Readers Write: You tell us your views and your comments

So this time on Election Day,
Don’t just vote for you.
Vote so Jesus’ justice
In this world can shine right through.
God’s sovereign! So don’t fear
High tax, high int’rest, terror strikes.
“Don’t worry” says Lord Jesus.
So you’re free to not vote right!”

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Brian Manning, (NT), says it’s not up to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to sign us up for wars - it should be the decision of a joint sitting of Parliament. Brian Manning, (NT), says it’s not up to the Prime Minister and his Cabinet to sign us up for wars - it should be the decision of a joint sitting of Parliament.

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The debate about whether Australia should be involved in the Iraq War has prompted David Mason to write about his experiences as a “chocko” during the Vietnam War - he joined up with the CMF as an alternative to call-up for National Service and would be interested in discussing this with others in similar circumstances. He writes….

“...[the] epithet, ‘Chocko’, referred to a term of abuse applied to World War 11 recruits who chose to limit their involvement to the direct defence of Australia, as part of the Australian Military Force, as opposed to the Australian Imperial Force, which served in the Middle East. Ironically, it was the Chockos who first went into action against the Japanese in New Guinea, after the defeat of the 8th AIF Division in Malaya, and before the Middle Eastern forces returned to Australia…

“While we have often been denigrated for taking the CMF option, the fact is, from the point of view of the conscripts in my position, we were effectively part of the Army’s formation, and were available for use by the government at any time. I feel that there needs to be some vindication of former CMF conscripts from a military standpoint, rather than dismissing us as draft dodgers who were either treacherous, cowardly, or criminal, or maybe all three for good measure”.

If you want to contact David about his experiences or yours send an email to submissions@onlineopinion.com.au and we will forward it on to him.