Protest plan 'idiotic', veteran says | Rockhampton News | Local News in Rockhampton
Protest plan 'idiotic', veteran says
Bruce Simpson thinks anti-war protesters like Bryan Law will put people in danger.
Poll
What do you think of Talisman Saber?
This poll ended on 02 September 2009.
Bryan Law is right - it should be stopped
The soldiers need to be trained - the protests are ridiculous
I sympathise with both sides
I don't really care
This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.
FORMER Rockhampton soldier Bruce Simpson yesterday launched a stinging attack on peace protester Bryan Law.
The attack came after The Morning Bulletin reported Mr Law was planning to infiltrate Central Queensland's upcoming military exercise at Shoalwater Bay by setting off a GPS beacon with the intent of halting the joint Australian and US operation.
Mr Simpson described Mr Law's proposed actions as “idiotic”.
He said if protesters followed through with the plans they were putting more than just themselves in danger.
Mr Law wasn't backing down, though, and went even further yesterday when contacted by the Bully.
In a provocative move, he said protesters would dress up as dead families and turn up on Sunday at an open day organised to promote the exercise.
Mr Simpson said the military exercise was there to teach soldiers how to protect themselves and the country.
“Without training and live-fire training our soldiers would be totally unprepared and we could have many of our soldiers killed,” he said.
“I don't like these people who deliberately go out and put others in danger.”
About 24,000 troops are expected to take part in the two-week exercise, which will include live firing and the use of armoured military vehicles.
Mr Simpson said many in the community would agree with his position.
He said in today's climate he didn't see why anyone would protest against the security of the country.
“We have seen the war in Iraq and all over the world there are wars breaking out so our soldiers need all the training they can get.
“We have a lot of ex-servicemen in Rocky who have really suffered; they have been to hell and back and they put their lives on the line and the only way they did that was with training.
“They were all well trained and now our younger guys are getting that same training.”
The Australian Defence Force said on Tuesday it would work with federal and Queensland police to prevent any unlawful actions.
Responding to Mr Simpson, Mr Law said the war games were about invading someone else's country.
He said they would not be putting anybody in danger but themselves.
“We have been told that the military will use our presence as part of their training as we are representing the civilian operations of the country they are going to invade,” he said yesterday.
“I will not be a part of the murder of civilians and I won't allow it to be done in my name.”
SMS reaction
• WB . To the idiots planning on stopping operation talisman saber u are a bunch of ungrateful cowards men and women of the Australian defence force fight and die to keep us safe and this is how u repay their sacrifice shame on you.
• Ken, Kawana. Is Bryan Law a terrorist or idiot or both or has the paper sold his story the wrong way.
• Wayne, West Rocky. If the protester Bryan Law is so hell bent on being an anti war protester why doesn't he go over to where there is a real war to protest about. I bet he wouldn't. Go back where you come from you loser and let them get on with the exercise.
What do you think? Vote in the poll and leave us a comment below.
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