The Old Tin Shed

Today was an important day and one we should never take for granted.  91 years ago today on the 11th of the 11th, armistice was signed ending one of the most horrific wars the world had ever seen.  Military strategy of the time was to run the enemy out of men.  Soldiers were seen simply as numbers, and amoungst the mud, lice, gas, and shelling men willingly gave their lives for our futures. They are all gone now, assigned to a part of our history, we should never forget their sacrafice and we should pray we never hear the words western or eastern front again in our lifetimes. LEST WE FORGET. The Austrlaian War Memorial Canberra

Interesting news was provided during the news cycle today about suicide in Australia, until the age of 36 years for males it is the highest cause of death.  Australia's record on this issue is simply appalling. Those who know me personally will understand that I have a unique view on how poorly the mental health services work.  Its a national tragedy that so many Australians will take their own lives this year.  Is there an answer? That I don't know, but falling real dollar spends on mental health issues cannot be helping things. I await with baited breath the response from the Federal and State governments, but as in the past I expect very little to change.  To all who have been afflicted with mental illness and for those families who have lost a loved one to suicide, surely we owe it to other families and other at risk lives to put pressure on those who could make a difference. The Horse

Of interest today has been Pakistan's continued assault on Taliban positions in the tribal areas bordering Afghanistan, their sudden willingness this year to take on this powerful religious group, and religious fundamentalists, seems to have come after a visit by Hillary Clinton. One wonders if Pakistan understood what a threat to its own security these people were, just weeks before the first offensive the government had done a deal with these extremists giving them a self governed region not 100 kms from the capital. The news report this evening on SBS world news, stated that the Pakistan army was moving well against the enemy forces taking a key town, and forcing the leaders higher into the mountains. They also stated that Taliban fighters were deserting and blending in with the local population fleeing the war zone. If the report is true and they are leaving maybe it means that they realize the fight is over for them. Only by securing these remote mountain areas on the borde

It occurred to me today while traveling the great length of this country how damned amazing it really is. In all my travels this far there is nothing more quintessentially Australian than the old tin shed. So what does that mean for here. Well it means you will hear my opinions on life and current affairs and about things I am passionate about, you wont here me rant about me and my personal life thats for another place and another time.. Hope you read me soon The Horse