling I can say that I am proud of my country and heritage and consider myself to have been rather priviliged to grow up in such a place. I am so tired of hearing people on these threads trash our country and our people, our support and military,our politics and beliefs, the laughable thing is that the majority of said people have never been here, probably met 2 kiwi's in their life and know know jacksh*t about our country, let alone our poltical history or stances, which has been clearly shown in some postings through undeniably ignorant statements. But what saddens me just as much, is seeing some kiwi's on this thread showing little, if no strength of patriotic conviction,and moaning on about our country's regression, annoys the heck out of me - the ironic thing is they are well educated, no doubt gainfully employed people ( and where did they get that education? ), and probably haven't lived outside of NZ for more than a couple of months. Sometimes you just don't know how good you've got it until you're not there!!