I realize that a lot of countries in the world believe they have good reason to refrain from supporting the U.S. right now [sub]::cough:: Indonesia ::cough::[/sub], and that others feel they have reason to support us in a matter that is, well, less than full or unequivocal. [sub]::cough:: Italy and Norway ::cough::[/sub] And I realize that there are people in Britian, Australia, and Canada who do not fully support the U.S., either.
But on a national level – you have stood beside us during one of the worst times in our national history, when we have been ambushed by an attempt to knock us to our knees. You have fully supported us in a cause that the vast majority of us Americans think is just, if painful and problematic. You extended your hand before we ever asked, and when we did ask, you stepped up. No questions, no complaining, no qualifications – you just stepped up.
Today there are British, Australian, and Canadian troops either in the Afghan region or on their way there. These men and women, not even citizens of my country, will risk their lives for the greater good of the world at large, and to assist us.
I am only one American. But I want to say, from the bottom of my heart: Thank you. I will never forget what you have done and are doing, and I don’t think this this country will forget it either. America appreciates its true friends, and we will remember you.
New Zealand offered troops too, despite our small population size, despite the fact that we’ve got soldiers with UN peacekeepers all around the world and we’re stretched. We offered help on day 2. Yes, we have peace protestors right now, but that’s their right to free expression. As far as I know, we’ve offered SAS troops, and we’re waiting for your president to accept.
NZ, despite the blow up years ago over ANZUS – is still friends with the US.
Thank you for mentioning that Jodi- I’m glad to see that at least one American has noticed that Canada is doing something. (Unlike your president that is, who may not actually be aware that Canada even exists.) But regardless of how I feel about your government, I still don’t support America-bashing at all because it is obviously wrong and close-minded to assume that all Americans are jerks.
Rockford - Still miffed about that perceived slight in Bush’s address to the joint session of Congress?
If it makes you feel any better, when Bush announced attacks were under way against the Taliban, the first ally he mentioned as helping us in the cause after Great Britain was Canada.
Thanks, but to ALL countries and people helping out. Once again, it’s really heart-warming to see all the support on so many levels. It more than outweighs the unsupportive groups in my book.
New Z… where? Nope seriously, I gotta say that for a country which is even smaller on the world stage than Australia, New Zealand has a long and proud history of standing up to The Bad Guys[sup]TM[/sup], and it certainly deserves more recognition than it currently gets. We Aussies like to poke fun at the Kiwis (and vice versa), but when it comes down to a situation like this, we’re always bloody relieved the New Zealanders are on our side. [sub]A regiment or two of Ice Wolves, and the Taliban won’t know what hit 'em.[/sub]
To the OP, well I’d say “you’re welcome”, but that sounds a bit hollow coming from a bloke sitting in front of the SDMB with a beer in his hand. Of course we won’t hesitate to help the United States. You would do (and have done) the same for us. As one of our New Zealand Dopers Apollyon put it so beautifully in another thread, and I’m paraphrasing here, “You (the USA) are a big brother who can be big and blustering at times, and we don’t always agree with you, but dammit you’re family!”
Now if only someone would tell our Treasurer that making comments such as “our support for the US makes us a bigger terrorist target than Israel” isn’t the way to get the Australian population to rally behind our commitment…
For those in other nations who aren’t aware of it, Australia faces a federal election in a few weeks time - the commitment of our troops has bipartisan support; something which in itself is worthy of note during an election campaign.
Call me mad, but the way I figure it submarines and land-based strike aircraft are the logical way to defend New Zealand. If you have a moat around your country the size of ours, the sensible thing is to prevent anyone crossing it. Not that I consider a full scale invasion of Godzone terribly likely, but if we ever did have neighbours with expansionist aims (and I certainly don’t mean Oz :)) then they would have to land by sea or air. Turn the place into an unsinkable air-craft carrier, add subs and we’d be pretty sweet.
The subs would also be a nasty surprise for the folks violating our fishing zones.
Yeah… but we don’t want it. I understand the previous owners weren’t terribly good.
They’re on to our evil plan! Even if Apollyon is trying to deflect our suspicions of their suspicions with those innocent words.
QANTAS has just announced a million cheap seats. Want me to ring the local travel agent?
Seriously, I echo TLD; there might not be a lot of you guys, and we do hand you some stick, but NZ has a pretty proud history of standing up to be counted when it matters.
Personally, I would have been bitterly disappointed if Australia had stayed home; some of our people died in that CF. Even if not one Australian had been harmed, I’m still - well, not glad, but I understand that it’s right - that Australia will be there.
And Canada says “you’re very welcome!” --or at least this Canadian does!
Well, of course we’re gonna hang with you guys! Lotta Canucks in the Trade Centre, and a few on the planes too. I’d say it’s our fight too, anyway.
I personally hate the thought of war. I guess I always hope things can be worked out. I’m also the mother of twelve and fifteen year old boys. My younger one just joined Cadets. I 'm afraid this thing will drag on until they’re old enough to fight. Purely out of fear, I want this over, NOW, but I realize this has been building up for a long time and it isn’t going to just go away. If we must fight, I’m glad the countries I think of as family-The USA, OZ, England,- will be standing beside us.
Y’all know that the reason why we’re sending an Aussie command ship even though the mission is under US control is so our troops don’t have to drink what passes for beer in the US, don’t you?
Nope seriously, I gotta say that for a country which is even smaller on the world stage than Australia, New Zealand has a long and proud history of standing up to The Bad Guys[sup]TM[/sup], and it certainly deserves more recognition than it currently gets. We Aussies like to poke fun at the Kiwis (and vice versa), but when it comes down to a situation like this, we’re always bloody relieved the New Zealanders are on our side. [sub]A regiment or two of Ice Wolves, and the Taliban won’t know what hit 'em.[/sub] 
